Our Favourite Grasmere Restaurants
Arguably one of the Lake District’s most picturesque villages, this wonderful collection of Grasmere restaurants provides a delicious spot...
Settled at the head of Lake Windermere, this wonderful array of Ambleside restaurants are sure to fuel the perfect pitstop on your visit to the Lake District.
Whether you’re looking for pubs, cafes, restaurants or takeaways, Ambleside has it all. With so many places to eat in Ambleside, it can be a difficult task to choose the best one.
We’ve compiled a handy list to make things easy. Keep reading to learn more about our favourite Ambleside restaurants…
Tripadvisor 4.5/5– Bar / European / British – ££-£££
If you’re looking for an informal and relaxed restaurant in Ambleside, Lucy’s On A Plate is the perfect fit.
Opening its doors daily from 12pm, Lucy’s On A Plate offers a mouth-watering menu of starters, mains and desserts. There’s also a “Little Lucy’s” menu, perfectly suited to guests ages 12 and under.
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You’ll be spoilt for choice here, with the sample menu consisting of homecooked dishes prepared with fresh, locally sourced produce. Expect culinary delights such as rib eye steak, soup of the day and Eton mess.
There’s even veggie, vegan, and gluten free options available for those with a preference or intolerance.
There’s an array of seating areas at Lucy’s On A Plate, sure to suit all needs and groups. Whether you’d prefer to cosy up around the open fire, soak up the sunshine in the walled garden, or host a get together in the large conservatory, you’ll find the perfect spot.
Families and four-legged friends alike are welcome at this inclusive Ambleside restaurant. Stuck for somewhere to dine on your trip to Ambleside? Look no further than Lucy’s On A Plate!
Veggie/vegan options 
Dog-friendly Takeaway ✘
Tripadvisor 4.5/5– British / Vegetarian Friendly / Vegan Options – ££-£££
Situated within one of the oldest buildings in Ambleside, Kelsick Old Hall, The Priest Hole is a must-visit.
© The Priest Hole
Open 7 days a week, this Ambleside restaurant offers daily themed menus, including fish night on a Tuesday and steak night on a Thursday.
The Priest Hole pride themselves on serving “fresh, home-made traditional Cumbrian/British food” and that’s exactly what you can expect.
Sandwiches are served between 12pm – 4pm, with the sample menu including cheddar cheese, fish fingers and roast meat of the day fillings. The all-day menu is brimming with hearty dishes, such as fish and chips, surf & turf, and homemade steak & ale pie.
There’s a relaxed dining room along with a charming, dog-friendly outdoor terrace. Soak in the sunshine with a crisp pint of locally brewed beer, or head indoors to tuck-into a hearty meal following a day of adventure.
Sample menu
Book a table
Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway ✘
Tripadvisor 4.5/5– Italian / Pizza / European – ££-£££
© Zeffirellis
Your trip to Ambleside wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the award-winning Zeffirellis. A unique venue, the building is home to two restaurants, a jazz bar, and a cinema.
An Italian with a difference, this Ambleside restaurant serves an exclusively vegetarian menu.
You can expect the finest Italian-inspired dishes, including home baked pizza and an array of flavourful pasta.
The ‘double feature’ offer means you can enjoy a meal and a movie at a set price. Choose any film showing and dine before or after at Zeffirellis for £27.75*.
On a rainy afternoon, the early bird deal is perfect for sheltering from the elements. Here, you can tuck-into a dish from the Early Bird Menu and enjoy an early film showing for £19.50*.
Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway ✘
Tripadvisor 4.5/5– Asian / Thai / Vegetarian Friendly – ££-£££
Situated in the old Market Hall in the centre of Ambleside is this much-loved Thai restaurant, Doi Intanon.
© Doi Intanon
Opening its doors in 2000, Doi Intanon prides itself on bringing the authentic flavours of Thailand to the Lake District. With meals cooked by Thai chefs, it’ll be hard to believe you’re not abroad.
This Ambleside restaurant serves an extensive menu of dishes, including phad thai, pad pong garee and an array of flavourful rice. Available to eat in or takeaway, there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets.
There’s also a set menu, serving either two or four people, offering the very best selection of dishes from the menu.
Try something a little different the next time you’re in Ambleside with a memorable evening at Doi Intanon!
Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway
Tripadvisor 4.5/5– Italian / Pizza / European – ££-£££
Dodds Restaurants has been recognized as the best Italian restaurant in Ambleside by the Restaurant Guru.
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The menu consists of mouth-watering Italian classics, including homemade potato gnocchi, prosciutto pizza and seafood spaghetti.
For little ones, there’s a menu of smaller dishes available. Served with a drink and a scoop of ice cream, children are sure to enjoy a visit to this Ambleside restaurant!
If you’ve left room for a final course, choose from an indulgent menu of desserts. With traditional amaretto tiramisu and dark chocolate panna cotta, it’ll be difficult to choose just one!
If you fancy putting your feet up after a day of exploration, Dodds Restaurant offers a takeaway service. Orders for takeaway can be made online and are awarded an additional 10% discount on the menu price.
Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway
Tripadvisor 4.5/5– British / Vegetarian Friendly / Vegan Options – ££££
One of Ambleside’s Michelin Star restaurants, a trip to The Old Stamp House offers a dining experience like no other.
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A quirky underground restaurant, the menu at The Old Stamp House is inspired by the Cumbrian landscape.
Partridge and venison are acquired from the surrounding fells, sea bass and crab from the Irish coast and phesant and deer from the woodland valleys.
As well as the food, much thought has gone into comprising a wonderfully diverse and eclectic wine list, complementing the dishes served.
Served between 12:30pm and 1:30pm, this Ambleside restaurant serves an intricate lunch tasting menu, priced at £55 per person. Expect to sample the flavours of the field, the lake, the sea and the fells.
In the evening, a dinner tasting menu is available for £95.00 per person. Served between 6pm and 8:30pm, why not pick a wine from the menu to perfectly complement the dishes?
Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway ✘Tripadvisor 4.5/5– Mediterranean / European / Healthy – ££ – £££
A self-titled ‘Vegeterranean’ restaurant, Fellinis serves a mouth-watering menu of vegetarian dishes, each with a unique Mediterranean twist.
Prepared using fresh, seasonal ingredients, you can expect cajun cauliflower steak, aubergine cannelloni, homemade bread and oil, and gooseberry fool.
Sister to Zeffirellis, this Ambleside restaurant offers a two-course meal and movie deal along with an early bird special.
Enjoy a meal at Fellinis before catching a flick at the on-site cinema for £29.75. If you’re dining before 5:30pm, you can enjoy a pizza or a pasta of your choice alongside a film for £19.50.
A licenced bar adjoins the on-site cinema, so why not take a taxi and make a night of it with a few evening tipples?
Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway
The wonderful flavours of Cumbria await at these fantastic Ambleside restaurants. Book your Ambleside cottage today and sample these much-loved Ambleside places to eat for yourself!
For more ways to spend your time here, give our guide on our favourite things to do in Ambleside a read ahead of your stay!
*Prices correct at time of printing. Terms and Conditions may apply, please refer to restaurant directly.
Hello, I'm Lizi, and I joined the team in May 2021. My favourite staycation destinations include Cornwall, Northumberland, and as ...
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