7 of the Best Bowness Restaurants

One of the most popular holiday destinations in the Lake District, these Bowness restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and budgets.

Idylically positioned on the shores of Lake Windermere, the charming village of Bowness-on-Windermere provides a picture-perfect backdrop for mealtimes.

Continue reading to find out more about the best restaurants in Bowness…

1. Hole in t’Wall

Tripadvisor 4.5/5– Bar / British / Pub – ££-£££

 

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Renowned as the oldest pub in Bowness, Hole in t’Wall is one not to be missed! Once frequented by Charles Dickens, this cosy little pub is set off the beaten track, accessed via a winding street leading from the heart of the village.

Built in 1612, this Bowness pub is rich in history, with stained glass windows, exposed wooden beams and a roaring open fire decorating the interior. There’s also a charming beer garden sitting at the foot of the pub, perfect for soaking in the sunshine with your four-legged friends.

After a day exploring the fells, retreat indoors at Hole in t’Wall and warm up with some hearty pub fare. The sample menu includes pub classics, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and meals for little ones.

For those looking to unwind with a tipple in hand, there’s an extensive collection of award-winning Robinsons’ ale, wines, and spirits. If you time it right, you might even catch a spot of live music to enjoy in the evening!

Sample menu 🡭
This Bowness restaurant doesn’t accept bookings. Be sure to head down early to avoid disappointment!

Veggie/vegan options  Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway ✘

2. Bodega & Sol Tapas Bar

Tripadvisor 4/5– Bar / Mediterranean / European – ££-£££

© Bodega & Sol Tapas Bar

Next up on our list of Bowness restaurants is Bodega & Sol Tapas Bar. Two bars in one, Bodega & Sol Tapas Bar offers an authentic taste of Spain, right in the heart of the Lake District National Park.

Expect traditional tapas staples of paella, patatas bravas and chorizo. The seafood and continental meat platters are perfect for sharing. Homemade Spanish sangria is served by the jug, and there is an extensive beer, wine and cocktail list.

Grab a drink, take a seat and tuck-into a selection of delicious small plates at Bodega & Sol Tapas Bar.

Sample menu 🡭
This Bowness restaurant accepts walk-ins only.

Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway ✘

3. Porto Restaurant

Tripadvisor 4.5/5– European / British / Contemporary – ££££

 

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Is fine dining your thing? Then look no further than Porto. Sitting in prime position in the heart of the village, this Bowness restaurant offers a variety of cuisines and atmospheres, sure to serve a memorable dining experience.

Choose between the cosy dining area on the ground floor, or a seat in the elegant restaurant on the first floor. In the warmer weather, an elegant rooftop terrace provides the perfect spot to enjoy an aperitif or a crisp pint of local craft beer.

Open for lunch and dinner, the menus are guided using local produce and seasonal ingredients. Expect ciabatta sandwiches, panko monk fish and fresh tagliatelle in the afternoon, whilst Lakeland pheasant, goat cheese arancini and salt-aged steak are on the menu in the evening.

Baked fresh in-house each morning, the restaurants renowned Porto focaccia is served to guests as a complimentary appetizer. Book your table and sample this mouth-watering menu for yourself!

Sample menu 🡭
Book a table 🡭

Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly ✘ Takeaway ✘

 4. The Flying Pig

Tripadvisor 4/5– Bar / British / Pub – ££-£££

© The Flying Pig

The Flying Pig is a quintessentially British pub situated in the centre of Bowness. Families and four-legged friends are welcome in the bar area, and there’s even a small beer garden to take advantage of the warmer weather.

Sandwiches served on rustic artisan bakery bread or charred sourdough are available daily between 12 and 4pm. If that’s not your thing, choose between a traditional range of pub classics including fish and chips, burgers and pie and mash.

If you’re visiting on a Sunday, why not tuck-into a roast dinner served with all the trimmings? And to top it all off, there’s a unique selection of cocktails to choose from.

Sample menu 🡭
Book a table 🡭 

Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly Takeaway ✘

5. The Magic Roundabout

Tripadvisor 4/5– Bar / Cafe / British – ££-£££

 

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Open daily between 8:30am-11pm, The Magic Roundabout is a popular café, bar and restaurant. Amongst one of the best places to eat in Bowness, The Magic Roundabout offers a delectable menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Fuel a day of adventure with a fry up or a bacon butty or stop by in the evening and choose from flavourful tacos, grills, or sharing boards! For something a little different, why not sample a dish from the smokehouse?

After your meal, head to the bar where you’ll find a large collection of beers, wines, and spirits. Pick your poison and make yourself at home amongst the quirky speakeasy setting.

Sample menu 🡭
Book a table 🡭

Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly  Takeaway ✘

6. The Boathouse Bar and Restaurant

Tripadvisor 4/5– British / Grill / Gastropub – ££-£££

Soak in the scenery of the National Park’s largest lake from a waterfront table at The Boathouse Bar and Restaurant.

Overlooking the moorings at Windermere Marina, this Bowness restaurant serves a mouth-watering menu of breads & nibbles, light bites, and pub classics. Expect harissa hummus and homemade flatbread, mussels in white wine and pan-fried salmon served with sauté potatoes.

The glistening waters of Lake Windermere provide a truly enchanting backdrop to indulge in an evening tipple. Where better to raise a glass of champagne as the sun sets across the horizon?

Sample menu 🡭
Bookings via telephone only: 015394 22785

Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly Takeaway

7. Baha

Tripadvisor 4/5– Asian / Street Food / Medicinal foods – ££-£££

 

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Taste the flavours of Asia with a visit to Baha Bowness. Home to a Tiki bar, a private karaoke pod and a dancefloor, there really is no other place like Baha on our list of restaurants in Bowness!

The sample menu at Baha showcases dishes with a difference. Choose from a variety of Pacific-style street foods including salt & pepper squid, bao buns or Japanese junk fries.

For those with a bigger appetite, there is also a wealth of main meals available. Indulge in flavourful Thai green curry, Korean fried chicken burgers or miso tahini cauliflower steak.

After dining, make your way up to the top floor to enjoy a quirky cocktail in the Tiki bar. Open from 6pm on Friday and Saturday, you’ll be transported to a tropical paradise in the depths of the Lakes.

Sample menu 🡭
Book a table 🡭 

Veggie/vegan options Dog-friendly  Takeaway ✘

Do these delicious Bowness restaurants leave your mouth watering? Browse our range of holiday cottages in Bowness and plan your staycation to sample the goods for yourself!

Want to learn more? Explore the culinary delights of the Lake District with a read through our guide to the 11 best restaurants in Windermere!

Whilst you’re visiting, keep busy with a tour of the best castles in the Lake District, or embark on a two-footed adventure along one of the best walks in the Lake District.

Ratings sourced from Tripadvisor