Here’s our 3-day foodie tour of the Lake District covering Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick — balancing cafés, relaxed lunches, indulgent afternoon teas, and memorable dinners.
🍽️ Day 1 – Kendal & Windermere (Southern Lakes)
A mix of market-town charm and lakeside dining
☕ Morning (Kendal – Café stop)
- Start in Kendal at Bakery No4. A great spot cafe right in the centre of Kendal. You could literally fall out of bed from our property at Martindales Yard and treat yourself to what we think is the best coffee and home made food in town.
🍴 Lunch (Kendal – Gastro Pub)
- Head slightly out of town in the car to The Black Labrador . A classic country pub with elevated Cumbrian dishes (think local meats, seasonal menus).
🍰 Afternoon Tea (Windermere)
- Travel to Windermere for afternoon tea (a must-do in the Lakes). Try a traditional hotel-style afternoon tea experience at The Lindeth Howe Hotel. It’s an opportunity to indulge in the charm and sophistication of a timeless tradition.
🍽️ Dinner (Windermere)
- Porto – A popular and vibrant restaurant with an easy-going vibe, Porto offers an exciting modern dining experience. Choose a seat in the cosy downstairs area, upstairs in their relaxed restaurant, or when its sunny the rooftop terrace is always open.
- Urban Food House. Urban-inspired dishes with a rural twist, celebrating bold flavours, comforting classics and creative seasonal plates. From hearty breakfasts and laid-back brunches, to lively dinners and evening cocktails, every visit feels a little different.
🍽️ Day 2 – Ambleside (Foodie Heart of the Lakes)
Best for high-end dining + cosy cafés
☕ Morning (Café culture)
- Breakfast at Copper Pot. Known for pancakes, brunch plates and great coffee.
🍴 Lunch (Casual / Walk + Eat combo)
- Walk-friendly lunch stop: Chesters by the River Beautiful riverside setting with fresh, wholesome dishes.
🍰 Afternoon Tea / Light Bite
- Quick stop in Ambleside (cake + coffee) in the old Kelsick Grammer School, now called Force Cafe (why not walk up past the waterfalls from the centre of town to this spectacular cafe with amazing views.
🍽️ Dinner (Highlight night)
- Top foodie experience: The Old Stamp House A Michelin-starred restaurant with hyper-local tasting menus, or their sister restaurant The Schelly – two of the best places to eat in the Lake District, don’t forget to book in advance so as not to be disappointed.
Alternatives depending on vibe:
- Lake Road Kitchen → modern fine dining and another Michelin-starred restaurant in Ambleside
- The Priest Hole Restaurant → cosy cave-like setting
- Zefferellis – One of, if not Ambleside’s busiest restaurant and Cinema – completely vegetarian but definitely worth a visit, you wont regret it!
🍽️ Day 3 – Keswick (Northern Lakes, relaxed foodie scene)
More casual, creative, and scenic
☕ Morning (Brunch hotspot)
- Start at Lake Road Brunch One of the best brunch cafés in Keswick.
🍴 Lunch (Modern casual dining)
- Fellpack – Hugely popular for inventive comfort food (book ahead!) 👉 Frequently praised by locals and visitors for quality and service.
🍰 Afternoon Tea / Coffee stop
- Head just outside town to Lingholm Kitchen A Lakeside café with excellent cakes and coffee.
🍽️ Dinner (Pub or relaxed dining)
- Wind down at a traditional Lakeland pub (Keswick has many). Or Dine out in style at Lodore Falls just down the lake from Keswick, dining at either the Falls Brassiere or the Mizu Pan Asian restauran
✨ Tips to elevate your foodie trip
- Book ahead for dinners (especially Ambleside fine dining)
- Mix walks + cafés — many of the best spots are scenic stops
- Try local specialities: Cumberland sausage, Sticky toffee pudding, Cumbrian ales