Harden's survey result
Summary
“A stunning favourite” – James Cross consistently produces “absolutely faultless cooking” at his well-accoladed but “very friendly” destination in this Lakeland town, whose distinctive if sparse, wood-lined interior hints at the Nordic influences of his CV, which included a stint at Noma. The entry level option is five courses for £80 per person, but you can push the boat out with more elaborate eight-course and twelve-course selections (“so much food!”). “Each dish is carefully crafted with the best ingredients… don’t forget to mention the amazing bread that you get to take home!”
Summary
James Cross is celebrating his tenth year at the stoves of this well-established Lakeland foodie mecca, where he has won acclaim for his “unique” cuisine: “incredible dishes with different inspirations, but with a nod to both Nordic and Asian influences” (the result of past stints at Noma, Per Se et al). The stripped-down interior is of a piece with the cuisine and staff are “very welcoming and friendly” too. Top Menu Tip – “The freshly baked bread is out of this world (we were given the rest to take home); The A5 Wagyu was incredible and they made us feel so special as it was our tenth anniversary”; “exceptional vanilla ice cream to finish”.
Summary
Chef James Cross returned to the Lake District after doing time at acclaimed eateries Noma, Per Se and Simpsons to set up this new Nordic restaurant with suitably Scandi styling (wooden plank walls, sheepskin throws on the chairs). The dinner-only dining room turns out eight- or twelve-course tasting menus, and wins raves for the “absolutely faultless cooking, amazing service and atmosphere”.
Summary
This “small but perfectly formed restaurant” from former Noma chef James Cross brings the full ‘new Nordic’ experimental dining experience to the Lake District – including wooden walls, sheepskin chairs and beef aged for as long as 430 days. “Dishes are varied and delicious and there’s a great wine list to accompany them”. Gripes, such as they are, tend to be relatively minor (“still excellent, but preferred it when there seemed to be a stronger emphasis on foraging”).
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Lake Road Kitchen?
3 Sussex House, Lake Road, Ambleside, LA22 0AD
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £75.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 165.00 | Always available | 12 |
| Menu2 | 105.00 | Always available | 8 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £70.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £9.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
3 Sussex House, Lake Road, Ambleside, LA22 0AD
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
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