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Harden's says
See also Aulis at L'Enclume: Billing itself as a "unique and interactive dining experience going ‘behind the scenes’ of L’Enclume’s kitchen", Aulis has just six seats, is open only on Friday evening and Saturdays, and has one menu, at £150. A veritable 'bucket list' chef's table experience.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Well deserving of its third Michelin star” – Simon Rogan’s culinary mecca in the Lakes celebrated its 20th year by becoming the first restaurant north of Watford Gap to achieve the Tyre Men’s top gong (and was the second-most commented-on destination in our survey after the somewhat more accessibly located Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons). “17 courses of stunning food might seem somewhat excessive, but this remote and unique destination is certainly ‘vaut le detour’” and few top establishments in our annual diners’ poll achieve such consistent support from diners. “There seems to be no end to Simon Rogan's creativity” and – with head chef Paul Burgalieres – the kitchen delivers “unmatched seasonal food with true integrity” and “exceptionally beautiful” flavours, using produce from Rogan’s own farm. (“Not a single bite is not surprising and delicious”; “as quite a picky eater I was amazed as I ate course after course containing items I usually wouldn't eat and yet they were all simply out of this world!”). “The team is so well drilled that it’s like watching a ballet” and while the overall effect can seem “formal”, the “staff obviously enjoy working there”. “One of our most memorable experiences ever!”
Summary
“What a stunning culinary experience in a lovely part of the world” – Simon Rogan’s inspired Lakeland “epic” is “absolutely the best culinary adventure ever” for very many reporters. It occupies a converted smithy in a beautiful and remote Lakeland village, and is often tipped as a place for a romantic milestone (“you must really love the person you've taken, given the time and effort it takes to get there!”). On practically all accounts, though, the results are “worth the long trip” – a 16-course menu providing “some of the best seasonal joy you can eat in England, served up in a divinely inventive manner, full of fresh edible flowers, and non-edible rocks and pebbles” (and with a significant proportion of the produce coming from Rogan’s own farm in the surrounding countryside). Cuisine of this type can seem “complex” and rather “technical” but such thoughts are seldom voiced and most accounts are of a “stunning journey for the senses”.
Summary
“Phenomenal… superb… food, wine, service: everything was magical. Please go!”. Simon Rogan’s “Fat Duck of the North” inspired stunningly consistent reports last year, practically all of them unadulterated hymns of praise, and collectively confirming its position as one of the country’s very top gastronomic destinations. A converted smithy in an out-of-the-way village, it has such a “cute” and “beautiful” location and a “very romantic” interior to match. Superlatives abound in descriptions of its “engaging and surprising” tasting menus: “sixteen courses providing incredible mouthfuls of pure culinary bliss with every element utterly excellent”. “Highly recommended if you’re in the Lakes… or not!”
Summary
“Phenomenal… superb… food, wine, service: everything was magical. Please go!”. Simon Rogan’s “Fat Duck of the North” inspired stunningly consistent reports this year, practically all of them unadulterated hymns of praise, and collectively confirming its position as one of the country’s very top gastronomic destinations. A converted smithy in an out-of-the-way village, it has such a “cute” and “beautiful” location and a “very romantic” interior to match. Superlatives abound in descriptions of its “engaging and surprising” tasting menus: “sixteen courses providing incredible mouthfuls of pure culinary bliss with every element utterly excellent”. “Highly recommended if you’re in the Lakes… or not!”
For 32 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 L’Enclume?
Restaurant details
L’Enclume Restaurant Diner Reviews

"The best restaurant in the Country, in my opinion. Simon Rogan has to be the best chef in the UK too! The only downside is that it's not the most accessible of locations (310 mile 6 hour round trip from Birmingham). "

"Wonderful! Have been coming here since 2005 and this was the best food I’ve had here. Fully deserving of the third star. Good service too. High quality ingredients superbly cooked."

"l'enclume was everything I hoped - a completely faultless experience, luxurious in its ingredients, cooking, time, space and service. I particularly enjoyed the immensely impressive teamwork from the staff from start to finish. All that said, at this price point its hard to see how anywhere can be 'exceptional' in relation to other places in its price bracket!"
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
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Bread | £0.00 |
Service | 12.50% |
Cavendish Street, Cartmel, LA11 6QA
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
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