Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in Penrith
Hardens guides have spent 34 years compiling reviews of the best Penrith restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 8 restaurants in Penrith and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Penrith restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured Penrith Restaurants
1. 1863 Restaurant with Rooms
British, Modern restaurant in Pooley Bridge
Elm House, High Street - CA10
Occupying a site that was once the village post office and telephone exchange (and initially a smithy), this Lakeland bistro is nowadays part of a grand-ish restaurant with eight rooms that sits in a scenic village on the shores of Ullswater. Feedback was limited this year but rated it as “very good all-round”. Chef Phil Corrie is a local lad and offers a well-established choice here of three-course à la carte menu for £85 per person and also a seven-course tasting menu (the latter for £130 per person).
2. George & Dragon
British, Traditional restaurant in Clifton
In the heart of the Lowther estate, known for its famous Askham Hall down the road, this comfortable Cumbrian pub (which had to be extensively refurbished after a fire a couple of years ago) is one of the better-rated by our annual diners’ poll in the Lakes (and was the Cumbrian Tourism Awards 2024 Pub of the Year). Much of the meat for the straightforward, traditional menu comes from the family estate and other local sources.
3. Allium at Askham Hall
British, Modern restaurant in Penrith
Askham - CA10
Scenic battlements on the roof and exotic topiary in the surrounding manicured gardens set a grand scene at this Grade 1 listed mansion – dating from the 1200s and owned by the family of its current owners since 1724 (who converted it into a restaurant with rooms a dozen years ago). Head Chef Richard Swale presents a six-course tasting menu for £140 per person. The wine list is the preserve of ‘Maître de Maison’ Nico Chieze and is a prime feature – “a truly outstanding wine list which is a real labour of love” presented as “a great bible… you need to allow time to look at it all”.
4. Angel Lane Chippie
Fish & chips restaurant in Penrith
17 Angel Lane - CA11
2022 Review: “A rather ordinary looking chippie on a narrow pedestrianised lane in the centre of town” that’s something of a local mainstay. On limited feedback, it gets a strong thumbs up: “the long queue is tightly managed. Portions are large and there’s very good chips, plus homemade tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon. Good to see that potatoes are local and fish are MSC certified”.
5. Four & Twenty
British, Modern restaurant in Penrith
42 King St - CA11
This “outstanding” and “extremely reliable restaurant in the centre of Penrith” from former Sharrow Bay chef James Cowin offers “hearty, generous cooking (and the veg is always good enough to be noteworthy, too)” – “the whole meal is a delight”, with “excellent service” from staff who “welcome you like a long-lost friend”, and provides “great value, particularly from the table d’hôte menu”. Top Tips – the twice-baked cheese soufflé and slow-cooked blade of beef are always on the menu, for good reason.
6. The Dog & Gun
British, Modern restaurant in Skelton
‘The Dog and Gun Inn is not a ‘fine dining establishment’ confirms the website of Ben Queen-Fryer’s Lake District venue which goes on to note that it’s “a family-run business and families of all ages are welcome to book and dine with us” (including dogs in certain areas). Diner feedback confirms “there continues to be excellent food at this friendly, unpretentious Michelin-starred pub, where owner Ben is very much hands on and does most of the cooking”: “tasty and different dishes, in good sized portions”. Top Menu Tip – “Don’t miss his soufflés!”
7. The George Hotel
British, Modern restaurant in Penrith
Devonshire Street - CA11
2022 Review: This old-school market-town hotel is a cosseting sort of spot, whether you opt to dine in the “comforting bar area” or the silver-and-ruby-red restaurant, garlanded with two AA rosettes for its “consistently high standard” of “well-presented” food.
8. Mark Greenaway at the Haweswater Hotel
British, Modern restaurant in Bampton
Lakeside Road - CA10
2024 Review: “Amazing stay and experience, the dishes were out of this world” – early praise for this January 2023 Lake District newcomer from the high-profile Edinburgh chef. It occupies an Art Deco hotel on the banks of Haweswater Reservoir, now transformed into a self-named fine-dining outfit focusing on local seasonal produce serving some of his signature dishes (shiitake mushrooms on toast; 11-hour slow-roast pork belly; sticky toffee soufflé). There’s also the more informal Brasserie 37, named after the year the hotel was opened. More reports please!
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