Windermere Restaurant Guide

“The best local ingredients are married with spices and great originality” at Hrishikesh Desai’s swish dining room – the posher of the two eating options at this plush hotel, set “in a gorgeous Lake District setting” (see also Gilpin Spice). It offers a variety of modern British menus which provide “a hint of Indian influence in some of the dishes, but the resulting food is in no way overpowering: rather it is delicate and full of wonderful flavours”. “From the moment of arrival up to the moment of departure you are cosseted in a traditional but not suffocating way – a real pleasure”.

“Magnificent views over Lake Windermere” are part of the appeal of this celebrated county hotel, which gained a fancy new glass-walled restaurant, wine cellar and chef’s table a few years back. It attracted the odd middling rating last year, but most feedback has remained very upbeat as chef Robby Jenks (from Newbury’s Vineyard at Stockcross) succeeded Peter Howarth in spring 2019, and we’ve maintained its ratings as an “amazing” all-rounder.

“A great addition to Gilpin Lodge” – this “funky, delightful restaurant” (the more casual of the hotel’s two dining rooms overseen by Hrishikesh Desai) serves up “bold flavours and panache”, with “a leaning towards India, particularly southern India, but also drawing inspiration from beyond”: “undeniably gorgeous!”

“Luxury, on all fronts” helps summarise the appeal of a meal at this well-known Lakeland hotel: originally built as a hunting lodge with a “gorgeous” wood-panelled, traditional dining room and “sensational views” over Lake Windermere. Fans applaud its “truly elegant” cuisine too, but ratings are capped by sceptics who consider the performance “overrated”.

“This place is never quiet” – “they serve the best coffee (from Carvetii) for miles around and their creative breakfasts and brunches are out of this world”.

2017 Review: “Attuned to the psychology of the middle-class shoppers who want a break from their status-enhancing kitchen products” – bought in the downstairs cookware shop – this mountain-view café, helmed by ex-Gavroche chef Steven Doherty, mixes a “solid range of light lunches and snacks” with a “nice sofa area to read the papers” afterwards.

“Fresh fish perfectly cooked on the bone” is a highlight of a visit to this well-established if “basic” venue, which continues to garner positive reports in the main. The owners launched a sibling, Urban Food House, offering pizza and other casual fare, in Bowness, in August 2018.