The top 20 places to eat in Keswick
What’ll it be? A quick sandwich or a sit-down meal? Something simple or something fancy? Something healthy or something a little bit naughty? You are on holiday, after all.
Do you fancy Mexican, Indian or European? Traditional English or something more exotic? Happily, Keswick caters for all tastes and appetites – and vegetarians and vegans won’t go hungry either.
A huge variety of cafés and restaurants
You could probably have breakfast, lunch and dinner somewhere different every day of your stay and still have plenty of places left over to try – you’ll just have to come back and visit again.
Here’s our lowdown on some of the best places to fill your belly in around the town. Hiking makes you hungry!
The Square Orange
We don’t know why it’s called The Square Orange, but this quirky little café in the heart of Keswick is well worth a visit if Roman-style (that’s thin and crispy to you and me) stone-baked pizza, a selection of European-inspired tapas, or a bowl of tasty nachos gets your taste buds dancing.
They have lots of vegan options too. There are also guest wines from family-run vineyards, beer from local microbreweries and further afield, and coffee from Cumbrian roasters, so whether you just want to pop in for coffee and cake during the day, or a pre-pizza Aperol spritz in the evening, a warm welcome awaits.
They don’t take bookings, so you’ll have to rock up and take your chances.
Thyme Bistro
It’s a family affair at the Thyme Bistro. Husband and wife team Richard and Wendy have been in the restaurant game for a long time, so they know what they’re doing. And what they’re doing is serving up beautifully cooked and presented fresh food using local produce and seafood from the west coast wherever possible.
What’s on the menu? Well, to start, you can choose dishes like Stuffed Mushrooms, Deep Fried Brie, and Calamari, while mains include Confit of Duck, Loin of Cod, and Slow Roasted Belly Pork. They also have a pizza and pasta menu, and delicious homemade burgers too.
There’s also an extensive and affordable wine list, and if you don’t want to dine in, you can order a meal to take back to your holiday cottage.
Fellpack Restaurant
If you like a menu where Sardinian Seafood Stew rubs shoulders with Indonesian Lamb Rendang, then the Fellpack Restaurant is probably for you. They call their dishes Fellpots, and the regularly changing menu is short, innovative, and eclectic.
They also do brunch – how do Salt Beef & Eggs (salt beef brisket with fried eggs, spinach and crisp breakfast potatoes) or Aubergine, Feta & Mushrooms Muffin (toasted muffin, smoky aubergine, feta, portobello mushrooms, spinach, chives and toasted seeds) sound? Pretty darn tasty, we say.
And, if your sweet tooth starts to itch, the Rubarb & Custard Crème Brûlée or Burnt Basque Cheescake should satisfy your dessert urges.
Casa Bella
Guini Murtaza is head pan wrangler at family-friendly Casa Bella, and his passion for Italian food dominates the menu of Italian classics and daily changing specials. So you can expect dishes like Arancini di Riso, Bolognese, Pasta con Spinaci, Seafood Pomodore, Tuscan Pork, and Rustic Vegetable Arrabiata to transport you to thoughts of warmer climes.
There’s a pizza menu too, of course, and specials like Beef Short Rib (served in a rich Napoli sauce with tagliatelle, roasted garlic and rocket), and Capisco Ripeni (stuffed peppers with goats’ cheese, gorgonzola & pecorino, romano risotto with mushrooms, spinach and sun-blushed tomatoes) to try.
And we haven’t even mentioned all the many flavours of homemade gelato you can finish off with. Mamma mia!
Bar eS
Fancy a culinary trip down Mexico way? Then get yourself to Bar Es for some Mexican-inspired tapas. Say hola to favourites like Patatas Bravas, Padron Peppers, Gambas Pil Pil and Chimichurri Chicken Drumsticks, to name but a few. Get stuck into some quesadillas, soft shell tacos or tostadas. Load up with homemade salsa, guacamole and Mexican slaw – perhaps a plate of nachos too.
And wash it all down with a cold beer – or maybe it’s margarita time?
They also offer a full vegan menu at Bar Es, so nobody needs to miss out.
The dining area isn’t huge so you might want to book in advance. When you do get there, expect rustic interiors, mural-covered walls and a warm welcome. Sounds perfect.
Merienda
Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, you could spend all day and the evening feeding yourself from the menu at globally-inspired Merienda. You can just have coffee and homemade cake – they reckon they serve the best coffee in Cumbria. Or you can have something more substantial.
Let’s start with breakfast. Will it be Pancakes and Maple Syrup? Porridge served with honey and banana? Or the Bert – bacon, egg, rocket and tomato aioli on cob bread?
For brunch, how about Masala Scrambled Tofu or a Pulled Pork Burger? Maybe keep it simple for lunch with a tasty sandwich or the soup of the day? Although the Middle Eastern Lamb Koftas sound good too.
And for dinner, there’s Tomato and Meatball Linguini and Chipotle Chicken Breast to consider… decisions, decisions.
Old Keswickian Fish & Chips Restaurant
When nothing else but fish & chips will do, point your nose in the direction of the Old Keswicikian. Family-run for over forty years, it serves up hearty portions of everything you’d expect, from traditional fish and chips to homemade pies.
Don’t fancy batter? They also serve poached fish if you prefer something lighter. And all the usual accompaniments are present and correct too – mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy, baked beans.
There are tables upstairs and downstairs so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a seat, but you can always take your chippy tea away if you just can’t wait to tuck in.
Lake Road Brunch
They take brunch seriously at Lake Road Brunch. They think theirs is the best in town, and judging by the glowing reviews, they’re not wrong.
We’re talking banging Eggs Benny, sublime Shakshuka, marvellous Masala Dosa, and pancake stacks as big as mountains (well, pretty big anyway).
There’s a full vegan menu too, and you can wash it all down with a beer or a cocktail if you fancy.
Barua
Indian street food in the heart of Keswick? Oh go on then. All the dishes at Barua are made for sharing and are served as soon they are ready.
What’s cooking? Well, you can get started with some cold nibbles like Barua Nuts, Bhel Puri and Masala Pad Pad, then tuck into tasty Tarka Dahl, Butter Chicken Skewers and Cauliflower Sabji.
And don’t forget to order Vada Pav – the ‘Bombay Burger’ – a fried potato dumpling, garlic butter, in a soft white roll with house chutneys.
Maybe treat yourself to an Indian cocktail too, while you’re at it. Be rude not to.
The Filling Station Café
Popular with bikers, hikers and good food-likers, the Filling Station Café is a fully licensed retro-style diner on the outskirts of Keswick dishing up freshly cooked all day breakfasts, steakburgers, doorstop sarnies, soup, pancakes, waffles and cakes, ice creams, milkshakes and more – with plenty of choice for veggies too.
It’s not huge inside but there’s plenty of outdoor seating too.
Mrs F’s
If you’re after something a little bit different from the usual cafés and tearooms in the Lakes, a little trip to the quaint environs of Mrs F’s Fine Food Emporium will do the job nicely.
You’ll find mis-matched tables and chairs, and quirky décor, but the welcome is warm and the food is simple and homemade – with soup, toasties, scones, cakes and pies the order of the day.
The Round
It’s all about gourmet burgers at The Round. Beef burgers, chicken burgers, meat-free burgers. Burgers with punny Lake District names – Pike O’ Pickle, Katsu Bells, Great Gobble, Harissa Stickle, Pullvelllyn… get the picture?
They don’t take bookings but there’s plenty of space so you’ll soon be tucking in to your burger and crinkle cut or sweet potato fries – and don’t forget the sides: Kimchi Slaw, anyone?
They also serve a wide range of cocktails, plus beers, wines spirits and soft drinks to quench those thirsts.
The Wild Strawberry
Afternoon tea in one of the oldest buildings in Keswick? Don’t mind if we do. The Wild Strawberry is a charming family-run café serving cakes and patisserie handmade by Paula – a pastry chef who trained under the Roux brothers.
You can also choose from a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, pastries and crêpes.
And they’ll whip you up a breakfast bacon or sausage butty too if you ask nicely.
Jan’s Lakeland Sandwich Shop
It’s not really a café as they only do takeaway, but we couldn’t not include the legendary Jan’s Lakeland Sandwich Shop in our list of places to eat in Keswick.
If it’s fuel for the fells you’re after then the great value hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, pies, pastries and homemade cakes at Jan’s will propel you to the top.
There are also daily specials, and you can even get a full English to go.
Derwent Walker Café Bar
Micro-dining experience bursting with flavour, making you curious to try more than one of the chef’s dishes.
There’s also speciality cocktails designed by their mixologist for a unique experience.
The Chalet Tearooms & Restaurant
The Chalet Tearooms is situated in the Lakeland village of Portinscale nestled on the shores of Derwentwater.
A place where you can enjoy walks, hire boats and hop on the launches to and from Keswick.
Cafe Bar 26
Vegans looking for options to eat/drink in the Lake District – look no further!
The cafe offers a perfect stop for vegans. Incredible menu options and excellent service.
Very friendly staff in a great location.
The Lingholm Kitchen
Re-built in 2016 to offer a unique customer experience in a country estate setting.
Located on the western shore of Derwentwater in the heart of the beautiful Lake District, our spacious café is open every day, serving delicious homemade food and award-winning coffee.
Fellshack
The Fellshack vintage airstream trailer is a (literally!) shining beacon.
Serving up burritos, loaded fries, cold beers and soft drinks from its sunny spot at the end of Lake Road.
Ivy House Restaurant
Just 2 and a half miles from Keswick and 10 minutes from Bassenthwaite Lake.
The elegant restaurant and peaceful village of Braithwaite, is the perfect location for a relaxing evening meal out, after an exhilarating day in the Lakeland Fells.
Embrace the adventure of a Cottage Holiday in Keswick
Choosing a self-catered cottage in Keswick promises a holiday filled with exploration, adventure, incredible food and drinks, and a true taste of village life.
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Keswick is a small town in England that is known for its picturesque scenery and its many outdoor activities. The town is situated in the Lake District, which is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, and other outdoor pursuits.
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