Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cumbria

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Cumbria? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Number 11 Market Place

4.9

4.9 (1050)

£25 and under

Tex-Mex

Whitehaven

About the restaurant

Welcome to Number 11 restaurant and bar,
You will be treated to delicious locally sourced home cooked food in a relaxed and chilled setting where you can wash down your food with a fantastic choice of wines (including our own Number 11 label wine), locally brewed beers and hand crafted cocktails.
Huge range of Gluten Free options and we are always more than happy to cater for all dietary requirements.

Top review

Lesley

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

Beautiful food as always. A real treat to eat here

Greenhead Hotel

4.8

4.8 (313)

£25 and under

British

Carlisle

About the restaurant

The Greenhead Hotel was taken over in June 2020 by local proprietor Jordan Dodwell & his partner Anna Pearson. After a complete refurb they opened the doors on the 14th August 2020.

Head Chef, Dan, & his young, eager team use the finest ingredients available using local butchers, suppliers and even forage in the nearby woodland. During the shooting season we source game from the local shoot which features on our specials board.

Situated on the Northumberland and Cumbrian border, with Hadrian's wall on our doorstep, the hotel offers a cosy drinking area with locally sourced ale, a chic restaurant serving homemade classic pub food with a modern twist and 7 newly refurbished dog friendly en-suite guest bedrooms, alongside a 45 bed Hostel, providing the perfect base for your trip.

Top review

Caroline

Dined 6 days ago

This is a first class restaurant, everything we had was perfectly cooked and presented and tasted delicious. I’m sorry we were only staying one night, but I’d definitely come again when next in Northumberland.

Crooklands Hotel - the restaurant

4.7

4.7 (758)

£25 and under

British

Kendal

About the restaurant

The Restaurant
Our main restaurant is modern with a lantern light ceiling which allows in plenty of natural light to flood in. A great piece of real architectural design. The restaurant boast some wonderful bespoke ironwork along with a vintage industrial feel . This restaurant offers a modern ambiance an ideal place to catch up with family and friends and enjoy our mouthwatering local dishes.

The Inn
The Inn is full of old world charm with little hidden nucks for dining. This restaurant is full of character and is used at lunch times primarily, but in the evenings, it offers a cosy ambiance lit by candle light ideal for a more casual approach to dining.

The Inn also offers an afternoon tea which is simply divine. Served between 2pm-5pm by prior bookings only.

The Bar and Snug is a relaxed and super cosy space sticking with the old charm of the Inn which this part of the building offers. It has an impressive wood burning stove and is dog friendly.

Top review

Heather

Dined 5 days ago

Fabulous food, great service. Had a meal here midweek has a great varied menu.

The Cavendish Arms

4.6

4.6 (1848)

£26 to £40

British

Grange-Over-Sands

About the restaurant

Please note we cannot guarantee specific tables when booking on line or at busy times.

The Cavendish Arms is a 450 year old Coaching inn set in the heart of Cartmel. With Simon Rogan and his famous Lenclume restaurant we have some very high standards to maintain. Our food is fresh and sourced locally to ensure the freshest ingredients are on your plate at all times. Our menu changes often and is always being developed by our very talented Head Chef and his team. Along with a great food offering, we are challenging boundaries with our selection of 25 gins, 10 whiskeys and many more superior sprits, we always try to have an alternative rather than using main stream brands behind the bar, ensuring our guests receive the best possible value for money we can provide whilst experiencing a better than expected product. In short our aim is to make sure you leave having had a memorable time and be wearing a huge smile.

Top review

Mark

Dined 5 days ago

Well run, friendly and atmospheric pub - great place for a meal/drink.

The Black Bull

4.6

4.6 (642)

£25 and under

British

Kendal

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Black Bull, Sedbergh, we look forward to seeing you

Top review

LeePvip

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food, wine and service! A great experience; thank you.

Discover more

Experience

Black Bull Taster Menu

Avanti

4.6

4.6 (264)

£25 and under

Mediterranean

Kirkby Lonsdale

About the restaurant

Our casual restaurant and bar focuses on authentic dishes from our favourite regions of Spain, Italy and Portugal. We hunt out only the finest quality ingredients and serve them in the same way the locals would in the regions they originate. We believe in letting the quality of the ingredients shine through by trying to keep things as uncomplicated as possible. We are a dog friendly restaurant in our garden and downstairs bar area. Please ensure you mention if you are bringing a dog as we will ensure the correct area is allocated. Thank you for your understanding.

We are now open on Mondays, serving our homemade stone baked pizza during lunch and in the evening.

Full menu available Tuesday to Sunday during lunch and in the evening.

Our suppliers are amongst the very best in the UK, importing regional delicacies used by the finest restaurants in the UK. Our fish, seafood, fruit and vegetables are all delivered fresh each day from local suppliers.

Top review

Nichola

Dined 2 days ago

The food and the service were exceptional, the ambience was great too. Had a lovely night

Pooley bridge inn

4.4

4.4 (794)

£25 and under

British

Penrith

About the restaurant

This wonderful inn is located in the centre of the pretty little village of Pooley Bridge, only moments from the edge of Ullswater Lake. Our spacious, traditional bar features open fires, free WIFI and a relaxing ambiance, which welcomes both dogs and children. On warmer days, enjoy our pleasant outside tables both in our beautiful front garden, and the peace of the Stable Courtyard away from the village bustle. Call us or pop in and say hello!

Top review

Paul

Dined 2 days ago

A warm friendly welcome , efficient smiley service , food was good and came quickly - it was simply just a great place to be in - would highly recommend if your in the area and want a good vale pub lunch in a busy pub with a great atmosphere

The Cross Keys Inn

4.3

4.3 (270)

£25 and under

British

Penrith

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Cross Keys Inn, we look forward to serving you!

Top review

Tonia

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

My husband got the pie which is normally nice, however he left most of it and said it was dry no flavour and the chips were soaked in fat, Our last visit he tried the pasta dish which was awful , it was like milk poured over pasta not flavour at all I don't think we will return for food However the service is great and the drinks are good

TJ’S

4.2

4.2 (539)

£26 to £40

Home cooking

Penrith

About the restaurant

Welcome to TJ's Bar and Restaurant.

We are located at Parkfoot Holiday Park by the shore of Ullswater Lake, a short walk from Pooley Bridge.
We serve fresh home cooked food, burgers and steak from the grill and also have a busy takeaway service serving homemade pizzas and other tasty alternatives.

Please Note

We only reserve our restaurant dining area, the bar area is a first come basis and will not be reserved for entertainment.

We operate on a card only basis, cash will not be accepted. Food and drink from the Restaurant is ordered separately.

Top review

Brian

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Love it here! Great staff and lively food ! Really nice atmosphere

The Boathouse | Bar & Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (150)

£25 and under

British

Windermere

About the restaurant

* Any bookings over 10 please contact us directly online or by phone and we will do our best to accommodate you.*

**PARKING AVAILIABLE FOR ALL CUSTOMERS OF THE BOATHOUSE** Please confirm barrier code for the car park with the restaurant prior to your arrival**

The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant is a stunning restaurant and bar, overlooking the shores of Lake Windermere, providing a picturesque environment for dining. Serving fresh, original, everyday eating on the shores of Lake Windermere, the menu includes traditional British favorite's. Enjoy a coffee, light lunch or something a little more substantial as you unwind with a drink overlooking the boats on Windermere Marina. Why not join us for simply great fresh food and fine wine in a contemporary, relaxed and informal setting.

The restaurant is open Thursday - Monday from 9am serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tuesday & Wednesday from 11am serving lunch and dinner.

Parking - Marina car park available for all Boathouse customers

Top review

Alison

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent staff and location. Visited on a Sunday evening as was quiet . Staff were brilliant. Very helpful and friendly without being overbearing. Food was nice but not as good as the surroundings. Vegan Dahl had very little spice but was tasty nevertheless . Husband had steak and it was ok but nothing special. Cocktails pricy but lovely. Great location and am atmosphere for a special occasion. Will definitely return.

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