8 Grasmere Restaurants That Locals Love For Food & Views!

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Last updated on January 21, 2023 by Wandering our World

Grasmere is a picturesque village in the heart of the Lake District. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and is surrounded by lush green hills, sparkling lakes, and enchanting forests.

But the village is also home to some of the most incredible cuisines in the region. The local chefs take inspiration from the natural landscape and the surrounding farms to create delicious and unique dishes.

The town’s food scene is thriving for a relatively small village, and actually features some of the best restaurants in the Lake District!

So when you’re feeling famished after a long, whimsical walk through the woods and hills, you might be enticed to try something new.

Prep your tastebuds because we’re about to introduce you to the best restaurants that Grasmere has to offer.

 Village of Grasmere in Cumbria, UK.
iStock.com/Edward Haylan

The Best Restaurants In Grasmere: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. The Jumble Room

A vibrant and family-oriented restaurant found in one of Grasmere’s oldest buildings, they serve a delightful array of global cuisines, made seasonally in a fun and upbeat environment.

The Jumble Room is a vibrant globally-inspired restaurant located in the picturesque town of Grasmere. It’s a family-owned and operated business with a welcoming and friendly charm that draws the attention of curious onlookers wandering by.

The venue is situated in what used to be Grasmere’s first-ever shop. The 18th-century building is charming and quaint, perfectly fitting in with The Jumble Room’s overall vibe.

The atmosphere is lively and bustling, with colourful decor that may seem a little overwhelming at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, the decorations are carefully curated and add to the overall charm of the restaurant.

The menu at The Jumble Room is concise, highlighting seasonal ingredients. The chefs take pride in sourcing the freshest produce to create delicious, authentic international dishes. Each dish is carefully curated to enhance flavours and create an enticing experience for all those who visit.

They offer a variety of classic dishes and a few unique options sprinkled in for good measure. The wine list is also impressive and offers a great selection of wines to pair with your meal.

The service is friendly and attentive, adding to the overall enjoyable dining experience. This place is consistently busy considering it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Grasmere, but the staff is efficient and able to handle the crowds with ease.

They have easily become a hit amongst the crowds over the years and show very little sign of slowing down. It’s rare to find a restaurant that only gets better with age, but The Jumble Room is coping excellently despite its trials and tribulations.

Overall, The Jumble Room is an excellent choice for a delicate and inspired meal. The vibrant atmosphere and creative food make it one of the best restaurants in Grasmere to visit. -283

  • Opening Hours: 5:30 to 9:30 pm Thurs – Sat; Closed Sun-Wed
  • Location: Langdale Rd, Grasmere, Ambleside
beef steak display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/lisovskaya

2. Forest Side Restaurant

An awe-inspiring countryside escape with a spacious dining area and sterling reputation for serving incredibly creative tasting dishes made from seasonal ingredients.

At Forest Side, the dining experience begins even before you enter the restaurant. As you walk through the lush gardens of the Forest Side Hotel, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ambleside countryside, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem.

The gothic-style manor that houses the restaurant adds to the sense of mystery and enchantment. The dining room is bright and airy, with panoramic views of the stunning countryside.

The dim lighting and cozy fireplace create a warm and inviting atmosphere, while the elegant furnishings and tasteful decor give the space a sophisticated feel.

The menu at Forest Side is a culinary journey, showcasing the best of the local area’s produce. The chefs take pride in sourcing ingredients from the surrounding countryside and nearby coast, ensuring that the flavours are fresh and authentic.

As a result, the menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons and the freshest ingredients available. The dishes are inspired, creative, and at times, a bit strange, but the beauty of dining on any of their tasting menus is the experience of something refreshingly unique!

The restaurant is known for its high-end, contemporary British cuisine, which is executed to perfection. This has contributed well to Chef Paul Leonard’s reputation, which has earned the restaurant a coveted Michelin Star alongside various other awards.

The service at Forest Side is outstanding too. The staff are knowledgeable about the menu, and wine list and are more than happy to make recommendations and help pair the perfect wine with your meal. They are attentive to your needs but not intrusive, allowing you to enjoy your meal in peace.

Not to mention that after gorging yourself, you have the added bonus of spending a night surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills in one of their elegantly styled rooms.

For one of the best restaurants in Grasmere, you can’t go wrong with visiting Forest Side.

  • Opening Hours: 12 pm to 2 pm Fri – Sun (Lunch);6:30 to 8 pm Mon-Sun (Dinner)
  • Location: Keswick Road, Grasmere, Ambleside
Chef plating food
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

3. Baldry’s Tearoom

A quiet, spacious destination to cater for all your tea-cravings in an ornate setting in central Grasmere.

If you’re looking for a quaint and charming spot to enjoy a quiet afternoon tea, then Baldry’s Tearoom is just the place for you.

This charming and rustic tearoom can be found in Red Lion Square, situated within a holiday cottage; the entire building offers a warm and cosy atmosphere that’s enticing to any wary passerby.

The decor is delicate, reminiscent of royal tearooms with ornate mirrors and floral decor. Honestly, if you’re a foreign tourist, this is as English as Grasmere gets! The tearoom is filled with vintage china and elegant furnishings, creating a calm and inviting space.

But what kind of food would a tearoom serve? Well, we’re glad you asked! Aside from the obvious and extensive menu listing teas by the truckload for your enjoyment. The tearoom also has a small menu of finger foods and breakfasts for those who feel peckish.

From cakes to scones, everything you could want for an unforgettable teatime treat is available, alongside some creative sandwiches and jacket potatoes for heartier appetites.

The atmosphere at Baldry’s Tearoom is vibrant and made better by the light and spacious venue. The staff is friendly and attentive and always down for a good chat, which bodes well for the gaggling grannies that come to visit.

The tearoom is an attractive destination for all ages and offers a casual and relaxing environment to sit for a chat or light bite.

Overall, Baldry’s Tearoom is a great choice for a calm and relaxed afternoon tea. The rustic charm and incredible selection of teas and foods make it a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a traditional English tearoom experience.

  • Opening Hours: 10 am to 4:30 pm daily
  • Location: Red Lion Square, Grasmere
afternoon tea
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Aiselin82

4. Tweedie’s Bar and Lodge

An unassuming hole in the wall where you can find some of Grasmere’s best comfort food, including a Sunday Roast that’s ready to blow your socks off!

Tweedie’s Bar and Lodge is a rustic and charming restaurant in the heart of Grasmere’s Lake District. Known for its hearty and delicious food, warm atmosphere, and beautiful views, it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Grasmere for locals and visitors alike.

The atmosphere at Tweedie’s is relaxed and inviting, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the Lakeland Hills. It’s a simple and understated place, but that simply adds to the charm. The decor is rustic and cozy, with comfortable furnishings, vintage collectibles, and a warm fireplace.

The bar area is the perfect spot for a pint and a chat with friends, while the restaurant offers a more formal dining experience with stunning views of the surrounding hills and an outdoor section with ample seating for their busy warmer months.

The menu at Tweedie’s is seasonal and features a variety of culinary delights and familiar favourites. The chefs take pride in sourcing ingredients locally and creating creative renditions of pub grub and American cuisine.

The menu is designed to cater to all tastes and occasions, whether it’s a casual lunch with friends, a family Sunday roast, or a special celebration.

And speaking of Sunday roasts, Tweedies is famed for its award-winning Sunday lunch. The roast dinner is served the good ol’ fashioned way, with a choice of mains such as roast pork or beef, served with all the trimmings, and drowned in the chef’s special gravy.

They also host an extensive range of beers, craft ales, and perries, showcasing the best in local breweries and those from further afield.

The bar staff are knowledgeable about the selection and are happy to make recommendations and help you find the perfect pint to suit your taste.

Whether you’re a local resident or just visiting, be sure to add Tweedie’s to your must-try list of restaurants in Grasmere.

  • Opening Hours: Bar – 12 pm to 11 pm daily; Lunch – 12 pm to 3 pm; Dinner – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Location: 3 Red Lion Cottages, Grasmere, Ambleside
Sunday roast display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/CBCK-Christine

5. Green’s Café & Bistro

Your not-so-typical friendly neighbourhood cafe where home-made is always better. Find treats of all calibers in this family-friendly and vibrant little cafe.

Green’s Café & Bistro has been around for years and has garnered the attention of locals and tourists for its cool and casual vibe and outstanding food.

One of the unique things about Green’s Café & Bistro is that all of their food is made in-house, from breakfasts to lunches and even desserts like cakes and pastries that are baked fresh each and every day.

The menu is prepared daily and features a variety of delicious options made with seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers, ensuring that the food is always fresh, tasty, and so good to eat that even the fussiest members of your party won’t have a complaint.

They are also proud to be the only café in Grasmere that provides an arrangement of alternatives which is a big plus. So whatever dietary restrictions you may have, we guarantee Green’s will have a menu to cater to you.

They offer a family-friendly venue where even the four-legged members are welcome. It’s simplistic, with a small outdoor patio by the front that allows people to indulge in one of our favourite hobbies, people-watching on the bustling College Street.

Their decor is rustic and inspired, with comfortable furnishings throughout that just seem to fit so well with the whole organic vibe they have going on.

Since their founding in 2007, the owners have received nothing but high praise for the quality of service and excellent food they produce, and they show no signs of letting up.

So when those lazy summer days need a little pick me up, or your soul craves for a warm winter soup, look no further than Green’s Cafe & Bistro!

  • Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Thurs – Mon; Closed Tues and Wed.
  • Location: College St, Grasmere, Ambleside
Selection of breakfast items
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Los_Angela

6. Cafe Grand

A beautiful contemporary manor overlooking the stunning views Grasmere offers and serving up some delectable dishes in a casual, cosy and unforgettable setting.

There’s something to be said about the countryside surrounding Grasmere. The gorgeous rolling hills, the dynamic countryside, and of course, the lakes. So where better to dine than right in the midst of it?

Cafe Grand at the Grand in Grasmere (what a mouthful!) is a gorgeous outpost in the English countryside, surrounded by the whimsical hillside and lakes the area is known for. The Grand itself is a gorgeous modern manor, with rooms for rent to wary travelers and plenty of charm.

The restaurant takes up a spacious hold at its base, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views and a spacious and airy venue that’s well-sheltered in colder months. The contemporary furnishings and stylish decor enfold you with a taste for the finer things in life.

And finer things in life is what you shall get. Their menu is a deliberate tribute to fine dining and cosmopolitan cuisine. Each dish is a masterpiece on a plate, using the freshest of locally-sourced ingredients to put a modern twist on British cuisine.

The menus constantly change, making this venue a seasonal treat for people who simply get bored of the same old thing. But it makes it hard to recommend a favourite dish; there one minute, gone the next, so be sure to make a quarterly promise to visit and dine on their new and exciting meals!

The only unfortunate thing is public visitors don’t have access to the day menu to enjoy, but for a mind-blowing breakfast and dinner experience? Then, you’ll be in luck!

Not to mention their extensive and well-collaborated wine menu that’s rooted in enhancing the flavour profiles of their seasonal dishes. In fact, you’ll receive pairing options with the menu from their helpful staff, but you are free to select anything from their robust list.

So when it comes to the best restaurants in Grasmere, we’d be lying if we didn’t put the Grand Cafe on the list. If any venue should be on your foodie bucket list, it’s here.

  • Opening Hours: 8 am to 8:30 pm Daily
  • Location: Grand At Grasmere, Red Bank Road, Grasmere
Eggs benedict breakfast
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/GourmetPhotography

7. Rothay Manor Restaurant

A gorgeous boutique hotel and restaurant with panoramic views of the English countryside, where you and your four-legged friend can enjoy award-winning fine dining in luxury.

On the outskirts of Grasmere sits something of a hole in the wall. The luxurious Rothay Manor sits in the heart of the rolling hills, overlooking panoramic views of some of the UK’s most pristine countryside.

Trust us when we say, you’ll forget all about the short drive outside the comforts of Grasmere village to get here; it’s all worth it in the end.

This restaurant is an award-winning experience that we’d be silly not to recommend as one of Grasmere’s finest. Helmed by the esteemed Chef Dan McGeorge, the restaurant takes an inspired twist on Japanese and Scandanavian cuisines, making it one truly unforgettable taste adventure.

Like most award-winning restaurants, the menus are seasonal and filled with impeccable delicacies year-round that’ll throw their name to the top of your foodie must-try lists. You can tell immediately that each dish is made with passion and precision, with no stray oregano flake out of place.

The menus are served as a concise list of A-la-carte options in 3-courses. Pick from a finely tuned list of their latest and greatest dishes, which will have your mouth watering from the descriptions alone!

They’ve earned themselves coveted awards, from 3 AA Rosettes to a prestigious Michelin Plate, and if they keep up the incredible work, we see far more in their future.

Of course, it helps that the venue is situated in a breathtaking part of the English countryside, where you’ll be greeted by untapped beauty no matter what season you choose to visit.

The spacious dining area opens onto a patio, with tables and chairs for guests to enjoy the fresh mountain air and keep their furry friends happy. That’s right, if you didn’t think it could be better, they’re dog friendly too!

The design is contemporary, with sleek, urbanized fixings and decor that make the entire venue feel like the scene of a Bond movie. You can dine in style without losing your sense of comfort!

  • Opening Hours: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm daily; 12 pm to 2 pm Sunday Lunch
  • Location: Rothay Bridge, Grasmere, Ambleside
Chef adding drizzle to fine dining plate
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kuzmin

8. Mathilde’s Cafe

A scenic cafe overlooking scenic views with a small but creative menu and plenty of Grasmere’s best coffee.

Mathilde’s Cafe is a journey that started in the 19th century and has brought together all of our favourite things: romance, art, picturesque views and a love of food. Located in the historic Heaton Cooper Studio, there’s quite a back story to their heritage.

All we know is the love of one Alfred Heaton and one Mathilde Valentinsen bore more than just children and a life-long partnership, but inspired the creation of this quaint Grasmere cafe.

This modern piece of suburbia is an ode to creativity and, of course, the landscapes Heaton was known for painting. The spacious dining room opens onto a small patio and overlooks gorgeous mountain scenery on the edge of Grasmere’s village.

The walls are clad with intricate paintings, and while being tastefully decorated, the whole place feels casual and welcoming, which is all we ask for when hunting down our morning coffee.

Their menu is simple, but as they’ve put it, “simple, tasty food done well”, and we don’t disagree. The menu may be small, but it’s creative and packed with meals that both look great and garner sterling reviews from their patrons.

This is paired with a robust drinks menu of some of the finest coffees and teas a village cafe can find. If you’re feeling brave, we’d recommend taking a gander at their specials menu for some unique and interesting concoctions of drinks that would put just about any Starbucks to shame.

It was born of love and shall remain that way, showing passion in everything from their food to their service. So if you’re in the market for a new local hangout, somewhere quiet and peaceful with great views, Mathilda’s Cafe is the perfect spot for you.

  • Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 4 pm
  • Location: Heaton Cooper Studio, Grasmere, Ambleside

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    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.