Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cumbria

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2026

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!

The Cottage in the Wood

4.8

4.8 (108)

£41 and over

Modern European

Keswick

About the restaurant

Perched 1,000ft up in the Whinlatter Forest above Keswick in the northern Lake District, The Cottage in the Wood is a unique Michelin Star Restaurant with Rooms combining Jack Bond’s creative cooking, boutique-style rooms, friendly service and a warm welcome in a stunning natural setting.

Online reservations are available for parties of 1–4 guests.
Bookings for 5-6 guests require a deposit, please contact us directly to make this reservation.
Phone: 017687-78409
Email: Info@thecottageinthewood.co.uk

We very much look forward to welcoming you to ‘The Cottage’
Beth, Jack & The Team at The Cottage in the Wood

Top review

Roy

Dined 3 days ago

About the best meal and overnight stay we have ever had. Fantastic 👍🏽

Greenhead Hotel

4.8

4.8 (429)

£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

Jane

Dined on Apr 26, 2026

We had roast beef which was exceptional - tasty and tender, with all the trimmings. Staff were very helpful and accommodated all requests for dietary requirements

The Cavendish Arms

4.7

4.7 (2189)

£26 to £40

British

Grange-Over-Sands

About the restaurant

The Cavendish Arms in Cartmel
Please note we cannot guarantee specific tables when booking on line or at busy times.
The Cavendish Arms in Cartmel, is a 550 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 gins, whiskeys and many more superior spirits, 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 wearing a huge smile

Top review

Andy

Dined 3 days ago

Everything perfect Service is always outstanding

Discover more

Popular dish

Pear Tarte Tatin

Popular dish

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Rickerby Retreat

4.6

4.6 (360)

£25 and under

Bistro

Carlisle

About the restaurant

Rickerby Bistro offers a stylish dining experience with a rooftop terrace, serving brunch, light lunches, and Afternoon Tea. Located in Rickerby Park in the heart of Carlisle, we also feature an on-site spa with ESPA treatments, CND nails, Lycon waxing, and a swimming pool. We also cater for private hire, including baby showers and hen celebrations gatherings.

Top review

Lesley

Dined on May 29, 2026

We had a fabulous birthday brunch experience at Rickerby Retreat. Such a beautiful setting, the staff, as always, are superb and the food fabulous

OPA Greek Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (128)

£25 and under

Greek

Windermere

About the restaurant

Family run small restaurant offering homemade greek dishes,grill and lovely cocktails

Top review

Tom

Dined 2 days ago

Another fantastic meal at Opa with fantastic cocktails

Merienda

4.5

4.5 (491)

£25 and under

British

Keswick

About the restaurant

Keswick is one of the most scenic parts of the Lake District – which in itself is up there with the most scenic parts of the United Kingdom – and in the very heart of the town, you can find Merienda on the Main Street, whose food is about as beautiful as the surroundings. We offer wholesome, uncomplicated food in a homely ambience, and you can enjoy it any time of day, from a quality morning pick-me-up (We are serious about coffee and use quality Merienda's exclusive espresso blend from Darkhouse Coffee Roasters, Keswick) and hearty breakfast, to a range of delicious cakes and filling sandwiches, to a scintillating evening dinner menu accompanied by a range of fine wines and quality beers. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are the focus of a menu filled with British classics and dishes inspired from around the world – reserve a table and head on down.

Top review

DeannaGold

Dined 2 days ago

Food was fantastic and service was even better. We completely enjoyed our evening.

The Easy Breeze

4.5

4.5 (50)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Windermere

About the restaurant

Tucked just off Lake Windermere, this Easy Breeze are award winning bar and restaurant is your go-to for sunshine catch-ups, cheeky cocktails, and family hangouts in authentic lakeland designed interior or our al fresco garden.

Our Show Bar brings the buzz- live music, big screen sports, and a judgement-free dancefloor.

Fancy something more laid-back? The Back Bar has après-ski vibes, a pool table, and feel-good food made with fresh, local ingredients.

Celebrating? Date night? Just craving something a little fancy? Our à la carte menu, crafted by a triple-rosette chef, Scott Young, delivering seasonal dishes and international cuisine from our eternally favourite Korean Bao Buns and Breeze Burger through to our mouth watering Chateaubriand sharer. Oh and don’t miss our Sunday roast. It’s a proper treat!

Whatever the mood - food, drinks, dancing, or downtime- The Breeze brings it.

Great food. Great drinks. Great times.

Top review

tracey

Dined on Jun 3, 2026

Customer service was great polite and friendly staff, food was great, lovely and cozy inside to.

Discover more

Experience

Bottomless Brunch ✨

Experience

Sunday Roast with live music 🎶

Experience

Get Your Meal For Free

Foundry 34

4.5

4.5 (47)

£25 and under

British

Penrith

About the restaurant

Dine with us

Our menu is crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, celebrating the best of British and international cuisine.
From mouth-watering steaks and gourmet burgers to fresh seafood and specials, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
We cater to all tastes, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

A place for every occasion
With stylish decor and relaxed atmosphere, Foundry 34 is the perfect spot for everything from intimate dinners and family gatherings to business lunches and celebratory events. We also offer private dining and event spaces for special occasions.

Whether you're staying with us, dining in, or popping by for a drink, we look forward to welcoming you to Foundry 34.

Top review

Neil

Dined on Apr 8, 2026

Had the Wednesday special, food was delicious. Atmosphere was lovely. Service excellent

Pooley bridge inn

4.3

4.3 (1016)

£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

Rachael

Dined 2 days ago

Another great meal at Pooley Bridge Inn. The table was easy to book with availability on the day we wanted. All staff were very friendly and were very attentive to our dog! Great selection of meals on the menu which were prepared promptly and tasted great

Casa Bella

4.3

4.3 (77)

£25 and under

Italian

Keswick

About the restaurant

Casa Bella is very much a family run restaurant led by husband & wife team George and Meera. They are well known on the local culinary scene, having two other restaurants in the local area - Merienda Keswick and the French inspired Ivy House in Braithwaite and the indian street food Bagheera in the Lakes

Homemade and local are themes that run throughout everything we make, with local flavour and authentic taste the foundation of everything we produce. Our menus offer traditional Italian dishes alongside Head Chef Guini’s daily specials and smaller dishes for the little ones.

Top review

Peter

Dined 2 days ago

Highly recommended without reservation. Excellent food. Excellent service. Gluten Free catered for.

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