5 Best Restaurants in Windermere

Francine’s is a cosy bistro-style restaurant in the heart of Windermere village that serves fresh seafood and an excellent selection of modern British and European cuisine. You can choose from an a la carte menu and the daily seasonal additions board.

Enjoy lobster bisque, seafood casserole, fresh game, or one of the vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. A fantastic wine list and a wide selection of local ales are also available. Francine’s is open for breakfast and lunch. You can also pop in for tea and coffee with homemade cakes and scones.

Langdale Chase is a hotel and restaurant housed inside a magnificent Victorian mansion on the shores of Lake Windermere. The 2 Rosette Award-winning restaurant serves a mix of elevated pub classics and modern British fare. Typical dishes include lobster, duck breast, and beer-battered fish and chips. The menu also includes Thwaites beers and a wine list spanning Europe and beyond.

Situated on the edge of the lake, you’re treated to stunning views of the Lake District whether you wine and dine on the outdoor terrace, the sunny conservatory, or inside the elegant restaurant. The restaurant is open for morning coffee, afternoon tea (noon to 5 pm), lunch (noon to 4 pm), dinner (6 pm to 9 pm) and Sunday lunch (noon to 3 pm). Bookings recommended.

Porto Restaurant is an elegant restaurant in Bowness-on-Windermere where you can tuck into inspiring modern British dishes. Choose from king scallops, traditional smoked haddock, pan-roasted chicken, or a mouthwatering monkfish scampi, crushed peas, and chips. Opt for the sticky toffee soufflé or sorbet with a glass of Clos L’Abeilley dessert wine to end your meal.

There is also a good selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. On sunny days, call ahead if you want the best seats in the house – the one-and-only table for 2 on the small balcony above a lively cobbled street. But the rooftop terrace and street-side tables are also fantastic spots to dine.

The Lamplighter is a family-run guesthouse and restaurant housed in a Victorian-era stone building. The restaurant serves traditional British fare, with dishes prepared with locally sourced meat and fresh fish from the coastal town of Fleetwood. On a cold winter’s evening, you can dine beside the blazing fire, while the outdoor terrace is an ideal place to be in summer.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and a full 4-course meal in the evening. But the Sunday lunch experience draws the crowds to The Lamplighter. You’ll need to pre-book and place your meat order before 6 pm on the Friday, 2 days before your meal.

Hooked is a tiny eatery in the centre of Windermere village that serves freshly sourced fish and seafood with a global spin. The menu changes depending on which seafood is available. But you can expect melt-in-the-mouth specialities such as Morecambe Bay potted shrimps, razor clams with pancetta, spiced monkfish with mussel and saffron cream, and whole roasted sea bass.

A fantastic selection of tempting desserts is the perfect finish to your seafood feast. You can't go wrong with the vanilla panna cotta or homemade hazelnut praline ice cream. The restaurant accepts walk-ins. However, with limited seating, it's recommended to reserve a table to avoid disappointment.