China Cottage in South Lakeland - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

There are lots of things to commend about this restaurant. The staff were lovely and the food was pretty good and very reasonably priced. The decor however is tired and dated and the flooring and carpets sticky and old. We enjoyed the diamonds set menu. Loads of food and lots of variety. We took home what was left. The restaurant was almost full but everyone seemed to be turning up without booking. Probably would need to book in high season. If you can overlook the setting you’ll enjoy a decent meal here.

Ordered take away tonight as we have many times before whilst in Windermere on holiday ordered chicken fried rice and chicken and prawn fried rice which were both ok nothing special ordered chips which were ok. Also ordered 4 cartons of curry sauce (£2.50 each) which were nothing like I’ve ever had before from anywhere looked more like sweet & sour sauce. Very runny and very very tasteless before we finished our food the curry sauce started to congeal. Unfortunately won’t be going back

Egg fried rice was just boiled rice with maybe a quarter of an egg fried into it no flavour kind of a staple of a Chinese takeaway surprised it was so bad… the lemon chicken was like sprite made into a sauce just pure lemon flavour and nothing to accompany it just a bad sauce and bland chicken

Delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine that rivals even the best restaurants in major cities. The ambiance of the restaurant may be modest, but the flavors are exceptional. Loved the salt and pepper squids and the northern china dishes from the specials menu.

Amazing food Amazing service really kind people and also the food was really nice and delicious 😋 👌 i am definitely coming again i highly recommend

We came to the restaurant & the waiter english lady told us all tables are booked despite the fact there is only one guest in one table. Which was a strange situation!!!

So delicious Chinese food！ Beyond expectation！

Worst wonton soup I have ever had...it was essentially hot and sour soup (which I despise) with wontons in it. Had they advertised that the soup was not the usual chicken or pork broth, I never would have ordered it. I probably should have sent it back once I tasted it, but I was hungry so picked the wontons out and left the rest. The rest of the food was OK. Floor was sticky.

The place needs more atmosphere, the food was delicious, service was good.

Worst take away we have EVER had. Do not waste your money.

Would not recommend don't waste your money Prawn crackers were good though. Don't order the crispy beef it isn't crisp it is soggy and tastless

Probably the worst sweet and sour I've ever had. I had the sweet & sour pork and friend had the chicken balls. Pork was mostly pieces of fat deep fried. Sweet and sour sauce was watery and tasteless. Avoid.

I had takeaway from here several times Dec 23 to April 24. In general the food was OK enough to go back again but there was never a wow factor. They give free prawn crackers with every meal. One thing to be aware of, if you order chicken balls you will get a 'dipping sauce' about the size of an egg cup so if you like a normal size pot of sauce you need to order one. The special chow mein has a bit too much runny juice for my liking and a couple of times I dont think I had the right food that I ordered. You collect from the seating area in the restaurant which is fine, it seems OK to sit in, it's like sitting in a shop window more like a greasy spoon cafe than a chinese restaurant (not that I have any problems with a greasy spoon cafe!) Staff are lovely, you can park outside nearby and they take cards. I found this takeaway the better choice of the 2 available in Ambleside.

This is a conveniently located Chinese takeaway. However it's modest and does have tables inside etc, so you could sit down. Reasonably priced dishes. We're only having snack, but works out £5 a dish. The menu was extensive so something for everyone! My beef chilli Sezhuan was fine, vegetables were little under cooked, but hey, that's healthy eating! Over all, one of your standard Chinese takeaways which won't disappoint.

Had many lovely takeaways from here. Normally lovely food but tonight it was disgusting. Chow mein has rubbery beef, swing rolls and prawn toast barely cooked. My dish sweet and sour tasted burnt.

Came here with family for a birthday meal.there was a same size party already in so seemed ok.it is only a small restaurant.when we went inside the lady that greeted us didnt seem that happy however we still stayed.we ordered off the set menu for 6 people.we were given a basket of prawn crackers which were already on the side.the food then came out in relays.the starter came out one of each(max 3 each) .we werent too sure what to expect for the next course.it came out ok.considering there was 6 of us the portions seemed abit on the small side.the next was the main courses.you were given a small bowl for your rice and noodles together with 5 mains.we did enjoy the food just seemed abit skimpy of portion size

Don’t bother, awful food. We had a takeaway. Noodles smelt and tasted weird. Beef dish tasteless. Fried rice the meat was all dried up. Salt and pepper chicken was good but that’s it. Very disappointing.

The best Chinese food in Ambleside. Salt and chilli chicken is so good!

Absolutely stunning food, large portions and good value for money. The staff were very lovely and friendly. Very rarly have we tasted chinese cuisine this good. 10/10

年前带一家人来湖区走走 看到大众点评网对这家中餐馆好的点评 就来试试 真是不错的小餐厅 价格实惠 属于家常菜 员工和老板好客 虽然没有大餐饮的奢华和那么精致 口味比较实在 值得推荐

Good food, good service, value for money.

This was our second visit, friendly staff great service and food was excellent thanks again definitely go back again

Went there as they were the only place with seating available on a Friday. Now I understand why. The food was disgusting, to the extent that I may say it was inedible. The service was decent, but in terms of food, there is nothing on that menu worth ordering.

Best food ever even gordan would be impressed Good sizes

The restaurant is pretty basic but the food is terrific - all in all, that’s what it’s ultimately about, isn’t it. Probably the best value for money restaurant in Ambleside.

Really good takeaway last night in Ambleside. Tasty food. We just had a couple of classic beef dishes which were done well. Salt and pepper ribs were great too! Would get another one next time we’re up.

We had a mixture of things, I didn't rate the spring rolls and the sweet and sour chicken but the rest of our meal was delicious. The prawn toast was very tasty along with the scallops muscles and chow mein. We came here about 8 years ago, the woman who served us was very nice and polite.

Excellent Chinese cuisine, seabass spot on with black beans mmmmm Eating in , nice no fuss eating area.

We were lucky enough to be staying near to China Cottage on a recent holiday to Ambleside. We went in for diner one night, for amazing food and really friendly service. We liked it so much that we returned another 2 times that week for takeaway. Great vegan options, delicious tofu, very tasty sauces, quick service. Wish I lived nearer as I would eat here all the time.

This is an unassuming chinese restaurant on the fringe of Ambleside. It looks more like a take away than a restaurant. Don't be put off. We had a simply marvellous meal here. Salt and pepper calamari, good sized service, very tender, salty with a good hint of chilli. The special, an eggplant/ pork shezuan dish was wonderful. Definitely a good option beyond the many pubs in ambleside.

Compared to what I usually have in kent. I found the standard of food to be wanting.

Really good food, very good service. We will definitely be going back

Tasty Chinese with discernible vegetables, good quality meat/seafood and clearly different flavoured sauces. Good prices for 2023, reflected in slightly smaller portion sizes.

Very good value for money Very welcoming lady Felt like authentic Chinese food

Ordered for collection, was ready on time and a great meal... Spot on 👍👍👌👌

We booked on the day for 13 people. The food was excellent and the staff were friendly. I would definitely recommend this little restaurant 😻

Party of 5 ate in this restaurant and have to say the food was fantastic and plentiful. Opted for the Jade Banquet for 5 and it was exceptionally good. All the dishes were beautifully cooked and were very good portions. No one left there hungry! Highly recommended.

Would have liked to see more veg options

Needs a little separation between the takeaway and resteraunt. Aside from this service and staff spot on, food delicious.

When my wife and I visited this restaurant it was very quiet but please don't let this put you off eating here. We has a set meal for two which was delicious. I would certainly eat here again

Fresh and tasty main courses. Crispy duck starter was amazing. Good value for a meal in Ambleside. Recommend!

Nothing special at all, sweet and sour chicken was the most bland flavourless version of this dish I’ve ever had, the sauce was a strange gloopy gel. The egg fried rice was more like boiled rice with egg. I feel like we paid more than usual for less quality. They should have fresh look at the their recipes and try and improve them.

Two of our party who both are the same meal (duck in plum sauce) suffered with diarrhoea and vomiting overnight following our visit there . Of course we considers what else they had eaten but they had eaten different things earlier that day so chances are it was the duck . Will not be returning there as definitely not a good omen .

We only had takeaway so can't comment on eating in. Our food was really good & the service friendly & prompt. The menu is that of a typical Chinese restaurant.

Loved the very tasty food and outstanding service. I go quite often and every time the food is delicious

The search for a decent Chinese in the Lake District continues. The food was average to poor at best. The vegetable spring roles appeared to be out of the freezer types. The sweet and sour sauce was hands down the worst I’ve ever tasted (it tasted like watered down strawberry jam). The ribs were fairly chewy but the sauce was nice. The main dish of Schezwan pork was average. The pork wasn’t roasted but more warmed through and the dish was extremely over peppered. Prawn crackers and egg fried rice were nice but if you can’t get that right….

The food was exceptionally good. They have the usual Chinese fair, and a specials menu translating local dishes which was my go to. The pork and tofu dish was tantalising, authentic Chinese cooking. A highlight of my trip to the Lakes!

I came here after my accomodation stopped serving food, and what a find! I opted for the specials menu, which has some traditional authentic Chinese dishes that have been translated to English. The Mapo Doufu (Chinese Szechuan tofu and ground pork in spicy sauce) was tantalisingly tasty. Doesn't look like much from the outside but the chef certainly knows what he's doing. One of the highlights of my trip to the Lakes!

If you love your Chinese food, then this is a must place to go.

Had salt and pepper ribs, mixed meat satay sauce, king prawn spring onion and ginger, chips and egg fried rice. Food was amazing, staff helpful and friendly. Good service.

Not the best chinese. Lack of people in restaurant. The carry out had so much dye in it..terrible!

正宗实惠美味的中餐馆，超过我们的预期fantastic Chinese cuisine，far above our expectations!

The lady is super pleasant and helpful. The food is also affordable, very little wait time, with good value for money. I’ve had take out from them twice now. The first time, I had their drunken duck, spring rolls and chicken chow mien and they were superb. Very tasty. The next time, I had the roasted pork chow mien, I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the noodles, but I have to say that the pork was delicious. My friend had gotten their chicken fried rice, and I had a taste of that. It was really tasty as well. They give complimentary prawn crackers too, which is a nice touch. Overall, it’s a nice place to have dinner at Ambleside.

Always beautiful food and excellent service.

Speedy service, hot and tasty food. We enjoyed our food and experience here. Our waitress was very attentive, the food was hot and tasty, made with fresh ingredients. Service was speedy. I feel this place deserves more credit.

We enjoyed our food and experience here. Our waitress was very attentive, the food was hot and tasty, made with fresh ingredients. Service was speedy. I feel this place deserves more credit.

Only came here as the other Chinese take away in town was closed. Ordered the deluxe set meal for two Other than quite nice duck pancakes the rest of the food was unfortunately awful. The meals were tasteless and frankly “munge” Ended up throwing it away.

Crispy beef in sweet & sour just tasted like onions and prawn crackers were definitely stale.

Lovely meal for 4 families - 15 people- on New Years Eve. Great food and service. Everyone was v happy with their fresh and tasty food. Small place, big hospitality, reasonable prices.

We just called in and the place only had one other couple dining. This should have been the warning as everywhere else we had tried was full. The restaurant was uncomfortably cold to sit in. When the food arrived it was well presented but taste wise was not what we were used to. Chicken had a strange twang. Strangest chow mein I’ve ever had. Four of us dined here and we all felt the same. Not a pleasant experience and an expensive one at that.

Nice welcome greeting by the lady who served us. We had the diamond banquet and the food was delicious and a bargain, the interior may look a little like a cafe and some cosmetic issues here and there but don't let this put you off. Couldn't fault the food we had and service was top notch 👌

Tasty food with great service in a cosy place.

The China Cottage, was just a 3 minute walk from our hotel (The Town House) in Ambleside, We love Chinese food, and the food here is excellent, good size plate servings and great service, highly recommend. It's not big, but very cosy and intimate.

One of my favourite places to eat in the Lakes😀 I would recommend eating here 👍👍👍

Absolutely delicious. The food was exactly how I like my Chinese. Chicken was crispy and very well done.

Oh, well - it is a Chinese restaurant like many others, but lacks in ambience, so not very inviting. As to the food, it was neither bad nor really good, perfectly mediocre in every aspect but size, as they don't serve small portions. Very disappointed to be handed a menu with specials, only to order one, and then being told it's not available at all. Why not say so immediately. Would neither recommend nor warn people off, but most probably would not hasten back.

Excellent takeaway from here. Loved the use of fresh veg and spices in the szechuan, very tasty. The spare ribs could have been cooked longer as had to wrestle the meat from the bone but good quality & sauce delicious. Complimentary prawn cracker was a bonus, we would definitely go again!

Good portions but the sauce was watery and didn't have much flavour. The salt and pepper chips are absolutely amazing though loads of flavour and cooked perfectly

Edible but very poor quality! Hygiene rating of 4 which is higher than local competitors which swayed the decision to order from here. But honestly I’d recommend avoiding!!! Very poor quality food. Prawn crackers were the only thing I’d say nice. Deep fried beef was tough and had awful pink tinge! Rice was easily the worst Chinese rice I’ve had. Salt and pepper ribs tiny and hardly any meat. Curry sauce watery! Seriously… save your money or go elsewhere!!!

Wonderful take away this evening….vegetable fried rice, beef in black bean and pepper sauce, salt and pepper chicken and crispy seaweed. The flavours were delicious and really can recommend China Cottage 🙂

Save your money and go somewhere else. Bland, gelatinous, floppy and full of filler vegetables. We left most of it and had a slice of toast for dinner instead. Anyone who has said this place is great, clearly has no concept of what a decent Chinese should taste like. Avoid, avoid avoid!!!

Regularly ate here when it was a restaurant. Always good quality food. Now, have to use takeout service however high quality of food has been maintained.

Level of service was good but the chicken curry ordered was flavourless. The food container was only just over half full and curry sauce was watery. Rather disappointing albeit I had walked back to my accommodation otherwise I would have returned it.

On holiday and staying local to this chinese. the best chow mein my husband and i have had (plain with beansprouts) and the chicken curry. friendly and freshly cooked. we landed up going here twice in 1 week ! definitely worth it.

Very satisfying meal after a long drive from London. King prawn noodles were great. Fast service. And like the prawn crackers included for free. A little on the pricey side, but very tasty.

We had reservations about using the China Cottage after reading some of the reviews but it was really good food. The chow mein was a good texture and not oily, the tofu satay was excellent and a welcome change form the usual peanutty glub, and the rice was perfectly good. We would use them again.

Fast food preparation. Very good quality on the special fried rice, house special mixed meat noodles and salt and pepper squid (one of the best) but the crispy shredded beef was more like a sweet and sour dish (so not quite what we expected).

Went to China cottage expecting average food and service but the food is great, the egg fried rice is fluffy and very fairly priced, we had the kung po chicken and the chicken chow main. After being served by a lovely lady who gave us free cutlery to go aswell as free prawn crackers. Definitely recommend 👌 Thank you!

Ordered takeaway By phone and waited in car until time to pick up Lots of chips were discoloured and hard as if re cooked Noodles very dry Curry sauce so thin not even like a sauce just liquid the taste was ok but very runny

We have had a very nice take away meal. Food was tasty and we will use again when we are up here. Staff friendly.

The worst Chinese in my 35 yr existence , salt n pepper chips as soggy as a used tea bag omg they were diabolical, I really didn’t think it could get any worse until I bit into the crispy shredded beef , crispy they were just as soggy as the chips , then we put the prawn crackers out omg I honestly thought they’d be the saving grace in this meal honestly they were the softest prawn crackers ever , literally like they’d been left out all day on the side , so last on the menu was the special chow mien , we ended up with up with vermicelli noodles all in all , a car crash of a disaster, and £27 down the drain , even the dog turned his nose up at it , Ps the prawn toast in the cottage combination special was best part of this meal n that was bang average STAY AWAY FROM THIS CHINESE AT ALL COST ITS RUINED ONE NIGHT OF OUT 3 BREAK

I was slightly sceptical about getting a take away from here after reading some of the reviews, but I’m pleased to say that we had a delicious meal that the whole family enjoyed (including our 6 and 4 year old children). We ordered some prawn toast, which were amazing! We also received generous portions of chicken chow mien and satay chicken, which were both very nice, along with rice and chips. We all really loved the sweet and sour chicken balls, but our only gripe was that it was a slightly smaller portion than we’d usually expect. The meal was freshly cooked and was nice and hot. Overall, a winning takeaway!

Friendly staff, great food and fast take away preparation on a Friday evening in August. Meal for 4 - all the food was good and free prawn crackers.

Great food and fast takeaway service

Happy with our meal... Free prawn crackers! Made in house spring rolls! Nice staff. Some reviews are mixed but we gave it a go and we were happy with our takeaway tonight.

We really enjoyed out chines takeaway in Ambleside. We had the vegetable soup and spring rolls for starters, and aromatic duck and noodles for mains. The pepper chips are delicious! Large portions.

Lovely guy, cooked for us just before closing even though he was about to close. Wish the prawn crackers weren’t stale however the food was piping hot.

Good food and friendly service but, with the plastic curtains put in place for Covid, you can be forgiven for thinking that you have come to be topped like Goodfellas 😂

Local chinese! consistent quality, great food and friendly staff!

Got a takeaway from here and the food was lovely.

Conseguimos algunos platos diferentes y todo estaba nadando en una salsa que era bastante mala. Las verduras no parecían frescas y la carne estaba masticable y demasiado cocida. Supongo que por el precio para llevar obtienes lo que pagas. Último recurso cuando todo está reservado debido a covid.

Very poor food experience. Would not recommend. Did not seem fresh and everything tasted off.

Take away only due to covid measures. Very quick service ...pleasant staff .We found the food a tad tasteless the curry was weak rice bland. Chicken sweet n sour was ok ..good portions. Very clean premises.

Se han adaptado a la situación. Admiten efectivo y tarjeta. La comida está buena

Al quedarnos en Coniston para pasar unas vacaciones, estábamos luchando por encontrar comida para llevar decente, así que terminamos yendo un poco más lejos a Ambleside. No diría que este lugar era espectacular, pero tenía un sólido 7 sobre 10 y disfrutamos de la comida: porciones de tamaño decente y terminamos volviendo.

Probably the worst Chinese I have had. Not enjoyable food at all but was reasonably priced. Would not recommend.

Lovely food, great service and good value . Highly recommend this for a take away.

Restaurante es de los 70 s. Personal amable y atento. Carne mongol muy buena, otras comidas terribles. Sin embargo, conocían a mucha gente que venía a pedir comida para llevar, así que quizás tengas que saber qué es comestible. Llegó el año pasado, de vuelta en Ambleside, abierto para llevar solo después de Covid

We had a take away last saturday night and were both projectile vomiting at 12am. We will not be returning

Great food again and friendly service. Visited midweek with 2 friends and had a variety of food from a shared banquet. Lovely. Excellent value.