Dodds Restaurant in South Lakeland

Superb food. Dodd’s is a regular when we visit. You can’t book but the food is always well prepared, great choice; good atmosphere and friendly staff. You will always enjoy your meals here. It gets busy so you may have to wait for a table particularly at the weekends

we went for lunch and the waitress was unhelpful and miserable didnt smile once. we ordered soup and a sandwich, the soup was cold, and the sandwiches had hardly any filling in at all. i ordered ham and cheese and there wasnt any cheese in it at all. my friend ordered salmon with capers, olives and cream cheese, there was no olices or capers and very little cream cheese with a tiny amount of salmon. i would never eat there again. terrible

Busy tables, so we left our number and were called back, as promised. Served huge olives , and delicious bacon pasta and lasagne. So tasty, quickly served mostly with a smile. Will definitely come back.

Called in when out visiting Ambleside, with no idea what this place really was. What it is, is amazing. We had two sandwiches with sausage, black pudding and fried egg, accompanied by tomato and roasted pepper soup and two pizzas (Margerita and Romana). Firstly, the sandwiches were up there with the best I have ever tasted and the pizzas were just as good. Service was quick and friendly, couldn't fault it. If you are just passing by, as we were, make sure you go, you won't be disappointed.

The food was well priced and of an excellent standard. I had the Cumberland sausage sandwich and it was incredible. Very good and friendly staff to.

Amazing food and great staff. What a find! You can't book a table because it's so busy, which I thought was fair enough. We got a lovely table in the bay window immediately, they really tried to look after us.

Loved the tasty food Bbq tray for 2 was excellent in taste. Super friendly service

An absolute gem. Baked camembert with blueberry and crusty bread to share as starter were great. The crispy pork belly and black pudding were magnificent, bacon mash and celeriac puree fabulous. Fast friendly service. We will definitely be back!

Right in the heart of Ambleside. Beautiful food and staff were very friendly and attentive. Would heartily recommend.

The food here is excellent. The pizzas are outstanding! Friendly, efficient service, a good atmosphere and reasonable prices. Highly recommended.

Excellent Italian restaurant was very catering for 11 people after a long day walking on the mountains

We found this restaurant on Google reviews and it certainly lived up to its high rating. First class service, high quality food and reasonably priced.

Amazing food...catered for two gluten free customers... best GF pasta! Will definitely return!

Decent steak and super friendly staff. Managed to accommodate 7 of us. Brilliant all round!

On a Tuesday night we waited just under an hour for a table as they don’t accept reservations. Yes, this is a long time to wait but it’s worth it. Really nice staff and a relatively short menu served quickly but they absolutely don’t rush you. There’s loads of home made choices too, it’s all really good. Portions are pretty big too, we couldn’t finish a starter and main. All in all, totally worth the wait

Beautiful food, great price and lovely atmosphere.

We came here very hungry after a day of walking looking for pizza while on holiday in June 2024. We mistakenly thought that because this place claims to be an Italian restaurant that the pizza would be good if not excellent. Unfortunately it was not. Possibly the driest, chewiest pizza I've ever had. The toppings on the pizza I had were fine but the artichokes on my wifes' were badly prepared and inedible. If you decide to come here don't order pizza, it's BAD.

Best food on our trip!! Perfection

Absolutely fabulous, the second time I have been here and would come back again !! The food is AMAZING and it’s a reasonable price, particularly for Ambleside. Must mention the lobster ravioli which is 10/10 and so delicious. Other meals have bigger portions but this one just tastes spot on. Thank you so much to Nora who was so patient and lovely even though we were the last people in the place at the end of the night, thank you!!

Excellent service and delicious Food. Never disappointed.

Had takeaway. Good service, great food. Had the Dodd’s lasagna and gnocchi with beef brisket. The gnocchi was especially good.

Fabulous Italian restaurant. We went as a family of 6 and were lucky to just walk in as we went not long after they’d opened but I would advise booking as it got very busy, very quickly. The food was excellent and the staff were lovely, lots of choice and everything tasted delicious. A great choice for families and couples. Highly recommend if you’re visiting Ambleside.

My Husband and I eat here tonight and the food, service and venue was amazing. Loved that no booking was necessary and it was very popular

Excellent food. So much of it. Friendly service. Great value for money.

Still sitting in the restaurant as I write this. Had the Pototato Gnocchi with brisket, absolutely stunning food. Took me straight back to Italy, eating my heart away. Fiancée had the Quattro Formaggi which was also stunning. The pizza dough is a highlight, so I'd imagine all the pizzas are amazing. Amazing service and atmosphere. It gets busy so better to come earlier or you'll be on a waiting list, but the wait is worth it.

This is a really good restaurant. We arrived to Ambleside late and didn’t book anywhere to eat. This place was recommended to us by one of the staff in another restaurant, because they take walk-ins. The staff were really good and the food was great, just what we needed after a long drive.

Amazing little restaurant, great food and fab service. We had to wait for table about 45 minutes in the bar, no problem with that, just had a nice G&T. The lobster ravioli was to die for! Charcuterie board very tasty, nice variety of meats, some cheese too. Highly recommend this place, just bear in mind it gets very busy, and they don’t do bookings so you might have to wait or just leave your number and they will call as soon as table is available.

A lovely pepperoni pizza. Absolutely gorgeous interior, was such a comforting and relaxed vibe. Would recommend!

Excellent food and great service

Great atmosphere and family feel staff were very nice. Food unfortunately was horrible. I had the vegetarian risotto and it was awful. Paid £18 for it too. The cocktail of the day was £8.50 and undrinkable. Such a shame as all the reviews were so positive and we were really excited. Felt quite sd when we left.

Amazing 👏 service the manager of the restaurant he was trying to accommodate as much as he could for customer really busy place thanks

I recommend this palce lots, had absolutely delicious, authentic meal - not 'just' Italian but actually Italian with a proper character and amazing taste to it. Portions were super filling, prices really good too - will become our go-to spot for upcoming visits in Lake District.

Returned after two years, still as amazing as our first visit! The food is just so good. Fresh, tasty, massive portions! I would recommend this restaurant.

Booked a table - was full even on Wednesday night! Parked in public car park round corner. Great service. Tasty food & drinks - smoked chicken and bolognaise. Shared a tiramisu which did the trick for 2 hungry customers :-) Thanks

Amazing food, we got the lobster ravioli and the crispy belly pork and they were both delicious. Some of the best food we’ve ate! They only do walk ins so arrive before you’re starving as you may need to wait at the bar with drinks

I honestly had a perfect night here. The portion sizes were very generous and we definitely left very full. The staff were great and very knowledgeable about gluten intolerances. Kimchi chicken wings were great - usually not gluten free but they prepare them fresh so could be adapted gluten free. Soup of the day was roasted tomato and red pepper which was delightful The gnocchi with slow braised beef brisket was my absolute highlight. the flavours were amazing and the beef was so tender and flavourful! The oak smoked chicken breast was adapted gluten free and this was also very delicious too! To finish off the dessert was a great portion of chocolate panacotta which was absolutely delicious. Perfect evening.

This place is an absolute jewel in Ambleside. The food is excellent, the service and welcome is incredible. You have to wait at peak time for a table but it’s so worth it.

The dishes are delicious, the best of them was sweet mushroom spaghetti that is worth trying. The service was great ✨

The food was phenomenal, the service was so fast, if you want authentic Italian this is the place to go, we had the antipasti to start and it was the best I've ever had, for mains we had sea food and lobster ravioli and both were great, then an authentic tiramisu, it was our one year anniversary and we were so happy to spend it here.

This is a wonderful Italian restaurant in Ambleside. Right on the main road so easy to get to and find, but you can't hear the traffic at all from inside. You can't book tables ahead of time, and it is a smaller resturant. So if you plan to visit, especially with a larger group, I would try to get there earlier. We phoned the team the day before and they said the best time to arrive is just after 6, as they get their rush at around 7pm (as with most places in the Lakes, most people eat earlier at around 5-7pm). Last food orders are at 9pm. The food was amazing, great selection of options for starters, pasta, pizza and other Italian classics (see photo). Would highly recommend the chicken fusilli, and beef gnocchi. The team were really friendly and accommodating and service was super quick (as it usually is with smaller places like this). Best meal we had in the Lakes.

Every year we visit the lakes and every year we make a special effort to visit Dodds in Ambleside. It's a fantastic restaurant with a great selection of food and drinks. The staff are always friendly and helpful. They add a very modest and completely optional service charge to your bill (it's less than I'd usually leave as a tip), so don't cry when you see this when you come to pay.

Nice food and popular in the area

Ordered some takeaway from Dodds for the last night of our holiday. We had passed by a few times and looked really nice inside so was our first choice. Order for family of five took 20m which was just enough tome to drive to pick it up. Food was great - classic pasta dishes, traditional pizzas and enough olives to beat even my teenage daughter! Thank you Dodds for a fab end to our holiday. Rob.

Amazing little restaurant. Some of the best food I've tasted in a long time. Home made black pudding was out of this world. Highly recommend this restaurant when your visiting Ambleside

Last night of holidays and what a great way to spend it here in this fantastic restaurant. Staff amazing, food delicious and brilliant atmosphere. Thank you.

Dodds: Ok food, limited vegetarian options and service seriously underwhelming. Pizza not cooked well, not uncut despite request, staff blunt & seemed confused. Dessert was yummy though.

Stopped here for a quick lunch. Pizzas excellent the Etna was really spicy without being too much. My wife had beetroot and apple soup of the day and mixed salad which she really enjoyed. Efficient and friendly service.

Great food, good service. Loved it.

Really good food. It's walk in. We arrived to a full place but waited maybe 10 minutes at the bar. The food was delivered super quick and was lovely. Maybe a little pricey, but expected.

My partner & I visited Ambleside on Thursday 25th July , we saw Dodds Restaurant which offered a nice exterior ambiance, this was carried through into the restaurant itself which was modern, bright & very clean. Service for drinks was prompt & offered by very courteous staff. Food-wise we decided to share ,my partner ordered pizza & I ordered the lasagne. Both came very well presented which was only outdone by the excellent quality of the food itself. I would rate both the lasagne & pizza as quite exceptional for both quality & value, servings, particularly the lasagne were very generous indeed. Cannot fault any aspect of the restaurant & would recommend it without hesitation. If in Ambleside you must try Dodd’s lasagne, it is to die for.

Excellent Italian dishes as well as traditional British dishes. The pork belly with black pudding was amazing!

Overall, great food and wine 🍷 👏

Great food, good service, would keep coming back

The food was lovely, and was presented well. We had a pizza and a carbonara pasta dish. The service however was not great, as the staff were rude and slightly blunt. We found that the staff stood over us and stared while we ate our meal, including the kitchen staff, which caused us to feel slightly uncomfortable. There was also an issue with the Diet Coke we ordered as it was flat and tasted of nothing. We noticed that the bar woman mocked us while the server told her about the complaint and slammed our new drink down. The seating is also far too cramped and results in people being able to hear what each table is saying. We would return for the food, but hopefully the service could be improved upon.

Had the mixed platter for our lunch. What can I say other than 10/10. The prawns are some of the best we’ve had in the uk. Also took the loaded fries. In hindsight probably didn’t need those as well but they were also very good. Will definitely return again one day

The food is delicious and the service is friendly!

Nice place good food had a nice lunch here friendly staff will definitely be back there

Lovely food but felt rushed and the place was manic. We'll have a takeaway next time.

The food and service here were incredible. I had the Lamb Flatbread special, which was great for me. They do add on 10% for a service charge - and as someone who always tips (and always rounds up) this probably prevented me spending more - which is fine. I did think the diet coke was far too expensive though - hense the 4 stars rather than 5 - £5.90 for a pint of draft diet coke just seems Ludacris.

Chefs must be Italian here because the food was on point 👌 we loved every dish.

Well I stumbled across this place, initially I had to wait 39 mins for a table, well worth it. I have the mushroom risotto, it was very nice... I will be back... the service was good.. thanks 👏🏾

A lovely place to stop for lunch. The smell of the food enticed us in. We ordered the Mortadello Cuban sandwich and a grilled chicken sandwich plus a large bottle of sparkling water. Originally ordered the sausage and black pudding sandwich but as they checked for allergies they advised that it would be cooked near a fish option on their menu which is my allergy. Very grateful that they checked as sometimes in some restaurants and cafes they still don't. The food was delicious served with salad, dressing/dip and crisps The restaurant was busy but didn't feel cramped and the service was excellent very helpful and friendly. My husband ordered a black coffee which he said was very good too. If in Ambleside I would definitely recommend here as somewhere to stop.

We had nowhere booked on a busy Friday night but managed to get a table after they called us back. Amazing pizza and great service

Been to Doods on four separate occasions,three with my family and once with my walking partner,I had the Cumberland sausage sandwich which is amazing ,especially the black pudding.The sandwich was filling and inexpensive,staff are friendly and helpful.I would and have recommend Doods to friends.will visit next time I’m in Ambleside.

Popped in for lunch, ceaser salad, green tea and tap water (table 6) Was attended to by Nora who was very helpful.

Lovely authentic Italian restaurant, great food and service.

Delicious food, some Italian classics but also a lovely different selection in the light menu. My partner had pizza which was delicious I had the fish sandwich which was superb. Good value for money

We visited Dodds on a Saturday evening. We had a beautiful meal at another local restaurant so held high hopes for here, after a recommendation. I unfortunately was bitterly dissapointed. The antipasta was served with burnt ciabatta. Was very obvious on serving. My husband got the risotto which was stodgy and an unpleasant taste. I felt no care was taken with this meal and £100 for the privilege! I wouldn't visit here again.

We have visited Ambleside for the first time, had a little explore around food places, and ended up having most of our meals at Dodds, we loved it so much, we especially enjoyed sandwiches with soup. It gets busy fast, but we were lucky to get tables without booking and waiting, once we came round 2.30pm and they still let us in though they close for a break at 2.45pm. Lovely ladies and some authentic decorations, we felt warm and cosy every time, thank you, we hope to come back next year, all the best to this little lovely place.

I recently had a chance to dine at Dodds, and I must say, the experience was a mixed bag. While the service was exceptional, the food left much to be desired. Upon arriving, I found the restaurant to be fully booked. However, the staff went above and beyond. One member of the staff kindly took my phone number and promised to call me within 30 minutes when a table became available. True to her word, I received a call within the promised time, which I greatly appreciated. Once seated, I was attended to by an incredibly helpful, friendly, and professional waiter. His excellent service was one of the highlights of the evening. As a vegetarian, I found the menu offerings to be quite limited. I decided to order a pizza. Unfortunately, the pizza was a significant letdown. The crust was so hard that I couldn't tell if the knife was dull or if no knife could have managed to cut through it. Ingredients on the pizza were fresh. Additionally, the restaurant could benefit from improving its ventilation system, as the air quality was poor. On a positive note, the non-alcoholic beer was enjoyable, and pizza was very photogenic 🍕 Overall, while the service at Doods was outstanding, the food and ventilation need improvement. I hope you'll improve in the future as the staff certainly deserves to work in a place that matches their level of dedication.

Food was absolutely unbelievable. So fresh, tasty and came out so fast. Staff all lovely. Would recommend to anyone thinking of going.

5 stars, great, great attitude, very friendly staff

Probably the best pizza I've had outside of Italy.

Fantastic meal and service, one of the best pizzas we have ever had it was delicious, would highly recommend, my husband is Italian and a chef and he gives this place a massive thumbs up

Just sneaked in before they closed after lunchtime rush. Gorgeous chips and soup to tide us over. Friendly attentive service. Lovely local beer also to assist. Think we’ll be back for some dinner later in the week😀🙏

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Decently priced wide menu with a variety of pizzas and pasta. Ate here for an evening meal - would go back!

Great pizza really delicious. They don't take reservations but got a table quickly and food was fast to arr8ve

Had a delicious meal at Dodds while we were on holiday in Ambleside. Husband had pasta and I had slow cooked lamb & gnocchi. We ended with a shared tiramisu and coffee. We turned up about 6:20pm and were seated straight away. The service was prompt and friendly. Would definitely recommend and will return next time we're in Ambleside.

Just had an amazing meal here. Lovely decor and service with great food to match We all had pizzas and all of ate every bit Good value for money £110 with drinks and desserts 🤑

Best restaurant in Ambleside. Dine here every time I frequent Ambleside Food is great, service is quick, staff are friendly and prices are very reasonable. Would definitely recommend

A very busy place, constant queue at the door. No bookings - walk ins only. We were greeted and told to wait at the bar. Seated quite quickly. Ordered the croquettes and soup of the day for starters, both were good but croquettes were quite cold. For mains, we ordered the rib eye steak with pepper sauce and chips, the chips were disappointing. The steak was nice though. I had the belly pork, that was very very nice indeed. Would recommend this place, just be patient waiting for a table because the food is worth it. The service is good but nothing above and beyond, they are very busy people.

Visited here on a Sunday night which was a bit quieter than the other weekend nights when the restaurant is very busy. The food was enjoyable and we didn't have to wait too long for it to arrive. The atmosphere is good. Wine prices slightly more than the other restaurants we visited. Paid £30. Service charge is included in the bill which we asked to be taken off. The reason for this was we were served by a very miserable looking waitress who made us feel like we were an inconvenience! This is a shame as the other members of staff were doing a good job.

Arrived at lunch before lots of others did too. Had the parmesan cheese base pizza. Was delicious. Served quickly and politely. In and out to spend more time by the lakes. Would gladly return again.

Lasagna and pizza just perfect! Would recommend!

Delicious (huge) pizzas, great service, and great atmosphere.

Love tge lasagna, the pasta and the pizza! Don't forget to try their Lake District elderflower gin, whisky and vodka. Their alcohol coffee also very try the Vodka caramel americano, so gooooood ❤️❤️❤️

By far the most enjoyable casual dining experience to date in the UK. Their coffee was also the best roast I have had as well. Thank you for a great meal and experience

We’ve been to the restaurant several times over the years. Visited last week and the food and service was exceptional. Be advised, they don’t take bookings so get there early to avoid disappointment!

We visited with the family in April. Didn’t have the booking but they did their best to accommodate. Explained the waiting times and invited us to the bar. Due to the cancellation we didn’t have to wait long. Food and service was great. Would highly recommend.

Nice little restaurant. Very busy, nice atmosphere. Good food, friendly staff, felt like a family restaurant. Really enjoyed our meal. Lasagne, rocket salad, chicken and leek pizza. Very nice Good selection of wine.

My partner and I stayed in Ambleside recently and walking round looking at menus we found in his one enticing. The restaurant was really busy but the host offered to take our number and would call us us in 30-40mins for a table. We popped round the corner for a drink and sure enough, within 30mins we received the call. We were shown straight to our table and then shortly asked for our drinks order then after a few mins our food order. We found the staff attentive and very friendly. We ordered a shared baked Camembert starter followed by 3 mains as my partner was u sure which to have! Everything was good excellent. We also enjoyed a couple of very refreshing cocktails to wash everything down with. All in all a lovely vibrant restaurant with excellent food and exceptional service. Highly recommended.

Having dined all around the World, I still rate Dodds as one of the best restaurants around! Excellent service and fabulous food! Plus a great atmosphere. What more could you ask?

We have been eating at Dodds for years, and it's always a delight going back, Great food and service. With a relaxed atmosphere. We'll be back as soon as we get back to the lakes. Cheers.

Great evening lovely food probably the best lasagne we've ever tasted ,tiramasu amazing. Wine was also a great accompaniment to our meal fioroso so good ! Look forward to returning inthe autumn Garlic bread with mozzarella was delicious. Thankyou for agreat evening

Always good and friendly service. Will always call in when in Ambleside

Lovely atmosphere, the food was delicious. Very busy. Recommend 100%

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of dining at this delightful Italian restaurant, and it exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal. Let’s talk about the food - each dish was a culinary masterpiece, bursting with authentic Italian flavors and made with the freshest ingredients. From the creamy risotto to the savory pasta dishes, every bite was a taste sensation. The attention to detail and passion for cooking truly shone through in every dish we tried. Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was also great from start to finish. The staff were attentive and friendly, always ready to offer recommendations and ensure that we had everything we needed. Despite the busy evening, we never felt rushed and were able to savor each moment of our dining experience. Overall, our visit to this Italian restaurant was nothing short of fantastic. We left with full stomachs, happy hearts, and already planning our next visit. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience with impeccable food and service, look no further than this gem of a restaurant. Buon appetito!

Great place, food good, service good, atmosphere very nice. Only downside is you can't book and gets very busy so you can end up with a long wait or disappointed that you can't get a table.

5 of us went here on Wednesdsy 20th March 2024 whilst on our annual Lakes Trip. We usually go here at least once and it didn't disappoint us. We all had different meals. I had Tuna Steak with roasted sweet potato and tender stem Broccoli with Sriracha butter. Absolutely lovely. We all enjoyed the food. Thank you.

Second time visiting here, food was amazing both times. This time the restaurant was quieter and was not full however we felt very rushed. Food courses came out with quick succession and plates were quickly cleared afterwards. The staff are nice, if a little too efficient, we would have punctuated our meal with more drinks, but we sisnt have the chance. But still, food excellent!