Fermento in Allerdale

The pizzas here are really excellent, and very authentically Italian. We enjoyed the funghi and veggie ones and a friend thought the meat feast was delicious. It is a very small, popular restaurant with a small kitchen and you do need to book in advance, both to eat in and for the take aways. Service is friendly and efficient.

Booked this restaurant after reading the reviews. Glad we did, the restaurant is very small seating only a few tables. They also do take away pizzas. Don’t let the outside put you off going in as it does look a bit like a cafe. All our pizzas were very tasty and had the right amount of topping. Even though it’s small it had a great atmosphere and the service was very good. The home made deserts were excellent as well. It’s the sort of place you wish you had near where you live to bob in for a pizza and a glass of wine!. Every time we walked past during the week all the tables were taken, so I’d definitely book. (Only thing I’d change is the fact they don’t serve fresh orange, but that’s a personal choice)

I’m a regular customer here and have never once been disappointed. It really is better than most pizza I’ve tried in Italy. The service is always outstanding and a credit to the owners. Anyone that’s actually eaten here would agree

Arrived at 5 to 6 on a Friday evening. We were tired, shattered and had had a difficult stressful day. We had been recommended this place and were told we could order online (difficult for us to do on our phones, and indeed tried but website not playing). Called in early in the hope of grabbing a pizza (just one between us....) Staff member was unsympathetic and said that "all our slots are filled" and we should have pre ordered (they were shut....). Very disappointing, it was a pizza not cordon bleu. if they are so very busy, then maybe they should think about increasing their opening hours!

Absolutely fabulous find! The food is amazing and authentic. We both can't remember the last time we had such good pizza. We can't wait to go back!

Absolutely the most authentic pizza restaurant in the whole area. Fabulous owners who are so friendly and welcoming. Always have a great relaxed night with fantastic food. Thank you

Overall had a very nice meal, particularly enjoyed the starter platter of cold meats and cheeses. Pizza main was a little disappointing as we chose pizza with roasted vegetables and spicy sausage, but not enough of with either. Needs to be more loaded IMHO. Apart from that, nice friendly, informal atmosphere.

Because my dad worked with a Sicilian (Angelo the Other Welder) and our families got on so well, I’ve been eating authentic Italian food since I was ten. Pizza at the forefront, of course: all around Italy and Sicily, naturally; plus Greece, the US and elsewhere (Wolverhampton, mainly). So I think I’ve earned my place on the judging panel over 5 decades or so and with a lot of ppa (pizza per annum) to, er, show for it. Now, in breaking news, I’ve finally discovered, against strong international competition, the best pizza yet. And I’m not exaggerating. And it’s in Cockermouth! Lasciatemi spiegare, as Wordsworth never said… A recent visit to our dearest friends in the Lakes coincided with Sarah’s birthday. Our hosts, Graham and Phil, let us know that we’d be going out for a special treat. This was the background against which the four of us arrived at Fermento, expectations already high from a browse on Fermento’s website before hitting the M6. I can’t tell you how far those expectations were exceeded! Impeccable hosting and chefing from Carla and Alessandro respectively, a delightful setting and, above all… the food! After a delicious, fresh antipasti sharing platter, we agreed that, given the choice on the menu, we’d all like to try a variety of Fermento’s versions of favourites based on Sarah’s (and my) long commitment to Italian delights. The plan was to have four large pizzas, one at a time, between us and in a flavour sequence of Alessandro’s recommendation. I love it when a plan comes together. The bases were the first revelation. Supremely fresh, crispy, tasty, light and digestible – which is what you get when you combine a 48-hour prove of the dough with native expertise on the stretching and baking – each pizza’s particular topping basking on a consistently perfect crust. And what toppings! We had, in order, the CARCIOFFOLA (Mozzarella, Smoked Pancetta, Grilled Smoked Scamorza Cheese and, of course, the eponymous grilled Artichokes – a true Italian favourite); the MEAT FEAST (Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Spianata Calabra (Spicy Salame), Smoked Pancetta and Italian Sausage – divine); the PUTTANESCA (Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Olives, Capers, Oregano and the flavour orgasm of Anchovies); and, to complete the symphony, the EMER (Mozzarella, Sundried Tomatoes, Smoked Pancetta, Parmesan Shavings – and a taste I last swooned over in Venice, Gorgonzola and Fresh Rocket!). Quite the banquet! And, because it was so well-paced (and accompanied by delicious wines), we even had room for the beautiful MASCARPONE MOUSSE to finish (choice of toppings – dark chocolate shavings, Fabbri sour cherries or Amaretti biscuits). It was a perfect Italian evening and well worth the trip to The Lakes! Carla told us that they came from Modena, famous for balsamic vinegar, opera heritage, Ferrari and Lamborghini, to set up in Cockermouth. We’re so glad they did! PS: Just note that Fermento offers the real deal when it comes to authenticity. They do lasagne the proper way, for instance: more pasta layers and less of the gunk that often passes for ragu over here. And please remember that the traditional Italian meal has a sequence designed for extended enjoyment and the inclusion of conversation, alcohol and yummy noises. Antipasti – the actual “starter” (a platter of fish and/or hams, salami, olives, cheese, bread etc); Primo – the proper “first course”, often pasta; Secondo – the course after that (duuh), often meat plus veg and/or salad (Contorni / Insalata); and Dolce – sweet. A lovely element of the Fermento experience is that those “first and second” courses can be occupied by pizza: the perfect excuse for sharing a variety of toppings, as above and, if we’re lucky, soon to be repeated.

We were greeted by the delicious aroma of pizza being baked as we entered. The Pizzas are excellent with an amazing crisp base (not soggy in the middle!) the toppings were perfect we both agreed that they were the best pizzas we have eaten. The wine list is small but we chose an excellent primitive which went with our meal perfectly. I wished we live nearby we would become regulars without question.

Starter platter was delicious - varied and fresh. Pizzas freshly prepared and tasty. Mascarpone mousse with sour cherries - absolutely gorgeous. The couple who own it are friendly and informative without being intrusive. All reasonably priced too. Will be returning!

Woohoo fantastic to be back at our favourite Italian Restaurant ! Carla + Alessandro are superb and their food is amazing We enjoyed delicious pizzas with authentic Italian ingredients lovingly handmade. Our Caprese starter was fabulous too + for pudding I had Mascarpone Mousse which Carla recommended and it was gorgeous + also Chinotto, the excellent Italian drink they sell that I had for the first ever time there on my last visit. Cockermouth you are so Lucky to have this Superb restaurant and take away business See you next time in March!! Keep up the brilliant work Ciao ciao bella !!!!!!

Huge menu/ choice. Pizzas were very nice although could have done with some more tomato sauce. Great service in a really nice setting.

Excellent takeaway pizzas. Good selection of toppings and lovely crispy base. Don't go anywhere else, best in town by far.

What an absolute gem! If you like pizza romana (thin crust pizza) , then this little ristorante is one of the best. Also, very indulgent, but tiramisu casalinga (homemade) is a must. Advisable to book as it's small, personal, and busy.

Only a small seating area, so we were lucky to be able to book a table at short notice, but so glad we did! We had the best pizzas we've had for a long time - thin, crispy and beautifully made. Tiramisu was home made and amazing too. Italian lager followed by great Italian coffee. In all, a real treat with lovely staff - genuine Italians - and great service. Well worth a visit, or for takeaway.

Top pizza! Best place to eat pizza in Cumbria! I'm Italian and it's not easy to find a place like this to eat and drink italian products. Highly recommended the "pizza Amatriciana"

Beautiful food, never had a pizza so light and tasty! Lovely attentive staff! Simply the best in town! A must visit if in town! Caters for all!

Popped into Fermento on the off chance with my brother and, despite the kitchen closing in 15 minutes, they immediately sorted us a table and seated us to order. The menu is entirely pizza, so if you're looking for other Italian dishes then you're going...

We ordered takeaway to eat in our holiday lodge and it was amazing, ordered part baked to heat at our lodge and this was a great idea. It tasted so good, will return next time we’re on holiday in the area. Thanks for our lovely...

Fermento is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that can put thousands on the value of your property, if you're fortunate enough to have a gem of an authentic Italian Family Restaurant like this in town. Small, unassuming, this owner operated restaurant over delivers in every...

Our first time to Fermento. We had read the reviews and we were not disappointed, authentic wonderful Italian food! We were made very welcome on our arrival by Carla. We enjoyed every single course and although I am not generally a fan of Pantone or...

I found this quirky place through looking for best rated food places in Cockermouth and this place came up on top. My family and I were on holiday and we booked this place for dinner. It’s a very small family run business. They only seat...

Brilliant restaurant with friendly staff and great proper Italian pizza. Very clean and covid aware. Highly recommended.

When you go for a week's family holiday in the beautiful Lake District you hardly expect one of the highlights to have been dining on pizza! We decided upon takeaway pizzas from Fermento after a long day and without any plans for our evening meal....

One of the few avenues of pleasure remaining in Cockermouth during a mid Winter lockdown. Well worth your time and money.

Normally a small Italian restaurant offering family cuisine, Fermento switched to takeaway pizzas at the end of the first lockdown. Carla and Alessandro have an extensive menu of pizzas and we ate our way through the list (well, almost) over more than 20 visits -...

Excellent pizza and vert friendly and efficient service. Would highly recommend. Also very much in favour of the recyclable packaging! Wil be back soon.

Due to COVID used the takeaway service. Four pizzas ordered and just like you would find in Italy, thin,crispy crusts and fresh toppings.

Just popped by Fermento to get some takeaway pizza as everywhere else in Cockermouth was fully booked. Restaurant looked really nice to sit and have a meal but of course closed due to covid. The stone baked pizzas were quick, fresh, delicious and really good...

....They keep getting better! Before lockdown we went to the restaurant, and loved it. The food along with superb customer service was amongst the very best in town. Lockdown closed the restaurant for now, but the most amazing pizza takeaway has emerged - and keeps...

Pizza isn't my favourite food but nonetheless I've eaten a good few over the years and we make our own too. I don't make this claim lightly, but I'm really struggling to think of where and when I might have had a better one. Put...

We had a couple of takeaway pizzas from Fermento. The takeaway was very well organised with social distancing observed and friendly efficient service. The pizzas were great. More expensive than others but worth paying a little more for.

Takeaway pizzas last night , we ordered one of each and a garlic bread. They were ready on time , the service was friendly, and we got to eat excellent handmade pizzas. Would recommended this small family run restaurant .. support local.

Wrote a review BC-19 (before Corvus 19) regarding Fermento, tonight we tried their lockdown menu, I have to say that I have just experienced the best Pizza out side of Italy. No ifs no buts that base is to die for and a more authentic...

If you ask people about Italian food I have no doubt they will mention Carluccio's, Prezzo or maybe the now-defunct Jamie's Italian and they all have one thing in common, they are all very large with very little atmosphere. Welcome to Fermento, probably one of...

Fermento’s is on home turf so to speak, it therefore has to endure my rule of three visits before I’ll pass comment and last night was the threshold. Run by a very passionate couple (over their food and hospitality what else would I know of!...

This Italian restaurant is fantastic, we had the taster menu which was so good. The service is great the people who own this little treasure are so nice and friendly, we will be back thank you so much for a fabulous meal

First visit to Fermento tonight and I wish we had gone way sooner. Had a fantastic 3 course meal with coffee, fresh, authentic, delicious Italian food. The lady that owns it is super friendly. Best lasagne I have ever had (and I told her that,...

Lovely family run Italian Restaurant - we turned up New Years Day with our small dog thinking it would probably have to be a pub supper but they have a corner table reserved, great dog friendly restaurant- amazing food and you have to try the...

Went to the open day when they first opened a year or so a go, but never really found the opportunity to actually go back. Took the boys here for a family birthday meal. Wary of many Italian restaurants, because they simply do not live...

This was our first visit and it won't be our last. What a lovely place, it's only small but has a great atmosphere. The staff were very helpful and explained how the Italian Experience menu worked. The food was amazing, tasty and well presented. It...

If you want a real taste of Italy served by a lovely Italian couple then this is the place. It works on a different concept to multi chain Italian restaurants and is aligned to proper Italian family eating in Italy so if you haven't gone...

Lovely ambience and the food was impressive (my husband's comment as he's not a keen lover of italian food so a definite compliment there). We had the taster menu and every mouthful was heaven. The organic wine was top notch and the simplicity of the...

Whilst in town I had dinners few time, please ore that being Italian I tend not to go to Italian restaurant whilst abroad. I don’t like negative experience. The other colleagues wanted to try and ok will try once. Since that evening went there every...

Another lovely night at Fermentos The atmosphere Carla and Allesandro have created is friendly and welcoming. The food is gorgeous, the pasta cooked to perfection. Will be back soon.

I tend to look to Trip Advisor when I'm wondering where to eat, often picking one of the top ones. Feeling uninspired for Cockermouth however I scrolled down to find photos from Fermento and thought they looked a lot better than trip advisor was giving...

If it's your first visit, have the set taster menu, but make sure you're really hungry as there's plenty of it. I enjoyed all the food but especially the spinach tart. Don't be put off it if you don't like spinach; the combination of ingredients...

This was our second time at Fermento as a family(2 teenagers) and another great experience.The food was simply delicious.Quality of cooking, simplicity of menu,outstanding flavours and excellent service really fabulous.Just perfect.

A return visit to Fermento. A warm welcome from Carla, Alessandro was busy in the kitchen. Very tasty bruschette, asparagus risotto, and an aubergine and tomato bake. My husband had a lovely light spinach tart, spinach and ricotta cannelloni and the strips of steak with...

We have been meaning to visit fermento since it opened a year ago but never quite managed it. well last night we were invited and Wow what a fantastic evening we had. we were welcomed by Carla who explained the menu which was very authentic....

If you like authentic 'family' Italian food prepared and cooked to a high standard in a small atmospheric restaurant then you will love Fermento. The 'taster menu' is superb and we asked Carla to choose a different wine for each course for us. I think...

We went as a large group, filling the small restaurant for the evening. The food was delicious- and really authentic. The staff were very friendly and the menu did a great job of keeping meat eaters and veggies happy. The risotto and pasta were especially...

It pains me to say it, as I like the idea of supporting independent local businesses; however our trip to Fermento left us feeling pretty underwhelmed. A limited menu, with none of the usual things you'd expect to find in an Italian such as lasagne...

Delicious food and welcoming people - what more could we ask for? We shall be returning when we next visit Cockermouth. Small menu with straightforward and tasty Italian fare, a real delight. Worth booking as quite small and popular.

My husband and I ate at Fermento on 14 June 2019. I can only say this is one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever eaten in. The complimentary focaccia bread was so nice and clearly an indication of food to come! Starters were bruscetta...

Four of us went to Fermento last Thursday evening and had a quite outstanding meal. We chose the 'italian experience' which consisted of four courses; an antipasto of bruschetta and spinach flan, a first course of cannelloni carbonara and asparagus risotto, a main course of...

Just back from a lovely evening at Fermento. Our meal was absolutely delicious. We cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. Carla, Alessandro and their team always provide a warm welcome and excellent service. Some generous gestures on their part tonight in celebration of the first...

Authentic Italian trattoria experience. Taster menu good value for money and the dishes were genuine and authentic. Staff were friendly and service good.

If we ignored the Lakeland weather outside we could have been eating in a restaurant in Italy. The food, wine and atmosphere were excellent.

Got a warm welcome from the owner. The food was authentic and amazing we had some brushetta then the best Parmigiana melanzane (ever) & great Spinach & Ricotta canneloni. The house red was fabulous. The atmosphere was great and the chef (co owner) came out...

This is our first visit - it’s been open just about a year - and we keep meaning to try it. It really is an excellent authentic Italian restaurant. They prepare all their own food; the menu is limited but everything was fresh, well cooked,...

If you love Italian food but are constantly disappointed by the restaurants you have tried in the U.K. then you will rejoice when you find and taste what’s on offer at Fermento in Cockermouth! It’s amazing - simple, honest, real Italian food served with heart...

We had a lovely meal for my father's birthday at Fermento. The food was delicious and was probably the most authentic Italian food I have had in Cumbria. I would recommend having at least two courses (e.g. a starter and a main - although I...

Excellent food, service and wonderful hosts. Try the taster menus really really good. Nice selection of wines and it is the only true Italian in town. We will be back as soon as possible. Keep the good work up. I am Italian and this is...

My wife and I visited with her sister (and her husband )on a busy Friday evening. What a lovely welcome from Carla, the front of house. Two of us shared the Italian Experience, a six course delight and great value for money, whilst the others...

As others have said, this is a small restaurant tucked away at the end of the Market Place. The food is to die for, and very authentic Italian. There are no pizzas on the menu so if this is what you want, it isn't the...

The restaurant offers dinner as structured in Italy - an aperitif, followed by the first dish, a second, and a desert. I went for Bruschetta, Lasagne and a stew of slowly cooked Italian Pork Sausages and beans. It was delicious. No room for desert. There...

We had heard such good things about Fermento that we had to try it for my husband’s birthday treat. We were not disappointed. We decided on the ‘ Italian Exoerience’ which at £22 was an amazing bargain. Six courses to share, from the beautiful bean...

Lovely little friendly place with great food. We had the tasting menu which was great to try different things. Lovely Ragu, risotto & a filo pastry thing to name a few but it was all lovely & good value. Definitely be back here

Limited menu although Christmas special were on offer. Generally well- received by us all. Service good.

Fantastic restaurant, great food and what a great new year we had x best Italian food outside of Italy 🇮🇹 x

Menu not great. Ordered minestrone soup which was lacking in taste and quality. Lasagne ....loads of layers of pasta but very little meat and tomato. Not brilliant

Fermento is a lovely little restaurant, you need to book as it’s not very big, the food is good the service is excellent, it’s very authentic Italian with a small menu, this is our second visit and we have really enjoyed both visits

Friendly, helpful service. Lovely atmosphere - it felt very Italian. Good choice of wineseats. House red was good and very reasonably priced. We had sausage and bean casserole and tagliatelle, followed by marscopone mousse and honey strudel with ice cream. It was all delicious. Good...

Just returned from dinner here with my husband tonight. I had been once before with a large group and had the taster menu, this time we chose from every section. The food was extremely tasty, the Sicilian wine a wonderful accompaniment and the coffee first...

Atmosphere was very nice indeed and the service was good - very friendly. For the food!!... I always feel cheated when I visit a restaurant that uses a microwave to heat food. You can use one at home every night of the week. The plate...

A genuine taste of Italy in Cumbria. Thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. Would highly recommend a visit, we will be going again.

We visited this place twice on a recent visit to Cockermouth. Food was great, staff friendly and at a really good price. It had a warm and cosy feel about it and I would highly recommend to go.

The best Italian I've been since I moved to the UK. Really authentic. Raccomended. Grazie per aver portato un po' di Italia in Cumbria😊

Small, traditional trattoria. This is the best Italian in Cumbria. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is delicious. Great place. Will definitely be going back to try some more dishes.

If you really wanna go and taste some real Italian food (not like someone pretending to be...), then this is where you have to go. Carla and Alessandro are perfect hosts for a proper Italian experience... You won't go wrong!

Visited with five others for a mini-stag do. Had excellent food and drink with great company. Alessandro and Carla are superb hosts and attended to our every need. Have been several times and can't wait to return. Non vedo l'ora as the Italians say.

Fermento is the authentic Italian kitchen experience amd the food is delicious! We have been for dinner twice and regularly go for breakfast. The menu follows the Italian format of starter, first main, second main and dessert and they offer a choice of set menus....

We were sad when the owners of our favourite restaurant - The Front Room - decided to finish. However we need not have worried because the premises was sold to a friendly Italian couple who opened a lovely Italian Restaurant - Fermento. They serve genuine...

We had heard lots of good things about this great little new Italian place in Cockermouth since it opened, so we decided to give it a try and booked it for our wedding anniversary meal. This turned out to be a fine decision indeed! As...

Visited with a group of friends, pleased we booked as it is small and every table was taken. The menu is not huge but the food was very good. It’s not somewhere I’d take children it’s more a place for couples and friends. The ambience...

Called in for lunch on Saturday. Limited menu, and chose the grilled vegetables and cheese in a Coca-Cola. Very tasty but a little small. Wish we had looked at desserts! Good coffee. Have to come back in the evening and try dinner one day. Good...

Great authentic Italian food and homely service. Loved the cured meats selection as a starter. I had the herbs risotto as a first main and my partner had the lasagna. It's great to see that gluten free options are available, the chef is knowledgeable about...

A great wee place with a real homely atmosphere. The antipasto starter was more than enough for the 2 of us with the in house freshly baked bread. Everything is made fresh so understandably the range is not what you'd find in Wetherspoons but the...

We had a lovely authentic Italian dining experience here. If you want big plates of food this place is not for you What you get here is quality over quantity Everything is beautifully cooked and homemade The homemade pasta is delicious as is the bread...

Dined here whilst visiting Cockermouth. The restaurant is small with only a few tables but nicely furnished. Everything seems very true to their region of Italy which we all liked. There are not many dishes to choose from and we had to get the menu...

We went on a Friday night,4 of us,small starter,smallest main I've ever had,sweet was even smaller ,we left there went home and had cheese on toast,if you like very small servings and enjoy paying over the odds then this is the place to go to,4...

De passage à Cockermouth, nous nous sommes arrêtés dans ce restaurant italien. Très très bon accueil et une cuisine familiale...

The food is lovely, the service and ambiance is undoubtedly Italian. There is possibly not enough meat on the menu for the area. Those of you that like a good plateful may be a little disappointed. A starter and main were fine for me but...