Fini’s. The Restaurant and Gallery at Willowbeck Lodge in Carlisle

We visited on 29 Sep 2024, booked for 6.45pm. Lovely looking restaurant, and staff were great. Food was disappointing for the price unfortunately. The wife had the mozzarella and roasted peach salad starter. My wife enjoyed this, I thought it was ok but the mozzarella balls could've been fresher. I had the calamari. It looked lovely, but tasted only okay as the squid also could've been fresher. The wife had the bang bag cauliflower mains. The sauce was nice but rice was a little too hard, The cauliflower was done in a crumbly batter, which would've been nice if crunchier. The problem probably was that the cauliflower was very soft, and it was mixed through the sauce, therefore softening the batter. I just had fish and chips as I already had the other 2 options recently elsewhere; Sunday roast and lamb with mint. The fish was cooked nicely and not overcooked. However, it would taste better if salted or seasoned before battering and frying. It was incredibly oily too. The mushy peas wasn't anything special at all, nor the tartar sauce. We shared a mango Panna cotta. I prefer Panna cotta to be lighter weight but it was still okay. The short breads with them seemed a bit random to me, really didn't compliment the dish plus were very mediocre. The 2 course was £25. The 3 course was £30. I just felt it wasn't worth the price. We chose this restaurant as it has really good reviews, and was near the motorway at the right time as we were driving up from Liverpool back to Glasgow. I'm not sure if Fini's is a restaurant that runs there all week long or just part of the time. If only part of the time, it is not clear. If it is all week, I'm very disappointed with the food. Plus, why was a Sunday lunch menu available only for 6.45pm? Thankfully the staff were nice and it was a lovely clean venue.

Great place, good food, good service. Would thoroughly recommend.

First class food and attentive service combined with a relaxing atmosphere. We will be back again soon.

One of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Brilliant service, some of the best food anywhere, nice atmosphere, just perfect.

Excellent dining area. Very light and airy. Food superb.

It's great to be part of this group

Fini’s hosted my mum’s wake and did a magnificent job. Lovely food, lovely setting and great service. Thank you for allowing us to put my mum’s pictures in place of yours it really made the pictures a success.

Recently had my father’s funeral tea at Finis, I can’t express how amazing this setting is even on an emotional day, food fabulous, discreet service and costs very reasonable. Thank you so much couldn’t have wished for a better send off 💙

We had our Christmas meal at Fini's yesterday. Fantastic food, a really brilliant afternoon. 16 three course meals were served piping hot, fabulous service.

We really enjoyed our food for the most part. However one of our party's main course was cold. It is nice, but it has lost a star as I would expect everything to be perfect with the meal averaging out at £50 per person for a 2 course meal. The parking is very limited, so we had to park on a unlit street with an uneven footpath. I would definitely recommend having a touch with you. Would not be ideal for anyone taking elderly guests on an evening.

Lovely location and very peaceful. The food was very nice and we thoroughly enjoyed our little break here. The staff was very helpful and welcoming as well.

A lovely location, good food, excellent service.

Fantastic food, good ambience. Service excellent.Can not fault.

My partner and I had the sirloin steaks, cooked to perfection. Thoroughly recommend.

The restaurant is attached to Willowbeck Lodge which is an excellent place to visit. However I cannot say the same about the restaurant. The prawns were large but not so tasty. The burger meat was dry and tough and the bun flaccid. The cheese plate was seemed to have been pulled straight from the fridge, served with Jacob's Crackers, a Ritz biscuit or two and others. The breakfast, from the same restaurant, was much better, so not sure what was going on with the dinner. Crab was nice, though

Really fine dining. Never knew a place like this existed a walking distance from my house. Thanks to Google explore for showing us this place. A bit expensive for a Mother's Day dinner, but very fine regardless.

What a superb dinner. Lots of fresh ingredients. My partner’s soup was the best we ever tried. I had fantastic dressed crab and then we both had fresh and delicious fish dishes for mains. And we couldn’t resist a pudding either - lemon posset and sticky toffee pudding both fantastic. Would absolutely recommend and will be returning!

Very kind excellent people. Service excellent. Venue and location excellent. Food disappointed on this occasion, although my son and daughter thoroughly enjoyed their vegetarian dish. The hake was a little mushy and the skin needed crisping. The sauce didn't suit a fish dish in my opinion and was over salted. The most disappointing was my wife's commercial grade (possibly frozen) burger which was tasteless and certainly not minced steak!

Everything this place is just fantastic. Many thanks.

Good food though a little overpriced

Had an amazing time seeing in the new year with a 5 course meal, band and a dance. The food was delicious and everyone had a terrific time ! The grounds themselves are unique with an impressive drive in.

Amazing little food find just outside Carlisle. Lovely fresh seafood mains and excellent service

Lovely peaceful setting. Lovely food never rushed you. Sat overlooking pond so tranquil

Nice little find took my dad for birthday lunch we had the seafood platter and it was amazing. Had so many varieties and the biggest prawns I’ve seen.

Amazing lunch, food is cooked perfectly and friendly atmosphere

Delicious Sunday lunch and great service

Attended a funeral tea which was very sympathetically hosted with great dignity, style & warmth. Much appreciated by all.

This place is delightful. The meals are well prepared and very tasty. It has a limited capacity in the dining room so it feels very intimate. Highly recommend.

Great place. An absolute Gem in Carlisle. Been here twice, ordered different food, both times been amazing. Very calm and peaceful environment esp if you get tables overlooking the pond infront. Doesnt feel like youre in Carlisle. Fresh seafood and good selection of drinks. Staffs are very friendly and service is good. Can be very busy, so make sure you reserve a table if you are planning to dine in.

Wow , what an amazing place , the food is first class along with the service, this hidden restaurant is a must for all you dine diners as you will not be disappointed. Thanks for a great night .

A great place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Great food and wine .staff friendly and helpful.A lovely pretty outlook over the lake. Thankyou Fini,s

Visited with my friend on Sunday. The food was totally lovely. The setting is perfect. Beautiful willow trees, duck pond. Quiet and incredibly civilised. The staff are wonderful, friendly and attentive. I love this place. Thank you .

A delicious meal in a lovely setting, with very friendly service.

What a fantastic meal, wonderful service, amazing accommodation, lovely staff.

Taken to this fabulous restaurant by a friend. Simply outstanding. Lovely ambiance, first class service and top class food. All that and value for money. I shall be returning.

This was our first visit and the surroundings were very nice. Our only concern was the lack of lighting in the car park. The food was good and we were made welcome. We all enjoyed the evening and would return .

Lovely meal with very attentive service.

I pay to much for that what I get.

Couldn't be better. Great food, lovely atmosphere and attentive hosts. Would highly recommend.

Quality food in a comfortable environment with good service. Seafood was amazing, steak cooked to perfection, we look forward to coming back & would definitely recommend.

Amazing food lovely setting and staff very friendly and helpful

Accommodation is comfortable and inviting. Food was absolutely amazing. Best prawn starter.... Lovley friendly staff... Well worth a visit.....

Amazing gem! Love this place... really looking forward to try it for an evening meal very soon! 🤞🏼🥰

Can’t recommend this more - beautiful setting and a modern, elegant room this restaurant has it all. Very friendly and welcoming, delicious food and great atmosphere.

Lovely little restaurant and gallery. We booked mid week dinner and were not disappointed. Very friendly service and excellent food, we settled for the amazing fish platter. Would definitely recommend for location, service and food!

Simply stunning. Atmosphere was lovely staff very friendly and food to die for A*****************

What a lovely place. Food was excellent, the atmosphere just right and the young guy playing the piano as background music was perfect. Lovely soothing tunes, beautifully performed, at just the right volume

Great place, lovely location and garden. A little haven close to the M6. The food was delicious, the staff friendly. We'll be definitely be back. Very happy. P))

Excellent food, great location and friendly staff!

Food was lovely and at a reasonable price

Absolutely incredible food. Cannot praise enough. Excellent service. Great selection of drinks. The specials menu was brilliant and plenty of really reasonably priced options across both the standard and special options. Would highly recommend to anyone who likes top quality fresh produce cooked perfectly!

Lovely breakfasts, staff could do with being a bit more smiley! But eggs Benedict beautiful.

Sea food share plate was amazing. Highly recomended

Great food, friendly staff in stunning surroundings

We had the sharing plate of lobster, king prawns, tiger prawns, scallops, mussels and cockles. And was the best food we have had in a long time, well done finnis we will be back x

Food was divine, and service was impeccable. A little on the expensive side but more than worth it for the food and experience. Will definitely be visiting again!

Fantastic venue and top quality nosh. Recommend the shellfish main. Really tasty and excellent value. Definitely will be back.

Love the setting and the food and service is always good

Truly fantastic food in lovely surroundings with excellent service and attention to detail at every turn. Absolutely excellent! -perfect in fact. Will be back again... And again. The menus are simple but everything on it is a celebration. Excellent seafood selection especially.

Fabulous food and service. One to return to again and again. Thank you for a super evening!

Beautiful place with lovely gardens. Food was perfect and great service.

Beautiful setting, fantastic food and service. One not to miss.

Fabulas meal great atmosphere wonderfull staff very friendly

Delightful setting ,beautifully cooked food and service excellent Will definitely go there again!

Lovely place to eat. Didn't know it was there as it's off the main road in scotby. Well worth a visit. It's also a big place when you get inside.

We went for Sunday roast beef dinner. Everything on the plate was hot, very well cooked and the beef extremely tender and tasty with a good selection of vegetables. Service was attentive and friendly. We will definitely go back again.

Lovely place with lovely food and staff. Had lunch and it was delicious.

Food was excellent but menu is kept small

.Food very good, staff extremely friendly, pleasant surroundings, but beware the £8.50 a pint

Delicious food. Excellent service. Friendly staff. Perfect.

Lunch with my son, lovely surroundings Perfectly cooked delicious food Perfect cappuccino Lovely staff I know good food and this is the place Beautifully presented

Wow what a surprise tucked away from the city centre. Not super fancy but well cooked good quality food with a twist. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and our young waiter did a fantastic job. Thanks to a fantastic family team as we look forward to coming back.

Amazing food, lovely atmosphere and friendly staff.xx

Nice little place. Clean and modern. Good menu, nice choices. Portion sizes are good.

Amazing food and lovely atmosphere in an absolutely gorgeous setting, what more could you want..We love it..

Excellent food drinks and atmosphere.Beautiful location. Always eager to please. Bris.

I loved it here. Service was great, beautiful place and food was really lovely!

Stayed for drinks, beautiful setting, very friendly and helpful staff.

Cute little place for lite bites and drinks