Gilpin Spice in South Lakeland

Another wonderful lunch at Gillian Spice! The gardens and grounds, the personnel, food, decor are all first class. A big thank you. Harald and Elaine Finne

Superb dining experience at the Gilpin this week. We've visited a few times over the years. The food is always perfect and we left more than satisfied. Great surrounding, beautiful location-what more can you ask for.

Simply Consistent - 3rd visit - always the same quality

We ate at Gilpin spice for my fiancée birthday. We visited earlier this year with friends and always said we would go back. The food was amazing so tasty and delicious. We sat at the kitchen table which we didn’t book but glad we got the chance to sit here. It was brilliant watching the chefs at work. I would highly recommend Gilpin spice to anybody. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere nice background music. Just give it a try you will not be disappointed. Nice of the head chef to get our names to thank us also which is a nice touch. I had the ox cheek which doesn’t require a knife as it’s like butter and my partner had pork belly which was cooked perfect.

The service was outstanding. The food was very enjoyable. The restaurant was atmospheric and a pleasant place to enjoy an evening. All in all a superb experience. Will definitely return.

Food and setting great. But it was the service that made the difference. Special mention to Laura who was very accommodating, attentive and friendly.

We have been visiting The Gilpin for over 30 years..it is Simply the Best. Spice is fabulous ..food..the team ..atmosphere..

Wonderful restaurant in great surroundings & a great vibe ! Staff were very friendly & attentive, the food was so very tasty 😋 loved every minute of this fab little place Will definitely return

Excellent, some of the best food we have ever tasted.

We love Spice…. The food, the service, the vibe! The food; original and quirky dishes cooked and presented to perfection. The service; just perfect! I always say the sign of a good restaurant is shown by the happiness of those that work there. From the welcoming to the team FOH and those busy away in the kitchens. Never too busy for a little chat and show real interest in their guests. Oh and we were lucky enough to get a lift home with the Maitre D’ due to the storm! And finally, the vibe! It’s intimate yet warm and there’s a real buzz! Beautiful modern styling and just the right level of background music. Can’t wait to return!

We had a child free evening with my parents looking after the boys on a family trip to the Lake District. Having previously eaten in their Michelin starred restaurant we thought we would try the less formal but equally excellent restaurant. Service was excellent. Sat close to the open kitchen we had a great view of our food being prepared. We both thoroughly enjoyed our food and would love to return.

My friends booked this restaurant as a birthday present for me. From the arrival staff were very welcoming. Collected our jackets. Assisted to our requested seats by my friends,when they did the booking. We received a professional service throughout. Taking both drinks and food orders to check backs. The Filipino chef was very friendly and spoke to us as we sat on the counter chairs. Food was very good. As an Asian food fan,a couple of flavours did not stand out for me. I would mark staff 5/5 and food 4.5/5. I will take my family there in the future to try out their Michelin restaurant.

The staff were so nice and friendly, made some great recommedations and just came across really welcoming.

We opted to dine here to celebrate my 60th and Wow what a fantastic choice we made. Upon arriving we were very politely met and taken to our table the surroundings were very pleasant. The staff were incredibly attentive and caring. Then came the main event, the food! what a taste sensation and looked beautiful too. The whole experience was great value for money and a venue we will ensure is a regular for us. Stunning,

Absolutely fantastic service and meal, will definitely be back👌👍

Probably the best food I've been served and eaten Fully recommend. Service was perfect, very relaxed, lovely place to be...and did I mention the food. Wow. 👏👏👏

Food - some good and some average e.g. pork belly overcooked/dry. Nice atmosphere watching chefs etc. Not sure I would rush back however.

Great relaxed atmosphere with amazing sushi

Fabulous evening, wonderful food and service. We’ve been before and definitely need to come more often!!

The food was delicious, there was a great atmosphere and all of the staff were really friendly and welcoming. Had a great evening and would thoroughly recommend.

Dining at Spice in the Gilpin Hotel was an exceptional experience. The fusion of flavors and spices in every dish was outstanding, delivering bold and exciting tastes with every bite. The ambiance was warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed yet refined evening. The service was top notch staff were attentive, friendly, and made excellent recommendations. Overall, Spice offers a unique and memorable dining experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Lovely place with a choice of dining rooms. Food was excellent, very tasty and just the right amount. It really feels special and high end but prices are very reasonable. Highly recommended.

Our experience at Gilpin Spice was truly fantastic. From the moment we arrived we were welcomed warmly by Manager Dan and his friendly helpful team who made us feel right at home. The service throughout the evening was impeccable with attentive staffs who clearly are knowledgeable with their food and care about their guests. The food was exceptional, an absolutel highlight of our visit to the Lake District. The ox cheeks dish was amazing and definitely a must try, it was so tender and flavourful that it's simply to die for! The lamb was equally delicious and shoud not be missed. Every dish was full of flavour and the culinary experience exceeded our expectations. The ambiance of the restaurant is great, buzzing with guests, inviting, comfortable and perfect for a relaxed meal. We loved both the food and the people and we'll definitely be returning. Thank you Dan and all the staffs who looked after us

Just WOW 🤩 Fantastic place to be ! Beautiful restaurant with absolutely delicious food 🤤 very helpful & kind service. Highly recommended if you love goood foooood 😋 many thanks for hospitality & see you soon 😘

Our 3rd time at this marvellous restaurant. Fantastic service food and ambience. Needless to say we have booked again!

We have eaten here several times and the experience has always been amazing; food, atmosphere and friendly and helpful staff. I don't often write Tripadvisor reviews but on this occasion I wanted to pay a particular tribute to the staff. We had booked well in advance but only a few days in advance a friend who has been through a very difficult time, came to stay with us in Ambleside. I was not able on the website to change our booked table for 2 customers to one for 3 customers (presumably adding a third person actually means booking out a table for 4). I rang and spoke to Jake who in turn spoke to the restaurant manager and between them they managed to squeeze us in - an exceptional bit of customer service for which we were very grateful.

Fantastic food with amazing flavours and choice. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the service was fantastic. Special mention to Danny, Tony and Laura for looking after us all so well.

Wow what can I say. The menu, the food, the wine, the restaurant and the staff are just brilliant! What a meal!! Book a table in the room where the open plan kitchen is located. Really interesting to see your meal being prepped.would highly recommend

I never leave reviews but feel like I have to after an evening here. We sat at the chefs table, the food was amazing and all the chefs made an effort to chat to us during our meal without being intrusive. It was my partners birthday and one of the chefs (didn’t catch his name - he was from Manchester) went out of his way to give her a dessert which I thought was a great touch. Couldn’t recommend enough 😊

Deserves its Michelin star. Fantastic staff and wonderful, imaginative food. One of our favourite places in Cumbria.

We had a wonderful evening at Gilpin Spice 5⭐️ all round

Lovely birthday meal, delicious food with great flavours, peaceful and calm surroundings, and exceptional service, particularly from Laura who went above and beyond to make my birthday that extra bit special ! Thank you, and we will definitely be going back!

Perfect that’s all I need to say!

Excellent food, great ambience really worth a visit

What a place, luxury define. Staff go above and beyond. Food supreme, location spectacular and spa so relaxing. Well worth every penny

Seriously delicious food, perfect ambiance, and wonderful staff. Big shoutout to chef Philip Williams - he made our evening extra special 🙏🏻🥰

The only disappointment was that it had to end - Top tier dining! 🏆 Everything from the food to the interior decor to the ambience was fantastic. We were blown away by the flavours and presentation of all the food we ordered (spicy tuna sushi, crab, ox cheek, king prawns, mango kulfi & Jamaican spiced cake)! The staff were very friendly and helpful with any questions we had. Would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who enjoys full flavoured Asian food 👌

needs some money spending on the property and its furnishings, as it looks very tired

Really delicious and interesting dishes. Great for sharing. The aubergine main course was one of my favourites.

For those expecting a curry, forget it. However don't let that put you off as it's actually a Pan Asian Fusion restaurant offering an amazing selection of foods from Japan, China, Korea and India. Who ever designed the menu is a master, mixing dishes in interesting and unexpected combinations. The staff were very helpful and chatty and offered good advice and explanations the food. It's a combination of small plates and sharing dishes. We had Sushi to start and shared two main dishes of pork belly and seabass, with fried rice. Superb 😋

We always have a lovely meal and the team is very friendly and attentive. I always like to bring our friends here. All of the dishes are delicious!

Absolutely exceptional! Every dish was fantastic and perfectly balanced. Blown away! We can't wait to return to try more from the menu.

We had high expectations of Gilpin Spice, given all those rave reviews. And, generally, we were not disappointed. A lovely setting, stylish ambiance, attentive service and always fun to watch a kitchen at work. We were there for lunch, and both had a chicken curry with rice. Lovely flavours, with a blend of spices, though perhaps because we have spent so long in Asia we found a little timid. Overall, a relaxed, enjoyable lunch in a stylish setting. Well worth a visit.

Wow wow wow this place is incredible. Just returned from our anniversary weekend there. Love love love. Particular mention to Grace, Lorraine and Charlotte they are a fantastic representation of your fantastic hotel xx

I dined at Gilpin Spice in the Lake District and had a fantastic experience. The food was outstanding, with each dish bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. The spicy chicken, in particular, was a highlight—perfectly cooked with just the right amount of heat and incredible depth of flavor. Sebastian provided excellent service throughout our visit. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations that enhanced our meal. His friendly and professional demeanor added to the overall enjoyment of our evening. Gilpin Spice is definitely worth a visit for anyone in the Lake District. I look forward to returning!

We dined at Gilpin Spice in the Lake District and had a fantastic experience. The food was outstanding, with each dish bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. The spicy chicken, in particular, was a highlight—perfectly cooked with just the right amount of heat and incredible depth of flavor. A special mention for Sebastian who provided excellent service throughout our visit. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations that enhanced our meal. His friendly and professional demeanor added to the overall enjoyment of our evening. Gilpin Spice is definitely worth a visit for anyone in the Lake District. I look forward to returning!

Gilpin Spice offers a superb pan-Asian dining experience. Highlights included pani puri, crispy Asian fried chicken with Gochujang, and the flavour-packed Goan-style tiger king prawns, both complemented by perfectly seasoned egg fried rice. Special mention to our server, Sebastian, whose exceptional service enhanced our visit. If you’re looking for delicious food with great service, Gilpin Spice is a must-visit. We stayed at the hotel for two nights and dined at the Gilpin Spice both nights which is a testament to the food and impeccable service.

One of the best meals I have had so far.

Really wonderful meal. We sat at the chefs table and shared a few dishes. All were packed with flavor. And the service was very attentive and welcoming.

Food was just avarage. Small portions. Not much choice. Expected much more ...Dissaponted. Not cheap either . Poor selection of bottled lagers.

We treated friends to a weekend at the hotel for their anniversary so four of us came to meet them for dinner. The service was friendly and efficient with excellent advice on the menu and dietary requirements. All The food was delicious and beautifully presented with great care taken for the gluten free member of our party. The desserts were light and a little quirky which we loved! We were extremely well looked after all evening and will definitely return, highly recommended, thank you

We weren’t quite sure about this v source, but pleasant surprised. Lovely tasteful relaxed meal and great relaxed friendly staff

I would think most couples have that special restaurant which they visit irregularly but always enjoy because it is so special. Gilpin Spice was our special place. We have mostly been for lunch over the years and it has always exceeded our high expectations - until now. We had dinner there recently and, to be honest it was poor. The menu has been slimmed down and the standard of food has been as well. Without going into detail we were served a cold dish and a greasy dish as well as one which was almost inedible. We didn't bother with dessert after the poor standard of the dishes. Service was good though. We won't be back

After a very warm welcome again to the Gilpin Spice last night, our evening was splendid. Atmosphere and decor is truly stunning, Food is exquisite and all staff were very polite, professional and attentive. Jenny, the lady who was dealing with our table was great. She really made our evening. She’s an asset to the Gilpin. Between her friendly welcoming smile, and professionalism. She also had a great humour about her which along with ours worked in unison for a very enjoyable evening. Highly advise if you haven’t already been, treat yourself to something special!

This has gone down hill since we last went. Some of the staff were extremely rude. Think you only fit in now if you are a local as they are just as rude. Will never return to the gilpin spice unfortunately and it was our go to.

Payed a visit again recently, new food on menu from our last visit but it was still amazing. Great choice of Asian dishes. We sat at the bar seating looking into the prep area of the kitchen. had a chatty chef that talked away to us, made us feel extremely welcome. Other staff were also good and very polite

Gilpin Spice offers a stunning dining experience, especially if you snag a seat overlooking the kitchen. The Ox cheek is absolutely incredible, and the Lamb Rump Boti is to die for. Service is top-notch, and the atmosphere is buzzing, making it a must-visit spot for food enthusiasts.

One of the best dinners ever. We sat at the chef’s table and it was a great experience talking to the chefs and getting their recommendations - amazing vibe. Best egg fried rice of my life, really good pak-choi and Korean chicken, and I would give a million stars as well to the mango magnum. Cocktails were outstanding too. Thanks team for giving us such a memorable dinner!

Fabulous evening at this beautiful Lake District restaurant - great food, service and ambience. Faultless!

Dampen expectations before you go. The quality of the starters (aloo tikki and Asian fried chicken) was probably 3-star, and main courses 3- or 2-star. Pork belly was very average, and Goan prawn curry was below mediocre, the flavour was anything but authentic, with too much turmeric. There was 3 prawns in the curry (please correct me if I am wrong) ! Pak Choi is clearly an acquired taste, I could not eat it. Fried rice was different from usual, and was probably the best dish we had. No, it was the dessert, a sorbet of some kind that was the best. While it is not wildly over-priced, we did not feel that we had quality food overall. Tastes and opinions differ, I guess. Oh, by the way, sitting at the Chef's table is mighty uncomfortable, with nowhere for you to rest your feet on. We had to change our seats for this reason. Also, the cocktails were below par, quite disappointing.

Amazing! Some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted! Great service & delightful atmosphere

We came over from Blackpool to celebrate with our freinds ,who had booked months ago for her husband birthday..The service was fantastic from the minute we had a drink in the hotel bar ,to the end off our meal ..The food was absolutely delicious, lots of new flavours I haven't tryed before and the passion fruit and mango dessert was yummy, great Atmosphere wonderful evening well worth the wait x

The food and service were excellent, some of the best I have experienced. I had the lamb and it was the best, very very tender. All very reasonably priced for such good food and service - you would pay twice the amount in London.

The food was faultless it was stunning. We came this evening for my birthday and we didn't want it to end. I even saw an old friend Danny who iv not seen in 30 years working his socks off. We will be back highly recommend . The staff were very friendly and helpful and compliments to the chefs

Food was excellent 👌 Service was top notch even when you asked questions they knew the answer Atmosphere was really good 👍

I love this place. The food was delicious, special mention to Westies chicken, the egg fried rice and the beef cheek. All beautifully cooked with the perfect amount of spice and flavour. Staff are super friendly and on hand to talk you through anything on the menu. All helps to create a nice relaxed atmosphere to enjoy some great food.

Beautiful restaurant with excellent staff and gorgeous food. We booked the chefs table which was awesome as you get to watch the chefs at work and they even chat to you and give you recommendations. These guys never stop, if they’re not cooking, they’re prepping and it’s cool to watch! My recommendations would be the Braised Beef Vietnamese Curry and the Tempered Potatoes, also the Jamaican ginger cake is out of this world!! Can’t wait to go back already!

First time here and won't be my last quality food

What an amazing treat to eat Spice at Gilpin Hotel. The staff went out of their way to welcome us and even managed to squeeze us in when there was a cancellation. The meats and fish were of excellent quality and we enjoyed watching the dishes being created. The chefs and sous chefs worked so well as a team and managed to advise us of our choice of menu for the three evenings we dined there. A special mention for chef Philip an excellent chef and personality. Definitely coming back.

Some of the best food i have ever had! The lamb was absolutely perfectly cooked and the beef to die for. My only gripe was the music was awfully loud Staff were very attentive and service was quick and professional. I had a wonderful birthday here :)

A new food experience for us, not a bit disappointing. Unusual dishes and so beautifully presented. Delicious, delicately spiced and complimentary flavours. We will be eating here again in the new year when a new menu is posted. A real birthday treat for our father's 99th birthday.

We headed to Gilpin Spice for a special 60th Birthday ! The staff were amazing and did a special “happy Birthday” plate. The food was amazing. I can’t even describe how good it was and for such good quality the price was reasonable. The house rose was a smash hit. I had the prawns, pork belly and a coconut and pineapple dessert. Would recommend to anyone Thank you

Fancy restaurant with a very warm and pleasant atmosphere. The menu proposes a variety of fusion cuisine dishes, very tasty overall but slightly uneven. The service is impeccable.

I visited for a solo birthday lunch and I was made to feel very special. I was greeted and wished a happy birthday by everyone, including the chefs. The food (edamame puri, sticky rice, fried veg) was delicious and brought to me quickly. I had a pineapple mocktail which was extremely tasty. Between my mains and dessert (strawberry and basil sorbet) the chef brought over a birthday plate which really made me feel special. I can't wait to come back!

A little confusing. " Shared plates " for main course,are not very big. The idea is, that the party orders quite a few " shared plates " and all people share. Quality of the food is good, and very pleasant surroundings.

Fantastic food and fantastic service. The greeter stood by the entrance was very friendly and helpful he pointed us in the direction of a few animals they keep on the grounds after our meal was a great end to a fantastic experience at the Gilpin Spice. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Another great night excellent dinner particularly loved the ginger pudding and fried vegetables.

We were very excited to visit this place, however it turned to a massive disappointment. The service is very poor and the behavior of management is as if they are doing us a favor welcoming to their restaurant. Manager was very rude and very non attentive to some guests. Vegetarian options are very few. Some starters are very good e.g. chilly paneer. The mains were very disappointing as one Aubergine dish just had vinegar dumped into it and fried rice was salty. When the manager asked why we are not eating and asked for the bill, we mentioned the reason but he just ignored our concern rather than asking the Chef what was wrong. Asked them to help book a taxi for us as we were finding it difficult not being locals, initially instead of helping, his attitude was like I am not a magician nor know anyone apart from who you are calling and said that I am not a taxi driver to have contacts for you. I think there are many other options for visitors, not sure how they managed to get good reviews so far.

Stunning food (compliments to the chef), friendly helpful staff.

A very enjoyable night at the chefs table 👌🏽

Food, amazing. Atmosphere up-there, service with a smile and that is all you can ask for, especially Carlo. Cheers for a great night 👍

Enjoyed a nice meal at Gilpin Spice. The mains all tasted great. The menu had plenty of variety and interesting vegetarian options. The coconut and pineapple dessert was absolutely the star of the meal and is highly recommended. The various rooms were beautifully decorated, however it seemed like the main room near the kitchen was bustling and getting a more attentive service.

We couldn’t comment on the atmosphere as we were sat outside of the main dining area and didn’t see any other diners apart from table next to us who were having a business meeting and not eating or drinking until we were ready to leave. Our waiter totally ignored us after taking our order or bringing our food. We asked to move from the table given to us and we were refused as we could only hear the business meeting only a few feet from us. We also could not see anyone else in the restaurant. There was no ambience or interaction with anyone as we could not physically see anyone else.

Extremely dissatisfied and underwhelmed. Service from a very rude and highly strung waiter who spoilt the evening from the get go. We stayed at the Gilpin Hotel and expected far better from this restaurant. We were rushed to order like many others and when my wife asked if we were annoying him his response was a sarcastic “ no I love you!”. His behaviour was dire, if not farcical. Sadly when we mentioned this to another staff member, they knew exactly who we were talking about. The food itself was simply dreadful and showed a high degree of complacency and laziness. The concept of Asian influences and spices was a misnomer! The food was bland unseasoned and with no flavour or spice! Unfortunately I have nothing positive to say about this restaurant. I highly recommend YOU DO NOT CONSIDER THIS RESTAURANT IF YOU VISIT THE LAKES!

Simply amazing, waiting staff were great with a rundown of what to expect and recommended amount of dishes. We chose to sit on the chefs bench and got to see a real performance up close. We would come back anytime with so many more items to try

Wow! We’ve missed being in such a lovely restaurant, making an effort, drinking a lovely wine recommended by the sommelier, but most of all eating seriously fabulous food, in a lovely atmosphere. Thank you all at Gilpin Spice

Lovely food definitely be going again

Great food and service. It was a pleasure to watch the next generation being trained.

Unreal. Best restaurant in the area. Waiting list is lonnnng. But I can understand why. Staff amazing, food even more so.

Lovely food and very helping staff

More than met my high expectations. Good atmosphere and service. Very delicious food. Will definitely return.

Superb restaurant within the grounds (and part of) The Gilpin Hotel. The setting is lovely, and the restaurant is very well decorated and furnished, adding to the dining experience. Staff are helpful and attentive and the food is absolutely delicious. My wife and I had the sharing menu, two starter dishes (chicken skewers, and king prawn skewers), followed by the chicken tandoori with rice, and the mussel and prawn curry), all the dishes were very tasty, and there is plenty of choice from mild to hot, so something for everyone. Sorry to say there are no pictures with this review, as I did not have my phone to hand, but believe me when I say this is well worth a visit.

Couldnt recommend it more, an assault on the taste buds, a table at the bar overlooking the kitchen area is a must , the chefs are great and engaging, the maitre'd is a real character and really enthusiastic. Pity the same cant be said for the hotel, we lost power and were in the dark most of the evening at our chalet, no apology , infact no response whatsoever , a disappointing destination stay ...take your own candles

Exquisite. We ate here for our anniversary. The tables overlook the kitchen so you can watch the food being prepared. Service was superb; not too 'over the top', but attentive. The food can not be faulted.

STUNNING dinner, right at the chef's table. Cannot recommend enough. I had an early seating at 6pm on a Monday when the restaurant was full, but not at capacity. This meant the cooks were able to take a bit of time to personally explain each dish, provide their recommendations, and have a bit of banter. The service was exceptional- every server was so friendly and attentive. Whilst all of the food was incredible, the tomato soup, paneer, and ginger pudding almost made my brain stop the moment I tasted them. Be cautious with the drive to and from the restaurant if you're driving in the dark and rain though, the roads aren't very good nearby. Overall amazing experience, so glad I went.

Beautiful location, staff friendly and helpful. Food superb.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. if you love Indian and Chinese food like I do then this is the place for you. Great staff that are there to do all they can to make your meal as enjoyable as possible. Then there is the food, just incredible flavours, and I had to eat it all, leaving some was not an option, it wouldn't be fair. The Pho spiced Octopus So tasty. You won't regret it.

Delicious food, very attentive staff and great ambience. Can highly recommend a visit to the Gilpin Spice.

We enjoyed a fabulous meal as a family of four. Were staying one night in the beautiful Gilpin hotel. Both excellent.

Supposedly Michellin restaurant on a Monday night when we visited the service was absolutely POOR and the meal salty. When we offered our criticism the manager said they were `NOT a Michelin star restaurant and tried to fob us off by reducing our drinks from the final bill price. My husband insisted on a new bill which included our drinks and we paid in full. Whilst we were eating we could hear loud banter between the serving staff and yet no one came to wait on us. Very dissatisfied and disappointed Prof Ami David