L'Enclume in South Lakeland

The (old) definition of a Michelin-starred restaurant. An experience from start to finish. It felt like a theatrical performance, with us in the front row, where beautifully crafted dishes appeared at the perfect tempo, and everything felt just right. Especial mention to the frozen cheese dessert - masterpiece.

Incredible! I truly adore L'Enclume. We have visited four times, and with each visit, the experience only improves. Remarkably, each time we return, it seems to earn yet another Michelin star, which reflects the relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by Simon and his team.

Dinned here twice when it was a 2 star. Not surprised that it now has 3 start. Possibly the best food I've eaten outside of the East and Dubai.

Was here just last night and just like our previous visit, the food was ‘excellent’ ! Special mention however to the Bonny waitress lady however and she and my granddaughter were ‘dancing’ together during a previous visit and which everyone in the premises noted with much amusement !!. Youll not go far wrong with staff of this calibre !!!

Out of this world experience, the best Michellen we have visited everyone treated us so well, staff were knowledgeable, fantastic attention to detail very attentive, food was incredible flavours you cannot comprehend cannot wait to come back and visit..

Without a doubt the best meal we’ve ever had. The attention to detail is phenomenal, the wine pairings are bold and brave and the atmosphere is beautiful. We celebrated my wife’s 30th birthday last night who is also pregnant. The team catered the menu perfectly to her needs making sure every dish was as close to the normal menu as possible so she felt fully involved. The staff are funny, friendly and personable, even though the serve many people each day. What’s beautiful about this restaurant, is that it focuses on food. No fancy gimmicks like at other starred restaurants, just excellent food and excellent wine/soft drink pairings. It truly is an exceptional experience and we hope to one day be back.

I love this restaurant food very much was very delicious and the atmosphere was pleasant too much. Staff was quite more friendly environment was pleasant and I like me to eat this place I give full rating to this restaurant

Stunning experience. The customer service was exceptional, very professional. All courses were presented elegantly and explained in a precise way. I had an incredible experience with my significant other and will be returning in the future to experience this again.

Having been to 1 and 2 star restaurants we booked here to break out 3* virginity. We honestly were not sure what to expect - how much better can it be? Well… The food is absolutely faultless. And while I wouldn’t say it was head and shoulders over 2*, it is certainly up a level. But you and I have to appreciate, 2* is already a ridiculous level of cooking most will only dream of, and there are diminishing returns. But the returns that are left are so hard to achieve every day it’s an exclusive club and they are subtle. A big step up though is the service. It was without question one of the most amazing things I have had the pleasure to observe. So much so it made up a big part of conversation with my wife between courses around just how you get that good! Everything is so well drilled and rehearsed. It’s phenomenal to watch and a joy to do so. As example of just how rehearsed they are a guest broke a glass mid service. Everyone sprung into action and seemed to have a specific role. They moved the couple to another table around the corner away from any embarrassment. Cleaned and reset the entire table/area discretely and silently. They then brought the couple back and served fresh dishes. All without anyone saying a word other than something like “would you both like to follow me”. If you think you want something, and somehow suggest it in your body language they seem to notice and fetch it. This may all sound ridiculous to some people - but my point is the level expected is just so high nothing isnt thought of in service. So I can only imagine what it’s like in the kitchen - where perfection is probably just ok.

Most amazing experience. Felt a bit lost in the beginning as everyone assumed we knew what we where doing or what to expect but once it was explained it was an amazing experience

Perfect! All courses perfectly executed, well balanced and coherent. Such a treat to experience a wonderful evening - thanks to the team that created such wonderful dishes - worth every penny and each of its three stars.

Just when you think it couldn't get better it does! Once again a sublime experience...were it to be my last meal on earth I would die totally happy. In our view.. all were agreed...nowhere but nowhere does it better... and we have travelled throughout the world and work in the industry...so feel well placed to comment. Our standards are very high. Of course the service as ever was choreographed to the last detail...the welcome is unrivalled by any establishment... But ultimately it is the food that steals the show along with the superb wine list and the excellent wine advice. There were several new dishes today...all beautifully honed for flavours and presentation... cooked of course to perfection...HOW do they do it? Sheer genius!!! The turbot was food of the gods...as was the pork. In fact it would be invidious to single out a dish...each was different and all had the WOW factor... We having being eating at L Enclume for years now and each time we arrive far from being underwhelmed we are overwhelmed by the skills, the craftsmanship, the professionalism, the great sense of fun and humour, the sense of theatre... and yet its done with humility, calmness and modesty...spot on combination. Like all good establishments they are neither complacent nor self satisfied. They are still striving to improve... which considering how outstanding the are this is not an easy goal...what lies beyond excellence? Perfection? They never seem to flag or tired of going that extra mile. Of course we will be back again very soon... Thankyou to you all who. make this place so unique, special and the BEST. Austin and Tim Millgate House Richmond.

A wonderful experience and worth every penny.

This isn't a stuffy over priced restaurant, it's a wonderful experience of amazing food, fantastic wines and engaging staff.

I’ve waited a while to write my review as I’m a bit torn about how I feel. As expected, the food was incredible and we enjoyed everything we had but some courses somehow didn’t quite live up to our expectation; the prawns in pork fat for example just tasted like raw prawns in water, however the seaweed custard and bone broth was sensational, and I nearly had to ask for seconds! Then the potato and leek dish went back to watery bland nothingness, but the cod dish was possible the best thing I’ve ever eaten. We felt that the service was at times overly attentive (literally one sip of water and then your glass is topped back up) but at other times it was let down. One member of staff spoke so quietly when describing the food we honestly had no idea what she was saying. After making it clear twice that we couldn’t hear her, we gave up when she brought our next course. The other staff who brought our food wear audible and attentive. We did have to ask for the courses to slow down a bit as they seemed to come out within minutes of our last plates being cleared. This did slow things down slightly, however I did have to ask a second time for a bit of a break between courses which I found disappointing to be repeating myself. I’m not sure how anyone manages the 15 courses at the pace they’re delivered! When we first arrived we were asked if we would like to order drinks, however hadn’t seen a menu, the champagne was recommended but no price given. After I’d finished my drink, despite my husband having the drink flight and therefore someone bringing drinks at almost every course, no one asked me if I wanted another drink at any point during the entire meal. We stayed in the accommodation around the corner and that was very comfortable, immaculate and had everything we needed. We thought it was a nice touch that reception rang to ask if we had everything a short while after we check in. As said, lots of the food was insanely good, and it was all so beautifully presented as you would expect from a 3 Michelin star restaurant, however sadly the other things mentioned above reduce my review to 4 and not 5 star. If I could give 4.5 I would.

A fantastic experience. Amazing food in elegant and unpretentious surroundings with knowledgeable, professional but warm and friendly staff. Our waitress Grace was just lovely, as was David the sommelier. Knowledgeable and passionate about their roles, they both added greatly to our experience. Equally, a lovely Scottish man who was more senior and whose name annoyingly I can’t remember was so warm and welcoming (and was also working at breakfast the next morning looking much fresher than we did!) The food was exquisite and the whole experience from check in, to dinner , to breakfast was one I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone. We will definitely return at some point. Thank you for a wonderful experience with great staff and incredible food.

Worth the 3*. Great atmosphere - pretty informal for a 3*. Love the original anvil (=enclume in French). Friendly staff - and special shout out to our sommelier Dora! 15 dishes to go through: a wonderful culinary journey. It was a wonderful experience. Only suggestion for improvement: given the price of a meal, parking should be included (the only option nearby is the cartmel race course, which charged us £8 for 4h…)

Everything was great! You can see why they have 3 Michelin stars. The food is top-notch and the staff are attentive and friendly. Despite the recognition, the restaurant is not stuffy and they do their best to make you feel welcome. They also catered to dietary restrictions well. A bit difficult to find a dinner reservation but lunch is easier (and we also preferred it that way, so you can properly digest the long meal!). The one downside though is that the restaurant does not have its own parking and doesn’t arrange for parking for customers. No choice but to pay for street parking or parking at the Cartmel Racecourse.

Dining at L’Enclume was an unforgettable experience which transcended anything we have enjoyed across a wide range of Michelin-starred dining both in this country and abroad. Every course, in the 15-course menu, was exceptional, offering an amazing alchemy of individual ingredients. Service was exemplary, staff being attentive without being intrusive; the whole team took enormous pride in ensuring our enjoyment. The atmosphere throughout was informal but always correct and we appreciated the easy pace of the evening and the opportunity to interact with the L’Enclume team. Shining through everything was provenance, presentation and perfection. L'Enclume is an honest, incomparable restaurant with 3 fully merited stars. Submitted by: Lorna Wheeler and Jim Rennie

My wife and I dined here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Needless to say, we were blown away by the quality and storytelling of the 16 (yes, 16) dishes we were presented with. Everything was spot on and can’t fault the entire experience. Only advice I’d share is do your research and go in with your expectations in check (we were advised to do so and glad we did). I feel like we will be back..

The definition of incredible. Farm to table cooking elevated to a new world. Simon Rogan's cooking is inspired and the 3*s are more than deserved and I should imagine, will be kept forever. Unbelievable.

One of the best meals I have ever experienced.

Had a really spectacular lunch here. After taking the - admittedly fun but not so smart - decision to hike to the restaurant from Grange-over-Sands (due to the lack of public transport) and probably trespassing on private propery, I had stepped into a puddle of mud. A staff member (the lady with short black hair) helped me clean my shoe and took care of me in the most lovely way, so my good mood was already set. Lots of small, but insanely tasty courses. My favourites were the caviar chawanmushi, which somewhat reminded me of childhood summer days at the public pool (amazing that food can give you these associations) and the potato dish, which were probably the best potatoes I have ever tasted. In general, all the food tasted very "local", in the best sense. Also loved the chats with the service. Definitely recommend a visit, but make sure to check whether you can actually arrange proper transportation to and back from the restaurant. ;)

On a 10 day tour of Tommy banks, Tom kitchin and Simon rogan. We ranked them kitchen, banks, rogan. Although this restaurant was highest rated we felt it was underwhelming when set against the very entertaining and flavoursome kitchin.

When we arrived we found the staff very pushy towards leaving our car so that we could both drink and enjoy the ‘full experience’ even though my partner had made the decision to be the designated driver as we were staying in Kirby Lonsdale and there was no taxi service available. The sommelier continued to push us to both drink when he came to the table and advised that ‘usually we would recommend paring the tasting menu with one of our wine parings to fully enjoy the experience’ and with a very disapproving tone I might add. I felt pressured into choosing one of the wine parings whilst my partner had to watch me drink but I felt we were not taken seriously, whilst other couples on the tables next to us who had both chosen to drink were waited on hand and foot. Slightly disappointed in our experience here as we’d been looking forward to this for a while.

What an amazing dinner! Even thi we were running late for our reservstion and we had to push it for the latest sitting, and still ended up being late 40mins. We recieved a very warm welcome which made us feel amazing from the first moment, with Tom waiting us at the door to welcome us. I’m not going to mention the food because who am i, it was one of the tastiest food i’ve ever had with the seasoning on every course being to perfection which was the highlight for me. The service from Hannah and the whole team was excellent and makes you feel special! Thank you again!

Two weeks prior to arrival we were contact to confirm our food preferences and allergies. My wife stated she did not want ceviche and was told that the any fish dishes would be therefore cooked. On arrival this was checked and reaffirmed but when the second dish arrived my wife's fish had been substituted with turnip. We explained the historical communications and the waiter stated that the remaining dishes would be cooked. Unfortunately, the next fish dish was also replaced with turnip. The Sommelier was very aggressive and when we asked if we could alter the wine paring (£150 each) to incorporate a less dry wine taste he refused to acquiesce and appeared angry that we such make such a request. He stated the wines were prepared to match the menu, yet two dishes which were fish had been delivered with turnip? His knowledge of wine was restricted to those on the pairing list and any discussion about different wines were curtailed immediately. The entire evening was rushed from sitting down and being pushed for a cocktail or glass of champagne to racing through 15 courses at the restaurants pace not the customers. The 3 stars may represent the sustainable sourcing and preparation of the menu but the actual taste of the final product was underwhelming.

Received as a birthday present, excellent across everything - as you would expect!

Food was interesting and tasty. The service was effective and attentive in decent surroundings. My wife and I were disappointed by the poor range and quality of wine. We asked for a glass of white wine advertised at £12 on the menu. The waiter told us it was not available and recommended an equivalent alternative. It was mediocre and we were very upset to then be charged £45 for the one glass without any warning or explanation. I felt this was shifty and would not consider returning.

Arriving at l’enclume allows you to sample Cartmel which is a charming village with a stream, church and wonderful shops. L’enclume itself is a former blacksmiths. Unassuming but very well presented. The star of the show is the welcome, the service and the food. The service is friendly and flawless. The team work like a formula one team, with superb communication and execution. The 15 courses are a mix of old favourites and new creations. Our table in the conservatory was beautifully lit and allowed us to glimpse into the kitchen. Tom kindly offered a trip to the pass to see Alex and team hard at work. The dedication to perfection is brilliant. Our favourite courses were the artichoke, the scallops with mushroom and the cherry dessert.

Are rats still running around at L'Enclume? Our experience was so disappointing!

Truly unique and unassuming location for an amazing 15 course experience. One we will talk about for years!

Perfect Staff are wonderful Food exquisite and beautifully presented Value for money?? I couldnt fault it at all so i’d say yes to value for money £902 for the 2 of us - yes £902 But it was faultless Highly recommend Definitely go again

Without sounding like a n*b. I have eaten at a large number of top end Michelin star restaurants across the UK and this was EXCEPTIONAL and really stood out. We did the Chefs table and every dish was absolutely fantastic. Everything from the presentation to the flavour to the staff was tip top. The sommelier was a breath of fresh air and absolutely brilliant and good laugh. Could not recommend this restaurant more.

L’Enclume has restored my faith in Michelin three star restaurants. The food is simply amazing. It is a great location just on the river in the middle of Cartmel, beautiful decor and ambiance. The team are amazing, so friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. Every dish looked wonderful, not overly fussy. And the flavours were sublime and powerful. You had to pause every so often and let it all sink in. I love the ethos of chef/patron Simon Rogan, where so much of the produce comes from his own farm, or other local producers, and the fact he has set up a training academy. It is worth making a long journey to experience eating there. It was possibly the best restaurant meal I have ever had.

Truly one of the greatest food experiences I have ever experienced in my life and I am privileged to have travelled and sampled some of the best in the world. The egg custard with beef tendon and other elements was a standout dish.Manny our sommelier what’s fantastic really knowledgeable and friendly didn’t push anything too hard on the meal and enjoyed various different expressions. I highly recommend anyone in this world to go and travel and experience this level of food and service to understand the true value for money in this world.

Amazing food as you might expect along with world class, friendly service. The room we had (Marigold) was next door to the restaurant and also surpassed all expectations.

A personal fav of mine. Try to visit once a year when back in the UK. Food, service and experience always top class.5/5 Update - visited again December 2024- outstanding food , service and experience -still a 5/5

Memories on a plate Absolutely amazing restaurant Beautiful location Amazing and delicious food Fantastic attentive staff , who are a credit to Simon Rogan

Disappointed. We visited for my partners 40th birthday with my teenage girls. Their first experience at a Michelin restaurant. I will start with the good. Restaurant lay out is good. Tables are not too close together. Wasn’t crazy formal so felt relaxed coming in. The visual of the dishes was very good. Presentation spot on. The best dish was the cod. Light but flavoursome. Now for the bad. Understand this is a 3 star restaurant so details matter. Service was mechanical, I didn’t like it at all. It was professional for sure. But mistakes were made when cutlery was laid, we wouldn’t have noticed but the head of the table management made awkward scoul at staff for mistakes and made a big deal because a knife was placed in wrong spot. Was very rehearsed but not in a good way. Made us feel uncomfortable. Although all of the dishes were very well presented the tasting of some of the dishes wasn’t great. All of the meat dishes were over seasoned. My complaint is normally under seasoning. The crumpet dish was really bad. The crumpet itself was cooked well and good consistency but it ruined the whole meal as there was so much salt in it that I thought it was a joke. I thought someone had spilled the salt! I mentioned on each. Beef dishes to the waiter that the seasoning was really heavy. His response was that the chef loves salt. I have never left a complaint at a Michelin restaurant and I’ve been to many. It annoyed me that he brushed it off. The broths were over powering to the extent I didn’t want the next course. The none meat dishes were all very good. It was the over seasoning that ruined it. We opted for non alcohol pairing for the kids. While the drinks were creative and had layers of flavours, they didn’t match all of the courses and the kids hated them. Now that’s not to say the drinks were bad. I tasted them at each delivery. But if you do take kids I’d avoid it and just get them a normal drink because the flavours were intense and in some cases over powering. That leads me to the wine pairing. We had the prestige pairing. Although the wines were fairly good quality, they often didn’t match the food. For me when I go to a high end restaurant, it should be theatre and everything should marry together. I’ve been to 1 star restaurants that done a better job matching the wine to the food. The sommelier was nice but it felt rushed and he seemed stressed. Ive waited to write this review as I wanted to reflect on it first. I’m a working class person and saved almost a year to visit this restaurant. On reflection i can see why it was awarded 3 stars. The technical skills of the cooking were as good as it gets. But the seasoning ruined it. The crumpet dish made me want to leave. Seriously, myself , my partner and the kids mopped the sauce with it and all ate in one bite and we all made same expression and said what F! Only a couple course earlier I asked why everything was so heavily salted. I understand seasoning is to taste but ruined it for us. The service was spot on but robotic and mechanical. I didn’t like it. To be a 3 star restaurant there are many hurdles to over come and for any man or woman that accomplishes that I applaud. But wouldn’t go back. At a bill of £2000, I’ve had better meals at 1 star restaurants. I went to L’envlume because it was rated one of the best restaurants in the world. My words to my partner after were, if this is the best restaurant in the UK, never mind the world, it’s left me feeling empty. The best of the best should be special. If you have never visited a fine dining restaurant and went here for free you would for sure be impressed. But it’s not free and I’m realising now that the stars aren’t as important as one may think. While this isn’t the place to mention other restaurants, i would say the higher the star doesn’t necessarily mean better experience. It will Mean expert technical cooking and rehearsed and refined service. But does that make the best experience for the guest? I’m not sure it does. Sorry L’enclume. I was so excited to come here.

Simon Rogan has a rare talent and its not just being an exceptional chef. It's hiring exceptional hospitality talent. This is SO hard to do in the current climate and yet he's succeeded in hiring some of the best my husband and I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. From Alba in reception to Tom as front of house, Vlad the sommerlier, Hannah, Finn and Alywn our servers we can't thank you ALL enough for the wonderful memories you created for us when we came first time after we got married and then again just a few weeks ago for our first year's anniversary. We felt so cherished, looked after and special. The food was utterly delightful but it was each and every one of you who made our time with you all sublime. From Stephen and I we sincerely thank you. Memories that we will hold onto forever.

Absolutely magical visit . Visited for our wedding anniversary and really enjoyed our little Cartmel getaway . The room was beautiful and the little touches in the room and the end of the meal were really lovely and well thought out. Food was all amazing - the full tasting menu and also the breakfast at Rogan and Co the next morning . Every member of staff we encountered was friendly , helpful and seemed to be enjoying their job. We opted not to open the menu till the end so every course was a surprise . Everything was delicious , fun and creative. Found the wine flight lovely too !

Just sensational from start to finish.

A fabulous evening in L'Enlcume, we were not disappointed by the creativity, taste and beauty of each dish, we knew we were about to embark on a one-of-a-kind culinary journey, and the tasting menu certainly did not disappoint. It was nothing short of extraordinary, a harmonious blend of flavours, textures, and creativity that transported us to memorable places. The menu, an artful composition of seasonally inspired dishes, was a masterclass in balance and innovation. Each course was a beautifully plated work of art, meticulously crafted to engage not just the palate, but the senses as a whole. The presentation alone was enough to evoke gasps of wonder, but it was the flavours that truly stole the show. The pacing of the meal was impeccable each course arrived with just the right amount of time to savour, but never left us feeling rushed. Service was flawless, attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious. The staff took the time to explain the story behind each dish, offering insight into the ingredients, the inspiration, and the technique behind the creation. The tasting menu was a celebration of culinary excellence, a journey that invited us to explore new flavours, rediscover familiar ingredients, and experience the joy of food as art. Every bite was a revelation, every plate a testament to the skill and passion of the chefs. This is not just a meal; it is an experience, one that leaves a lasting impression and reminds us why dining can be so much more than just sustenance. If you’re looking to indulge in a meal that is as much about artistry as it is about flavour, this tasting menu is a must try. Our stay in the L'Enclume Hotel suite was nothing short of perfection. It was an experience in itself, one that complemented the culinary delights of the tasting menu and rounded out an unforgettable evening. The luxury, the serenity, the stunning design, all of it combined to make us feel pampered, cared for, and completely at ease. If you're looking to elevate a special occasion or simply treat yourself to a night of absolute indulgence, this suite is the ideal choice.

The most amazing experience, the most amazing tastes. We didn't stay in the rooms so can't comment, although the building where the rooms were looked beautiful. We visited Carlmel just for this restaurant but will return to the village as it was one of the nicesest places we have ever stayed

I don’t know where to start … we have just returned from our 6 th visit to l’enclume How could it have been any better than the previous visits ? It was exemplary .. the food obviously otherworldly , the wine .. Nora , I went with your choice and it compliments each course graciously , the entire team, chefs , waiting staff , sommeliers are so enthusiastic and take huge pride in being part of ( in my humble opinion ) the most extraordinary restaurant in the U.K. Looking forward to our return 🫡

Had a disappointing meal, consisting of 15 small courses, some good others not so. Good service from the servers. Had the flight choice of wines which I would not recommend, better of with the bottles wine some were not good at all. Better of going to Andrew Fairlies at Gleneagles far superior.

Like most people we were looking forward to coming to l’enclume. It did not disappoint but it was not without its quirks. The atmosphere was great - a pleasant buzz, friendly staff and good table spacing. The food was at points phenomenal, sometimes excellent and occasionally good. The bone marrow, oysters and caviar was the best thing I’ve ever eaten. The select wine pairing was a mixed bag. Some wines were perfect but also stood on their own and others needed the food to work. Service was friendly and efficient. It was really nice to see the chefs working. And also delivering the food explanations. So what was odd. Minor points but there were misses such as a sticky table, wine going missing and messy aprons on servers. So this felt like an excellent meal delivered in a friendly place and therefore not quite perfection. For me that worked just fine

The greatest meal we've eaten. Amazing and inventive cooking, super attentive and slick service in an amazing location. Some of the dishes were truly exceptional and memorable. I can't recommend it highly enough.

What an amazing experience!! We enjoyed the taster menu such interesting and stunning flavor combinations and we also had the signature wine flight served by the very knowledgeable sommelier, the staff are attentive but not intrusive and watching them glide around the dining room is amazing and impressive. We have dined at many Michelin Star restaurants but this has to be our favorite

After saving a few pennies here and there it was time to book this fabulous restaurant and enjoy its dining experience. 15 course taster, well what do I have to say, it is out of this world, every course is a thing of beauty and tempts your taste buds and has to be savoured. The service is a joy to watch, the way that staff move around the restaurant without ever getting in each others way, pure theatre. Thank you Anwen and the rest of the team for looking after us during our visit.

As a birthday treat we visited for lunch. Our table was next to the anvil (for which Lenclume is famous) which gave us a good view and plenty of light. The menu was a mix of old favourites and flavours of the season. The service was exquisite as usual - friendly, well timed and demonstrating excellent team work. Every course was delicious. I can’t pick out one. The attention to detail is stunning - from the flowers to the sweet leaf. Indulge in the cheese and you got a wide range. Genuinely one of the best (if not the best) restaurant around

Absolutely fantastic food, some of the best I've ever eaten. Also the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Just brilliant. Service, food, atmosphere.

Great place, quiet with a beautiful view to visit...

We had an awesome visit here, the food, service and over all vibe of the place is fantastic. Absolutely deserve their stars ⭐⭐⭐

It was perfect, I love L’enclume!!

Absolutely fantastic afternoon here. Service was kind, friendly and attentive and the food and drinks were phenomenal.

Hate this place , these guys are scamming uh , service is very bad ,not worth it for you..😐😐❌

We took a day trip from Manchester by train to grange-over-sands and then taxi to Cartmel. A fifteen course flawless experience. Location was steeped in history and a lovely garden and stream. Service was perfect from the welcome to the farewell. We loved that we saw the full complement of staff deliver a dish or two. Service relaxed and friendly. We had 3 glasses of wine between us to accompany the food. It was enough for us at lunch and the wines were great and the sommelier delightful. Food was sublime. Each dish looked amazing and tasted as good as it looked. The blacksmith theme and anvil motif tied everything together in a wonderfully well considered manner. Crockery also lovely to look at and lovely to the touch. About A$1300 for two of us which we thought was good value for money for a very special experience. We hope to make a repeat visit. TIP If you do the the day return by train from Manchester as we did. Beware and be aware that at grange-over-sands railway station the phone signal is awful. This makes it very difficult to contact taxis on arrival. If we had our time again we would book a taxi to meet us at the station as soon as we knew the arrival time of the train. The restaurant will send you a list of the taxi firms they use.

Whilst in Cartmel we thought we would try out L'Enclume. Well what an amazing restaurant, totally get why it has 3 Michelin stars! The food, the service, the ambience was outstanding. A great way to celebrate Callum’s 18th and Olly’s 50th we certainly will remember this special occasion

Fantastic tasting menu and wine pairing. You can really see why the restaurant has 3 Michelin stars, the quality, attention to detail and inventiveness of the cooking was outstanding. All of the staff were engaged, friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable. The evening was a true experience from start to finish and flew by. We stayed in one of the rooms which was lovely and breakfast the next morning continued the same high quality.

The biggest disappointment of our gastronomic tour of the English countryside was our dinner at L'enclume. We went with high expectations because of the three stars, but we did not find what we expected. Almost entirely of their own production or local products are used in the dishes, and many herbs and flowers (such as Simon Rogan's signature), many of which we have even heard of for the first time, are integrated into the dishes. Since I had been following the chef from afar and was curious about his approach, I also asked for a signed copy of his book during the reservation. However, despite all our enthusiasm and curiosity, we could not find anything special in the dishes. The food was generally very salty, we even had to send back the duck plate. But what spoiled the experience the most was the large number of service workers running around with their leathery shoes in the tiny, low-ceilinged place (of course normal, since it is a centuries-old blacksmith workshop). The noise they unintentionally created was very stifling and left us with no option but to constantly watch them. The wines on the wine flight were unimpressive, and the fact that the sommelier did not leave any bottles on the table for us to examine was offensive to say the least. The hotel rooms are nice but very small, but we couldn't expect better in such an old village and old buildings.

If you only ever visit one Michelin star restaurant it should be this one. Their 3 stars are totally deserved but it’s not just the food that makes this place exceptional. Our taxi dropped us off outside a random building and we were a little confused, except for the very small sign on the wall fairly low down the entrance is nearly invisible. As soon as you walk in you are met by one of the many truly wonderful, friendly warm staff members who immediately do everything they can to make your visit special. This isn’t a stuffy over priced restaurant, it’s a wonderful experience of amazing food, fantastic wines and engaging staff. I honestly can’t compliment the staff enough. They were all extremely knowledgeable about the dishes, wines, produce and history of the building. I now get to say I’ve licked my plate in a 3 Michelin star restaurant, in front of one of the staff and I was absolutely egged on by them (it isn’t something I’ve ever done in any restaurant let alone my own home but it was hilarious). There were so maybe fabulous courses to try that picking just one favourite is too hard and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who likes to be surprised. I will however say that they need to register the word crumplings (a crumpet dumpling hybrid) and they were delicious. A special thanks to the restaurant manager for his assistance in getting us back to our accommodation. That was very good service indeed!

What a fabulous restaurant! Firstly the staff, what a great team Simon Rogan has, they were just perfect not hovering or intrusive. Each dish was clearly described. Now the food, what can I say but wow! Each bite was just amazing. Stand out dish savoury seaweed custard. Never had anything like it every mouthful was a taste sensation. Sadly least favourite was the beef. We all found it slightly tough and underwhelming. Matching wines were excellent and Dave did a great job as sommelier. Can’t recommend highly enough especially for a birthday.

It is some time since we last visited L'Enclume and we weren't sure if it would live up to the memory -or the price tag! We need not have worried. Simon Rogan and his team have everything worked out perfectly. Service is a fine art and worth the money alone. As for the food, each bite is a new taste. I can't pretend to understand half of the dishes but I can say that we all thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful. Thank you to all the team for making our evening special.

I had my 60th birthday “treat” dinner at the restaurant location and it was truly exceptional. Yes, it was expensive but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Not the same for the hotel but absolutely for the food, venue of the restaurant and service. In fact, I bought a package for my sister and husband for her birthday present.

Finally got to try the Michelin 3-star restaurant I’ve dreamed of for years! Made a special trip to the Lake District to visit L’Enclume. L’Enclume is the only Michelin three-star restaurant in the Lake District and one of the nine restaurants owned by the legendary chef Simon Rogan. I loved it; the whole experience was very comfortable, perfectly capturing the “farm-to-table” concept 😌 🥰 As expected, L’Enclume was the best and most enjoyable among the four Michelin-starred restaurants I visited during my two-day trip. 🤩 The overall experience was incredibly smooth and satisfying. The meal lasted about 4 hours but was perfectly paced. The smoked eel with corn kernels was a delightful surprise for someone who usually doesn’t like eel. The venison tartare had a subtle texture that I enjoyed. The steamed egg with caviar and the cuttlefish with pork fat were unique and delicious. The duck breast was one of the rare instances I found this dish satisfying. The desserts were all fantastic! Caramel miso mousse, ice cream cones, and a mint “stone” dessert—loved them all! The lunch offers excellent value, and the atmosphere is extremely comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking lush greenery. The dining experience is top-notch, and the staff are both attractive and friendly (at the high standard you’d expect from a three-star restaurant). 💁 As we left, each of us was given a small shiso plant as a souvenir, highlighting Simon Rogan’s philosophy of using fresh, home-grown ingredients. 🚗 I recommend taking a taxi or car to get there. There’s another of Simon Rogan’s Michelin 1-star restaurants in the area, and the ice cream shop across from L’Enclume is fantastic! 😎 Definitely a Michelin three-star worth traveling for!

Warm welcome but our table position was poor in a little annexe, opposite the entrance door. Jordan, the sommelier, was excellent but we struggled to hear the food descriptions from a number of the waiters and waitresses. Many of the food courses lacked enough distinction between them, perhaps because they were so rich. My wine flight, whilst very enjoyable, was made up almost entirely of white wine, with just the one red wine. Finally, when you are paying £700 for a meal you do not expect to pay £10 extra for coffee.

A special evening meal on a special occasion. We were a table of 6 so were seated in an individual room just off the main dining room. The service was impeccable throughout, with just the right level of banter from all who served us, friendly and relaxed, and knowledgeable about both food and wines, as one would expect. The food was sublime, beautifully presented, with layers of taste and textures, difficult to pick a favorite course, but the standouts for me were the radish, the onion and the duck. Not cheap, but very good value for money, the skills exhibited are top notch.

Before I start, the staff were great, friendly and welcoming. The sommelier was great too. I'm comparing this against other 3 star restaurants, it's only fair that way. My view is that this isn't as elevated or refined. The food tastes good, but not great. It isn't at the same level as other 3 star places. You're not thinking "wow" when eating the food. I've had as good in 1 star restaurants. But that's not the biggest issue. The issue is the broader experience. It feels rushed, frantic. The locale is very noisy, echoey and so gives the impression of being too busy. The number of courses and time wasn't any different to other 3 stars but the experience is different. When you enter, it's a rush of aperitifs, menus, 3 courses - " snacks"- and other bits, it's all super fast paced or feels that way. Additionally the seating isn't comfortable. Overall it's not relaxed, luxurious, calm and, again, elevated. Overall, given the money, it's not worth it. You're better off going to other 2 or 3 star restaurants if that's what you're in the market for.

Exceptional fine dining with an ever-changing 15 course tasting menu, using products from the restaurant's farm. The food was creative in its presentation and combinations, but, most of all, delicious. Highlights included: Duroc pig and eel fritter, roasted celeriac, quail egg with onion and cheese, roasted duck. The pace of service was just right in a pleasant dining room. Parking is available at Cartmel Racecourse, less than a five-minute walk to the restaurant.

A spectacular experience from start to finish. Each dish was interesting, unique and delicious. It’s hard to pick a favorite as I would list off over half the menu however the Orkney scallop keeps coming to mind as something very special. Staff were impeccably trained and so lovely. A place I truly want to revisit.

My girlfriend took me for my birthday and it was brilliant. Hands down the best place both of us have eaten. Service was incredible and staff were so friendly.

First experience dining in 3 Star restaurant… remarkable!

Just what you'd expect. First class service, food that is delicious and sometimes testing, but what a beautiful experience.

We had an amazing experience. The food was exceptional.

An excellent adventure for my taste buds

Possibly the best wine pairing I've ever had.

This place is deserving of all three Michelin stars! My husband and I went here for an anniversary dinner and we were blown away! The food was just amazing and the service top notch. We had the wine pairing along with our meal and we enjoyed every bite and sip!!

Incredible experience from start to finish, we went here for my birthday and the reception was brilliant. Every one of the staff wished me happy birthday. The 16 course menu is a joy, don't get me wrong, one or two courses were a challenge, but that's exactly what we wanted to do, challenge our palette. The staff are amazing, working together like a well oiled machine to deliver a perfect dining experience. Thank you for making my evening very special!

This is not a standard review, and in fact we didn’t get to L’Enclume at all. But I do need to offer my huge thanks and appreciation to L’Enclume and Simon Rogan. Last September my wife and I travelled up to Carmel for our 10th wedding anniversary. We’d just settled into our room and were looking forward to dinner at Rogan & Co the first night and L’Enclume the second. Then we got a disastrous phone call from my wife’s doctor, telling us she needed to return home straight away for a blood transfusion and urgent tests. We didn’t know at the time but it turned out to be acute leukaemia. We had no choice but to turn around and go, and to cancel our reservations and hotel stay with less than 1 hour’s notice. L’Enclume/Rogan lost 2 nights accommodation and 2 dinner reservations, but they didn’t charge us a single penny. I am still staggered at their huge generosity and compassion at such a difficult time, and I want everyone to know what wonderful people they are.

Everything was a first class experience. The food was incredible and we were in awe of every course. All the staff were very welcoming and their attention to detail made it a very special occasion. Feel very privileged to have been able to visit and appreciate this amazing restaurant.

Sublime in every single way! Words don’t quite do it justice. Every mouthful was intriguing and exciting The wine pairing was enticing and sensational The service flowed with effortless class and sophistication. I’ve eaten at many a Michelin star place ( 16 stars in total ) This was truly the stand out one in a league of its own. So much so we have booked to return. There is no escaping it was expensive . But boy was it worth every single penny!

The front-of-house staff facilitated the arrangement of a taxi for me as I needed to return a client's car. Their assistance was greatly appreciated.

I had a fantastic meal here. Everything is served seasonally and utilising local ingredients, both foraged and farmed. They have their own farm nearby so they can truly control every step of the process and it really shines through in the meal. Lots of bold flavours are on show here, and the pairings (we had the wine and the non-alcoholic pairing and both were spectacular). Highly recommend a visit here.

By far my most favoured and in my opinion the best restaurant I have ever had the pleasure in visiting. Each visit this restaurant seems to get better, how? When each time I believe it is perfect. Absolutely stunning restaurant with the most knowledgeable and friendly staff you could imagine, nothing is too much for them. Finally, the food. Where do you start? Each course blows your mind, the flavours, the presentation, how can one restaurant be this good. I know for certain I will be back, I would recommend you book, enjoy this special restaurant and with 3 Michelin stars, you can understand why.

Excellent experience....a special treat for our 40th wedding anniversary ❤️

Hands down, the best dining experience in the UK. Travelled over 6 hour there and back in a single day to experience this. Needless to say worth every mile and minute Dining at Aulis was an eye opening experience worthy of its stars, and will leave a mark on our palettes to last a lifetime.

The food is great though was a little disappointed at the number of dishes that were the same or very similar to the Aulis London. The desserts were the most memorable as well as the duck main. Unfortunately we felt that the staff seemed rushed and we felt that they weren’t ’allowed’ to spend time with the guests. Also was served by so many different people that we didn’t get to know any of them. Though was great to see Josh , one of the waiters, a familiar face from a different 3 star we visited previously. He’s always smiling and great at what he does! If you stay, the breakfast the next day is wonderful. Overall it’s definitely an experience and I’d recommend picking one of the Rogan restaurants to go to.

Incredible experience, the tasting menu was just superb! Highly recommend the wine or juice pairing (we had one of each). The service was amazing throughout really making you feel welcome. We chose to go for our anniversary and it has made it a really memorable one!

First thing I’ve got to say is that none of what I’m about to describe is intentionally hyperbolic … L’Enclume is just that good an experience that I’ll probably struggle to do it justice. My second observation is that I’m glad I waited until now to visit this restaurant. We’ve been wanting to visit for some time but it’s definitely something that I’m glad I’ve built up to with other fine dining experiences first because it helps to be able to truly experience how great L’Enclume is. It at least helps with providing some context about how special this restaurant is. It’s cliche to say that a big part of a great restaurant is often that it’s humble in many aspects but then amazes you with what unfolds from there. With L’Enclume it’s true. It starts with the village itself. Cartmel is small, quaint and it’s almost a surprise that this great restaurant suddenly appears before you. From the exterior L’Enclume, with its simple name plaque on the wall, is very unassuming. Inside there are several features of the old blacksmiths that the building used to be home to. The main dining room is magnificent and the atmosphere straight away is relaxed but special at the same time. Right from the start the service is just on a different level than I’ve experienced before. The friendliness mixed with just the efficiency of how the staff work and tag-team with each other has to be a significant part of why it has 3 stars. Nothing is oversold and everything is presented and described with care and knowledge. Now the food. It’s a 15 course tasting menu and the recurring theme is that this is simply the best food I’ve ever eaten. The ‘snacks’ start telling you what this is all about. The beetroot and mackerel tart and then the Corra Linn pudding in particular were incredible. Everything exceeds expectation but the the menu really steps up with a trio of dishes starting with the celeriac which has a great marrying of sweetness and smokiness coupled with the saltiness of the sauce (which was amazing to eat the remainder of with a spoon). From there was the amazing pink fir apple potatoes cooked in chicken fat which is almost indescribably good. Following that was possibly the ultimate highlight of the seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow. But honestly it’s difficult to say what the highlight dish was because my main observation is that unlike any other menu I’ve had this was relentlessly brilliant. The monkfish and the duck … the best monkfish and duck I’ve ever eaten. Then there’s the desserts and this is where the menu differentiates itself from many others. Sometimes the desserts on a menu don’t quite live up to the rest of the dishes but not here. In fact for some this may be their favourite part of the menu. The caramel mousse ‘anvil’ is the signature dessert and the tastes and textures here are incredible. Before you get to that you’ll wonder what you are eating when you tuck into the Tunworth cheese and malt crumb with its textures and temperatures and realise it’s a great start to a selection of brilliant desserts. There’s nothing else I can say but visit L’Enclume if you are considering it. Make the trip to Cumbria and treat yourself to something on a different level. And it is a treat. Fine dining on this level isn’t cheap but if this type of experience is something you occasionally allow yourself to indulge in then you have to come and do this at least once. You won’t be disappointed.

We tried the lunch menu as a treat for my wife’s birthday. Wow is all I can say, everything is thought about and delivered in meticulous detail. We will definitely going back for the full evening dinner experience. By far the best restaurant we’ve been too.

Didn’t stay at L’enclume but should imagine it’s great if the restaurant is anything to go by. Was a few years back now but I remember it well because it was so special. This place is somewhat of a pilgrimage for UK foodies, and if you haven’t been yet, you must! Incredible taster menu lost count of the courses… maybe like 16 or something? Every single one was a delight! The service was unrivalled, organised with military precision, superb professionalism. Scottish guy who dished out the caviar was particularly brilliant! The sommelier was about 12 lol! (Okay maybe 20?) and was incredibly knowledgeable, recommended some nice Bourbons for me. Vibes in there, such a quiet, peaceful dining room, smallish and full but somehow remained intimate. I loved every minute of it. The wine was amazing, they even had cigars, which I was tempted by but smoking a whopping robusto can take more time than we had. Also… I mean, I could go on about the various clever dishes, the rhubarb and beetroot dessert the meaty chicken of the woods course, the seafood macroon… etc… etc… but one of the most memorable was a bread & butter in-between course. Well actually bread and dripping, freshly made that day. Stunning. What a place!

I don’t usually leave reviews, but I had the unparalleled joy of a table last Friday. From the moment our party of four entered we were greeted by a series of welcoming and exceptionally attentive staff. We were seated by the assistant manager, awaiting the theatre- like production that is their dinner service. Everything from the synchronicity of serving the plate to each waiter’s individual knowledge of the 15 course menu was nothing short of exceptional. We went for my daughter’s 18th, and the incredible Tom N helped to assemble the whole kitchen so she could have a photo with them. I don’t think it is fair that L’Enclume is restrained to the confines of a 5* Google review, as they are sublime in every sense of the word.

This is simply the most exceptional restaurant and it is clear to see why it has achieved its third star. This was our fifth visit and - as with previous visits - we were delighted by the warmth of the staff (Tom even remembered us from last time), the uniqueness and quality of the food and wine pairings and the faultless, warm, unstuffy but precise service. If I was celebrating something, I would come here.

One of the best meals I have ever had - and I have eaten in dozens of 3-star restaurants in the UK and outside. Definitiely ranks in my top 10. Every dish bar one was, I thought, outstanding. only one I didn't care for and that is very much personal. 15 course tasting menu is "reasonable" value for a resto of this quality at £250/head but a bottle of wine; champagne by the glass etc increased the bill to nearly £1000 for two. Cooking is creative; technically excellent; delicious........running out of superlatives. Ambiance comfortable and warm; staff super.

I first remember hearing about L'enclume and Simon Rogan about a decade ago. At the time I remember him being one of the early English adopters of the then new Scandi style. Noma type locality and seasonality. Lots of pickles, tiny courses, foraging etc. There are still hints of that but eating the 15 courses feels like something much more British and original. A style of its own. A style much imitated itself. In fact, having now eaten there, I've realised many of the courses I've had at much worse restaurants have been pale imitations of some of the courses here. My wife and I had the 15 courses that everyone gets. There are seasonal changes, and most of the ingredients are picked daily from their own farm so repeat visits are recommended. My wife had the matching wines and I had a gewurtztraminer that I asked to pour myself. I won't go into detail, but if this sounds like something you'd like then it was as close to perfect as something in hospitality could possibly be. At one point I was eating a food of a very delicious and British style, looking out at a sunny English garden with a view of a priory church behind and I felt quite proud to be English. Especially with a very impressed French man at the next table. He even seemed impressed by the cheese course that my wife also had. The service is incredible. Friendly, efficient and not at all formal or intimidating. We paid £760 Theoretically, if you went as a couple, had a £60 bottle of wine between you and a couple of £5 coffees with the petit fours you could do it for about £630. Extremely expensive but by the end of a luxurious experience, felt strangely cheap.

Fantastisk smagsrejse. 14 retter - alle fra egen farm eller lokale producenter. Afslappet, behagelig atmosfære. Imødekommende og venligt personale med et glimt i øjet. Maden var utrolig smagfuld, hver eneste ingrediens kunne smages. Vinmenu var godt afstemt. Restauranten er nedtonet og har en utrolig hyggelig atmosfære. Det er en utrolig skøn oplevelse både hvad angår mad og betjening. Vi kan varmt anbefale at spise her og kommer gerne igen.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Food, staff,accommodation were all fantastic. It would be hard to criticise anything about L'Enclume. The staff we very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the food and wine. We visited the farm the next day and John who oversees it was amazing. Great to see the ethos from farm to plate carried out to such a high standard.