Restaurant at Samling in South Lakeland

The dining room has the wow factor, the staff were friendly and clearly knew their jobs very well. The food was inventive, imaginative and immaculately executed. An interesting wine list with wines to suit all pockets and tastes. An unforgettable Experience with the added bonus of an overnight stay in a quiet room with a view. A sense of peace and restfulness permeates the hotel. Top marks to the staff and particularly to Veronique our waitress who was very informative about our culinary journey. A must visit in the Lakes.

I was disappointed several times throughout the meal, I felt the vegetarian tasting menu was poorly designed and came across entirely as an afterthought. My partner had the regular tasting menu alongside me. She enjoyed her meal but also agreed that it is probably the worst Michelin starred meal that we have had. I also paid £130 for a wine pairing that did not pair with my menu. Lowlights: 1) There were a few dishes where I had a version that was the same as the regular menu but with elements removed/changed poorly. One dish in particular I had a celeriac custard and some diced vegetables, my partner had the same with with diced ham and a ham foam. (Obviously I didn't want the ham foam, in other restaurants I have been to they would have used an alternative ingredient or served a different dish entirely). It very much felt like I was eating half a dish. Another dish, I had the exact same as my partner but instead of a piece of fish, I had diced heritage carrots. This dish was bland and very similar to part of the starter (diced beetroot tart) and very similar to a dish I had later on with diced butternut squash. This is what I mean by poorly designed, the same flavour and textures and cooking techniques throughout did not excite me. 2) The wine pairing. This is the first time at a tasting menu (Michelin starred or otherwise) where we have been served the exact same wines despite having different dishes. The sommelier kept stating why the wine was paired with the meat dishes, they did not pair particularly well with the vegetarian dishes, despite being very nice wines. Usually a separate pairing will happen for a the courses that differ on the menu, we were a bit shocked at this having had somewhere between 15-20 tasting menus together before and this being the first time that this has happened. 3) The menu feeling like an afterthought. As already mentioned, I had diced root vegetables/squash with a mayonnaise style accompaniment 3 times. Green are also an autumnal vegetable, and may have offered different flavour/textures had they featured at all. Especially if cooked in a more interesting way. For one of my partner's savoury dishes she had smoky duck with a rich gravy. I had smoked mushroom, but in a tart case with a mayonnaise style accompaniment. This was the last savoury course but felt like it should have been at the start with the beetroot tart. The mushroom here was delicious and was crying out for a rich mushroom gravy. I honestly wonder if the chef has had the vegetarian tasting menu all the way through, it was extremely repetitive in terms of flavour profile and cooking technique. __ The location was fantastic and service was largely very good. My partner largely enjoyed her meal but also noted that the food wasn't particularly exciting and also had overcooked duck on one of her dishes. We would not return.

A beautiful hotel with views over Lake Windermere, which has been the honeymoon or birthday destination for A list celebrities over the years… …where one will also find a fantastic restaurant. Located in a very tasteful modern extension to the much older hotel, the food is superb. The tasting menu features much local produce in a series of delicious dishes. The wine list is extensive and eclectic. The staff are friendly, professional, knowledgeable and unfussy. Sometimes the little things…the tomato butter and the quality of the freshly baked olive bread…just add to the whole experience. I couldn’t fault any of the dishes. Excellent wine pairings on the wine flight. I didn’t like the sound of the chocolate with cardamom/coffee (I’m told that it was delicious!), so I was given chocolate with raspberry/coconut. That attention to detail - the comfort of the diner - make this a ‘must visit again’ destination.

Fabulous dinner with great service and great coctails! Great conversation with our bartender and our host. Exceptional tasting menu! Highly recommended. Be sure to peruse the art in the lobby and sitting areas. Wow!

From the moment you arrive you are treated to exemplary service. The view is spectacular, the staff are professional, extremely knowledgeable and courteous. The sommelier was the nicest we’ve met as some can be aloof. The food was exceptional, as vegetarians we have previously found Michelin star restaurants to be lazy in their preparation of vegetarian food. However, here, so much thought had been given to each individual dish, the sequence and the theatre. We are truly grateful for this magical experience.

We recently visited as a family of 6 for Sunday Lunch. The service is excellent from the moment you walk up the drive to when you leave. We each had the three courses and the food was delicious. Amazing experience enhanced by the waiting staff who are just excellent. Highly recommended

Fantastic meal at The Samling. Lovely atmosphere and incredible tasting menu. Every component looked and tasted amazing - especially the celeriac dish which I could eat forever. The cocktails / non-alcoholic cocktails were also a highlight. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and I really appreciated the effort put into adjusting the tasting menu to accommodate my various dietary requirements.

Nowhere better in the Lake District. We just enjoyed the most delicious Sunday lunch at The Gathering in the Samling which was outstanding. Greeted by very courteous staff and served by the loveliest of waiters in what is probably my the best view in the Lake District. This is the 1st time for us at The Gathering which is their lunchtime name for the main restaurant. Not only I it good value it was exceptional food. We honestly could not fault it and we are pretty fussy about where and what we eat. We had scallops either a celeriac puree which was divine. Our 96 year old Mother had the same starter with the fish and chips which looked divine and apparently was equally as delicious as The Sunday roast beef and Yorkshire pudding including huge side dishes of fresh vegetables and. Cauliflower cheese with extra gravy. Dessert menu sounded so good but we were so full after lunch we didn’t have e room. The short wine list was limited but we asked for the main wine list which immense. We would definitely return as previous visits and overnight stays have left us cold. This visit inspired us to stay over so we can enjoy more delicious wine and sample the main menu. Thank you to all the lovely restaurant staff today who couldn’t have been nicer. We will be back

Our first time at the Samling and it was fantastic. We opted for the 7 course taster menu, accompanied by the wine pairing. The setting is simply stunning and fortunately for us the weather was good so we enjoyed a drink on the terrace on arrival. The taster menu and wine pairing meant we tried food and wine that normally never have selected. It was a full on taste sensation and we loved it. The staff were also fantastic, we received a lovely warm welcome on arrival and detailed explanation about each course of food and its accompanying choice of wine. Finally to our hostess, the charming, witty and slightly bonkers Rebecca who went above and beyond to make the whole experience extra special, thank you so much (everyone needs a Rebecca in their life)

There is so much to like and so many things that were exceptionally well done. The room and setting on a hill overlooking the beautifully landscaped grounds and Lake Windermere was exquisite. The modern and comfortable dining room with well curated music set a perfect background. Each course of the tasting menu featured exceptional pairings of flavors, textures and presentation. The monk fish was one of the best dishes I have tasted ever, in my travels to over 100 countries. The only slight negative on the food was that I thought that both of the lamb presentations were for me slightly salty. As much as I liked the food and room, I was disappointed in the service. The head waiter seemed to be rushed and was hardly friendly. Engaging him in conversation seemed as it was an imposition. The waitress was OK, but also seemed as she was ‘doing a job’. Her perfume was very strong and actually a bit unpleasant. Collecting dishes and stacking them on one another on the table as she (and the head waiter) cleared the table was not expected when paying 500.00 USD per couple. Water was never replenished from the bottle on the table except at the very end when we were getting ready to leave. Crumbs from the bread course ( which was also delicious) were not cleaned until the end of the meal. The final dessert course is a presentation with a model of the property on a trolley with different sweets in different doors. Part of the presentation was an explanation about the history of the hotel and restaurant which was +/- 5 minute presentation, as there were a number of table completing their meal at the same time, by the time it was our turn we received the one minute abbreviated version. Fortunately we had heard the story from the surrounding tables, and it was interesting information. Getting the check required flagging down the sommelier to request assistance and then another flag to actually pay. In the grand scheme the food was the star of the show, and the service a slightly disappointing secondary actor.

My parents and I went to celebrate my Master’s graduation and we had a wonderful time at the Samling Restaurant. The staff were absolutely lovely, went above and beyond, and the food was utterly delicious. The portions were perfect and we truly appreciated how accommodating they were of our dislikes and intolerances/allergies. The wine recommendation we got went perfectly with the entire meal and dishes always arrived when everyone was at the table. The restaurant definitely deserves its rating and when we’re in the area again, we are definitely making plans for coming back.

Ate at the gathering last night (Sunday) whilst staying overnight at the hotel Understandably, they dont offer the tasting menu on a Sunday evening (which we knew) but a simpler alacarte menu is on offer When I say simpler, the food is still wonderful! Emma ate pumpkin veloute, a beetroot tartin and a passion fruit trifle. I had scallops and duck with chocolate bread and butter pudding for dessert We shared a cheeseboard too Excellent drinks and wines offered by a Daniel At the end of the night we took the opportunity to visit the kitchen and the wine cellar - quite the collection! Restaurant was quiet as it was a Sunday and close to Christmas Nonetheless the setting and ambience was spot on, as was the service

Celebrating 30 years of marriage we decided to treat ourselves to the tasting menu and wine flight at The Samling. The food was delicious, the service excellent, and we felt very well informed throughout the meal.

We were the only party in the restaurant on a Saturday lunchtime and maybe this has to do with charging £80 for a four course lunch and £25 for a cocktail, seems over the top even for a Michelin star venue. The service was excellent, friendly and funny and of course the outlook on the lake is second to no other place. The food was very good, excellent duck, beef and dessert and wine pairing was also very good with some unusual wines. One negative would have the cod dish which was uninspired and overcooked and an Indian wine which is obviously a novelty but one best left in India! Overall very good.

Four of us dined at The Samling last night, three of us having done so on other occasions. I am lucky to have eaten there half a dozen times or so - but this is the first time since before the lockdowns. What can I say - it was probably about as close to perfect as any meal I've ever had. And this was a sentiment shared by all of us. It was absolutely superb, every course was close to perfect, and some were possibly actually perfect. The Samling has always been good - but this experience was absolutely 'knock-out', they are at the top of their game right now. The front of house team was friendly and professional, courteous but relaxed. Their dining room is one of the smartest in the Lake District (with stunning views by daylight) and for cocktail lovers there is a brilliant selection, which we all indulged in. Truly excellent.

As always we had the most delightful and delicious lunch. The setting is just magical with views over Lake Windermere. The hotel is a very elegant Victorian mansion and the dining room is the most amazing modern room with glass walls. The views from the dining room are stunning but the food is even better. All the courses were spectacular especially the duck,the cod and the beef fillet. The presentation and service are excellent. The service s always so special. Very friendly and professional. All thanks to the wonderful Rebecca and Alex the sommelier. He recommended some delicious wines which complemented the dishes perfectly. This is a very special restaurant. We are looking forward to returning in February.

Visited here this evening for my wife’s 60th birthday. From start to finish this was a fantastic experience. A warm greeting from staff as we arrived and drinks were served on the terrace whilst taking in the amazing view. The food and service were exceptional throughout and were enhanced by the panoramic views of the Lakeland sunset. Thank you in particular to Eric (sommelier) and Rebecca (table service) - both were knowledgeable and informative but not pretentious and made the meal even more enjoyable. Lovely touch after the meal where we were served petit fours and a glass of 60 yo dessert wine to acknowledge my wife’s special anniversary. Overall an outstanding evening - thank you.

Outstanding, and we have plenty of experience with other Michelin star restaurants. The website under-sells how stunning the location is: sweeping drive up; clever landscaping hides cars; seriously stylish new kitchen/dining extension. Greeted at the hotel front door by maitre d’, who was excellent throughout (unfortunately I forget her name). Fantastic barman served us drinks on the beautiful terrace. Faultless food and service. The whole place was quite quiet but the experience felt exclusive rather than empty. Go!!

After researching the Michelin star restaurants of the Lake District, decided on The Samling for our 10th anniversary meal and was as special as we’d hoped. The setting of the restaurant is impressive overlooking Windermere and stunning gardens and is beautifully done, got better as dusk settled. Won’t spoil any surprises but the whole meal was a real experience, staff were supremely attentive and there were some real wow moments and things I tasted that will never forget.

The Restaurant at Samling is exceptional in every respect. Great views over Windermere in a modern, airy setting. Superb tasting menu, with delightful surprises at each tasty course. Service was attentive and just right, staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Nicely balanced dishes, but presentation never gets in the way of taste and flavour.

Visited the restaurant with my friend Richard to try their tasting menu. We arrived early to a very welcoming reception. Took our time reading through the very impressive wine list over a cocktail. The house “Samling Negroni” is delicious, I would recommend. We decided not to have the wine flight but asked Rebecca, the Maitre ‘d and sommelier, to choose two wines for us. She hit the spot with an Oregon Pinot blanc and a New York State Lemberger. Both suited the tasting menu very well.
We then moved to the dining room, wow. Floor to ceiling glass with astonishing views of Windermere. Hard to look at anything else but the views when you are seated at your table
The menu dishes were elegant and beautifully presented, well deserving of their Michelin star.
We were looked after exceptionally well all evening and throughly enjoyed ourselves 
Also ask to see the owners art collection and wine cellar/ tasting room when you visit.

We have been dining here for a number of years when visiting the Lakes, this is the first time we have dined since they have their Michelin star. It was equally, if not more so, as delicious and elegant. Service is amazing. Food exquisite. The views are stunning. They catered perfectly for my gluten free dietary needs. As I’m coeliac I was given my own homemade gluten free bread separate from the others. All my dishes were made gluten free and tasted divine. I would highly recommend coming here for a special lunch.

Amazing location. Attentive, knowledgeable staff. Attractively presented, imaginative food Fish course in particular was impeccable.

Got in on a cancellation What a lovely place Only 5 tables served for Tasting Menu All courses a work of art Loved the wine pairings; very generous servings and served with great humour Loved all courses especially the frois gras and the palmeresan broth The inly course I didn’t like was the skate; which was a bit like a dry fish cake Overall a very special evening It was our first evening in the lakes and stopped by in the afternoon so we didn’t miss out on the lake view

We had The Samling Tasting menu for dinner with wine pairing. The food was flavoursome and prepared with skill. The wine pairing was very nice, and the staff were attentive. Overall a nice food experience with exceptional views towards Lake Windermere out of the big glass windows of the dining room.

Tried the tasting menu with the tasting wines in parallel. Helpful, friendly experienced staff. Very well informed, knowledgeable and passionate about their offering. Rebecca took through some amazing dishes and wines. Made an excellent meal in to am amazing experience. Highly recommended.

The food is great and extremely well thought out and the flavours are excellent. As are the wines. Maybe I expected more at this price level and with a service charge, the service is excellent. Though I should decide how much to tip. Hence 4...

We’ve eaten here before and have never been disappointed and this last visit was no exception. Rebecca and her team made us feel so welcome. Pre lunch drinks in the sun set the tone for the whole experience. All 4 courses were delicious and we...

The Samling is Michelin quality without a doubt. Approach to the restaurant in the dark along the drive reveals a beautiful looking and modern annex to the original building. A terrific lounge with open fire is stunning with a nice gin from a very extensive...

We visited the Samling for my boyfriend’s birthday, even before arriving the service was excellent in accommodating our dietary requirements, even letting us know the substitutions before arriving. The welcome was warm and friendly and we were able to have drinks by the fire before...

Food was faultless - locally sourced, fresh flavourful and inventive. Parmesan tarte was crispy and light, beef tartare in wasabi was superb. Manager named George was professional and friendly, as well as knowledgeable about wines. However, minor drawbacks were : atmosphere was sober (only 2...

The lunch tasting menu is just enough and the food is of excellent quality along with the service. Glass dining room gives excellent views to enjoy your food!

We were warmly welcomed on arrival and encouraged to have a drink by the fire. The gin list was impressive and extensive. We then proceeded to the dining room, where our meal consisted of 5 small courses, each matched with a different wine. Each course...

A disappointing evening, fueled by high expectations perhaps, but at the high prices and Michelin rating we expected better. Our slightly cold evening in the dinning room was a disappointment from the start unfortunately. Not the warmest of welcomes, rather business like and chilly in...

A weekday lunch was superb value with four Michelin-worthy courses accompanied by paired wines of interest. The setting is exceptional, with a high viewpoint over Windemere and we were at a front-row table. Service was slightly below expectations - we had to ask for spoons...

My partner had a significant birthday at the end of August so, not willing to travel abroad because of the Covid pandemic, we decided to visit the Lakes and Yorkshire for a few days at the beginning of September. We planned where we were going...

Having watched enough episodes of The Trip, it seemed a shame not to include at least one dining experience during our Cumbrian holiday - but instead of the nearby Holbeck Ghyll, we came to the Samling. We were not disappointed. Firstly, the weather was glorious....

We took our friend for a celebratory 80th birthday lunch, it was everything we were promised and more . From the welcome on the steps as we arrived, to Champagne on the terrace with the most amazing panoramic views, we enjoyed an absolutely superb lunch...

After looking at the hotel pictures, reviews and food and dining details in January this year, we booked for a five-night stay at The Samling for June. The hotel is lovely, the situation is perfect and the staff are so friendly, but prospective visitors should...

The menus were really creative and used seasonal produce. The food was superb and portion size good. There were little additional courses which was lovely. Breakfast was also fabulous.

El ala del restaurante es una adición moderna impresionante, justo al lado del salón y el bar del hotel. Las ventanas del piso al techo ofrecen excelentes vistas del lago Windermere, así que solicite una mesa junto a la ventana.Las mesas estaban muy espaciadas como parte de las precauciones de Covid y las mesas estaban dispuestas curso por curso. Todo el personal se cubrió la cara y los menús y la lista de vinos se enviaron por correo electrónico con anticipación.La comida, en gran parte de origen local, era deliciosa y estaba muy bien presentada. El servicio fue excelente. Una camarera se equivocó en uno de nuestros postres una noche (¡sin usar un bloc de notas!), Pero fue reemplazado rápidamente por lo que pedí.Cuando estuvimos allí, el hotel y el restaurante no estaban abiertos para los no residentes, por lo que nos sentimos muy seguros.

El principal atractivo de este lugar es la ubicación. Mi novio y yo tuvimos la suerte de visitar los lagos en un día soleado, ¡que es lo que necesitas para aprovechar al máximo este lugar! A primera hora de la tarde, pudimos sentarnos afuera antes de la cena para disfrutar de un par de ginebras. Un ambiente súper romántico, pero también adecuado para familias, ¡ya que había una gran fiesta allí cuando visitamos!Luego hicimos el menú degustación. Después de haber hecho bastantes menús de degustación antes, diría que este fue bueno, pero no sorprendente. Hicimos la opción de queso para el postre, que realmente recomiendo ya que esta parte fue increíble. Personal super informado con muchas opciones de queso.En realidad, no éramos huéspedes en el hotel, pero nos quedamos en el centro de Ambleside. Fue un agradable paseo hasta el Samling bajo el sol; sin embargo, si está oscuro, ¡no pienses en volver! Toma un taxi. . . nosotros no lo hicimos y se necesitaban las linternas de los teléfonos.Si sois una pareja que busca un lugar con buen ambiente, definitivamente lo recomendaría para una cita nocturna en los lagos.

Our daughter bought us a gift voucher for Christmas 2019. It was to have lunch at the Samling. I rang the Samling to day ( July ) and was told its only open to residents, I live in Windermere so we can go any time, I thought they may have pushed us in ? but I was told they would extend my voucher to 2021 if they didn't open to none residents.We were very disappointed.

Mi esposa y yo almorzamos en The Samling ayer, y estuvimos encantados de descubrir que eso había mejorado mucho en nuestra última visita, revisada en marzo de 2017. Creo que han tenido uno o quizás dos cambios de chef desde entonces, y el actual titular Robby Jenks parece estar haciendo un excelente trabajo. Al llegar tomamos una copa en el salón bellamente decorado y confortable, muy elegante en grises apagados. Luego tuvimos el menú fijo de almuerzo de 3 platos a las 27. 50 con una selección de tres elementos en cada curso. Todas nuestras opciones fueron geniales, cada una una imagen en el plato, porciones de buen tamaño, interesantes combinaciones de sabores, una verdadera delicia para comer. El pan casero con dos tipos de mantequilla fue excelente. El servicio en el espectacular comedor con paneles de vidrio con vista a Windermere y las montañas detrás fue muy profesional, amable y eficiente, la señora que nos sirvió principalmente fue una delicia para conversar. ¡La lista de vinos es extensa y cubre la gama completa de todo el mundo (incluidos los vinos ingleses) desde alrededor de 30 hasta Petrus en miles! ¡Nos impresionó que la lista tenga una sección especial de vinos recomendados a un costo modesto de 30 a 40 más o menos para aquellos con bolsillos menos profundos! Tuvimos un Shiraz australiano perfectamente aceptable para 32. Bien hecho, un almuerzo encantador y relajante.Un comentario sobre los precios: el menú del almuerzo a las 27. 50 es un valor extremadamente bueno, pero la única otra opción a la hora del almuerzo es un menú de degustación de 5 platos a la friolera de 90. Sin duda es excelente, pero muchas personas (como nosotros) en un día están buscando un almuerzo a un precio modesto, no la experiencia ultra gourmet para ocasiones especiales, por lo que una opción en el medio hubiera sido muy bienvenida. Recientemente tuvimos un almuerzo con estrellas Michelin en otro restaurante de Lake District, donde las opciones fueron un menú de almuerzo a los 35 y un menú de degustación de 5 platos a los 55 - nos complació pagar 55, como lo hubiéramos hecho en el Samling, pero su opción 90 no estaba realmente activada para esta simple ocasión de almuerzo.Como otro lado, tienen una lista de una serie de aguas embotelladas, tanto tranquilas como brillantes, en varios tamaños, lo cual es bueno, y algunas son gratificantemente económicas, pero noté que tienen una botella de agua de un ártico (o era antártico?) iceberg o glaciar a más de 100. ¿Qué? !

Mi esposa y yo almorzamos en The Samling ayer. ¡Qué delicia absoluta! Todo era perfecto. Desde el momento en que llegamos, el personal amable y altamente profesional nos dio una cálida bienvenida. Después de una deliciosa infusión de ginebra en el cómodo salón, nos llevaron al hermoso y nuevo comedor con impresionantes vistas sobre el lago Windermere. Elegimos el almuerzo de 3 platos con mi esposa eligiendo la opción vegana. Cada plato estaba muy bien preparado y perfectamente sazonado. En particular, las opciones veganas de mi esposa fueron ejecutadas con cuidado y habilidad, ¡mucho mejor que su comida vegana el día anterior en un restaurante cercano con estrellas Michelin! Definitivamente vamos a estar de vuelta.

Fui a almorzar en un frío día de noviembre. Las vistas desde el comedor son maravillosas incluso en un día como este, y el almuerzo en sí fue excelente. Mi esposa dijo que era uno de los mejores almuerzos que había tenido. Un menú creativo, excelente cocina y excelente servicio. El personal fue amable y eficiente. El almuerzo en sí era de muy buena relación calidad-precio, pero a juzgar por la factura, debemos habernos dejado tomar el vino.

Everything about our experience at a recent lunch was first class. The staff were both friendly and knowledgable. The food, the service and the Hotel completely exceeded our expectations. The view from the glass fronted dining room is one that will linger for some time.

We went to the Samling on a voucher we received earlier in the year. It was our first visit.Your fear in going to these haute cuisine restaurants is that they can be pretentious and expensive. This was our experience when we had lunch at L'Enclume last year, again on a gift voucher.The Samling is nothing like this. Staff are friendly, helpful, and the food is both generous and of a very high quality. No tiny portions of nouvelle cuisine hear. The wine can be expensive if you like that, though we had a very good half bottle of white Loire Valley wine for £14. In fact the voucher covered a 3-course meal and the wine.What also stands out at The Samling is the magnificent view of Windermere and the Coniston fells. I cannot think of any restaurant in England with such a magnificent view.I recommend The Samling without any reservations.

We had simply the most outstanding, exquisite Sunday lunch here last weekend. We were greeted at the door, and the attention to detail in both service and cuisine was out of this world as well as the stunning views, autumn colours and open fire - will definitely be back soon. Good luck with your continued success - truly deserved in all that you are doing in our beautiful county.

Sitting in there tall glazed restaurant looking over Windermere is a perfect viewServed by the best food in the Lakes makes the Samling an experience you must experienceLunch £25 for 3-course simply a delightCannot praise this place enoughI’ve eaten in many restaurants worldwideThe Samling rates very high on the listTop Chef well done x

Had table for 8 and tasting menu. Staff were lovely - friendly and helpful with wine choices. Also gave us a tour of kitchen and wine cellar at the end of the night. Lovely dining experience

Beautiful meal with a fantastic setting From start to finish our experience was great Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to the food served The view at this restaurant is just perfect

We had a lovely family lunch at the Samling. Food was fabulous, service spot on. The attention to detail throughout was applaudable. Beautiful setting capped it all off nicely.

My wife and I celebrated her birthday at the Samling and we had the larger of the 2 tasting menu’s. The setting is wonderful with a pre dinner drink overlooking the lake and an exquisite dining experience to look forward to. I had an amended pescatarian menu and my wife had the ‘meat’ based menu. The courses were packed full of detail with layer upon layer of heavenly flavours. The pairing wines were expertly chosen and perfectly matched with every course. This staff were charming, knowledgable and perfectly attentive. Definitely one to consider for a special occasion when you’re in the lakes.

Excellent location and views from their restaurant. In attentive staff and average service. Food quality is average as well. Salted Cod was over over salted and inedible Reasonable wine list. Cocktails were good Nor sure will visit it again

Coming from Norfolk and living in London my partner and I have eaten in many great restaurants over the years but the food at the Samling was the best we've ever had ! We chose the 3 course menu which turns out to be 5 courses when you in include the pre desert and entrees. The pork and cod were stunning, the cheese board was eloquently explained with passion and knowledge the like of which I had only experienced in restaurants in Paris ! A lovely attentive team we super helpful but not elitist or snobby in a way that some Michelin star restaurants can be.

Visited for a dinner for four adults. Food is really fabulous but the experience is sadly lacking. The views are outstanding but the dining room feels lacking in atmosphere - cold and echoey. The team are nice but lack the training and edge you would expect of other similarly priced restaurants. Would I return? Honestly not sure - there are better experiences in the area for a similar price.

A group of friends at the chef's table. Drinks before dinner on the terrace - what a beautiful venue and setting. We were brilliantly looked after all evening by the host Jack, the food was absolutely delicious (including catering for a special diet), and wine pairings by Susannah were exquisitely done. A real treat also to watch the incresibly calm, focussed and professional kitchen in action. We had a really wonderful and faultless evening.

We visited The Samling on Saturday evening celebrate our wedding anniversary. On the plus side, the views of the lake from the glass walled restaurant are spectacular. Cocktails were delicious, wine pairings were spot on and service, at least initially, was attentive. We opted for the five course tasting menu and the food was delicious and inventive - until we got to our “main” course. I had substituted pork for the lamb and it was dry and underwhelming in flavour, so disappointing given the quality of the meat available in the Cumbrian area. My husband was similarly underwhelmed by his lamb, although the broth on the side was delicious. When we gave this feedback to our waiter, he seemed surprised but instead of offering to pass this on to the kitchen, he asked me rather flippantly “well, what was your favourite dish aside from that?”

Fabulous!! Food was out of this world, made exceptional by the wine pairing too. . rooms Luxurious and staff friendly and service impeccable. First visit since the renovations, and what was an already a lovely hotel is now really fabulous.Let's not kid ourselves - its expensive but we didn't feel cheated.

My wife booked the Samling as a Birthday celebration meal and I must admit it did not disappoint.

Outstanding food, service, wine, views, restaurant, staff. No longer for the celebrities only - it is for all of us who are foodies and enjoy our nights out with a bit of panache. Thank you to everyone at The Samling (I added a better review of our experience under the hotel listing). We will most definitely be back time and time again. Well done to the Chef and the Front of House team and the new owning company. It is great!

Dining at the Samling was a wonderful experience. The food, wine and service were exemplary, and the view over lake Windermere fabulous. Service was a little too polished and detached for my taste to begin with, but one shown into the restaurant, the staff and especially the sommelier, Robert loosened up and became much more personable. The tasting menu combined excellent flavours and textures with thoughtfully matched wines and service was very professional. Up there with the best for an all round experience.

Lovely atmosphere with an amazing view. It's a beautiful place to dine as it over looks the lake and lush greenery. Service was perfect and waiters explained dishes and recommended wine with confidence and proficiency. However the speed of service was quite slow - nearly 4 hours to finish a 5 course tasting menu. The food itself was exceptional and tasty. I would definitely recommend. We particularly loved the foie gras and wasabi sorbet. Overall a superb experience although some dishes like the rhubarb dessert weren't as unique or well executed

the sample menu was very disappointing. It took longer for the waitress to describe the food than it did for us to eat it. The cocktail host didnt know his cocktails. we had to coax him throughout the process.

We decided to book lunch at the last minute and had the set lunch menu. From beginning to end ,our experience was wonderful. Staff are warm and have the right balance of friendly but formal service. Food was exceptional and amazing value. Lamb with cucumber was a highlight.

I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. This was my 4th or 5th meal there and it just gets better.

Tried the lighter 3 course Table D'Hote lunchtime menu and it was excellent. Food was delicious and nicely presented. Service was spot on, staff friendly and efficient. Highly recommend. Will definitely be returning

After many years of experiencing sadly declining favoured restaurants a shining star has finally been discovered! As a family, we enjoyed a Wednesday lunch. The staff were excellent in every regard, we were made to feel totally welcome and at ease throughout. It was a refreshing delight. The lounge area is an impressive gallery of artworks. The cuisine was exceptional, innovative but perfectly balanced flavours, congratulations to everyone involved. The views from the restaurant of lake Windermere could not be beaten. After the meal we were treated to a tour of the wine cellar by Sommelier Robert a gentleman who deserves special mention as his insight and wit made the day for us!. We will definitely be back very regularly. As is usual with these reports I now have to moan and whinge over all the bad things we experienced...nope, can't recall anything at all. Looking forward to our next visit.

From the moment we arrived nothing was too much trouble for the very friendly and accommodating staff.

We booked the Samling for a family get together for my birthday.

Hemos visitado el Samling en 4 ocasiones anteriores en los últimos 3 años y pasamos un tiempo fabuloso con comida y servicio fantásticos. Definitivamente fue el mejor lugar en los lagos.

A menudo cenamos alrededor de Windermere en busca de una comida con vistas y esto nos ha llevado a varios restaurantes de hoteles rurales. El Samling fue algo bastante inesperado. En lugar de confiar únicamente en su ubicación (que es increíble), han puesto tanto interés y atención en la experiencia gastronómica, desde las increíbles ventanas llenas en el comedor, hasta la decoración sencilla, el servicio amable y la variedad de gins, cócteles y Vinos en oferta. La comida es la mejor que hemos probado en uno de estos hoteles con porciones generosas de comida tipo "buena comida". Tuvimos el almuerzo de domingo de 3 platos que se había elevado a algo nuevo donde cada plato tenía un toque o matiz que lo hacía emocionante y delicioso. Por la cantidad de trabajo que debe haber entrado en los platos y la cantidad de comida servida, fue una excelente relación calidad-precio a 45 por persona. ¡Definitivamente vamos a estar de vuelta!

Esta fue nuestra cuarta visita: cada vez que nos hemos hecho amigos y la experiencia nos ha cautivado por completo. Hemos tenido tanto el menú de degustación como el menú a la carta (este último es un valor increíblemente bueno |) y ninguno decepciona. En todo caso, la comida se pone cada vez mejor. En esta visita, el sommelier Susannah aceptó el desafío de hacer coincidir un vino con tres platos principales muy diferentes y realmente sabe lo que hace. Un montón de súper vino también está disponible por copa, que no suele ser el caso. (Prueba el Sticky Micky!)

Exceptionally high standard of cuisine, one of the most beautiful restaurants we've ever visited with stunning views over Windermere, and superb service from very friendly staff. Thank you.

Reservamos el Samling para el almuerzo en un glorioso día soleado.

My friend and I treated ourselves to the five course menu. The food was just so good and beautifully presented. All the staff from the receptionist to the waiting staff were charming and very helpful. They were happy to accommodate dietary issues. The setting is lovely too. We had lovely views from the floor to ceiling windows and the weather was good enough to sit outside.

Fabulous hotel in terms of luxury and excellent views overlooking Lake Windermere and surrounding countryside but the restaurant was a complete disaster in terms of quality and quantity. Having paid over 300.00 for two to eat, we went to the chip shop on the way home in Kendal. Seriously lacking content on the plate and certainly not value for money.

If you are staying in this areas you must go and visit this superb restaurant. We had their three course menu with suggested wines for each course and it was outstanding. The staff knowledge, service and enthusiasm working here really is exceptional. Highly recommended! We were even given more advice on wines to go any buy on our way home from Kendal, again showing superb hospitality and service. Thank you!

We had the 5 course tasting menu which actually was 7 courses and every one was delicious. Impossible to choose a favourite but the venison dish was amazing. The staff were very friendly, very helpful and so knowledgeable. This was everything you want for a special occasion.

This is a review for the restaurant, I live locally so have never stayed. I've had the pleasure of eating dinner at The Samling 4 x times in 2018, all the meals have been excellent - but the last 2 particular so. In fact, the visits were superb in every respect, from customer service to cuisine. My dietary requests were handled extremely well, with fantastic substitutions where necessary, the food is phenomenally well presented - and truly astonishingly tasty, with all parties in the groups I've taken near moaning with delight! The new restaurant building, which overlooks the lake is beautiful - though it's worth remembering that in winter months, when it's dark - there obviously isn't a view. And in summer months, it might be worth you dining earlier to make the most of that view because it's stunning. I can only think of good things to say about The Samling, and I'm sure your experience will be excellent too.

My wife and I had the most amazing fine dining experience in the beautiful Samling restaurant. On a par or perhaps even marginally better than a trip earlier this year to the two michelin star Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles. We went for the wine pairings with the seven course taster menu and everything matched up perfectly. The Samling has been renovated fairly recently and is stunning. Worth a trip if only for a drink. Friends have been for afternoon tea and thought it was fabulous. One of the fantastic things about the experience was the friendly and attentive staff who were lovely and a credit to the place.

Tuvimos un almuerzo de domingo en el Samling. La comida, el servicio y las vistas eran increíbles. No puedo recomendarlo lo suficiente. Desde el momento en que llegas, serás recibido de una manera genuina y sin complicaciones. El personal está atento pero no te apresures y la comida es hermosa para mirar y comer.

Estupenda posición con vistas al lago Windermere, esta encantadora casa antigua se ha modernizado recientemente y se ha ampliado con gran éxito. El restaurante tiene las mejores vistas del lago. La cena fue fantástica, tuvimos el menú de 7 platos y cada plato trajo una emocionante experiencia y gustos gourmet. Cocina imaginativa e innovadora en su máxima expresión.

Amazing. Food and service, top notch. standout dishes, the wagyu, the scallop, the squab, lamb, all incredible. Definitely be back.

Visité Ambleside para un pequeño recorrido gastronómico después de escuchar algunos comentarios maravillosos de varios amigos que han hecho lo mismo.

Fui con mi familia y tenía una oferta de tragos y comida de domingo para el almuerzo de 7 platos

We ate here a while ago for my birthday. Our previous experience was very lovely, just before they closed for the refurb. really wish they hadn't. The new lounge area is nice but the restaurant is more art gallery than comfortable eating space. We went in winter and the huge picture windows looked out on an uncomfortable darkness. Ia am sure on a beautiful sunny day the views down the lake are stunning but on a winter evening (Which we have plenty of in the Lake District) the view was of cold inky blackness. The room is cavernous with little by way of soft furnishings and was echo laden and uncomfortable even with relatively few diners there. The food was great but the lovely atmosphere previously enjoyed over dinner before the refurb has completely gone. With so many lovely places to eat locally (Compare with Gilpin if you can get a table) the high end Samling has lost its way. A triumph of form over function. The dining room is so spacious, airy and brutally modernist it could almost have come from Kevin Macleod's programme. I am sure the artwork was carefully chosen but it failed to impress, especially the Salvador Dali print in the reception of a urinating woman. Extraordinary message to give to customers. So worth going for the food on a bright Summer's day but avoid at all costs for wintery dinners and don't dwell in the reception area.

I promised to take my wife somewhere nice for a wedding anniversary lunch, and picked The Samling - and we are so pleased I did! It was quiet when we arrived, but we were greeted with great politeness and shown into the lounge where we could look at the menu and have a pre-lunch drink. As it was a celebration we had a Kir Royale each - expertly made and a very good measure. We both chose the four-course lunch - sadly without the accompanying wine owing to driving. Then into the dining room - what a wonderful view of Windermere! An amuse bouche arrived - nice little Japanese-influenced things, with intense flavours. A first course of tomato with smoked ricotta, a second course of sea bass with fennel, a third course of roe deer fillet with turnips and mushrooms and a wonderful dessert of raspberries. It was all just wonderful - perfectly presented, with clearly fresh, top-quality ingredients - and all tasting fabulous. All the time the service was exemplary, with friendly staff explaining what each course was and how it had been prepared. Afterwards we wandered out into the garden, looking at the lovely views over Windermere again and watching the dragonflies on the pond.

Our party of four visited for wife’s 50 birthday

What a fantastic setting for a meal. And the food aint half bad either. Seriously good cooking, we had the veggie tasting menu of ten courses and thought it was fantastic, very manageable compared to a meat taster menu where you kind of sigh at round seven and its a big bit of lamb! Good value and the paired wines were very well chosen, a little unusual as well (which made it all the better). Tables for hotel guests (I think) are along the front so you get fantastic views, the table at the very end is undoubtedly the best =as you can see in both directions up and down the lake, worth reservinf=g if you can.

Given our recent experience, there can be no doubt that the Samling has no Michelin star purely due to a change of chef. It will definitely get one this year!

My husband and I had dinner on both nights we stayed at a The Samling and were blown away by the incredible dining experiences had there.

Grab the lunch opportunity whilst you can....£30 for 5 courses , Nibbles / Dips , Appetiser , Starter , Main and a pud. We visited on a Sunday for a quick Summer lunch and It really didn't disappoint.

Our party of four thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our lunch today. The service was quietly attentive and very informative and the food was exceptional. The sensational views and very comfortable seating added to what was a delightful experience for us all

A totally faultless experience, the food and service were exceptional, we will definitely return in the future and cant recommend it more highly.

I had real high expectations before arriving

Sometimes tasting menus can get so fancy and so small that you wonder just what you are eating. Not at the Restaurant at Samling. We had the ten course tasting menu and each course was tasty and well designed. We had the wine pairing and an excellent job was done for each course. The ten course had a great balance of meat, fish, and dessert courses. I am not a big eater. At no point did I feel overwhelmed. The restaurant is beautifully contemporary and the views are second to none.

Beautiful views from the restaurant. We came here whilst visiting the Lakes and thoroughly enjoyed the food here. Welcoming place with exceptional food.

The journey up the perfectly manicured, long, steep and winding driveway is a fitting and final prolonging of what will inevitably result in several hours of epicurean delight. Staged within a glass sided viewing station, overlooking the Lake District's swiftly evolving microclimate and breathtaking views across Lake Windermere; The Samling exceeded our highest expectations.