The Drunken Duck Inn in South Lakeland

Fabulous meal here despite being slightly worried as had read a few negative reviews. The menu is imaginative and really well presented on the plate. Yes there are no fish dishes and only game or vegetarian but it wasn’t a problem in any way. Fabulous food and will definitely return. We stayed for one night and booked the cheapest room which was very small with no frills at all but the breakfast was great and the bed very comfortable

Trading on past glories I am afraid. Used to be a good spot ten years ago but now very overpriced and a bit up its own backside. It is a country pub that pretends to be an upmarket bistro. Shame really as used to be a decent proper pub.

The pub is in an amazing location with superb views of the surrounding countryside. The food was excessively overpriced, paying £45 for two quite simple vegetarian dishes, a plate of asparagus and a plate of artichokes, especially when paying the same for meat options. I felt the service was good and the staff were pleasant and friendly, but not good enough to make me want to return due to the cost of a meal. Sad when you read reviews as to how it used to be. Really need to consider pricing as I think it will impact on the success of the business in the long term.

Just echoing what a few others have said. I’ll start with the good: good beer, good service, decent views (if you were to sit outside). But the price of the set menu doesn’t match the overall experience. The desserts were the best part of the meal. The starters and mains, to be frank, were nothing special (except the duck croquette, but by itself didn’t save the meal). I always judge a place by two questions, would I recommend or would I go back? No to both I’m afraid.

Eaten here many times over the years, and always enjoyed it. This evening I found the menu very limited and way over priced. £45 for two courses with a 10% service charge!, not acceptable. Don’t think I will be back.

Poor choice of menu and vastly overpriced, small portions. Visited many years ago and it was the place to visit, shame it isn’t now. Would avoid.

The food offering is very poor. Meat options were venison or rabbit. The rest were all vegan/ vegetarian. This used to be a top visit for us every year but won’t be going again

We had a lovely lunch ( both had pie - great chips !! ) and great service from our waiter. Nice range of beers and wine available.

When you charge £65 (plus service) for a 3-course menu, you set expectations sky-high. Our food was nice, but the value really wasn't there. We'd heard really positive things about the Drunken Duck from friends and family that had visited in the past, so we'd booked this in for a treat on our final night in the Lakes. To preface the rest of the review, it's worth saying the food was perfectly pleasant. My thoughts are focused on the fact you're effectively paying £20 per course. Our initial thoughts on the menu focused on how the vegetarian options could possibly be worth the same as the meat options - and the lack of fish option (my partner is pescatarian, so this was a particular disappointment). The meat is very game-driven (venison, wood pigeon, rabbit), which may not be to some tastes. There isn't a 'safer' option if you're not feeling that. We started with some lovely bread to kick things off - I then had a decent artichoke starter, whilst my partner had the salad with almond ricotta, which was fine but very basic. Then, onto mains. I chose the venison - which for some reason had been paired with sauerkraut, which dominated the flavours of the whole dish. The meat was cooked really well, but it just didn't stand up alongside the strong flavours of the cabbage. The chips were delicious though. Small thing, but a sharper knife would have been a good addition (ironically not for the venison, but actually the broccoli!) My partner had the grilled cabbage main, which was essentially a huge wedge of dressed grilled cabbage, with a small potato cake, a splodge of sauce, and a mushroom. The proportions were well out - far too much cabbage in comparison anything else (there seems to be a cabbage obsession), and again - how this was priced alongside the meat options is baffling. Our puddings, to be fair, were delicious (chocolate mousse with a lovely walnut ice cream, and a big lemon meringue pie with blueberry sauce). All in all, we spent £180 including tip and three glasses of wine (total). Through that lens, it was a decent meal, but absolutely not worth the money. I would urge the owners to consider pricing their meals individually, as in its current form, there are big value discrepancies across the menu, particularly if you have a vegetarian option. For £20 per course, I would suggest the only one that makes it close would be the venison. Alternatively, £40-45pp feels like it may be closer to what I'd have valued our food at. Service was absolutely fine, but nothing special. When you price your offering so impressively, the expectation is that it'll blow your socks off. Sadly this wasn't the case with our visit.

Eten en personeel erg goed. De aangewezen kamer rook niet fris (kleden en vloerbedekking?) waarna een andere kamer beschikbaar gemaakt werd. Deze kamer was prima en had een prachtig vrij uitzicht op de natuur. Afzuiging keuken op binnenplaats was best dominant in een verder heerlijke ambiance, een aanrader.

We had a very poor overpriced meal at what used to be an iconic pub known for it's cuisine. We struggled to choose from the menu, and when the food came it was badly presented, with no frills, which you would expect from a £20+ dish. Very disappointing, needs a complete menu revamp and a better attitude to their customers from the kitchen.

After reading the reviews last year my partner bought me a voucher for this place as I was desperate to try it. We went for the Sunday lunch set menu. My starter come and was dry as a bone, my partners muscles were ok. We then got the Sunday lunch. I ordered steak pie which again was as dry as a bone. My partner got the venison. Our veg was so raw it was inedible. No one ever come to ask us if the food was ok and then even when taking the plates they didn’t ask us how the food was. I felt like something needed to be said after seeing all the amazing reviews. Maybe I just had a bad experience. I went to front of house to complain as I felt for the money we were paying, I could’ve gone to a fast food place and been given better quality food. I also complain about the lack of care in the customer service. The gentleman on the front desk did apologise and I was hoping he would go and speak to the kitchen staff but I don’t think he did. We paid our bill and come away. We won’t be going back, extremely disappointed. When getting back in the car I came on here to see lots of other people in the same position as myself since January 2024- all terrible reviews. Whatever has happened to this place. I hope they take these reviews on board and change something quickly before they end up sending this lovely pub down.

We had lunch at the pub. Great quality food, lots of vegetarian options and friendly service. We were pleasantly surprised and we will return next time we are in the Lake District.

Not sure why there’s been so many negative reviews of late. Had dinner there last night having been previously over the years and whilst the menu is a little limited, the food was still as delicious as I remember. Sourdough with marmite infused butter, delicious. Spring salad / pea and mint soup, delicious. The venison was enjoyable, if a little simplistic, and the puddings were exceptional, particularly the lemon meringue pie. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I rarely bother to write reviews but after a very disappointing visit to the Drunken Duck on Sunday I felt compelled to pen one. We were looking for a spot of lunch and a pint along with our two well behaved Labradors. We phoned ahead and were told there wasn’t any room in the dog friendly part of the bar but we could sit outside. Being hardy souls the idea of lunch outside wasn’t a huge problem so we headed to the pub for food and a pint. On arrival I left my partner and dogs outside and went to the bar to get a pint and a menu only to be informed that they don’t serve food outside - disappointing but it was probably my misunderstanding of the phone conversation. What was really bizarre however, was that I then asked if we could sit in the bar area for lunch given that there was literally nobody at any of the half dozen or so empty tables around the bar; I was informed that on Sundays they don’t serve food in that part of the pub either. So despite the fact dogs are allowed in that area, there were lots of empty tables, you can eat there any other day of the week and we had £110 burning a hole in our pocket for two set Sunday lunches we ended up having to leave and look for elsewhere. I can only assume neither of the staff behind the bar had any idea about running a successful business, we certainly won’t be rushing back.

I must admit that my feelings are very similar to Janet’s - see her review. Pub is in great location and beer always excellent. However the menu was odd - 3 veggie dishes and venison and rabbit stew. My partner had the latter and it wasn’t a stew and had bones in which were hard to eat. Venison was a starter and a main which was odd also so ended up with wood pigeon. At £65 per set menu this was poor value. Overall it’s a nice pub but seems to have lost the plot v how it was previously. Agree that there is an air of arrogance ie we are busy so doesn’t matter but that can soon turn around. Definitely go for a drink but not for food unless things improve.

£44 for 3 double gin and tonics and a pint of ale. It was house gin as well. Nothing special. £13 for a g&t? More expensive than London. Not a lot of atmosphere. Not worth the drive.

You have to be very confident of your offering to implement the sort of policies in place at The Drunken Duck. To be clear, I have no objection to leaving credit card details to secure a table booking. In fact, I have a lot of respect for businesses charging those who fail to show up or cancel at short notice. Adding a tip without asking permission is arrogant, but theres no doubt it’s an effective strategy. It’s somewhat reassuring to witness the venue so fully booked that walk-ins are turned away but it would be nice if the staff just weren’t so aloof. If you have any special requests, forget it. I'm grateful that we don't have any food allergies because it's clear that they don't wish to accommodate such inconveniences. I could go on. Sure, the food was nice and the decor was pleasant. But where was the convivial welcoming Lakeland pub atmosphere? There was nothing wrong with our meal but we still left with a slightly bad taste in our mouths.

Located at a hillside the outdoor tables offer a wonderful view across a meadow and the surrounding hills. The pub is very nice and the cuisine must be good. There is a large kitchen and two spacious dining areas. Very friendly staff and a great selection of locally brewed beers.

Always a target destination when in the Lakes and always a special treat but my goodness what on earth has happened? Need to go back to basics and wonder whether there is a lean towards vegetarian? Three of the mains were veggie and the other two were rabbit and venison. I ended up with roasted cabbage and a bowl of watery mussels with a sauce that didn’t taste of anything. The lemon meringue was lovely to be fair. But the price was outrageous £65 for a set menu with little choice. Be good to see fish chicken and more regular meats on the menu. Incredibly disappointed. Didn’t seem to turn the tables either… think it’s defo lost the plot! What a shame.. I don’t usually leave bad reviews but I just feel completely ripped off!

The food was over priced and the main course was inedible. It was the Roast Pointed Cabbage. It was quite possibly the worst main dish I have ever been presented with. How very disappointing. The two stars are for the staff who served us, very professional and polite. And the bread and marmite butter.

Bank Holiday lunch, superb. The beer-battered vegetable starter is lovely, the steak pie gorgeous (special mention to the gravy) and have the coffee with the petit fours, absolutely a winner.

Friday April 18th, 2024. My wife (71) and I (77) , having booked a table for 6:00pm on a typically wet and windy Cumbrian afternoon, were looking forward to repeating the experience we had on our last visit approx 18 months ago , during which we enjoyed what was, quintessentially, a hearty pub meal, that left us with the satisfaction of knowing that we had eaten good food, and got value for our money and, moreover, didn't feel hungry when we left. Sadly , this visit fell well short of our expectations. A roaring log fire was a welcome sight but the bar area was in dire need of some TLC, both in terms of decor and lighting although I can imagine that when busy, there would be a great atmosphere. We were shown to our table and handed the menu which, in the main, was biased towards vegetarian / vegan. Of 5 starters, 3 were vegetarian. Of 5 mains, 3 were vegetarian, and of 4 desserts, 2 were mousses, with a caramelised pear and lemon meringue pie to complete the course. Three courses were £65 pp and 2 courses £55. This was the only menu, and because of the limited content, we felt a little bit like we were being painted into a corner choice - wise. The cauliflower soup was accompanied by sourdough bread and was a nice starter. I ordered venison loin on a bed of polenta with tiny portions of broccoli, chard and wild garlic. The venison was beautifully cooked, but looked lost on the plate. My wife ordered Rabbit stew, accompanied by mashed potato in a separate dish with a small jug of very thin gravy. The rabbit was inedible - what little meat that was on the bone was tough, and chewy, and we informed the waiter accordingly, who apologised and returned the food to the kitchen. My wife was offered an alternative choice - she chose the roasted green asparagus which consisted of three spears, accompanied by some rocket and four Jersey Royal potatoes. At this point we decided not to have a dessert - the evening was already a disappointment - so we asked for the bill. The total was £125 of which c£15 was for drinks. So for £110 we each had a 2 course dinner chosen from a very limited menu and left feeling - for want of a better word - ripped off. Value for money - I think not. We rarely complain, and we didn't make a scene, but we'd be hard pushed to recommend The Drunken Duck to anyone based on this experience. N.B. On a "housekeeping" note the toilets -ladies and gents - were wet underfoot and didn't smell very nice, and this was early evening when the establishment was reasonably quiet !! Attention to detail ?

Dropped in for lunch today, and thoroughly enjoyed the rabbit tacos and venison steak sandwich. Service was second to none; vibe was high end but comforting and warm. Would love to return!

Lovely country pub in a beautiful location but this was our second visit a couple of years since our first, and we were shocked by the prices. The food is good but we felt the prices were eye watering!

Pity the menu had gone mainly vegetarian so are elsewhere. Menu unadventurous and food insipid

Love the decor and atmosphere. Overall food was pretty tasty, especially the chocolate mousse tart, but as others have said it’s overpriced (if there is justification such as sustainably sourced food, this would be good to know). Bit more veg on the venison main would definitely bulk it up more!

Exceptional food. It was a real treat for this vegan to have a choice of 3 mains, and all 5 puddings were vegan. Breakfast was lovely - the "overnight oats" were vegan, and the cooked food was beautifully done. Omnivore husband was also pleased with the food.

A game of two halves Firstly a beautiful venue, both the bar and the restaurant area are lovely. Like the poshest country pub you've ever been to. Service was also friendly and enthusiastic. Food was decent, nothing to complain about *except *For nearly £30 per main and starters in the low teens (and from that clearly expensively installed and lovely kitchen) I would expect a higher standard. Our starters (beetroot salad, pidgeon with sprouts) were nice but missing that little bit of elevation. Main courses were slightly formulaic, meat, roast root veg, puree of root veg, parcel of slower cooked meat. one of our proteins was a bit clumsily cooked and chewy, the sauces were good but not exceptional. Portion sizes were a shade above that of a tasting menu size portion I wouldn't really have anything bad to say were it not for that price point. The fact that the vegetarian options were priced at pretty much the same rate as the protein compounded my feeling that this lovely but clearly moneyed part of the lakes allows businesses to price more aggressively without necessarily meeting the standards that such pricing justifies.

It’s a overpriced place with no soul… the food is OK and it's far from what you expect for the price you pay. The place looks nice and the service and staff were OK too, but far from friendly, They don't seem really to care. The beetroot starter was good but the sunday roast was tasteless and with just a little bit of a gravy as thick as water. If you are looking for good food and friendly staff, try Lucy's on a plate or Fellinis Restaurant (amazing vegetarian food).

My favourite place to dine at in the Lake District - its hard to find truly quality food in the Lake District that isn't going to totally break the bank but this is it! The decorations are beautiful/extremely tasteful (great for a romantic date!) and the atmosphere is just right.

Καταπληκτικό φαγητό σε έναν πολύ όμορφο χώρο. Το service φιλικό και ενημερωμένο και το μενού ενώ είναι σχετικά μικρό, καλύπτει όλα τα γούστα.

Visiting was a delight. Absolutely delicious food and drinks, with fantastic walks/runs on the doorstep. Lovely atmosphere.

Just reviewing the pub, not the accommodation. Great place to eat and drink! Lovely atmosphere and excellent beer. Excellent place to stop as you walk and hike the lake district.

£30 for a main and £55 for a meal and a dessert... £25 for a dessert! The pricing is not transparent as the menu only states £65 for 3-course which in my opinion is overpriced. The wine menu doesn't include the price of a large glass of wine either which is again the highest I've ever paid. Plus 3 day cancellation charge of £45 is very steep. The menu is very limited with the only meat option being venison. The surprise bill ruined our evening as we'd been here in recent years and expected not to feel robbed.

Have stayed here 3 times in last few months .The food has been so good on all occasions .With Family & Friends the consistency has been there .It is a country Inn .With great style ,ambience & beautiful pastoral lakeland views . Welcoming log fire ,friendly faces & a relaxed atmosphere . Well done the "A" team fabulous

Called in for drinks after a day out walking, was met by a rude waiter who obviously didn’t want to serve us and made no attempt to accommodate. Was told if there wasn’t any of the 4 tables outside available then we couldn’t get drinks despite seeing customers sat all around earlier in the day. Got the impression if you don’t drive a range rover and wear chino’s your not welcome. Bit disappointing when your staying within a mile.

Enjoyed a delicious lunch in this lovely restaurant. We just arrived in the Lake District & were slightly early but the staff were very accommodating. Small but excellent menu. The food was excellently presented & delicious - soufflé & trout to start & halibut & venison suet pudding mains. We couldn’t manage dessert even though they looked amazing! Definitely recommend - & booking is a must!

Really warm welcoming atmosphere even in the middle of COVID Food really tasty and service spot on Would recommend a visit Will definitely be returning

Excellent food. Great staff. Loved the crab starter and the pork main was incredible. Very accommodating with us having a 4 month old.

A stunning setting all year round. In the Summer you can sit outside across the road and enjoy the amazing views.We ate in October with the kids (aged 5 and 9) and had a wonderful experience. The food and service were both excellent and would definitely recommend.

Been using The Duck for 40 years and the present owners/operators are carrying the baton very skilfully and with panache. The locally brewed Cat Nap ale was lovely. Starters of duck confit/pear chutney & trout gravadlax were both presented beautifully. And the mains - stone bass/chorizo and cod/cauliflower were delicious. Just one little grumble... booked on line with credit card for 12:45. And here's the text I received at 9am. Just a reminder of your table tonight (!) at 12:45. Space is limited so please arrive on time, not early but not late. Thank you. I don't feel that level of detail about arrival time is necessary or appropriate. But my little grumble should not be allowed to impact a lovely lunch experience at this heavenly Lakeland venue.

Visited with my wife midweek in October. My wife and I were only able to secure a 1800 booking, we think due to the pandemic reducing table numbers, and that residents get a guaranteed table with their room booking.Despite it being very quiet, we were the first people into the restaurant when we arrived, the ambience is pleasant, and the restaurant is decked out nicely. There is a cat that wanders around the restaurant, which I didn't at all mind, and the waiting staff are quick to shoo the cat back into the foyer, but I didn't find her trouble at all - certainly no hint that she'd jump onto the tables or anything.The food menu is concise, with a good selection on the drinks menu - including non-alcoholic gin for my pregnant wife. The menu changes daily, so my take on it will be different to anyone elses, but the Pork Collar, cabbage, black pudding and boulanger potatoes were sublime - the best plate of food I've had in years. My wife really enjoyed her salmon gnocchi dish too. We shared the sticky toffee pudding, which was good too. The mains really stood out as very well done cuisine, and we will in time, return to the Drunken Duck.

Mi pareja y yo visitamos el pub a finales de septiembre para "celebrar" el día en que deberíamos habernos casado, pero no pudimos debido a Covid.El personal fue increíblemente amable, habían facilitado las solicitudes de nuestra familia para proporcionar tarjetas sorpresa y bebidas colocadas en nuestra mesa cuando llegamos. Nos ayudaron a conseguir un taxi a casa.La comida era fantástica, en particular me encantó el pudín de sebo de venado.Salimos con ganas de probar el resto del menú y planearemos otro viaje en el futuro.

We love this place , menu always exciting and full of gorgeous flavours. Wine and service all very good !

¡Qué joya absoluta! Después de un día húmedo y empapado caminando por el Tarn How nos retiramos a The Drunken Duck. Nuestra habitación era pequeña pero estaba perfectamente formada con una cama súper cómoda y un baño bien equipado. Fuimos al bar por bollos y té gratis, un toque encantador para los residentes cansados. El bar era cálido y acogedor con lúpulos colgando del techo con vigas y un fuego rugiente. Después de llenarnos la cara nos retiramos a nuestra habitación para descansar antes de cenar. Cena . . . . wow comida absolutamente increíble. El servicio súper elegante y las comidas deliciosas e interesantes, el souffl de queso fue increíble, al igual que la coliflor de zumaque con batatas. El desayuno también era delicioso y se sirve de manera eficiente. En general, este lugar es una locura. No podemos esperar para regresar.

Comida excelente y amable personal informado. Teníamos souffl y entrantes de muslo de pollo que eran excelentes. Ambos tenían budín de sebo de venado que era bastante sustancial y maravillosamente sabroso.Quito un punto porque el personal no usa máscaras y es un entorno cercano. Por supuesto que tendrán que hacerlo ahora.

Amazing food, great portion sizes and really nice decor. Would highly recommend for a treat. Book a taxi if not staying on the premises if you will be leaving after dark, as situated on country lanes.

Excellent Sunday Roast birthday lunch. Just enough Covid awareness- no silliness. Beautifully cooked mains. Biggest problem with desert was choosing which one to have. Thank you for a fab meal.

El personal aquí es muy amable y la comida es excelente. Tuve el huevo de pato confitado para comenzar, seguido del pudín de sebo de venado. Mi esposa tenía el souffl de queso seguido de pescado y patatas fritas. Compartimos un pudín de caramelo pegajoso. No podíamos quejarnos de nada en absoluto y definitivamente volveríamos a visitar, tomé un par de pintas y mi esposa tomó un vino y un refresco, creo que la factura era de alrededor de 80, lo que sentí que valió la pena.

Todo lo que desea en una tarde lluviosa después de un largo día de caminata; un ambiente acogedor, personal acogedor, el gato residente acurrucado en una silla y comida deliciosa y abundante. Tuve el souffl de queso y el pudín de venado con col lombarda; no había lugar para el postre, pero opté por un café con petit-fours; la frambuesa de chocolate era particularmente buena

Our first time dining here while on holiday at the lakes and we were not disappointed. Beautiful flavours and creative menu. We would have liked to have gone back but fully booked. Until next time we visit .

All a bit underwhelming .... Been several times to the Drunken Duck inn to both stay and eat and having not been for several years I was SO looking forward to coming back but left feeling disappointed after going for lunch. Maybe it’s the covid world we’re in but everything seemed mediocre. No atmosphere (and not the restaurants fault but there were some very small children doing ear piercing squealing which is rather in your face in such a small setting), service pleasant enough but quite slow, apart from the cheese soufflé none of the food was piping hot (door to kitchen wide open which brought a breeze into the restaurant too so quite cold), duck scotch egg was under seasoned, venison suet pudding lovely but comes with a couple of spoons of red cabbage and a few parsnip crisps which lasted about a third of the sizeable pudding, we didn’t have pudding and coffees were nice. With service a two course lunch with one drink and coffee was £40 a head and compared to many others we have been to in the area the last couple of weeks it didn’t stand out as worth it. Having longed to come back for a while I wouldn’t again - seems to have gone down the ‘uniform’ gastro restaurant route rather than the lovingly run hotel/restaurant/bar with fabulous food and warm service it used to be.

We tried, unsuccessfully, to book for lunch or dinner after first being told there was availability and then not but decided to go there for a drink to check it out. The place is difficult to find, I suggest you go to Ambleside first and then on to the postcode. Otherwise, starting from elsewhere, you’ll be taken on impossibly narrow back lanes with next to no passing spaces, the stuff of nightmares if your reversing is not the best. We had a drink, had a look around, and decided there was not enough of interest to tempt us back not least because of the booking confusion and attitude of the staff. The mystery is why it is so popular...

Had a really tasty dinner here and fab Pinot Noir wine as well (the cheaper of the two on the wine list). I was really impressed with the veggie options which were quite interesting, and my husband loved the pork belly. Service was a little slow and it wasn’t cheap, but a great night overall.

We visited the Drunken Duck on the recommendation of friends and it was the best decision.It’s a great setting and environment. Plenty of adherence to covid 19 / social distancing so you feel comfortable dining.All dishes were excellent, especially the doughnut desert! I think it’s the best desert I have ever had! Even better that it was dairy free to match my dietary requirements.Make sure you book to enjoy a lovely meal.

We ate here last night and we thought it was amazing. We read some negative reviews lately and it is more than we would normally spend, but it was the last night of our holiday so we treated ourselves and honestly thought everything was totally delicious and worth every penny we spent. We had the mackerel and the tempura starters, coley and roasted cauliflower mains and sticky toffee puddings to finish. The portions were perfect, we left stuffed and very happy our last meal in the Lakes had been so perfect. We had lots of space around us and felt completely safe post-covid.

They were helpful and nice to us, the food was expensive and too fancy for a midweek lunch at the end of a walk.

We used to stay and/or dine in the Drunken duck prior to our move to France 6 years ago. It was our must go to destination in the Lake District.We came over to the UK for a family visit and as our wedding anniversary coincided with our trip we decided to have a two night break in the Duck. I was expecting things to be a little different due to Covid and on the whole, I was pleased with their efforts. However, I was disappointed to return to our room after our first night to find that it had not been serviced. When I enquired why, I was told it was due to Covid. Neither your website nor at check-in were we told this. I am quite capable of making a bed, and we were then provided with clean towels but I just felt that there was a lack of care in our experience.Dinner was lovely, although if you don't like chocolate or caramel (which I don't), then deserts are off. What happened to your superb cheeseboard?Breakfast again whilst adequate was disappointing. No sausage and what happened to the haggis which made it just a little bit different? Our second day breakfast was less than the previous day (half a tomato and one mushroom as opposed to two the day before. Day two's poached egg was hard but by this stage I felt it not worth mentioning.Must try harder??

We really enjoyed our lunch at the Drunken Duck Inn during COVID-19 when they reopened. Excellent starters - main courses were good and the wine selection was good. Service was pleasant even if a little slow. The setting is lovely and the views outside for a drink would have been really nice.

Nice pub, great location, great staff but we thought menu was strange and very expensive for what you get. We had a superior room in annexe which was a disappointment @ £245 for Fri night, £195 for Thurs night. Roll top bath needed replacing as chunks were missing from base, tiles on bathroom floor cracked. Room was quite small and lacked wow factor we were hoping for. This could be, and I expect was, a great place once. Now desperately needs some TLC.

Went with my husband for an anniversary dinner. After waiting in reception for 5 minutes we finally found someone to show us to our table. After 35 mins they took our order. I ordered the tempura for a starter which was more batter than veg and very oily. The main course of sea bass was ok but the ‘new potatoes’ were just what I call caterers potatoes. No decaf coffee and no low alcohol beers. At £25 per head for the main course plus extra for sides thought it was expensive. The 5% VAT offer wasn’t passed on either so they are making money on that as well. Pleasant surroundings but nothing special. Wouldn’t go back.

Such great food at the Drunken Duck! We came for dinner and so didn’t make the most of the amazing views (it would be a fab lunch spot!) but the atmosphere was really cosy, despite all of the social distancing measures in place. I can highly recommend the curried cod for main, it was absolutely amazing. We did order the bread and olives for a nibble but it never came, we didn’t ask in the end as our starters arrived. The only reason it gets 4* instead of 5* from me is that the price point is perhaps a touch too high (having been one particular michelin starred restaurant which was only £30 more overall, inc tip). I would definitely still return in future though!

Fantastic meal for 7 of us. Really lovely inside and the evening meal menu was great with seasonal options and great pairings. A good level of choice including vegetarian options. Service was great and the foot was amazing. All cleared plates and squeezed some amazing desserts in as well. Good choice of drinks as well. Highly recommended

Went for Sunday lunch, which was very good quality and enjoyable. The staff were nice but it felt a little impersonal. It didn’t have the ‘welcome and warmth’ that we expected. Shame as that would have made the experience perfect.

We came for dinner and were very disappointed. We waited 10 minutes to be offered a drink (despite being the only people in the restaurant) and then ordered from a very overpriced menu. £24 for a cauliflower steak which was pretty much raw, some tabbouleh, a dot of sweet potato puree and some nuts. Had it been a tenner I would have been semi-satisfied. I had already chosen my dessert before ordering the mains but I was so disappointed with the starter and main that I didn't bother in the end. My husband doesn't drink so went for the ginger beer for which we got a shock when we saw it on the bill for 4.94 for 330ml! We love eating out and don't mind paying for good food but this really was a menu purely designed for huge profit margins and not much else. Sadly we won't be returning.

Sunday lunch at this pub was lovely. The food was incredible and so was the atmosphere. They're dog friendly which was a huge plus for us. Service also top notch.

If you are in this part of the Lake District then I would recommend a visit to the Drunken Duck for lunch or dinner particularly on a nice day. The pub has a small seating area at the front of the property that affords spectacular views of the valley below, a great place to sit enjoy a drink whilst taking in the natural beauty of the area.The food is high end gastro pub with an interesting menu that invites intrigue. I had the salted haddock brandade to start that was simply delicious and something that I hadn’t tried before, the main was a first class pork belly dish that was full of flavour. It isn’t a cheap place to eat but in my opinion is well worth the money as the food is great quality.Staff very friendly and welcoming and the entire place has a nice rustic cosy feel. I can imagine sitting in the bar area on a winters evening by the roaring fire would be a first class experience.

My wife and I love The Drunken Duck. It meets all expectations on all fronts: it's a wonderful pub with a brewery out back and nice fire; the rooms are superbly comfortable; and the food -- from breakfast to tea to dinner -- is excellent. All around, one of our top places in the Lake District. We will be back!

On our last day in the Lake District we popped into The Drunken Duck for lunch. We both had fish and chips, delicious: super crispy batter and fabulous chips - supurb. Both the wine and beer selection were excellent. The staff were fantastic. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect lunch. We are staying with friends in May (Coronavirus permitting) and really look forward to returning.

I’ve been to the Duck many times over the years but it continues to deliver great food and ales. I stayed Friday & Saturday in the Duck, room 7, very relaxing and quiet although busy both days. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Food quality and choice was top of the range and couldn’t be faulted. The restaurant has two rooms but the larger one has an open kitchen so you can see the chefs preparing the meals. As they make their own ales on site the range is good and best to try their paddle of three so you can try a third of each before you try a full pint. They have a large book of walks which I used and were great as the weather was dry. Hawkshead only a 30 minute walk away.

Been staying nearby many times over the last four years and always meaning to visit. So sorry that I finally did. For the prices charged definitely not worth it. I have travelled to over 45 countries and eaten many excellent cheap and expensive meals. But at £100 pounds with tip for two for two courses (with one bottle of house wine) - this was a rip off. Happy to pay that amount where I think that the food was so much better than I could have cooked myself - but £21 for a risotto swimming in oil that I could have cooked better myself and a virtually inedible char grilled onion starter? And to add insult to injury the waiter delivered the water in a jug while holding the mouth of the jug with his fingers.Don't know what is going on here, but I lived in London for 15 years and even there I promise you that for £100 I could provide you with a much better dining experience. Should have realised that with all the Range Rovers outside it was more a place to be seen than to really appreciate good food.Just don't put up with it and go to Zeffirellis in Ambleside instead - includes top class jazz musicians and a meal at half the price!

We visited The Drunken Duck after hearing a lot of recommendations for it and we weren’t disappointed. The food was superb. A few classics available but also other interesting and “different” choices. I had the Lancashire Cheese Soufflé which was probably the best I’ve ever had, followed by Fish Curry which was very tasty and then Rhubarb and Custard Doughnut which was delicious. The service was friendly and faultless.

The Drunken Duck is dog and child friendly welcoming and quiet. We were seated by the open kitchen which was calm and busy, food being taken past us was not too intrusive. Menu a little short so we went with fish and chips. The chips were the best I can remember, portions generous and piping hot. Staff were attentive but not obtrusive, our coats were taken and brought back with no fuss. Prices are a bit high but if you check the website you know that beforehand. Home-brewed beer is very good.

Absolutely 1st Class. Staff were attentive and welcoming. Food was fantastic. Great atmosphere in the bar and restaurant. My wife has several allergies and intolerance's and they were able to accommodate her with very little fuss which meant she had a real choice of dishes to choose from.Overall I think the prices reflected the quality and therefore good value.

5* fish and chips!!! Well worth the stop. Very good variety of drinks available. Toasties are up there too.

We were excited to get a booking at short notice at the Drunken Duck after all we had read. It was a dark, drizzly night in December, and negotiating the narrow 'roads' was definitely a challenge for us foreigners. We arrived very early and were able to enjoy a pint by the fire before going into the dining room. The ambience was definitely a cut above: sophisticated decor and soft lighting. But the real star was definitely the food - three of us had two courses each and all dishes hit the mark. Beautiful food, carefully prepared, well presented, and wonderfully tasty. Of our three-week visit to the UK, the Drunken Duck stands out as a dining highlight. My only niggle in hindsight was that the pace was a little fast: we had twice to resist being shown to our table before we were ready, and the gap between courses was slim. Not a disaster for us but might irritate some. Great food deserves a more gentle pace in my view. But we all left extremely happy and it was a meal to remember.

On a bleak January evening having been bought dinner as a Christmas present by a generous family member we arrived to a crowded bar and a cosy log fire settled with a pint of good real ale and ordered dinner. Service was prompt and friendly and continued in the same vain throughout the evening. We shared a cheese souffle with delicious locally baked bread which was by far the star of our three-course meal, it was a real delight of cheesy gooeyness. Main courses were a major disappointment though: my fish stew consisted of just warm over seasoned sauce with various chunks of over cooked fish floating on the top although another portion of that superb bread made it palatable! My wife’s fish and chip dish was terrible; various components were very good, home made tartare sauce, mushy peas and the chips however the fish wouldn’t have been served by any half decent chippy in the country. It consisted of a thin sliver of cod and covered by a half inch think over cooked batter. After our complainant a similar portion of cod was produced marginally less over cooked but equally disappointing. A desert of steamed syrup pudding was satisfyingly unctuous. So, two excellent courses and one real duffer! I should add that without asking the cost of the fish and chip dish, £17, was removed from our bill which was a gesture we appreciated. So much of our evening was enjoyable: we would go back but with a little bit more care our experience would have been perfect.

We went to the Drunken Duck Inn on one of their Winter Offers. It was lovely. The food was outstanding-- a great menu to choose from and every course was beautifully prepared and delicious!

The Drunken Duck has turned into an annual pilgrimage and doesnt disappoint. The beer bar working your way across the pumps is a great way to try all the beers.

Unfortunately we didn't have time to stay for dinner as we'd hear the food was fantastic. We did get time for a drink and some snacks though and the bar staff were really friendly and helpful and the setting was beautiful. Can't wait to go back to try the food.

This pub is a little off the beaten track, but well worth the journey.

Gorgeous meal with a good selection of vegetarian dishes. Would recommend booking beforehand especially for a weekend visit. It was very busy in the bar and the restaurant on the Saturday evening with a lovely atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed their food the mushroom dish and the lamb were the favourites. Definitely will visit again when next up in the lakes.

Wonderful stay and fantastic food. Brilliant breakfasts. The staff and very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Can highly recommend the Drunken Duck. Steve and Catherine

We turned up all 8 of us with 4 of our party needing to eat in a hurry. We were totally taken care off. Their dinners were brought out in a timely manner whilst us lucky enough to enjoy our time ate at our own pace. The food is divine. A fabulous Sunday Lunch. It is the cosiest Inn I can't wait to return.

The Drunken Duck has had an outstanding reputation for many years and it is well deserved. Can’t believe we’ve never thought of going there for lunch before but so glad we did. It was warm and cosy. Staff very friendly and professional. Food was absolutely superb. Well worth paying a bit more.

A nice place but very overpriced for relatively poor food. Fish and chips were nice but not worth £17 and the bouillabaisse was very poor, too creamy and undercooked. Tables are so close together it feels uncomfortable.

We popped in for lunch today and my what a wonderful treat we had. A warm welcome; a wide range of beers and a gloriously different and interesting menu. We all opted for the Cubano- a toasted sandwich and chips. But what a sandwich and what chips! In the words of Heather Small “we stepped out of the ordinary” it was sublime.

The Drunken Duck purports to be a centre of culinary excellence in a pretty good field in the Lakes. Booking in hand, we trundled off through the night black lanes to test the place.

My wife and I have just come back from a mid week break at the Drunken Duck. There are a lot of good things about the Drunken Duck. The location, the food, the beer, but most of all the warmth and the friendliness of the staff. From the moment we arrived, we felt looked after. OK, it would have been great to have a shower in the bathroom, but that's only a very minor point.

We always visit the DD when spending time in the lakes...

....Good choice of beers , however a limited and not value for money Vegetarian choice.

Tomamos la oferta entre semana del sitio web y nos dirigimos hacia el norte. Recibido con prosecco y bollos frescos con vistas a los páramos y una habitación acogedora que sabíamos que habíamos elegido bien. El bar es acogedor y cubierto de cepas de lúpulo. La cerveza, elaborada invariablemente en el lugar, es excelente. El personal es encantador e interesado (especialmente la señora del desayuno;). Las ofertas de menú son de alta gama e inventivo, ergo excelente. Lo más destacado para mí; El halibut, el huevo escocés Kipper y para el desayuno los champiñones con pesto de ajo silvestre fueron increíbles. Gracias frente a la casa, la cocina, el servicio de limpieza y el bar por una encantadora pareja de días libres. . . el clima también era agradable; )

Llamamos a las especificaciones el domingo a mediodía. Estaba agitado. Nos encontraron una mesa para 4 y consiguieron nuestro almuerzo en un tiempo bastante rápido. Solo queríamos un almuerzo ligero (ish), así que comimos Omelette Benedict Arnold y el sándwich de carne. Ambos fueron excepcionales, en realidad vale la pena el precio. Solo un pequeño inconveniente, no creas en el letrero en la carretera principal (ligeramente) al pie de la colina. Es una media milla muy larga, especialmente a pie o en bicicleta, pero vale la pena.

A menudo nos alojamos en Ambleside pero tenía la intención de comer en este restaurante / bar / hotel antes. No nos decepcionó. La decoración es moderna pero tradicional con un buen ambiente proveniente del concurrido bar y restaurante. La comida está recién preparada y deliciosa. El servicio es inteligente y amigable. Disfrutamos la tempura de brócoli y champiñones, lomo de cordero y estofado, chana masala, frangipane de ciruelas y café con pastelitos. Sin duda volveremos

El pub está un poco apartado, pero valió la pena, con un ambiente acogedor y un personal amable, pero la comida es la gran ganadora aquí, comimos sopa con hermosa mantequilla cremosa y pan crujiente y pato confitado con piel crujiente salada, la carne de pato era suave y derretido en la boca. Volvería si estuviera en la zona de nuevo

Tuvimos un almuerzo familiar en The Drunken Duck el pasado fin de semana y la experiencia de principio a fin fue de cinco estrellas. Las bebidas eran geniales, la comida deliciosa con un fantástico menú sin gluten. Todos disfrutaron de sus comidas, incluyendo rosbif, pescado y papas fritas y pato. Soberbio. Si estamos de vuelta en los lagos, definitivamente volveremos a visitar.

Really enjoyed our late lunch here. Remote location but worth the drive, had sandwiches which weren't cheap but were delicious. We will be back. Be aware this place gets super busy!

Unfortunately we were only able to eat from the bar menu as it was impossible to get hold of anyone to book. Their website needs some serious work.

Excellent food and cosy atmosphere. Dog friendly Only reason for 4 stars is that menu choices where ok but not much variety. What there was was great