Zeffirellis in South Lakeland

Wonderful food, great for families with children, this place has a real buzz. We liked it so much we went back for lunch the next day! It also has an independent cinema so it's great for a rainy day with children. Definitely recommended.

Have been coming here since the 80s what's happened? The maitre d' front desk was so unfriendly, honestly, we should have left, but still thought the food would be worth it. Not so, the chiili had absolutely no spices whatsoever, totally bland. Wanted to complain at the time, but the waiter was so quick I didn't get a chance. Also on our way out the front desk maitre'd was having a rather loud argument with diners about a voucher. Has this place changed hands?

We have been twice during our trip to Ambleside. Excellent food (both pizza d pasta), with a lovely friendly service. Recommended whether one is vegetarian or not.

I'll visit whenever I'm in the area - often taking in a movie on the meal deal - and have never been disappointed. This time went with a family group and had a great evening. Food, as ever, was super, and atmosphere great. And looked after wonderfully by Emilia and her team.

Staying in Ambleside and wanted a cosy restaurant with a table for one and a book. Zeffirellis is lovely, quiet, calm and as a vegetarian restaurant has some great options. Service was excellent, a good range of local ales and gins, and a lovely menu. Felt welcome and safe as a solo traveller.

Visited as a vegan couple. For a fully vegetarian restaurant I feel they could do better with the range of options, including faux meats and a larger variety of non-dairy cheeses. The service was also a little slow. Wasn’t amazing but did the job of a nice veggie dinner.

The food was amazing, but it's the service that sets Zeffs ahead of the pack. Lucy was beyond attentive, the service from all was fluid and flawless. My 'Big One' grande pizza was delicious. Thank you, Zeffs. :)

We had heard good things about this restaurant, only to arrive and be served potentially the worst pizza that I have ever had. For an Italian restaurant to serve pizza that has a thick doughy base, and is so greasy is innate, and was quite frankly shocked. We would have brought this up with the waiters/ staff, however I can’t remember us being checked on once - only when we finally flagged someone down to ask for more drinks. The only thing that stops this being one stars, is the initial service when being seated, which was really really good - and helpful, however it didn’t continue till the end, as we asked for directions to one of the movie screens (we had the deal), and was met with “I am not a box office”, which I don’t think was needed. Other members of the group enjoyed their food, and this may have been a one off experience, but I would personally not go back.

Nice room, efficient and friendly staff, good wine, excellent pasta - but the pizza! The topping was good but the base was weird. Not bread, but some sort of biscuit. Worst pizza I've had this century, and that includes from supermarkets. I was hungry so I ate it, but if you're expecting good pizza because it's an Italian restaurant you'll be very disappointed!

Lovely atmosphere. Completely forgot it was raining outside. Food absolutely fabulous. Lots of variety. Tastes homemade (I assume because it is). Beautifully presented

Beautifully decorated restaurant with superb vegetarian food, the spaghetti bolognaise was excellent and one of the best I’ve ever had (veggie for 30+ yrs, the spinach and ricotta ravioli (had by the other half) was lush. Creamy mushroom starter just yum, could not fault , usually hate when a restaurant automatically adds on a service charge but in this case was more than happy. Just go, you’ll love it.

I am vegan and my partner is vegetarian and this is hands down the best restaurant I have ever! been too. We did not plan to go here and just looked for vegan options and it came up. It is such a romantic and beautiful restaurant. We were so surprised. There was no meat on the menu at all and there was sooooo many options! The staff were incredible and very friendly and accommodating. The food was so good that I had to take some home just so I could try more things! I was blown away with how good the ginger and pear sticky toffee pudding vegan style was. I could have eaten those until I was sick. We were so impressed that even though we are only here for a few days we want to eat there every night! 11/10 ⭐️

We have eaten at this restaurant many many times, the food is always excellent it has a lovely atmosphere and the staff are always friendly and helpful. Usually apart from extensive menu there are a couple of specials, Saturday night one of the specials was crushed carrots with harissa and pistachio phyllo wrap with boulangere potatoes, it was absolutely delicious one of the best meals I have ever had. The chefs here are so imaginative.

Fabulous food my freind who is not a vegetarian, was really impressed. Food is always fresh and staff are excellent. My favourite place ❤️

We arrived at Zeffirelli's having only arrived in Ambleside a couple of hours earlier in what felt like a monsoon. So we were a tad grumpy when we entered the restaurant. Within 5 minutes the grumpiness had gone and we felt relaxed and cossetted. The staff are all really friendly and give great service. What a delight to find such fabulous choice of vegetarian food. The starters and mains were absolutely fantastic and it has restored our faith in dining out. This restaurant is meant to be the more casual of the two sister restaurants but it felt very lush. We will definitely be back when we are next in Ambleside, thanks for such a wonderful evening!

Had a fantastic evening at Zeffirellis New Year's eve 2023. Good food, atmosphere, live music friendly staff all in in the jazz bar.

Having had a poor meal and experience at dinnertime elsewhere in Ambleside we were thrilled by this place Just popped in on the off chance for a quick drink before returning to pur car. Excellent, quick service. Polite staff. Drinks and cakes were excellent. Toilets were so clean and pleasant. We will definitely recommend to friends abd be returning.

Rainy day and a change of plans. Solved with this restaurant cinema combo, lovely atmosphere and staff. Would definitely come back again!

We had not booked anywhere as it was a unexpected stay due to snow. We came across this restaurant and was so grateful it was open as loads of places was closed at 4pm on a Sunday. The food was delicious and we all left happy. Thank you.

We have visited Zeffirellis in Ambleside many times over the years and this return visit was as good as the first. Prompt, polite service and good honest veg cooking made for a lovely meal. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and very clean and organised. If your in Ambleside its a must :-) ... maybe a nut parmo to the menu soon ;-)

Wonderful restaurant as always. Came for my husband's birthday. The staff sang happy birthday to him. Fabulous food and surroundings. We've been coming from South Yorkshire for many years and love it. We'll be back.

Lovely two course lunch here with my partner before going to watch a film at the cinema. It was part of the lunch and film package. My partner is a vegetarian and loved his pesto pizza. I had a delicious pasta dish. Really lovely service and nice interiors

Very much enjoyed our meal here! The mezze starter was huge and we were pretty full after that but we persevered and thoroughly enjoyed our pizzas. Be aware that they are a flat base but the toppings were delicious - especially the Mexican one I had. Mine beat me, but they willingly gave me my leftover slices in a box which were the perfect mid-walking lunch the next day. We didn't sample any wine but each had a negroni to accompany our meal which were spot on. Good service and a nice atmosphere too.

We visited this wonderful restaurant while visiting Ambleside. One of us is vegetarian one a devout carnivore. We both felt the food and service was absolutely first class. Freshly cooked, hot, incredibly tasty and great portions. The vegetarian in our party claimed it was the best meal she had ever had. Not once did I feel the lack of meat was an issue, I loved it. We will definitely be back.

A fabulous restaurant! The food was delicious and the staff very welcoming. I had a panini, which I thought might be a light lunch, but was very filing and tasted delicious. My wife had the sour bread and poached eggs which was equally delicious. A great restaurant and great value for money.

Lovely ambience even at lunchtime. Menu was simple yet amazing. Def recommend the pesto, goats cheese and sun blushed tomato pizza. Staff were wonderful and price wise it was very reasonable. Def recommend.

Nice place service was slow and staff quite indifferent. The restaurant itself was nice and clean . Overall not a great experience However the food was very nice.

What a fantastic restaurant. Booked knowing it was a vegetarian restaurant but didn’t know what to expect….I need not have worried. Food outstanding, service fast and efficient and the atmosphere was relaxed. Told my wife I could happily go vegetarian. Even If you’re a meat...

Another fabulous meal! We always visit this restaurant when we come to Ambleside. We are vegetarian and it’s so great to have so many choices. We started with the grilled pears with goats cheese and garlic mushrooms and followed with nut wellington and Cipolia pizza...

Initially we went for a movie deal, 2 course menu and film for £28.95 each, fabulous value, a really enjoyable evening. Topped off during the week with a couple of visits for drinks after long walks and a jazz night. For the movie deal there...

It does not flaunt its vegetarian ethos, but it nevertheless is. Very varied menu all of which is exciting and cooked and served well.

We’ve been to this restaurant twice this week and both times have been well pleased. As a Coeliac I have to be very careful where I eat. Zeffirelli’s staff are well trained and very knowledgable about Coeliac. Meals are prepared in a separate area and...

We booked the cinema early bird meal deal which was a ticket to a film and then either a pizza or pasta dish pre film for £20 which we thought was reasonable. The cinema is a lovely little cinema, really comfy seats and a great...

Staying in Ambleside and booked the cinema as raining. Decided to eat in the restaurant and not disappointed! Though didn’t realise vegetarian only! Fine for me but hubby needed convincing. Dough balls were amazing. Ravioli has to be the best I have tasted too. And...

We have been coming here on and off for 20 years or so, and have seen all the structural changes as the empire expands. One thing that never changes is the delicious food, superb wine list and excellent staff.

I haven't got enough superlatives! Wonderful choice of excellent vegetarian food, great ambience, lovely staff, great location. Don't take my word for it, just go! We nipped in furing the day for coffee and cake too. It's a lovely spot for watching the world go...

Went here the other day with some friends for the movie deal. We had mains and desserts both of which tasted lovely and the service we had to begin with was great. However two people in the party had dietary requirements including zero diary products...

Front of house team were very good , we were served by an Italian chap who had been there for 10 years who was charming and attentive. The restaurant is smart and comfortable. The food arrived quickly like it was delivered from a finely oiled...

Booked in for the movie and meal deal which on the surface is good value. Service was prompt and staff were pleasant, though it felt a little hurried which didn't make for a relaxing experience. Didn't appreciate having an optional 10% service charge added to...

My daughter and I ate here on a Wednesday night. The restaurant was very busy but service was very fast and efficient. Our meals were excellent.

Just didn’t like the pizza. No real depth of flavour. Very bland. My wife is vegan so sometimes I need to go vegetarian but this was very poor. Nobody asked how the meal was either Won’t be returning

Thank you for making our holiday extra-special. After visiting Ambleside as a couple some years ago, we returned to celebrate getting married recently and brought our little one (aged 3). During our stay, we dined with you twice and both times Zefferellis was an outstanding...

Came here for lunch, excellent food as always, delicious gluten free pizza, lots of great gluten free options. The lovely waitress who served us was just attentive enough bringing water for the table and was even happy when we added a salad to our order...

Whilst staying in Ambleside we decided to take on a 'Cinema Meal Deal' which equated to a two course dinner followed by a visit to the cinema. The food was very nice, but it was when we came to ask for the bill I couldn't...

What a fantastic place !!! Loved the fact it was all vegetarian italian food so I had the whole menu to choose from being a veggie. Food was very tasty and excellent sized portions. We booked for the jazz evening and the cost included a...

We was recommended this place by friends due to the Gluten free options it provides for our little one aged 6. I have to say was wasn't disappointed, it was amazing food, their menu is great and whatever is on the menu they can often...

Fitted us in without a reservation. Food arrived five minutes after ordering. Stilton soufflé and mezze board a highlight. No room for kids after starter and mains. Vegetarian only,

Amazing service, fantastic food. Best deserts ever! Highly recommend this restaurant for Lunch or Dinner. Quality and service so consistently good.

Following the advice of several guide books, we had the Zeffirelli experience during our trip round the lakes. It is easy to understand why it is an iconic part of a visit to Ambleside. Situated prominently of one of the first corners you come across,...

Absolutely love this restaurant. Vegetarian food at its best and in great surroundings. Staff are so helpful and service is great.

Ourvisit was a combined cinema ticket and meal. A value for money offer - we had coffee on the roof terrace before watching the film. The cinema had comfortable seating - ours were reserved in advance with meal booking. The restaurant was clean spacious and...

We’ve stayed in Ambleside a fair few times and always thought Zeffirelli’s looked great but we were reluctant to try a vegetarian restaurant. Due to other places being closed we decided to try and we were impressed. The restaurant is stylish and comfortable, service is...

The menu offers a fantastic selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes to suit all tastes - that’s why this place is top of our bucket list each time we stay in Ambleside. Our latest visit was yet another memorable experience - high quality, tasty food,...

We try to come here on every visit to Ambleside. A great family favourite. This year we brought vegetarian friends who were thrilled that they had an entire menu to choose from rather than one or two afterthought options at the bottom of the page....

A busy restaurant in a local Cinema- would recommend booking. The food was excellent - pizza and pasta mainly, all vegetarian, lots of choice. The service was very good, plenty of staff. Great value, good for families - some nice large booth style seating. No...

We’ve rated at Zeffirelli many times before when visiting Ambleside. It’s got a good atmosphere , good staff and it’s big enough so that you’ll often get a table even if reserving on the day. (You should make a reservation though - Ambleside can be...

We had heard for this place from my friend and it was an amazing experience at Zeffirelli’s. Food and service was top notch .

Stumbled across this fab vegetarian Italian whilst staying in Ambleside for a couple of days en route from Scotland. Staff were friendly and helpful when we arrived and the outdoor seating area was very pleasant as we had our dog with us. Food was great,...

I have been visiting this place since the 1980s and it never fails to deliver, and just improves every time We visit. The food, mood and setting are fantastic, my overall favorite place to eat anywhere

If it is true that Domino Pizzas can make a pizza with only 90p of ingredients then Zefferelli must have achieved 65 pence based on the tough ingredient free 12" pizzas they dished up last night. The house pizza was almost sprayed on cheese, tasteless,...

Came here twice. Good and fast service. Tasty vegetarian dishes. Good value for your money. Can combine with a cinema deal.

Pizza wasn’t great . Not enough room at the table. It seated 4 and there was 5 people . Very expensive. Such a shame

Let us be fair. I only gave 5 stars because that is what people read. The staff are nice; the food is dreadful. the souffle had the texture of soggy cardboard. The rocket salad had sad dry rocket, balsamic dressing that comes out of a...

Terrible Pizza, pretty sure this was a frozen pizza base with very limited toppings , soggy dry and probably the poorest pizza I’ve ever tried to eat. Will not be coming back.

A few years have passed since our first memorable (for the right reasons) meal there so we were delighted to go back only to be very disappointed. The child menu promises the same pizzas in child size but what your toddler gets is a bog...

Visited Zeffirellis many times over the years and it’s very much the same. It’s great how they can present vegetarian food as well as any other quality restaurant. I had the Halloumi and it was absolutely delicious. The rain forest pizza was thin and crispy....

So disappointed in the food here, really mediocre vegetarian pizza and pasta menu. I had a fettuccine with mushrooms which was incredibly dull and my partners pizza looked like it had come out of the freezer section of the local budget supermarket. Really not what...

Lovely food and reasonably priced. Great vegan options and polite and attentive waiters. We booked the movie deal and had an equally great experience at 'Zeffs by the Park'. Will definitely come again.

Pleasant atmosphere and staff, however the food is not good. I ordered a Wellington which was on my table within 10 minutes, so obviously not freshly made, and this was made more obvious by the lack of flavour. The mashed potato was quite bland so...

Our first evening at Zefferelli's since before lockdown. Food as great as ever. We both chose pasta dishes which were delicious as were our desserts, roulade and chocolate cake. Dinner plus Allelujah at Fellinini's made for a perfect evening.

Great food and a buzzing atmosphere. We enjoyed a movie deal on one night and a 3 course dinner on another night whilst staying at Ambleside Manor. Good sized portions, lots of choice and great wine

I defy anyone not to love Zeffirellis. What’s not to like with amazing Italian (in the main) veggie food, great wines and drink choices, lovely service, a deal which included cinema afterwards. Comfy seating for meals and cinema. A real Lake District institution and you...

Great 3 course Vegetarian Meal at a lovely, friendly restaurant. Service was great, and the food wonderful. Would not normally be my choice of restaurant, but could convert me. Great bottle of wine of the "different" wine selection completed the evening.

My wife and I have visited here many times over the years and we love the food and great setting. We visited on my birthday this week and had a fantastic meal and to top it off some of the staff sang happy birthday to...

We loved it here - the pizza's were super tasty and the dough balls were magnificent. Great staff and service too. Highly recommend.

Great place for Cinema and dinner in one place. Latest cinema showings, and super vegetarian food, even though we are not vegetarian. Ring for the Cinema and Dinner deal, it’s a good offer but not sure if it’s only out of season. Great night out.

Called in for lunch and despite being very busy we were found a table in the quieter restaurant section which had been set up for the dinner service. Plenty of gluten free options and I have to say, the best GF pizza I have ever...

First visit but other family members had been 3 times and raved about this restaraunt .food was lovely but not really hot,sid nt mention as thoufht that is they way all meals were . I Thought we were being rushed maybe because they closed at...

Have been to this restaurant a few times and have always rated it high. Came with family and was very disappointed.. Food portions smaller and all meals were only Luke warm. Felt that staff were rushing us from sitting down. I don’t know if this...

Poor customer service. I have been coming to Zeffirellis’s for a number of years and it’s always been great. This trip I went online and pre booked some cinema tickets in advance - only to realised immediately (ie two moments after payment) that I should...

Wow amazing food staff were amazing couldn’t do enough for us When in this area you must visit don’t be put off by it being vegitarian food was amazing truly a dining experience Will definitely return

We walked in straight after a big walk round Loughrigg Fell and were welcomed straight in. Teen kids shared a pizza, I had gluten free dairy free pesto pasta and the most gorgeous hazelnut latte I've ever had, and I've had many of them!! Very...

Being vegetarians, it's not always easy to find somewhere to eat in the countryside. This was recommended to us by our landlady in our Bed and Breakfast. It was excellent, the service was friendly and the food excellent. Had they not forgotten the leeks in...

Absolutely superb experience. The staff were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Speaking as a non-vegetarian, the food was delicious and the portion sizes were perfect. My partner (Vege) went for the Wellington, which was presented wonderfully and was very tasty. Overall it was a highly enjoyable...

Friendly staff & atmosphere. Food was very tasty the wellington. Thank you for making it a great evening. We will be returning on our next trip.

Went last night as a group of 11 Would highly recommend Great food and service We were really well looked after by a very attentive and professional staff Food arrived promptly and was absolutely delicious. It’s a vegetarian menu but would be surprised if even...

Great boutique cinema. Lovely restaurant - the food is fantastic and you could come and go without realising that it is all vegetarian. There is nothing pretending to be meat and you go home without thinking that some meat would improve it! Great staff are...

We walked around Ambleside. We had been recommended this place by a chap who runs a pub in Kendal. We being vegan are often disappointed by what is on offer. Today we had the most delicious Pecan Wellington with perfectly cooked vegetables. The red wine...

We enjoyed an absolutely fabulous night watching the Elderly Brothers perform in the Jazz bar after enjoying an outstanding 2 course meal. The Nut Wellington was incredible, and followed by equally delicious and well presented deserts of ginger sticky toffee pud. The waiting staff are...

We booked dinner, but on the day decided to have something lighter, so shared a starter and pizza. Some restaurants would be upset with customers sharing food, but it wasn't a problem at Zeffirellis. Having shared the first pizza, it was so delicious we decided...

We had an amazing meal here with live music upstairs in the jazz bar. Very reasonable and the food was delicious, with friendly and attentive staff! Would really recommend the wedges, rainforest pizza and ravioli!

Been coming to Ambleside for over 25 years and went in for the first time to watch a film. Had a good look round whilst in there and cannot believe I haven’t been in before. I am not vegetarian but the food looked excellent, lovely...

We visited in a group of 4. Excellent meal. Well presented with good and happy service. The beer was also tasty. Wainwrights, I think. Dessert also very good. We would recommend

A little bit mixed. Starter of fennel was just a grilled piece of fennel on olive tapenade, stilton souffle was a bit soggy but the polenta starter was smooth with a good flavour. Macaroni cheese was a bit small and not that tasty. The pizza...

A wonderful place boasting Cinemas, jazz club, bars, restaurants and outside dining area. Relaxing in the upstairs bar was a treat.

Absolute fantastic meal, food well prepared and very tasty, the staff and ambience are great too, best meal of our stay in the area

Beautiful meal in a very nice, atmospheric restaurant, followed by a night at the cinema- excellent. A real treat to find a restaurant committed to such excellent vegetarian food.

Cracking restaurant with friendly attentive staff. The macaroni cheese and garlic mushroom starters were superb, although more like mini meals than starters. The mushroom ravioli main was up there with the best pasta we’ve eaten. Unfortunately the pizza was at the opposite end of the...

Loved this restaurant. The selection of vegetarian food is outstanding snd the quality of the food was superb. The staff were excellent and very friendly - even accommodating us when our booking was lost (which might actually have been our fault!). This is how restaurants...

We stopped here for drinks and a snack on a very hot day. Lovely food and drinks and the waitress was so pleasant and efficient. One of the staff came and opened a window near us so that we could have a cool breeze. Everyone...