The best restaurants in Allerdale North West

Sad to say that our trip there was a a big disappointment when it come to the food. We all had beef, it was dry and chewy. When we talked to the waiter, we have been told that is the way the chef does it. It is a shame that they only sell well done cuts of meat...

Made appointment the day before to ensure we’d got a table. On arrival first waiter was pleasant and seated ya, he smiled and felt welcoming. Took drinks order. Within seconds of us being seated a second, different waiter appeared wanting us to place our order, we requested he return in a few minutes allowing us to look at the menu. Literally a few minutes later he returned, again, so we placed our order, popadoms and chutney, onion bahjee, and our mains. The popadoms arrived promptly and after seating one the onion bahjee was brought to the table, we did say we wasn’t ready but he just put it on the table and walked away!! This second waiter did not smile, did not listen and appeared put out by us!!! So we decided just to go with it. The mains was also brought seconds after the empty starters was removed, absolutely no chilling for us at the table!!! The mains, chicken Pathia, and the rice and naan was delicious!! The chef was the star of our evening as had the food been as dreadful as the waiter then that would have totally ruined the night!! So thank you chef!! We would recommend solely on the food, but think the second waiter, needs some customer service training!!!

We found the Farmers Arms to be the very essence of the small village pub - it's not trying to be a Bistro or a Wine Bar and nor should it. We received a cheery welcome, good beer and honest, value for money pub food (we enjoyed the fish and chips). If you are staying in the village or nearby give it a try and help save an endangered species - the village pub!

I have visited here with friends for a number of years. Food, beer, service always good. Lovely views. Surprisingly busy as it is just off the beaten track. Some respectable walking locally.

We stayed here for 2 nights and I cannot recommend this place highly enough. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The rooms are large, bright with some spectacular views and those special touches such as little toiletries for your use. The bath in our room was so opulent I could have stayed in there all evening. The dining area is quite niche you can have quiet discreet corners for a romantic evening or more open. The food is excellent- if I had 1 thing to say that was negative, it would be that I wouldn’t have a starter so I could have a dessert, I found each time I did I just didn’t have room to have one! The main thing for me was the staff. The staff quite simply made it for me. NOTHING was too much trouble, they were friendly, welcoming and went above and beyond , yet at the same time let us be. If you want somewhere, where you can be comfortable, away from it all and have excellent accommodation and food this is the place.

My wife and I went for a trip to Lowther Castle and Gardens with the in-laws, and after such awful weather we decided to travel to Cockermouth to treat ourselves to the excellent Fredricks which we've visited many times before. We started with the seafood platter / selection with a portion of chips for the young one. It's a great selection of items for fish lovers! After, we ordered some lovely main dishes, enough for 3 adults and 2 kids (1 kids meal of pizza and chips!) Lovely meal to end of evening. Will be back when next in the area.

Have eaten in the restaurant. The food was good however more expensive than other places I've been to offering the same.

Delicious food massaman curry was the best I have had. The buffet for 2 is £60 for soup mixed hot starters two mains with rice so not cheap but better value than ordering items individually. Main meals averaged £17. We booked a table at 5.15pm and it was quite busy for a Thursday evening. Staff very attentive and friendly.

The First Time for us visiting Cafe Hope , The Staff were pleasant and polite , the Cumberland sausage pinwheel in a brioche was lovely along with the hot chocolate , the bacon in brioche was lovely too with the pot of tea and with stunning views of the mountains

Since discovering this little gem we no longer visit the area without popping in. The chocolate twists are generously sized, nice and buttery, and the coffee is divine. The staff are more than happy to cater to all my awkward needs and questions with a smile - nothing is too much trouble!

We spent £55 on meat dishes between the two of us and still left hungry unfortunately :( the mains were not as filling as the prices suggest. The staff were nice though! And attentive!

We stopped in for lunch…. This place must just get by with tourists as I certainly wouldn’t be making a habit of going here as a local! On arrival there was plenty tables as it is a big space, however none of them were clean! It does seem to be self clear but no one bothers and the table we sat at had sugar crumbs all over it as well as a used tissue and an open sauce pack. Lucky I carry my handy wipes to be able to clean the table myself!! After waiting in the queue to be served which seemed like an eternity!! The couple in front were waiting on tea pots getting a run through the dishwater… this gave me time to look over the serving area… there was used jugs sat around, spilled coffee everywhere… but the food coming out did look nice. We ordered a cheese and ham toastie with fries and a baked potato with prawns and added cheese. The girl serving was in no hurry just going along at her own pace, as were the other two ladies serving. I was given a table number and went and sat down with my drink and cutlery. Sugar, salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar were available at the side with napkins, however no sauce in sight. The food arrived in reasonable time. Unfortunately the baked potato was COLD! Just what u need on a feeezing cold day. The prawns were a good amount on top of the potato and the sauce was nice. The cheese came in a cute wee flower pot and was also a good amount. Served on the side was “booths” coleslaw and a side salad consisting of lettuce and tomato… A shame the potato was so cold it was not edible but the fillings did taste lovely. The toastie on the other hand was good as were the fries! We quickly left and used the toilets on the way out which you walk through the gift shop to get to. They do have some nice gifts but I didn’t buy any. The hand drier in the bathroom is a waste of time, it comes on for 3 seconds… yes I counted… then off again and so on until you give up as the queue builds up behind you. Overall. Very commercialised, no nice service. Good ok and reasonable priced but would I go back… NO!

For us, location was important but so was customer service. Being just 7 miles from Keswick meant it was easy and convenient to buy provisions yet being at the foot of Hellvellyn and on the edge of Thirlmere water put walking and scenery right at your doorstep. The meal we ate here was superb, the breakfast service fantastic. The only negative observation was that they appeared to be short staffed which put some of the team under pressure. They handled it but there was one evening in particular when Jo (?) was on her own serving at the bar and taking all the restaurant orders. Smiles were at a premium that night. There is no doubt that if we stayed near Thirlmere again, we would come back here. It’s so much more that just an old pub. It was warm, friendly and atmospheric. Car parking got busy but that was understandable. People visited because the food here was really good.

Just came to this restaurant today with a large party including children. They were accommodating but then I found a large piece of clingfilm in my vegetable lasagne. I obviously didn't finish my meal. At first, I thought it was a large onion skin but then my husband unravelled it more and you could see it was clingfilm. When the plates were collected, I mentioned and showed the waitress it. She went back to the kitchen and then came back to offer a dessert. There was no apology and it actually came across as quite frosty. I didn't want a dessert and said this but nothing was offered alternatively apart from they took off £1.50 for one of my children's ice-creams. Really I would well be within my rights not to pay for the lasagne (£14.50) but I didn't want to make a scene. I had eaten about half but there was no way I was eating something that had been cooked with plastic clingfilm inside it especially as I am heavily pregnant. I'm sorry but this was really poor customer service. I hope this review helps them to review the way they handle customers and complaints as it could have been easily rectified in a professional and satisfactory manner.

The restaurant is part of Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa. The breakfast, is poor quality ingredients which are largely tasteless. The milk jug was dirty, the staff seemed miserable (expect for two chaps who were welcoming and happy). All in all, very poor and I won’t be back.