The best restaurants in North West

17/12/2020: Lovely family run cafe, had a delicious Chocolate Fudge Cake with Ice Cream and a coffee. Recommend to all was lovely. Mum and son are very friendly and chatty. Will definitely visit when next in Ambleside

05/12/2020: The first weekend after the release of lockdown 2 we really hankered after Lakeland Fell views and proper human interaction. We’d been out walking all morning and landed in Ambleside; staff at Freshers were friendly, attentive and totally engaged. Absolute pleasure to try their just cooked quiche lorraine and soup of the day before heading back out to walk back to Troutbeck. Loved every moment of our pitstop here. Well done Freshers. You’re a proper antidote to all of the many Covid blues

12/12/2020: This was our go to restaurant before COVID and even more so through the pandemic with all Andy and the Team have done to ensure all our safety. No pics of food this time as we had started tucking in before I remembered to take pics. We have soooo missed this place even though it was only 6 weeks in-between last visit and not months like the 1st lockdown. Starter of the truffle cheese bread was delicious and as always the steak is to die for we had a ribeye and a fillet. You have to try the carrots they were so good I had eaten loads before tucking into my ribeye. See you soon Jan & Jim

08/12/2020: The first place we wanted to go to after lockdown was lifted and it did not disappoint. Steak was incredible as usual as were the sides and wine. Staff really friendly and clearly happy to be open again. We’ll definitely be back!

31/12/2020: Incredible food Menu was so good Definitely do the wine pairing Staff are great So very glad we came

30/12/2020: We've dined at a lot of Michelin places. We've been to absolute classics like Le Gavroche, Pur & Grosvenor. To new world like L'enclume, Northcote and The Fat Duck. Also over-hyped like Marcus in Knightsbridge and Librije's Zusje in Amsterdam.... Whilst not bragging it's given us a great idea of "what to expect" when you enter places like this.Take all of the past experience and throw it away, The Old Stamp House rightly throws out the rule book when it comes to the standard 'pomp' associated with enjoying food at this level.When you're in this area the likelihood is you've exhausted yourself walking everywhere for hours so you just want a nice environment in comfy clothes and great surroundings - The Stamp House offers that at its simplest level.Now let's talk food.... Me and my wife decided to go pescatarian as throughout lockdown we'd avoided meat. We let the restaurant know in advance so Ryan had changed the menu just for us. At the end of it he said he was really excited about changing it up for us - that the Turbot he cooked was line caught and humanely Iki Jime killed that day.He made us a mushroom dish and my wife complemented it saying how fresh it was. He then beamed with pride and told us the story of how he went on a ramble in the morning and how normally where he foraged the mushrooms at this time of year had gone, but he then stumbled on a little overgrown patch and found all of those for the dish.It really was special, and we will be back - with friends - in February.Continued success for Ryan and the team.

04/11/2020: We booked in this restaurant after reading the reviews as they were so good. It didn’t disappoint the service was great very polite and the food was excellent will definitely be back

03/11/2020: Visited here tonight before the next lockdown and so glad we managed to get in. After reading all the great reviews we soon realised they are very justified. From walking in the greeting was very warm and the Covid safety measures possibly the best I’ve seen in a restaurant so far. All the staff were very friendly and pleasant and the owner coming over to chat was a great personal touch. We had the pâté and bread board to start which was very tasty and my partner had bbq ribs whilst I had the Italian chicken burger with a side of halloumi fries (halloumi was a taste sensation). The portions were very generous but somehow we managed to make room for desert which again did not disappoint. Can’t wait to return when we are back to some sort of normality.

06/11/2020: Such friendly staff who were so attentive. The lovely Scottish lady looked after us so well. The food was amazing, you could just tell everything was high quality. No doubt the best fish & chips I’ve ever had!You must visit this place if you’re visiting Blackpool, a highlight of my trip and we look forward to going back!

04/11/2020: Really can not say how good Yorkshire Fisheries! We make fairly regular visits to the restaurant which is 25 miles away from our house, but it is always worth the trip. The usual Cod Specials ordered (one lightly battered), with chips, peas, bread and butter washed down with a proper brew all for £9.75 each ~ worth every penny.Covid measures which are set up are excellent and rules enforced by the ever tentative and friendly staff. Will be straight back to eat in again after lockdown!No wonder Yorkshire Fisheries is #1 in Blackpool ~ it simply is the best!

30/12/2020: Thats right, we were so disappointed that this place has had to close for our usual sit down meal on New Years Eve. Fair play, they even had the decency to call and tell us how sorry they were to disappoint us.We found this place some years ago and always look forward to our regular meal when in the area (we travel from North Wales).Its the warm friendly welcome, the fantastic atmosphere, the warm friendly welcome, the extensive menu at very reasonable prices and the absolutely belly busting exquisite food that keeps up coming back for more.We cannot wait until it reopens again for sit down reservations.Yeh, we have tried another place just around the corner (Miserable Moldy Moghul) but we wouldnt waste our money going back there.Agree with Tom H, lets support these local businesses when we get back to normal

29/12/2020: First time that we have ordered from imli..it was take away due to covid Excellent fresh food.great tandoori chicken,dry bhuna meat ,dahl,chicken dupiaza fresh, crispy bombay duck,and poppadoms..the curry was excellent and service on time..can highly recommend this restaurant

01/11/2020: First time I have been to Anatolia. I was on a special night out and my partner knows the family that made the night better.Met the owner and we had some excelleent food. Home made Baklava was fantastic.The whole experience will be repeated very soon once we get out of lockdown and I would recemond you all go and enjoy some really nice food.

31/10/2020: As soon as we walked in the staff were fantastic, so welcoming and we felt completely at ease with having 2 noisy kids, very family friendly. The food was outstanding, wish we could go back every week!

04/01/2021: I love family owned and run Italian Restaurants and this is one. Very busy but that wasn't a problem, The menu covers the whole range of Italian cuisine. Mainly we had steaks which were succulent.I saw Zabaglione on the puddings and in the past chef in other restaurants has been to busy not in this gem of a restaurant dessert arrived and was consumed with delight a true star of a restaurant.My advice to anyone is get there as soon as the lockdown allows.

23/12/2020: You can’t go wrong eating here. Home cooked proper Italian. As much as it’s possibly a boring choice, their spaghetti bolognese is divine! Also ordered a few takeaways during lockdown for my dad which is a great service while people are stuck at home!

30/12/2020: We normally book New Years Eve here, so I was pleased that we had spontaneously booked and managed to get a table last night before Tier 4 rules kicked in. The food is stunning as always (love the Cauliflower steak) and the service spot on.

10/12/2020: We rang on the off chance that they would have a table as it was just before 9pm, they were about to close as it was fairly quiet on a Wednesday night, but said that we could go so we jumped at the chance! They unlocked the door for us and let us in, we were the only ones there and it was just perfect and so romantic, it was like we had our own little private dining experience! We ordered the cauliflower cheese soufflé and goats cheese tart to start, and both were so so tasty, the soufflé perfectly light! For mains we had the sweet potato Dahl filo rolls with fabulously crisp pastry, and the cauliflower steak - oh my word the cauliflower steak! Seasoned to perfection and served with a pepper sauce, yes please. We didn’t have desserts as we were completely stuffed, although we were gutted about this as they all sounded lovely on the menu! Service was excellent, the gentleman serving us was so chatty and told us a lot about the restaurant and cinema above. We also managed to chat with the chef which was a bonus! If we’re ever in Ambleside again we would definitely return and will not hesitate to recommend to others!

10/12/2020: As we are in tier 3 and there is no where to go we decided to book takeaway to collect from QSF. It was beautiful.It was placed in the boot of the car and we drove sedately all the way home.We were not disappointed with the food. It was everything I have come to expect from QSF. So tasty. My mouth is still watering from the lovely food.What a treat for a Thursday. So happy we tried this. We definitely recommend this if you are unable to book in due to Covid restrictions.Thank you QSF

06/12/2020: Treated ourselves to a wonderful Sunday lunch by click and collect. The meal was perfect, excellent tender roast sirloin of beef with the trimmings. All made even more special by the brilliant service. Hoping you'll be able to open properly again soon, but we will be ordering again soon.

16/12/2020: I have travelled past this restaurant many times and always wondered what it would be like. Finally made the effort to get booked in and I am so glad we did, it was excellent. We were the first group in at 5.00pm opening on the second Saturday before Christmas. COVID prep and protection was excellent. Service was great from start to finish, just the right level of attention, thank you.Food was just fabulous. Star starter was probably the trio of pork but there were no disappointments. Main courses included the chateaubriand, which was rare and like butter - you didnt need to chew! The lamb was also excellent and the duck sublime. Desserts included the sticky toffee bread pudding special, the tarte au citron and the hazelnut ring - all incredible.All great value too, thank you to the team at La Boheme, we will be back soon.

13/12/2020: My last review was Christmas 2009 (and it was very positive then too), but this time it was a take away, and I have to say it was excellent.We had the the roast lamb Sunday dinner, and it was perfectly cooked, and with a great selection of vegtables... even some warm bread !Has to be the best (and best value for money) take way Sunday dinner in the area !We might get another in before the end of 2020

15/12/2020: Went for a meal just on the off chance tonight and will definitely be going back. The food was first class and the staff were really friendly and helpful. Prices good - couldn’t fault it.

15/12/2020: After a tired-boring day at uni, coming here forna dinner was the right choice.The food was just amazing, in a food comma right now.

07/11/2020: Food and service was amazing. Can’t recommend this restaurant enough. Would visit the Lakes just for the Tapas. You won’t be disappointed.

02/11/2020: If you like Mexican food, this is the place for you. Great food options, we have returned a number of times. Vegan friendly!

12/12/2020: Went here for dinner after reading the rave reviews. The service was fantastic, mostly from an excellent waiter named Stas (I hope I’ve spelled that correctly!). The starters were very good; fresh, authentic and delicious. As were the puddings. We felt let down by the main courses however, they were bland and over priced. Would recommend the sharing plates, they are good value.

11/12/2020: Another lovely meal at Alexandros!Couldn’t fault anything we ate. Ham and filo parcels and cheese balls as starters. Lamb shank and chicken souvlaki for mains. Almost didn’t have room for desert but managed to leave just enough space and pleased we did.Thank you to all the staff!

07/11/2020: The White Swan at Fence was exceptional. The food was delicious and the service outstanding. Fantastic value for money at £50 for the taster menu with a variety of recommended wines to accompany each serving. We will definitely be going again.

02/10/2020: We went to the White Swan for lunch yesterday to escape from the current doom and gloom. For a couple of hours you can eat and drink well whilst receiving the best of service from the front of house staff. It isn`t cheap and the portions aren`t huge but you get wonderful flavours and enjoy inventive cooking even if every course may not be to your taste. Who, however, could fail to heap praises on the chocolate soufflé ?Thank you, Tom, Gareth, Laura and all your helpers for a lovely afternoon.