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JMCM · 14-12-2006, 09:54 PM

Hi all,

Just what is the best restaurant in Keswick?
Regardless of the old 'it's too expensive' and 'it's value for money', etc, lets hear which one in your opinion, has the best food and the best ambience.
The last one I visited, was the Keswick Country House Hotel, where the food and the atmosphere was extremly enjoyable.
I will be going there again for my anniversary.
There are a couple of others I've seen and heard about but the best people to ask are the ones who live there.
Please, advise.

kelvyn · 22-12-2006, 06:16 PM

Defining "best" is always difficult, as we all look foor different things in a restaurant. For us, the best is Lucas, where you will find really tasty Italian dishes served in a friendly atmosphere and not at astronomic prices. There are others, of course, but running a business here we find there are few occasions when we have time to go out to eat properly in the evening!

JMCM · 23-12-2006, 05:02 PM

Hi Kelvyn,

Thanks for the advice. I have been past Lucas a couple of times but it has been closed. However, I will pay more attention to the opening times when I next visit. It looks very impressive from the outside.

Taggy · 17-06-2007, 11:46 AM

Have been to Morrells several times and enjoyed the food there, think the wines are a bit overpriced though to be honest. The Silk Road chinese is very good too. Used to like Zenith, but unfortunately that closed and its replacement Sienna Blues was simply awfull when we went. Quite like the mexican place salsa, but would like to see them vary their menu, particularily their tapas, the menus been the same for years.

Best Regards - Taggy Smile

Taggy · 28-06-2007, 06:52 PM

Had a good meal at the Packhorse this time. Starters of Tempura Prawns and Baked Camembert followed by a Brilliant fillet steak and slow roasted lamb. Nice bottle of merlot too. A bit dearer than the other pubs but worth it.

Taggy · 28-06-2007, 07:44 PM

I Believe the Sienna Blues has now been taken over by a new owner over the last few weeks, and have been told there is a new chef there. There is certainly a new menu, and a new sign, with a re-name to Sienna instead of Sienna Blues. We were going to give it a try this Tuesday gone, however the restaurant was actually closed on Tuesday so will give it a try next time. Would love to hear any comments about this place if anyone trys it soon.

Best Regards - Taggy

Sheila P · 10-07-2007, 10:38 PM

Taggy Wrote:I Believe the Sienna Blues has now been taken over by a new owner over the last few weeks

Yes it has a new owner. Looks like a steak & scampi place now with no real food identity. Have not tried it, though.

madm00se · 11-02-2008, 09:36 AM

Not a restuarant, but the Pheasant Inn on Crossthwaite road. Good food, loveley atmosphere.Friendly staff & family friendly. Good prices-not too expensive.

stewartmk · 05-03-2008, 10:50 AM

I am not a local, but a regular visitor to Keswick and by far the best meals that I have had in the past couple of years is at the Pack Horse Inn. It's mainly a pub, but has an upstairs eating area with a restaurant feel about it. You do pay a bit more than in the other pubs, but it's worth every penny as the food is excellent. When I first came to Keswick some ten years ago, all the pubs had an individual feel about them food wise, now they all "taste" the same.

PeterJ · 30-03-2008, 02:20 PM

We avoid the pubs as their menus have got to be so predictable. We like Morells but it is not cheap. Salsa for Mex food is good, but we saw that some more restaurants are opening - can only be a good thing as long as they don't go down the cheap pub-style route.

Dobbo · 29-06-2008, 12:20 PM

As said the Pheasant Inn on Crossthwaite road is good, I like Lucas but not been there since Christmas, we steer clear of the Dog and Gun now for food which is a shame as it used to be good years back and still has good memories. Curry wise the Red Fort is good despite all its problems :wink: The food in the Square Orange always looks good and people we know who've been there have always been happy, nice vibe as well.

maroper · 01-07-2008, 05:38 PM

Taggy Wrote:I Believe the Sienna Blues has now been taken over by a new owner over the last few weeks, and have been told there is a new chef there. There is certainly a new menu, and a new sign, with a re-name to Sienna instead of Sienna Blues. We were going to give it a try this Tuesday gone, however the restaurant was actually closed on Tuesday so will give it a try next time. Would love to hear any comments about this place if anyone trys it soon.

Best Regards - Taggy

Siennas has just had it's first birthday - it has gone from strength to strength since your last post - initially Joseph proprietor/chef was a one man band and needed a day off (on Tuesdays!) - now thanks to wonderful support from locals and visitors alike he has been able to employ a second chef and is open 7 days a week and also serves food in the busy bar below which his sister and business partner runs.

I dont know whether you managed to get back but would appreciate some up to date feed back since the reviews on this site at the moment refer to old management and are not good!

Not sure that 'Best Restaurant' category is applicable if comparing to prestigious hotel kitchens, Joseph cooks unprentious FRESH meals in a friendly relaxed atmsphere - his kitchen does have a microwave but there are definitely no plastic bag meals!

kind regards
proud mum!!

samsmum · 10-07-2008, 03:46 PM

Keswick has some really bad restaurants but there are a few nice ones. The Lakeland Pedlar is open for evening meals sometimes and is yummy vegi food (if you want amazing vegi try the Quince and Medlar in Cockermouth) The Pheasant is by far the best pub. I would vote Lakeland Spice for indian. For lunch Bar 26 is best . The Millhouse is also superb but you may have to take out. Also try Mr Vikkis curry on market days.

rarrar · 27-08-2008, 08:18 PM

The main course prices in many of the pubs are now into double figures , so the proper more traditional restaurants - Unique Dining and Morrels aren't a lot more expensive.
At the cheaper end I personally like The Pheasant Crosswaite Road, The Dog & Gun ( it seems okay now), Star of Siam ( Thai), Lakeland Spice and Silk Road.

For lunch - Bar 26 or Good Taste or walk round to Nichol End Marine for a proper cafe with very good soup and scones.

stewartmk · 04-09-2008, 02:01 PM

In an earlier post on this topic of "Best Restaurant in Keswick", I sung the praises of the Pack Horse Inn. Unfortunately I was there in July and had a very dissapointing meal. When I had made inquiries I was told that it had changed hands since my last visit, so alas the search goes on. For cheap, good old fashioned pub grub, you can't beat Rumours. No frills but good value for money.