Are you looking for dog friendly places to eat in the Lake District national park and in Cumbria? Then you are in the right place. In Cumbria, we are lucky to have seven 1 Michelin Star restaurants and one 3 Michelin Star restaurant as well as a multitude of restaurants, pubs and tearooms. There are as well great choices for vegetarian and vegan.
Since moving to Cumbria, we have tested several places to eat with and without our dog and have compiled a list of our favourites ones. We are lucky to live in a county that is very dog friendly and some towns like Keswick are great for dog and dog owners as nearly all their restaurants will be dog friendly.
We are always updating this page as we try new places so don’t hesitate to come back to see any new discovery.
Dog friendly Places to eat in Ambleside:
Copper Pot
Small cafe with a nice garden in the inner courtyard. The interior decor is simple and modern, and the nice smell of coffee is powerful and welcoming. The menu is quite varied with vegetarian options as well as fish and unusual meats such as wild boar or venison burger. Lovely cakes as well.
No booking, Only serves breakfast and lunch. Not tested with our dog, https://www.copper-pot.co.uk/
Dog friendly Places to eat in Clifton:
George and Dragon
UPDATE: A fire happened during summer 2022, the restaurant is currently closed while restoring it.
This pub near Penrith, restored in 2008 by Charles Lowther, is part of the Askham Hall Estate. This restaurant uses only fresh and local products that comes either from their farm at Askham Hall which is about 2 miles away or from the surrounding farmers.
The restaurant is very chic with a clean and modern decor while still keeping a traditional pub atmosphere. The wine list is excellent with reasonable prices. Beer lovers or other cocktails amateurs will also be delighted. As for the menu itself, it has something to please everyone including vegetarians. You can combine a late lunch / early dinner at this restaurant with a visit to the Lowther Castle.
Booking advised, Dogs welcomed in the bar area, https://georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk/
Dog Friendly places to eat in Cockermouth:
AsPAVA
Turkish restaurant in the center of Cockermouth. They have a great choice of vegetarian and vegan options. We love taking a selection of their hot and cold mezes to share.
Booking advised, dog not accepted, https://aspavarestaurant.co.uk/
Wellington Farm TeaRoom
Tearoom on the edge of Cockermouth with a lovely view over the fells. The tearoom offers a variety of traditional English dishes with great vegetarians and vegans choices. It also has an amazing selection of cakes and it famous homemade ice cream (with around a dozen of flavours). Local beers such as Tractor Shed beers from Workington are also served.
Additionally, there are plenty of things to do in this farm in addition to the tearoom you will find a small animal park with llamas, a riding school and even some glamping pod to rent. You can even combine your visit to Wellington Farm with a first stop in the Sunday Market / Car boots sale at Mitchells auction building.
Booking advised, dog accepted, https://wellingtonjerseys.com/
Dog Friendly places to eat in Dean:
Royal Yew
This pub between Workington and Cockermouth serves traditional dishes, more gourmet dishes and even vegetarian and vegan. The ingredients used are local and seasonal. They also have a nice selection of beers from Cumbria and some wines and whisky. It is modernly decorated and comprises several small rooms with only a few tables in each of them making the atmosphere intimate and warm.
Booking advised, Dog accepted, https://royalyew.co.uk/
Dog Friendly places to eat in Embleton:
De Brito Craig’s Wheatsheaf Inn
Situated outside Cockermouth this small restaurant serves gastrofood. The menu changes regularly. Their olive tapenade and cajun skins with blue cheese dip are amazing. In summer they have a nice covered terrasse.
Booking advised, Dog accepted (only tested on the terrasse, not tested inside), https://wheatsheaf-embleton.co.uk/
Dog Friendly Places to eat in Kendal:
Joshua Tree Bistro
Lovely family run bistro in the center of Kendal. The food is excellent and the atmosphere very particular as the building is very old and small with low ceilings. They have various vegetarian and vegan options, and amazing cakes.
Booking advised, Dog accepted, https://joshuatreebistro.co.uk/
Dog Friendly places to eat in Keswick:
Java Coffee Shop
I think this one, is my favourite place in Keswick to have a cup of tea and slices of cake. Their hot chocolate is also very nice. They have a large selection of teas, coffees and hot chocolates which they serve with normal or vegetal milk. The cakes are delicious and they also serve some savoury food. The upstairs room is cozy and every time we go, we just want to stay there drinking tea and eating cake. Unfortunately it is sometimes hard to find some spaces as it is small.
No booking, 9h to 17h, Dog accepted, 23 Main Street, Keswick
Lake Road Brunch
This place is perfect for a brunch with friends/family. It has two great sized rooms with enough space to host big tables. Their specialities are pancakes with various toppings and brunches including vegetarian and vegan options. They have a cocktails menu as well and you can even order some sausages for your doggy.
Booking advised, Dog accepted, Food only 9h to 15h (16h during weekend), https://www.lakeroadbrunch.co.uk/
Lingholm Kitchen
Situated outside Keswick in the village of Portinscale, this tearoom is part of the Lingholm estate. The restaurant serves savoury and sweet food. Their different bread are always delicious. The restaurant is opposite to their walled garden that is free to visit and there is even a path along Derwent water that is easily accessible from the restaurant. The estate is gorgeous. It is a great places to have food after spending the day in the surrounding fells.
No booking, 9h to 16.30h (hot food only until 15h), Dog accepted, https://thelingholmkitchen.co.uk/
Mizu
This restaurant serving asian food is located inside the Lodore Fall Hotel and Spa at the beginning of the Borrowdale valley. The menu has a selection of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai specialities. They have a tasting menu that is really tempting me (To try next time we go). It is possible to combine a morning in the Spa and finish by a nice lunch at Mizu.
Booking advised, dog not accepted, https://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/mizu
Dog Friendly places to eat in Loweswater:
Kirkstile Inn
The Kirkstile Inn is a traditional English pub that offers local beers and delicious food all in front of a magnificent view of the Mellbreak Peak. It is located in the village of Loweswater and is therefore a place to stop after a hike around Loweswater, Crummock and Buttermere. In their pub, the Kirkstile Inn proposes the beer that they make in their brewery in Hawkshead. They also sell their beers on their website or in the pub. Beers are available for sale in 500 ml bottles or in 5L casks. The beers on offer in the pub change regularly and depend on the season and brewer’s aspirations. The food is very tasty, the products used are local and the dishes quite elaborated for a pub. The garden is also very nice.
Booking advised, Dog accepted (until 17h inside, anytime in the beer garden), https://www.kirkstile.com/
Dog Friendly places to eat in Pooley Bridge:
Granny Dowbekin’s Tearoom
With its terrace on the shore of the river Eamont, this tearoom is a great place to relax and enjoy some food. They have a large menu with vegetarian and vegan options and various cakes. They even have a menu for dog. The food is basic but tasty and the cake are amazing.
Booking advised, Dog accepted, https://grannydowbekins.co.uk/
Dog Friendly Places to eat in Rowrah:
Ennerdale Brewery
Inside the Ennerdale brewery, this restaurant serves tasty food made with local ingredients. A great place to go if you love craft beer and want to try local ales. They have a large menu with vegetarian and vegan options. You can easily it with combined a walk around Ennerdale lake.
Booking advised especially in the evening, Dog accepted, https://www.ennerdalebrewery.co.uk/
Dog FrienDly Places to eat in Silloth:
Fairydust Emporium tearoom
This tearoom has an unique atmosphere as each room is filled with old objects and toys. The food is simple but good and the cakes are delicious. They serve great teas from John Watt and Son in Carlisle. Silloth promenade is very nice for a walk if you have time.
Booking advised, Dog accepted
Dog Friendly Places to eat in Skelton:
The Dog & Gun
This pub located near Penrith obtained its first Michelin stars in 2022. Two menus are on offer; a three course menu or a taster menu with seven courses. The dining room is very small and only fit around 9 tables. The food is so tasty and even though the courses look like to be small portions we struggled to finish our dessert as we had enough to eat. The waitresses were very lovely and accommodating. They offered to change one of my dessert as I couldn’t eat soufflé. The atmosphere of the places is also welcoming and cosy.
Only on booking, Dog accepted, only serves in the evening, http://www.dogandgunskelton.co.uk/
Dog Friendly Places to eat in Troutbeck:
The Troutbeck Inn
Tradition English pub situated between Keswick and Penrith with a welcoming atmosphere. Small selection of ales. Selection of traditional pub foods with some vegetarian and vegan options. A nice place to stop for lunch after a walk in Aira Force waterfall.
Booking advised, Dog accepted in the bar area, https://www.troutbeckinn.co.uk/
DOg Friendly Places to eat in Ulverston:
GilliaM’s tearoom
Vegetarian and Vegan tearoom in the center of Ulverston. It has a selection of delicious savoury food and amazing cakes. Great coffee and teas as well. The tearoom adjoins the specialist grocery where it is possible to buy teas, coffee and local produce and Organic fruit and vegetables.
No booking, Dog accepted, http://gillams-tearoom.co.uk/
DOg Friendly Places to eat in Whitehaven:
Harbour Master
This pub is the paradise for dogs and dog owners. Situated on the Whitehaven marina’s, the harbour master is a great pub to have a drink with friends. During summer months there is a nice terrasse with the view over the marina. In winter, the large sofas inside the pub are also very welcoming. This pub has a warm atmosphere. Dogs are like at home in the pub. They have some nice local ales and have now they own rum. They organise a quiz night once a month.
No booking, Dog accepted,
The PedDler
This restaurant is located in the newly redeveloped bus station. It is modernly decorated and spacious. The menu changes regularly and the food is tasty. They always have great fish dishes as well as interesting vegetarian and vegan options.
Booking advised, Dog accepted (in the bar area), https://the-peddler.co.uk/
You can find plenty of dog-friendly walks on our hiking page and activities page.
Do not hesitate to tell us about your favourites places to eat in Cumbria.
Our Lake District Escapades 