Nestled on the shores of Windermere, Bowness is one of the Lake District’s most picturesque towns, attracting visitors from around the world every year.
With its stunning views, charming streets and relaxing lakeside vibes, Bowness is also a culinary hotspot, offering a variety of top-notch restaurants that cater to all tastes.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best restaurants and places to eat in Bowness, each offering not just a meal, but an experience to remember.
Read on to find out our choices on the best restaurants and places to eat in Bowness…
Best Restaurants in Bowness
1. Urban Food House
First on the list of our guide to the best restaurants in Bowness is Urban Food House, a charming bistro nestled in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere.
Dedicated to redefining the brunch experience, Urban Food House celebrates the diverse flavours of brunch from across the globe. From classic dishes like Eggs Benedict to trendy alternatives such as avocado toast, every dish at Urban Food House is prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Other items on the menu include the full breakfast, which is exactly what you would expect: a classic full English breakfast. They also offer Shakshuka, steak & eggs and a veggie hash. There is an evening menu which consists of items such as Baked Camembert and Prawn Tacos to start and mains like goats cheese pizza and monkfish.
Head to this warm and inviting atmosphere today and let Urban Food House creates the perfect backdrop for your casual brunch gathering.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: Lake Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BJ
Opening times (for food): Monday to Friday 09:00 – 14:30 / 17:00 – 21:00, Saturday & Sunday 09:00 – 21:00
Veggie/vegan options: Vegetarian options available, check with restaurant for vegan options
Menu: uhconcepts.com/menus
Book a table: uhconcepts.com/get-in-touch
2. Siam Café
Next on the list is the Siam Café; just a few minutes from the lake, this traditional family-run Thai restaurant & takeaway provides a traditional and authentic atmosphere.
There are a number of dietary requirements catered for at Siam Café, including vegan and gluten-free options. Each meal is prepared with fresh ingredients and you can customise it depending on your ‘spiciness’ preference, which ranges from mild to very hot!
Dishes include salmon green curry, sizzling chicken breast, massaman curry and stir fried garlic and black pepper.
Closed only on a Wednesday, the Siam Café is the perfect option for a culinary delight to warm you up on a cold winter’s evening.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: 5 Grosvenor Terrace Bowness on Windermere LA23 3BS
Opening times (for food): Closed on Wednesdays. Rest of week 12:00 – 15:00 / 17:00 – 22:30, Sundays 17:00 – 21:30
Veggie/vegan options: Vegetarian options available, check with restaurant for vegan options
Menu: siamcafewindermere.co.uk/siam-cafe-menu-2024.pdf
Book a table: siamcafewindermere.co.uk
3. BAHA
Looking for a place full of food, drink and live music? Then BAHA in Bowness is the place to be! Situated over 3 floors, BAHA delivers a relaxed and casual, one-of-a-kind setting.
BAHA offers street food with real wow factor; the service is based around a sharing ethos, allowing you to discover new flavours and try things you wouldn’t have seen before.
Why not try a BBQ sharing box? Ideal for a group of 4, it includes 8 x Chicken wings, 4 x Smashed Pattie Sliders, 8 x Chicken Tenders, 3 x Fries and more. They also do single portions, including flatbreads, BBQ grills and a selection of veggie options.
If you are looking for good food and a great atmosphere, make your way to BAHA today!
More information about this restaurant:
Address: 18 Ash St, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3EB
Opening times (for food): Monday to Wednesday 16:00 – 23:00, Thursday 12:00 – 23:00, Friday & Saturday 12:00 – Late, Sunday 12:00 – 23:00
Veggie/vegan options: Vegetarian options available, check with restaurant for vegan options
Menu: bahabowness.com/menus/food-menu
Book a table: bahabowness.com/menus/book-table
4. The Flying Pig
Next on our list of the best places to eat in Bowness is The Flying Pig. This is a traditional, family-friendly pub in the Lake District, offering great food, with only the finest local ingredients sourced.
Designed to create a cosy atmosphere, The Flying Pig gives off that recognisable traditional British pub feel, the perfect choice when you are looking for a fantastic pub meal after a long day hiking or exploring this beautiful national park.
Dogs are welcome in the bar area, with dedicated taps and bowls outside where they too can enjoy a refreshing drink after a long walk.
From pie of the day to Cartmel Valley trio of sausages, The Flying Pig has all you need to warm you up. They also serve a fantastic selection of local real ales and fine wines from around the world.
If you are just stopping in for a drink or looking for some heart warming food, The Flying Pig is your number one choice for a true British pub experience in Bowness.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: The Flying Pig, Rayrigg Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3BZ
Opening times (for food): Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 20:30, Friday 12:00 – 21:00, Saturday 09:00 – 21:00, Sunday 09:00 – 20:30
Veggie/vegan options: Vegetarian options available, check with restaurant for vegan options
Menu: theflyingpigbowness.co.uk/menus/
Book a table: theflyingpigbowness.co.uk/book-a-table/
5. Villa Positano
One of Bowness’s longest established restaurants, Villa Positano is a favourite among the locals and is a must for any tourists looking to explore the best restaurants in Bowness.
This family-run Italian restaurant provides a friendly and traditional atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing evening with authentic Italian cuisine.
All the main staples are included on the menu, from pizza and pasta to risotto with wild mushroom, with both pasta and pizza dough made from scratch daily.
So if you are looking for some comforting Italian food that explodes on the taste buds, look no further than Villa Positano.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: Ash Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3EB
Opening times (for food): Tuesday – Saturday 17:00 – 21:00
Veggie/vegan options: Vegetarian options available, check with restaurant for vegan options
Book a table: 015394 45663
6. Boardwalk Bar & Grill
Looking for a perfect meal with stunning views out to Windermere, then Boardwalk Bar & Grill is the place for you!
With an ever-changing background alongside freshly prepared and delicious food, this is an experience you must try on your Lake District adventure.
The food menu has a wide variety of dishes on offer, from burgers and steaks to their signature dishes. Options include braised lamb shoulder, with creamy mashed potato, roasted root vegetables, tenderstem broccoli and red wine jus, as well as surf ‘n’ turf kebab skewers served with grilled king prawns, and fillet steak kebab, which comes with garlic flatbread, house fries and a side salad.
On the side, try a selection of either truffle & parmesan fries or loaded waffle fries with either BBQ pulled pork and cheese sauce topping or chilli brisket, crispy jalapeños and cheese sauce. And if you have room for something sweet, why not try either their sticky toffee pudding sundae or their boardwalk dessert burger (yes, a burger that is a dessert!)?
Boardwalk Bar & Grill is also recognised as one of the top 10 pet-friendly restaurants in the world! Welcome on the outdoor terrace and inside on the ground floor, it is a great place to visit with your four-legged companions!
More information about this restaurant:
Address: Gilly’s Landing, Glebe Rd, Windermere LA23 3HE
Opening times (for food): Monday to Sunday 12:00 – 22:00
Veggie/vegan options: Vegan and vegetarian options available
Menu: boardwalkbowness.com/food-menu/
Book a table: boardwalkbowness.com/reservations/
7. The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant
The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant has a wide selection of food and drink on offer, from nibbles and starters to main meals and desserts. As a starter, why not try the Jack Daniels BBQ chicken wings or a boxed baked camembert?
For mains, why not try a large bowl of garlic and Guinness mussels with warm sourdough and fries or a chargrilled homemade burger, with smoked cheddar cheese, onion rings and fries? Finish off your meal with a sticky toffee pudding or even a syrup and raisin roly poly.
Dogs are also welcome at the Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, so you can sit and enjoy the view with your drink while they lay down with a bowl of water next to them!
This venue is a perfect choice all-year-round, but offers particularly beautiful views on a summer’s evening on the two south-facing terraces looking out to the lake.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: Windermere Marina Village, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3JQ
Opening times (for food): Monday 09:00 – 11:00 / 12:00 – 20:00, Tuesday – Thursday 12:00 – 20:00, Friday – Sunday 09:00 – 11:00 / 12:00 – 21:00
Veggie/vegan options: Vegan and vegetarian options available
Menu: theboathouse-windermere.co.uk/menus
Book a table: theboathouse-windermere.co.uk/
Best Pub Food in Bowness
8. Hole in t’wall
Next on the list of best places to eat is the oldest pub in Bowness, the Hole in t’wall!
Back in the day it was called the New Hall Inn, but over time it became known as The Hole in t’wall (Hole in the Wall) thanks to a gap in the brickwork, created so that the blacksmith could be served a beer while hard at work!
The pub was built in 1612 and very little has changed since then, the only major difference is of course having electricity and central heating. Being the oldest pub in Bowness, this place oozes charm and character you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
From a wide range of cask ales and a selection of good pub grub served all day, this is the perfect place to enjoy a drink while soaking up the history of this fantastic region.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: Robinson Pl, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3DH
Opening times (for food): Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 20:00, Friday & Saturday 12:00 – 20:00, Sunday 12:00 – 15:00.
Veggie/vegan options: Vegetarian options available, check with restaurant for vegan options
Menu: holeintwall.co.uk/food
Book a table: Walk-ins only
9. Lakeview Garden Bar
Next on our list of the best places to eat in Bowness is Lake View Garden Bar, a perfect place to unwind after a day of adventure in the national park.
Pub of the year finalist in 2023 for Cumbria Tourism Awards, Lake View Garden Bar offers a wide selection of real ales, wines and spirits, as well as a delicious menu of pub classics.
Head there for lunch and try out one of the ciabatta rolls; try the beef steak with fried onion and mixed pepper, cheese sauce, rocket, honey mustard dressed leaves and vegetable crisps or BBQ pulled pork & Guinness rarebit with rocket, honey mustard dressed leaves and vegetable crisps.
Chickpea & spinach curry, venison casserole and a Cumberland sausage swirl are just a number of main meals on the menu. If you head there on the Sunday, why not try their Sunday dinner? Including topside of beef, served with roast potatoes, sweet potato mash, Yorkshire pudding winter vegetables & a Camden lager onion gravy, it’s the perfect treat on a Sunday afternoon.
The name says it all – with stunning views of Windermere and great food – there is something for everyone to enjoy here!
More information about this restaurant:
Address: St Andrews, Lake Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3DE
Opening times (for food): Monday to Thursday 11:00 – 23:00; Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 23:00
Veggie/vegan options: Vegan and vegetarian options available
Menu: lakeviewgardenbar.com/pub-menus
Book a table: No booking needed
10. The Albert
Last on the list of the best places to eat in Bowness is The Albert. Just a stone’s throw away from the shores of Windermere, The Albert is perfectly located in the heart of Bowness on Windermere, with a homely atmosphere and a wide range of traditional and seasonal cuisine.
The menu consists of items such as wild mushroom arancini balls with garlic aioli and crispy rocket and duck & ham fritter, served with plum ketchup and apple salad to start. The main dishes are a collection of classic and signature dishes, from homemade beef lasagne, served with garlic ciabatta, lamb duo, which consists of Lamb Rump, braised shoulder, champ mash, broccoli and a mint jus.
Whatever your need for the perfect meal on your break away in the Lake District, The Albert has it all.
More information about this restaurant:
Address: Queens Square, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BY
Opening times (for food): Monday to Saturday 12:00 – 21:00, Sunday 12:00 20:30
Veggie/vegan options: Vegan and vegetarian options available
Menu: robinsonsbrewery.com/pubs/the-albert-bowness-on-windermere/#food-menus
Book a table: 01539 443241
With a great selection of eateries all around Bowness, now is the perfect time to book your next break! See the full selection of lodges in Bowness-on-Windermere or check out a collection of Windermere lodges.
Feeling adventurous? Check out the best wild swimming spots in the Lake District. Still looking at places to visit? See our guide to the Windermere villages and our must-visit locations in the Lake District.
