Lake Road Kitchen

This food is unforgettable. This is the first Michelin-starred restaurant my wife and I have been to. My wife is vegan and I ordered the vegetarian menu. They were so accommodating and recreated most of the dishes based on our restrictions, but the food tasted like it was meant to be that way to start. The staff was also great, they were super friendly. Overall I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. The only negative was that it ruined the rest of the food during my stay.

Did the 5 course meal to dip our toes into our first Michelin locally, definitely plan to do the 12 course. The flavors and dishes were well thought out and beautifully layered. The salmon dish and peas were PHENOMENAL. We even took home some fermented butter, which was insane! Definitely will make our way back and well worth the experience.

It was a perfect place to wrap up my holiday. My friend recommended me the LRK and it was worth it! My favourites were iberico with egg yolk, octopus and wagyu and all the rest! Basically I haven’t left anything. I’m not a sweet tooth but both desserts were just right for me. Some sauce was a bit salty for me, but it’ll be okay for most people. Service was great and wine pairing was great too! Thank you!

We chose the 12 course meal with an added course and dessert, and it was worth every penny! Every plate was beautifully plated, and phenomenal. The head chef, James came out to explain several of the dishes in detail, from what makes the ingredient unique, to how it was sourced and prepared. The explanations of every dish made this a fascinating experience that set it apart from other Michelin restaurants since it’s never the chef, and the plates are not always explained in detail. The other servers/chef were all kind and friendly as well. We also loved how certain ingredients were paired with preparations that you would never think of, such as pea miso or barley koji. Being Japanese, I loved how old Japanese methods were used on untypical ingredients. Lastly, James and Darren (sommelier) chose a few wines for us, and they went perfectly with our meal. The wine pairing would be a good choice at this restaurant. The dishes are spaced with enough time that you wouldn’t have to rush drinking every glass, and their wines are incredible. If you are visiting Ambleside, this restaurant is a must! It was the highlight of our time in the UK, and will definitely be back if we’re ever in Ambleside again.

Incredible experience from start to finish. Sally was wonderful to correspond with to arrange the booking. When we arrived, we were greeted by Chef and it only got better from there. We loved the playlist which created an upbeat yet relaxed atmosphere. Once settled in, you’re taken on a culinary adventure served by passionate staff who provide such beautiful origin stories of each dish and ingredient. You truly understand the intention behind every single element - both in cuisine and service. We had the 5 servings plus wine pairing and felt satiated. It was seriously the best gelato I’ve ever tasted in my life. My husband and I were celebrating our 10 year anniversary and they truly made it special. Our only complaint is that haven’t dined here sooner! We’ll definitely be back.

Lake Road Kitchen in Ambleside is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere and the attentive staff made us feel right at home. The menu is a delightful foodie journey, each dish expertly crafted and beautifully presented. There was no standout dish for me as they were all outstandingly good. The wine pairing was impeccable, enhancing the flavours of each course. The attention to detail and the passion for culinary excellence are evident in every bite. It's clear that the team at Lake Road Kitchen takes great pride in what they do. This was more than just a meal; it was an unforgettable dining experience. Highly recommend!

Absolutely fantastic. The food was divine and innovative. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and informative. We experienced tastes that we had never had before and will definately making a return visit. Thank you to James (owner/head chef) for a wonderful taste experience.

We visited Lake Road Kitchen as a treat whilst on our mini honeymoon to the Lake District. As a recommendation from a family member to visit we were not disappointed. The experience from dining here is outstanding. The service, sommelier knowledge from Darren and food is incredible. We chose the 5 course menu with wine pairing and we added a few extras. The fried chicken course was delightful as was the alpine cheese custard. We thoroughly enjoyed this Michelin star experience and would most definitely recommend if you are in the area.

Started in June 2014, Lake Road Kitchen is an unassuming yet intimate restaurant in the stunningly picturesque town of Ambleside just north of Lake Windermere in the Lake District. Centred around North European cuisine, and looking like the interior of a Nordic log cabin (in a good way), young chef James Cross (with spells at Noma, Copenhagen and Per Se, New York on his CV) has gradually built a reputation from his open kitchen, for beautifully executed food, constructed from locally sourced, and locally foraged ingredients. With exceptionally good reviews from Northern food bloggers such as Bacon on the Beach and Cumbria Foodie way back in 2014, and recently from national restaurant critic Marina O'Loughlin, I decided a trip up the M6 to LRK would be a good idea. After warming hands on the hot towels that we were presented upon being seated, I ordered the 8-course tasting menu sipped some wonderful English sparkling wine from the Wiston Estate winery in West Sussex, and waited for the food to arrive. Perfection is defined as: 'the action or process of improving something until it is faultless', and this is exactly what James and his team are producing at Lake Road Kitchen. From their intimate kitchen, the bread through to the cheesecake could not be subject to a single complaint, grievance, or criticism. Not a bum note, not a missed trick, from 8 courses. Highly improbable - yes, but not impossible it would seem. Therefore, I can only end by saying thank you to James, Sally, and the rest of the Lake Road Kitchen team for such an incredible evening.

Following a ridiculously positive review by Marina O'Lochlan in the Guardian (giving an outstanding 10/10 for food) it was decided that our trip to the Lake District would HAVE to include a visit to Lake Road Kitchen. On the main stretch of Ambleside shops and bars, sits this Nordic-esque restaurant that is promised to delight. We were seated at a table for two, minimal decor and wooden tables with a fur shawl-type wrap draped over the back of one chair (which I should have asked about, but Neil and I came to the conclusion that maybe it was for the ladies who may get a little cold whilst dining?) We had the tasting menu and each dish was exceptionally presented and the flavours.. Oh god, the flavours. They were just spot on. Outstanding mentions go to the king Crab dish with white asparagus and Creme Fraiche with caviar and the venison main course with black truffle. Such a beautiful restaurant and very VERY talented chefs!!! I'm already planning my next trip back here in the summer!

We've eaten here twice now, most recently about 2 weeks ago (just discovered Yelp). Both occasions have been amongst the best meals I've ever eaten, every dish is pretty much a unique experience, the food is meticulously prepared. I'd put it up there with the likes of L'Enclume in Carmel. The service is spot on, friendly, informative and relaxed. The atmosphere is a sort of minimalist Icelandic feel. The "drapes" review "1" referred to are local Herdwick sheep fleeces. It's pricey by local standards (I'm local) but London types would regard it as an absolute bargain in comparison to the prices in the big smoke. I can see why the Grauniad gave it 10/10 - and you can generally trust Maria O Loughlan's reviews.