Where to eat in Keswick before and after a day on the fells
Situated in the heart of the Northern Lake District and surrounded by fells, lakes and trails, Keswick is an absolute haven for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
But your body needs fuel for a day on the fells or at the lake, and it’s so tedious trawling review sites to find the best food joints. So we’ll save you the hassle. This guide (written by real locals) tells you exactly where to eat in Keswick for the best food, whatever time of day.
Side note: we even include where to eat in Keswick with a dog – check our handy key at the top of each section.
Where to eat breakfast in Keswick before you head out on your adventure
The best places for breakfast in Keswick are Lake Road Brunch, Café Hope, and Merienda. Let’s have a look at why these spots fire up your bod so you can attack the fells like a pro:
Lake Road Brunch
🕒Daily 9am-3pm
💰£10-£20pp
👍Pancakes, eggs, coffee
🐶Yes
There’s a reason everyone’s talking about Lake Road Brunch. The pancake stacks, eggs benedict, and “big breakfast” are the best in town (in our opinion, anyway). There’s also an extensive vegan menu and items with a tasty Middle Eastern twist. With food hard to beat, and such good vibes, we bet you’ll return twice in one trip.
Top tip: It gets super busy, so book your table!
Café Hope
🕒Daily 10am–5pm
💰£10-£20pp
👍Bacon sarnie and hot chocolate
🐶Yes (there’s even a dog menu!)
Calling all dog owners! Café Hope has been voted the UK’s most dog-friendly café for three years running. Sitting in Hope Park between the town centre and Derwentwater, it’s a vibrant breakfast stop before lakeside walks or activities. Expect home-cooked breakfast staples and a friendly welcome with outdoor seating options.
Top tip: Fancy heading back for afternoon tea? Check out the “VIPods” on the edge of the pitch-and-putt green for views over the park to Catbells, whatever the weather’s doing.
Merienda
🕒Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 9am-9pm
💰£10-£20pp
👍Akuri on toast, Brioche French toast, coffee
🐶Yes, in the day
If you need an early start, Merienda is just the ticket with its 8am opening. Serving coffee from local roasters, it’s one of the best cups you can get in town. Menus offer delicious must-have breakfast items, plus a surprise Indian influence to some items.
Top tip: Enjoy a jug of water with fresh mint and lemon, brought complimentary to every table.
Where to get a pub lunch in Keswick when you’re back from the fells
Whether you’re back from your adventuring by midday or hobbling in at 3pm, nothing fills a hungry tummy quite like proper pub grub. Here’s where to get a pub lunch in Keswick (and just outside).
Horse & Farrier Inn, Threlkeld
🕒Daily lunch 12-3.30pm, reduced menu 3.30pm-5pm, dinner 5-9pm
💰£15-£30pp
👍Small plates, homemade steak burger, baguettes
🐶Yes
Perfect for anyone walking Blencathra or Sharp Edge, The Horse & Farrier’s delicious full lunch menu runs from midday till 3.30pm. Sandwiches and salads continue until 5pm, if you’re back after this. The small plates are great for a bit of everything. And we can’t forget Keith, the long-serving manager and the welcoming and characterful backbone of the pub.
Top tip: Ask at the bar about the pub’s dog beer and dog sausages for your furry friend.
The Dog & Gun, Keswick
🕒Daily 11am-9pm
💰£12-£20pp
👍Homemade Hungarian goulash, daily specials
🐶Yes (there’s even a doggy menu!)
The Dog & Gun has been a much-loved pub in the heart of Keswick for 60-plus-years. The service is incredibly friendly, it’s cosy, traditional, and the food is reliably good. Their homemade Hungarian goulash (veggie option available) is a treat and made from the very same recipe the original owner created! Dogs are welcome throughout (not just the bar).
Top tip: Don’t rely on the online menus as they change seasonally and are centrally controlled by head office. The pub is working on having more autonomy over them. If in doubt, give them a call.
Swinside Inn, Newlands Valley
🕒Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat 12-4pm and 5.30-8.30pm, Tue-Wed 12-4pm, Sun 12-6.30pm
💰£15-£25pp
👍Short-rib & brisket beef burger, homemade pies
🐶Yes, in the day
If you’re out exploring the Newlands Horseshoe and Catbells, Swinside Inn is the perfect stop for your pub lunch. Sitting right at the foot of Catbells, Causey Pike, and Barrow, it’s one of the best views of any pub in the Lake District. The food is elevated pub fare and receives consistently great reviews.
Top tip: Watch out for a 90-minute gap in serving times on Mon, Thurs, Fri and Sat if you arrive after 4pm.
Are there pubs on the Derwent Water walk?
The short answer is no, not on the route itself, lovely as that would be. The circular path around the lake stays thoroughly rural the whole way, so don’t expect to stumble across a pint halfway.
The Lingholm Kitchen, right on the western shore near Catbells, is a great stop for coffee or lunch, but it’s a café rather than a pub – no pints on offer there. If you want a proper drink without straying too far, The Farmers Arms in Portinscale is a short detour off the path.
The easiest move is simply to save your appetite and head to one of the pubs above to fully relax.
Where to eat in Keswick once the boots are off
You’re looking forward to kicking back, and you earned it! Whether you’re after a burger, a curry, or something different, here’s where to eat in Keswick for dinner.
The Round
📍Get directions
🕒Mon-Fri 3pm-close*, Sat-Sun 12pm-close*
💰£15-£25pp
👍Gourmet burgers, loaded fries, cocktails
🐶Yes
Ever heard of the Bob Graham Round? This epic 24-hour, 42-peak fell-running challenge starts and finishes right outside The Round’s front door. The whole place is themed around it, with maps built into the tables and walking memorabilia on the walls. Expect a buzzy atmosphere, Instagram-worthy burgers, and a proper reward for whatever you’ve conquered today.
Top tip: It’s walk-ins only, so turn up and expect a bit of a queue at peak times.
*Close times vary weekly and seasonally, so call to check.
Star of Siam
📍Get directions
🕒Wed-Sun 5pm-9pm
💰£20-£30pp
👍Pad Thai, curries, mixed platters
🐶No
Star of Siam is one of Keswick’s most consistently loved restaurants. After picking up a Good Food Award nomination back in 2020, it has received a steady stream of five-star reviews. You’ll feel thoroughly treated with the authentic, unpretentious Thai cooking and friendly service.
Top tip: Ask if the tamarind duck is on the specials board – it doesn’t always make the printed menu, but it’s one of the best meals they do.
Fellpack
🕒Daily 3pm-9pm
💰£15-£25pp
👍Fellpots, katsu curry, sticky toffee pudding
🐶Yes
Named after the fell-running culture that runs through Keswick’s veins, Fellpack is regularly called the best restaurant in Keswick by locals and visitors alike. Their signature “fellpots” are inventive, globally-inspired bowls that pack a tasty punch. Think Malaysian beef rendang served with neeps and haggis. It’s part of the same small local group as The Round, and shares the same cool, laid-back atmosphere.
Top tip: The menu changes with the seasons, so if something unusual catches your eye, order it – it might not be there next time you visit.
Enjoy the perfect day out in Keswick from a Coppermines Cottage
Keswick’s a beautiful drive from Coniston and the perfect day trip at just under an hour up the A593 and A591. And with so many dog-friendly walks, cafés and pubs along the way, there’s no reason to leave your four-legged friend behind. Basing yourself in one of our pet friendly Lake District cottages means your walking companion is truly home from home.
Ready to plan your trip? Browse our full range of Lake District holiday cottages and make Keswick one stop on a bigger Lakeland adventure.
