Chester’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant

Outstanding food. Fast service, even with a large crowd of walkers. Artisan salads, crispy specialty flatbreads and pizzas, gourmet Mac n cheese etc. Nice setting on the river. A gem in the Lakes District.

Chester’s…simply the best cakes in the lakes! Oh that rhymes! :-)
Anyway, if you’re in the area this is a ‘must visit’ kind of place. They do hot and cold food, alcoholic and non-​alcoholic drinks, amazing afternoon teas, cakes and pastries plus all the usual beverages! Plenty of friendly staff and they need them as it can get quite busy.
You can sit inside or outside on the parasol covered veranda overlooking the river! Stunning today with the river in full flow after all the rain last night. Gushing… just like me!

A lovely place to visit with 2 distinct sides to it.
Firstly there is the café whit great food and a fantastic array of freshly baked cakes.
Secondly there is the shop which has an upmarket selection of homewares and gifts from numerous producers. It is a bit pricey but the quality is decent and the items stocked are not to be found on the typical high street.
Personally, it’s the café side that is my favourite but I’m a sucker for a good cake.

Great location by the River Brathay, extensive seating outside so you can watch the river burble past on one side. Inside there are a variety of tables sizes including soft furniture for a more chilled out teatime. We arrived at 4.15 and it was still going strong with people having snacks and afternoon tea. Amazing variety of cakes which are all made on the premises using free range eggs and butter. The large delicious cake slices ranging in price from £2 to £3.90. All food ingredients are sourced locally where possible and the tea and coffee is fairtrade.
Parking outside and an overflow parking area round the corner. Popular tourist destination.

On the road from Ambleside to Coniston, this place was originally Kirtstone galleries with a small café attached. Recent renovations have extended the place to provide a more standalone coffee shop next to the Gallery. There are some lovely pencil sketches of the owners dog. The food selection is very nice with soups, sarnies etc alongside more robust main courses. The sweet selection is fabulous and you get a decent sized portion. Flapjack starts around £2ish going to £3.50ish for bigger cakes. The afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream looked particularly appetising. The seating is relaxed and in an almost conservatory type way.
A really lovely place to come for a coffee and cake. Downside is it tends to attract loud tourists.