Finding space for a family of 8 in the lakes wasn't as easy as we thought, but luckily Cafe Italia…read morewas able to accommodate us. While the downstairs appears to be a quick cafe area, upstairs has more of a restaurant feel to it. It even has its own bar on this level. The bathrooms and kitchen are on the 3rd level. First impressions were that it seemed a little bit more upscale than most other places in the area, and I have a feeling that on a Friday/Saturday night this will be a date night hotspot. The staff have matching uniforms and all had accents. It gave it a real nice touch. There is a full service bar, however due to the fine English cold weather, I just stuck with a cup of tea, so I can't comment on the alcohol quality. Our group jumped straight into mail meals, in which the menu is literally a book. They could probably do with trimming it by 50% and still would have a nice variety). Anyways, while trying to remember what everyone had ordered, the 3 items that stuck with me were: pizza - authentic, fresh, flavorful and quite large. Buffalo chicken wrap - nice portion size, Amazing taste. Mackerel - I have to be honest, I've never tried it before so I'm not sure what it's supposed to taste like, however, it was very very good to me! We had many other dishes at our table and everyone left happy. Once again, the portion sizes were more than enough. So you won't leave hungry! For the meals listed above, you're looking in the 8 -12 pound range for prices. If I was to go back to this area, I would most definitely return for the chicken wrap. It was fantastic!

This cafe occupies pride of place on a busy corner in Windamere town. The staff are all well…read moregroomed, good looking and very charming - and good at getting people inside. So it's busy. In fact, they are so busy getting people through the doors, it can be hard to get a server's attention once you are at your table. When I was finally able to stop one of them to order my lunch, I had a Mediterranean salad, which was fine. The coffee is good. Also, they are cash only so be prepared.

Villa Positano was recommended to me by a taxi driver on a recent stay near Bowness and it didn't…read moredisappoint. The decor is an ecclectic collection of Italian memorabilia and the staff are all Italian themselves. The food was superb. I had garlic bread, cannelloni and profiteroles, my finace had minestrone soup, creamy chicken & mushrooms and an ice cream based dessert. Everything was cooked to perfection and service was quick and efficient. With drinks, the bill came to £41.80. Although it was a Monday night in February, the restaurant was fairly busy and the atmosphere was good. A family with young children was just leaving as we arrived, and the staff had given the children some toy cars to play with - a Fiat 500 and a Ferrari, of course - and the children seemed to be welcomed as much as the adults. Villa Positano is tucked away down an alley, so may be tricky to find, but it's well worth a visit if you find it!

The service was wonderful but it took forever to get our bill. It is a tiny restaurant and the…read moretables all jam close together. So, hearing other peoples conversations is unavoidable. The food was good. The lasagna was the best meal by far. The chicken Alfredo was bland and unflavorful. It needed salt desperately. However, there was no salt on the tables, only pepper. The salads were okay. Nothing special.

OMgoodness... the last time we were here, this place blew us away…read more Three long years later (thanks COVID), nothing has changed! It's a miracle. The Best Italian Food in the Uk as far as I'm concerned. Check out my previous review and my photos- it says it all. Thank you Dodds for sticking it out and emerging back at the top of your game.

My partner and I have been going to rastellie for nearly twenty years and every time we go it's…read morealways been first class the staff are sooo nice very well mannered( which means a lot to me) we went on Saturday first of June couldn't fault the meal or service in any way nenna always rember us such a lovely lady as well as the other l members of staff keep up the fantastic service and we will keep coming back health and happiness to you all kind regards Julie plevey

We took advantage of the Happy Hour. (Discounted pizza and pasta between 5.30pm and 6.30pm). We…read moreordered two pizzas and one carbonara (which was not one of the discounted items). The pizzas were very good - definitely one of the better ones I have had in the UK. The carbonara was excellent. Excellent!!! I ordered another one even though I was not hungry. I left the restaurant with a very full tummy and not the slightest regret. Definitely one of the highlights of this trip and I will definitely return again when I visit the area.

Quite simply the best food we've had since arriving in the Lakes. We were attracted by the…read morelunchtime special £8.50 for soup of the day and any main (pizza/pasta) on the menu. It would be fair to say it exceeded our expectations the tomato and basil soup was served with bread and genuinely excellent. Followed by carnivore pizza which again was excellent with really high quality ingredients Italian meats, spicy sausage, fresh chilli etc. I would have been thrilled with this quality of food doran evening out never mind lunch. Staff were very pleasant and the restaurant though small was immaculate. I strongly recommend you give it a try.

Excellent italian food and friendly, efficient but not overbearing service. Plenty of choice…read morealthough they seem to be slightly biased towards sea-food as three of the four specials were fish based. There were five of us and we chose a variety of dishes,I had red mullet, ratatouille and green (pesto?) mashed potato, whereas my son had pizza. Mine was absolutely delicious. So was the cappucino brulee that I shared with my wife. Everybody else was very pleased with their choices too. Quite a small premises with straightforward decor and ambience, but clean and well run. Definitely worth a visit. I believe you pay a premium for eating in Ambleside but we spent slightly over £20 per head and I think that this was most reasonable overall. I hope that you enjoy it too.

Firstly this restaurant has moved from silverdale and is near carnforth opposite the longlands…read moreHotel at Greenlands Farm, its a cafe by day and italian restaurant from 6pm. Well what a find and totally by accident, only been open in its new location for 3 months. I cant praise this place enough, the staff and owners were very friendly and very helpful and for the Pizza Oh my Word! amazing ! Pasta was also fab, all made using the freshest ingredients. They also had 10oz fillet steak on which we are told is excellent so may try one next time, they had a good fish selection on as well. Cant wait to go back, visit as soon as you can - you wont be disappointed

Fantastic little Italian in centre of Bowness. Welcoming and unpretentious with simple but lovely…read morefood at good prices. First time I've fully finished a meal for a long time. Amazing chocolate soufflé!

Average food. Overpriced. Smell of toilet overwhelmed from time to time.read more

This establishment was recommended to my lovely wife and me by a local resident whilst on our…read morehoneymoon. Truly, we had one of our best meals in the area at this restaurant. The food was fantastic, though the service was average. Nothing bad, but then again, nothing too memorable. The prices are reasonable, but the horrible current exchange rate of the USD to GBP marks up the actual cost much more significantly. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and come here for dinner. I guarantee that you won't be discouraged.

Giotto' is a small Italian restaurant in the heart of Windermere village. I've been here a few…read moretimes and there is a great ambience, the food is always excellent but I just find the owner and staff a little bit awkward. I can't put my finger on it but I sometimes feel like I'm putting them out by eating there! Hence my 3 stars which I would happily increase if I felt a little more welcome! Anyway, the food here is superb. It's mainly a pizza/pasta place but there's always a small selection go specials such as Steak, Salmon or Chicken dishes - sadly just much for the vegetarian/vegan diner. Last night my kids had lovely Pizza Calzone stuffed with ham and Gorgonzola with a bolognaise sauce to pour over the top - I tried some (like you do) and it was heavenly. My salmon special with green beans and new potatoes was lush although a bit on the small side for a big guy like me - thank god the kids needed help with their pizza! My mum had the fillet steak special and it was one if the best pieces of beef i've seen and tasted for ages - beautifully tender and perfectly cooked. My dad was predictable with a Pizza - nothing special but still good. Desserts were awesome and saw us tucking into tiramisu, hot chocolate fudge cake and vanilla panna cotta - not a morsel left on the plates! So all in all, a good place to eat, just let down a little by the experience - they just need to lighten up a little!