Best Breakfast in the Lake District: 10 Best Cafes (2022)
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Looking for the best breakfast in the Lake District? You’re in the right place! Below I have listed the best cafes and breakfasts in the Lake District National Park for your next visit!
Looking for the best breakfast in the Lake District?
Luckily for you, there are a whole heap of cafes and restaurants around the national park to choose from.
Whether you want a hearty full English, or a home-baked pastry and a coffee, there are plenty of local and independently owned breakfast venues in the Lake District.
I’m a bit breakfast *obsessed*, so all of these Lake District cafes have been tried, tested and enjoyed by myself and my boyfriend, Tom.
As I’ve only included cafes that I’ve actually eaten at (so far), this list will be a working document as I keep returning to the lakes!
(However, I haven’t included some that didn’t serve up the best breakfast. Bad waffles are not my thing).
Mmmmm. Waffles.
So, let’s chat breakfast!
Visiting the Lake District for the first time? Check out my other posts!
- Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)
- Lake District for Couples: A PERFECT Romantic Break (2022)
- Lake District in September: Why It’s the BEST Time to Visit (2022)
- Adventure in the Lake District: 21 Best Activities (2022)
- Helm Crag walk from Grasmere – Everything You Need to Know
Best breakfast in the Lake District
As the Lake District is a big place, I have split this post into three main parts.
Below you will find the best breakfast in Ambleside, Keswick and Bowness-on-Windemere. Smaller villages like Grasmere and Coniston will be in amongst them, under the section of the town they are closest to.
So, let’s get started!
Backpacking for the first time? Or want to know where to find the best travel deals? Check out my travel resources for the inside scoop!
Best Breakfast in Ambleside
1. Copper Pot
Copper Pot is one of my FAVOURITE cafes in the whole of the Lake District to have breakfast. It is such a cosy, aesthetic little haven of friendly locals, tasty sourdough and if you’re up for it; an espresso martini!
Copper Pot was one of the first places I visited in Ambleside, and I’ve been returning ever since. It’s a great place to work if you’re a digital nomad, or to hang out if you’re a solo traveller.
Their menu ranges from sweet breakfast waffles to an authentic English breakfast with all the trimmings, so there’s something for everyone!
AND, there’s an outdoor seating area for when the sun’s shining!
2. The Giggling Goose
Another great breakfast spot in Ambleside is the Giggling Goose.
The reason why I love the Giggling Goose? Their cake. Wow, they do good cake. And who doesn’t love cake for breakfast?
The Giggling Goose serves everything from coffee and scones to a hot breakfast, and is perfectly located along the riverside in the heart of Ambleside.
However, for these views, you do have to pay a bit of a steeper price than some of the other cafes in town! (But it’s worth it!)
Note the Giggling Goose is walk in only.
3. Fresher’s Cafe
If you want a huge-portion sized, hefty English breakfast (hungover or not), Fresher’s is the place to be.
Fresher’s is a family-run business, with delicious home made food and lots of outdoor seating.
If you’re a veggie, their vegan sausages are some of the best I’ve ever had!
Fresher’s also serve lunch, with tasty quiches, soups and other light bites. It’s a perfect cafe for post-hike ‘hanger’!
Note Fresher’s is closed on Mondays.
4. The Apple Pie Cafe and Bakery
If you’re in need of a quick bite or takeaway breakfast before your walks, head to the Apple Pie Cafe and Bakery. Their croissants are baked fresh, and their coffee is just unbelievable. I literally drank two cups of coffee in a row (but I am coffee obsessed).
Plus, the owners and workers are always so friendly and welcoming!
The cafe also serves a full English breakfast if you’ve got a bit of time to spare, which is also delicious.
It’s a great breakfast spot in the Lake District!
5. Greens Cafe (Grasmere)
If you’re happy to go a bit further afield from Ambleside, we found a great cafe in Ambleside for breakfast, right before our Helm Crag hike.
Greens Cafe can either be used as a quick takeaway breakfast spot, or a dine in for breakfast, lunch and dinner (they’re fully licensed too!)
They even have a selection of cakes and pastries for a quick bite.
My go-to breakfast in Greens is the sausage butty, which is served in a fresh bun with lashings of brown sauce. Yum.
Plus, Greens cafe offers everything on the menu gluten-free!
If you’re there in the afternoon, be sure to try one of their homemade smoothies. The ingredients change every day, and they really are delicious.
It’s a real winner when it comes to finding the best breakfast in the Lake District!
Best Breakfast in Keswick
6. Merienda
If you’re into cosy, rustic and modern vibes, Merienda is the best place for you to eat breakfast in Keswick.
Boasting a global menu which is open all day, the best part about this cafe is the coffee and the interior design.
It was one of our favourite places when visiting Keswick!
If you’re visiting, I recommend the Hunter Brunch (which is served from 8-3) as it acts as a lunch and breakfast (and I’m a tight budget backpacker).
7. The Filling Station Cafe
Whilst I usually stay in Ambleside when I visit the Lake District, we do sometimes venture out to Keswick for breakfast for a change of scenery.
On our first visit, we found The Filling Station Cafe (which is actually a bit further from the high street), which was undoubtedly one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had in the Lake District!
The Filling Station Cafe is set up like an old gas station, and has a unique vibe to it. Usually full of motorbikes and vintage cars parked up front, it’s definitely a different kind of cafe in the Lake District!
If you’re stopping by, opt in for the full English. You won’t be disappointed!
8. Jasper’s Coffee House
Jasper’s Coffee House is the best in Keswick for one major thing – coffee.
Their coffee is all locally brewed, and you can tell!
Not only is their coffee good, but Jasper’s itself is a fun, friendly and welcoming cafe. With dog photos on the wall (they’re dog friendly, obviously) and they do the BEST chocolate brownies.
Stop off at Jasper’s for coffee, cakes and hot sandwiches.
It’s definitely one to check out if you’re looking for breakfast in the Lake District!
Best Breakfast in Bowness-on-Windemere
9. The Magic Roundabout
I’ve spoke about the Magic Roundabout on my other Lake District posts, simply because it is so good.
And not only is the food good, but the decor, modern twist and eclectic atmosphere is just unlike anywhere else in the Lake District.
A breakfast and lunch venue by day, but a cocktail bar by night, it’s definitely one to check out if you’re in the area.
If you’re visiting for breakfast, I recommend either the full English (the bacon is to die for) or the poached eggs with hollandaise. Yum.
10. The Alpine
The only other place I’ve eaten breakfast in Bowness-on-Windemere (yet) is the Alpine.
The Alpine is your regular cafe, with outdoor seating and decent food on the menu. They also have great options for vegetarians.
Their full English breakfast was one of the best we’ve had in the Lake District, with a really decent portion size and a good coffee!
Plus, the owners of the cafe were so kind and welcoming when we were in there, it’s definitely one I will return to!
Best Breakfast in the Lake District: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it!
The best breakfasts in the Lake District, and ones that I can truly vouch for.
Writing this post has made me seriously hungry (for waffles) so now I’m planning my next trip back to the lakes!
Obviously, I haven’t visited all the breakfast spots and cafes in the Lake District, so let me know if you have one that should be on the list! (Ones with homeground coffee are always good…)
As always, if you have a question about the best breakfast in the Lake District (or anything else travel or blogging-related) you can contact me over on Instagram or on my contact me page.
Oooh, and be sure to sign up to my newsletter if you enjoyed this post!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 😀 x
Backpacking for the first time? Or want to know where to find the best travel deals? Check out my travel resources for the inside scoop!
Other posts you may like:
- Lake District Road Trip: 3 EPIC Routes (2022)
- What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
- 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
- Scafell Pike From Langdale: Everything You Need To Know (2022)
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