Best Indian Restaurants in the Lake District (2022 Review)

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Looking for the best Indian restaurants in the Lake District? You’ve come to the right place! As someone who loves Indian food, we always seem to seek out an Indian restaurant wherever we go. And the Lake District is no exception!

If there’s one thing I love, it’s an Indian restaurant.

Even if I’m surrounded by traditional English pub grub and fish and chips, Indian food will always win me over.

And that’s why I have a list of 10 different Indian restaurants that we’ve personally eaten at in the Lake District.

In the following post, I’ve written an honest short review of each Indian restaurant, and given a bit more information about the venue.

As I continue to return to the Lake District, I will update this post (and all my others) with new finds and delicious new Indian restaurants we discover!

So, let’s get started!

🥾 Visiting the Lake District? Yay! I have a lot of information about this part of England on my blog. Here’s some of my favourites!

• Lake District Road Trip: 3 EPIC Routes (2022)
• Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
• Helm Crag walk from Grasmere – Everything You Need to Know
• Lake District Solo Travel: Ultimate Guide (2022)
• Best Pubs in Keswick: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)

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 Indian Restaurants in the Lake District

As the Lake District is a big place, I’ve sectioned the best indian restaurants into locations. You can use the contents to skip to an ideal place for you.

You can find Indians in Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windemere, Keswick or the wider area, like Ulverston and Kendal at the bottom of the post.

Enjoy!

Whilst visiting the Lake District, I’d highly recommend wearing hiking boots. It made the walks a lot easier and I was much more stable when scrambling, especially in my favourite Columbia walking boots!

Best Indian Restaurants in Ambleside

1. Ishaas Indian Eatery

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times: Daily, 5pm – 11pm

🏠 Address: 3 Kelsick Road, Ambleside, LA22 0BZ

🍛 What I recommend: Akburi Murgh (chicken tikka cooked in creamy sweet sauce with almond butter)

Ishaas was one of the first Indian restaurants I ate at in the Lake District, as it’s in my favourite place to stay; Ambleside.

Located right in the centre of Ambleside, this Indian restaurant goes the extra mile when it comes to taste, presentation and service.

Family run by six brothers, you can tell the effort they go into to make your experience the best it can be.

Plus, the poppadoms and dips are really good.

Visit this Indian restaurant if you want a real ‘dine in’ experience, with a fully stocked bar and more up-scale atmosphere!

Solo travelling in the Lake District? Check out my post: Lake District Solo Travel: Ultimate Guide (2022)

2. Gandhi’s Cafe

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

🍛 What I recommend: Falafel kebab (Flat Bread stuffed with Falafel)

More of a cafe than an Indian restaurant, but Gandhi’s still needed to make it on the list!

When I dine out, I tend to steer towards more vegetarian and vegan meals, and if you’re the same, this cafe isn’t one to be missed.

Not just serving Indian-inspired foods, but flavours from all over the world, including Thailand and Mexico.

However, it does serve some classic Indian dishes, and every meal I’ve had in Gandhi’s has been delicious!

It’s perfect for a lunch stop-off or an easy light bite.

NOTE: At the time of writing this in September 2022, Gandhi’s is currently closed. However, there is the possibility that they may reopen. Check online before visiting.

Best Indian Restaurants in Keswick

3. Sultan of Keswick

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times: Days vary, but 5pm-10.30pm opening times

🏠 Address: 5 St. Johns Street, Keswick CA12 5AP England

🍛 What I recommend: The mushroom rice!

Sultan’s is a Bangladeshi restaurant in Keswick, and is undoubtedly one of the best Indian restaurants in the Lake District.

With huge naan bread, delicious dips, creamy curries and welcoming staff, Sultan’s has quickly become one of our favourite Indian restaurants to eat in!

Sultan’s has a bit more of a relaxed vibe to it and is perfect for a few pints of beer and a big curry after a long day of hiking.

Staying in Keswick? Check out my post: Best Pubs in Keswick: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)!

Best Indian Restaurant in Bowness-on-Windemere

4. Shahib’s Indian Restaurant

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times:

🏠 Address: The Arcade, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3BX

🍛 What I recommend: Balti Sabzi (fresh vegetable Balti)

The best thing about Shahib’s is its extensive menu. With a modern yet relaxed atmosphere, Shahib’s is one of the best Indian restaurants in the Lake District, situated right in the heart of Bowness-on-Windemere.

Every dish we’ve had at Shahib’s tastes fresh and is rich in flavour. Plus, we’ve always had a really fun night there, and it’s a great location to go out for some drinks in Bowness after!

🗺️ My Lake District must-have:  I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

5. Monsoons Indian Restaurant

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times: 5pm – 11pm

🏠 Address: North Terrace, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3AU

🍛 What I recommend: Chilli Paneer Tikka Masala (one of the best I’ve ever had!)

Monsoons are a fully licensed Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in Bowness, serving unique and delicious recipes. Labelled as a ‘hidden gem of the lakes’, this Indian restaurant won’t disappoint.

Another very chilled and relaxed atmosphere, it’s more frequently used as a takeaway (although I have heard customers have been returning here for years because of the high-quality food!)

6. Lake Raj

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times:

🏠 Address:

🍛 What I recommend: Paneer shashlik (similar to a kebab on a skewer)

One of the best things about Lake Raj is the fact it has outdoor seating as well as indoor. In the summer, this is a perfect place to sit and eat a delicious Indian meal with a beer, watching the sun go down.

The staff at Lake Raj are also so kind, and they’re one of the main reasons why I remember visiting so well. They gave us a list of recommendations and made sure all of our dining expectations were met.

A great Indian restaurant in the Lake District to add to your list!

🗺️ My Lake District must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

Other Indian Restaurants in the Lake District

7. Aroma Indian Dining (Ulverston)

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times: Daily, 5-10.30/11.30pm

🏠 Address: 20 King St, Ulverston LA12 7DZ

🍛 What I recommend: Tikka masala (I had chicken, but my recommendation is more about the sauce. It is delicious!)

Formally called The British Raj, we loved visiting Aroma when we stayed in Ulverston. A little way out of the national park, but worth it if you’re craving rich, true Indian food!

Our meals were cooked to perfection, with a combination of fresh herbs and spices which enhances the flavour and as they say on their website, adds a ‘spark’ to the food.

The tikka masala sauce is one of the best I’ve ever had, paired with Pilau rice and naan, it was one of the best Indian meals I’ve ever had. It was perfect after a long day of hiking Scafell Pike!

8. Mumbai (Kendal)

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times: Weds – Sunday, different opening times between 5pm – 10.30pm. Check online here.

🏠 Address: 8 Stramongate, Kendal LA9 4BN

🍛 What I recommend: Vegetable biriyani and onion bhajis!

Mumbai is a mix of Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani food, and boasts some of the best Indian food in the area.

With hundreds of 5-star reviews, Mumbai is known for its excellent food and atmosphere, with a modern design inside and a relaxed atmosphere.

When we visited, we spent a few hours here enjoying different dishes and drinking wine. It’s a great restaurant to visit if you’re in the Kendal area!

9. Sara’s Indian Restaurant (Coniston)

✅ Eat In

✅ Takeaway

⏰ Opening Times: 5pm – 11.30pm

🏠 Address: 4 Yewdale Rd, Coniston, England, United Kingdom

🍛 What I recommend: King Prawn Tikka Masala (Tom’s recommendation)

If you’re in the small village of Coniston and fancy some Indian food, check out Sara’s. Either dine-in or takeaway, it’s a great stop for some authentic Indian flavours and unique dishes.

At the time when we visited, Sara’s was also BYOB (bring your own alcohol) which made a huge difference to the price!

Perfect for budget travellers wanting to save some pennies and still eat Indian food!

🗺️ My Lake District must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.

Best Indian Restaurants in the Lake District: In A Nutshell

So, there you have it!

The best Indian restaurants in the Lake District National Park.

As I previously mentioned, I would never review a restaurant I haven’t personally eaten at, so this is a working document. When I try new Indians in the Lake District, I will add more to the list!

If you have a question about the Lake District (or anything else travel or blogging-related) you can contact me over on Instagram or on my contact me page.

Happy travelling!

Jennie 😀 x

If you’re backpacking or travelling and want some extra ways to save money, check out my travel resources page!

Loving the Lake District posts? Check out some of my others!

• 23 Things to do in the Lake District in Winter (2022)
• Lake District for Couples: A PERFECT Romantic Break (2022)
• Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)
• Best Breakfast in the Lake District: 10 Best Cafes (2022)

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