Five Cumbrian restaurants have been named among the top 100 in a prestigious national guide.
Harden’s latest guide is based on feedback from diners and the top 100 list is the best of the best.
Cumbria is the county with most entries in the guide outside of London.
Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, said: “The Lake District is not short of good places to eat and as a result Cumbria is a culinary county to be reckoned with and many of our diners find their personal favourite dining destination of the year within its well-stocked borders.”
The Old Stamp House in Ambleside was named 37th in the top 100 list.
Ryan and Craig Blackburn’s destination, in the former office of poet William Wordsworth from the days when he was the local stamp distributor, offers a Journey around Cumbria tasting menu hailed as superb food all delivered by knowledgeable and warm service.
At 54th is James Cross’ Lake Road Kitchen in Ambleside and Heft in Newton in Cartmel is in 65th place, due to Kevin and Nicola Tickle’s staggeringly good pub – nominated by a couple of diners as their best meal of the year.
Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume at Cartmel was top of the list last year, but this year features at 73 and is joined by his Henrock at Windermere at 56. It won a 5/5 food score with chef Mark McCabe’s cooking highly recommended.
L’Enclume was praised for delivering gastronomic paradise overseen day-to-day by head chef, Paul Burgalières.
However, the guide’s editors noted that concerns about prices had risen somewhat year-on-year. There was also a fear among a small minority that the experience risks becoming so polished to perfection as to be almost perfunctory – but overall, it was still among the best.
