Cafés · Ambleside
Skepticism is the usual approach to a place this hyped, and it mostly doesn't survive the first plate. Food comes out fast even when the queue is out the door — a ten-minute wait for a table is normal in summer — which matters enormously when someone small is unravelling. There's seating inside and out, buggy access, high chairs and a kids' menu, plus free parking round the back with plenty of spaces and a two-minute walk to the door. The apple pie is the headline and deserves it, especially the spiced version with custard; the scones come warm with clotted cream, and the sausage rolls and pasties are properly buttery. Vegan options too. Prices sting a little — £9 for a breakfast bap — and one parent found a cinnamon bun dry, but the coffee is consistently good and the bakery counter is worth a detour.
A little something creative for your next meal out. Filled with colouring, simple drawing prompts for cute animals, origami and conversation starters designed to bring more play, laughter and connection to the table. 3 free printable packs for toddlers, preschoolers and primary-aged children.
Warm Italian cooking in Ambleside with a kids' menu, big portions and a walk-ins-only system that phones you when a table frees up.
A family-friendly Ambleside pub with outdoor seating, a mid-range menu, and a solid 4.1 rating from over a thousand visitors.
A stone-fronted Ambleside pub serving locally sourced meals and cask ales, with a relaxed feel that welcomes families.