Whether you’re looking to refuel after a hard day’s hiking or biking, or you want to indulge in some fine dining, there’s a real cross spread of restaurants and eateries in the city. Here are just some of the best places to eat in Carlisle.
One of the most popular is David’s Restaurant, a fine-dining joint that celebrates the best of British and European food. With a commitment to using local produce from local farms, they have some of the best cuts in the region – and with a nod to the Scottish border just 15 miles away, a few Highland treats including haggis beignets. With our Carlisle Central hotel less than a mile away, you can happily walk off your duck liver parfait and your Bailey’s cheesecake.
Another top-ranked restaurant is Alexandros, a Greek restaurant and deli in Warwick Road. Whether you’re eating in or taking away, the food is fit for a Cumbrian God – try their grilled halloumi or their slow-cooked Kleftiko traditional lamb shank and tell us we’re wrong! With its central location, it’s just 13 minutes walk from our Carlisle Central hotel. If you don’t have time for the full sit-down experience, the takeaway menu is available every lunchtime from Monday to Saturday, and can be ordered online in advance, while their Deli is home to a delicious range of dips, wines, meats, pastries and specialist oils.
If you travel a little further around the Mediterranean, you’ll come to Sannas, which is probably the best Italian restaurant in Carlisle. A bustling, friendly restaurant, they do the classics as well as anyone in a 50-mile radius – from over a dozen well-priced pizzas, a strong range of pasta dishes, some of which can be ordered as gluten-free, and long, salivating dessert menu, the food is packed full of flavour.
Carlisle might be 5,856 miles from Thailand, but you wouldn’t notice if you were given a blind taste test with one of the Royal Outpost’s signature dishes. Fresh, fiery when needed and utterly delicious, Royal Outpost was one of the first far east restaurants in the region, and is still one of the best. With a balance of flavours, the 1930 Tudor gothic stylings of the restaurant contrast nicely with the Malaysian-influenced food, with the Thai tapas starter a great way to get acquainted.
If you’d rather stick closer to home, there are plenty of places offering excellent pub grub – our pick would be the Plough Inn. Located in the village of Wreay, five miles from Carlisle and 2.5 miles from our Carlisle (M6 Jct42) hotel, the public house dates back to 1786 and serves up an award-winning mix of real ales and quality food. With handmade bricks, granite slabs and parts of a combine harvester decorating the front door, the Plough Inn looks the part – and thanks to dishes, which include the likes of slow-cooked leg of lamb and seared duck breast, tastes the part too.
