It may come as a surprise to some that Cumbria, a rural county best known for its dramatic landscapes and Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit, now wears the crown as the UK’s most Michelin-starred County outside London. It is home to no less than 13 Michelin-starred restaurants (between them holding a cumulative 15 stars) and has now become a destination for serious food lovers. More impressively, these establishments stay grounded in the local area by drawing on seasonal produce, wild foraged ingredients, and often operating within heritage buildings or surrounded by forests and rolling hills. Here, we profile five of the county’s standout Michelin-starred destinations that blend fine dining with a genuine sense of geography.
1. L’Enclume, Cartmel
Widely considered one of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants, L’Enclume was awarded its third Michelin star in 2022. This historic milestone confirmed chef Simon Rogan’s expertise, and as a result duly elevated Cumbria’s global culinary reputation to even greater heights. In addition to its impressive three Michelin stars, L’Enclume also holds a Green Star, recognising its commitment to sustainable gastronomy. Set in a 13th-century blacksmith’s forge in the medieval village of Cartmel, L’Enclume is an exquisite example of how creativity and sustainability can converge to an elite level.
Everything here is clearly rooted in the surrounding landscape. Rogan’s Our Farm is just a few miles up the road and supplies nearly all of the vegetables and herbs on the menu. Although there is mastery on every plate, the interior is minimalist and the natural light filters through the stone-framed windows.
Dishes such as aged Cumbrian Dexter beef with fermented garlic, or raw scallop with seaweed oil exemplify the restaurant’s balance between scientific precision and spontaneity. For any food enthusiast, L’Enclume is not just a meal; it’s a must visit. The terroir-focused cuisine, aesthetic immersion, and rare three-star Michelin status ensures that dining here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. Forest Side, Grasmere
Awarded a Michelin star in 2017, Forest Side is situated inside a gothic mansion on the edge of the idyllic Grasmere village. The restaurant’s design mirrors its surroundings with cool greys, greens, and panoramic views of the nearby woods. The Victorian walled garden within the grounds provides many of the vegetables, and the remaining produce is sourced from within a 10-mile radius, meaning the distance from farm to fork is less than a 20-minute drive.
Chef Paul Leonard’s menu exemplifies seasonal creativity, with dishes such as Herdwick hogget and wild garlic, or buttermilk mousse with Douglas fir showcasing a mix of foraged and cultivated elements that harmonise on one plate. It is one of the few Michelin-starred spots where you truly feel the landscape in every dish.
For food lovers, Forest Side offers a perfect union of prestige and atmosphere, set within one of Cumbria’s most poetic and breathtaking locales. Its Michelin star is a badge of honour, not only for its technical execution but for how perfectly it captures the heart and soul of the region.
3. Heft, High Newton
Housed in a perfectly restored 17th-century inn and located in the peaceful village of High Newton, Heft recently earned its first Michelin star in 2024. This was seen as a testament to chef Kevin Tickle’s commitment to sustainability, locality and innovative ways to utilise flavour. With low-beamed ceilings, contemporary art and an ingenious and sustainable use of reclaimed materials, Heft is a design-conscious homage to Cumbrian hospitality seen as both modern and steeped in tradition.
Tickle (who trained under Simon Rogan) applies fermentation techniques and foraging to create dishes such as salt-aged duck with bramble vinegar, or locally line-caught trout with spruce. The menu is concise and reflects not only a deep understanding of the surroundings but also shows the effort placed into making Michelin-star quality dining unpretentious and accessible. One can sit for a four-course lunch starting under £50, which is excellent value given the offerings on the table.
Heft’s Michelin star affirms that fine dining does not need to be seen to exclude and in fact, can be approachable. For enthusiasts seeking authenticity, value, and innovation, it’s an essential stop on the Cumbrian culinary map.
4. Rogan & Co, Cartmel
Found just a short walk from L’Enclume, Rogan & Co. was awarded its Michelin star in 2018. Though this restaurant is perceived as a more informal dining experience compared to some of the region’s offerings, it remains an impeccable place to spend an evening. The dining room is warm and modern, with river views and oak tables, creating a setting both polished and intimate. The dishes on display are executed with the same attention to detail as L’Enclume, but with an a la carte approach that makes it more accessible.
The menus are anchored using produce considered to be the bounty of the region. Cumbrian pork with mustard leaf, venison straight from the Cartmel valley, or spelt risotto with roasted beetroot and blue cheese. Each dish is comforting yet refined, reflecting a deep reverence for the area’s crops without the perceived gimmickry of ultra-modern processes like molecular gastronomy.
For those who appreciate sophisticated, terroir-focused food without the formality, Rogan & Co. offers a relaxed and deeply satisfying Michelin-starred experience. It can also be seen as a compelling entry point for any curious diners new to high-end cuisine.
5. The Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
Ensconced within Whinlatter Forest at over 1,000 feet above sea level, The Cottage in the Wood is a true hidden gem. It was first awarded its Michelin star in 2019 and with breathtaking views across the fells, coupled with an intimate dining room surrounded by trees, the experience here is as much about aesthetic immersion as it is culinary excellence.
Under head chef Jack Bond, the kitchen leans heavily on local, sustainable ingredients. Elements such as wild mushrooms, Herdwick mutton and coastal langoustines are brought together with precision and care. The restaurant also prides itself on a low waste philosophy, aligning closely with the very values behind Michelin’s Green Star designation. Although the restaurant has not formally received one.
Dining here feels personal and introspective. Guests are regularly known to stay overnight, which can make it a perfect destination for either a romantic escape or deluxe gourmet retreat. The setting and the food come together to offer something deeply moving, not just a meal, but an event and an experience.
Cumbria’s Michelin stars are in no way outliers, they are the result of a food culture deeply tied to a place and the passion of the people who reside and work there. In these restaurants, you will not find fussy dining or urban minimalism, but rather a celebration of regional heritage and culture through world-class techniques. Whether you crave the conceptual perfection of L’Enclume, the rooted gracefulness of Forest Side, or the intimate creativity offered by Heft, each venue is a masterclass in how fine dining can be both humble and exemplary. For any discerning gourmand, Cumbria is no longer a detour, it is now a destination.
