Breaking news
Harden's says
In the main hotel, Source, serving a 10-course tasting menu from former Fat Duck chef Ollie Bridgwater, has replaced Hrishi. Meanwhile, Gilpin Lake House, overlooking Knipe Tarn a mile away, serves a lavish afternoon tea (plus breakfast for overnight guests).
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A very good find in the Lake District” – this modern pan-Asian dining room of a swish, contemporary hotel is a break with Lakeland traditions, with its contemporary decor inspired by far-off lands and open kitchen delivering an eclectic mix of cuisines. Reports say the food’s of “a high standard” and lunchtimes here are a particular favourite – “we ladies who lunch try different restaurants in the area and Gilpin is the best so far xx!”
Summary
This modern Lakeland dining room – an Asian dining alternative in this luxuriously updated small hotel – is nowadays presided over by Aakash Ohol, who – prior to the departure of Hrishkesh Desai in December 2022 – was sous chef of Hrishi (since relaunched as Source, see also). Notwithstanding the odd disappointment registered this year, feedback suggests its diverse dishes (inspired by countries along the Spice Route) can be a useful relief to the native fare generally prevalent in this neck of the woods; even if “sometimes it’s difficult to choose and the dishes come as and when they’re ready”.
Summary
“Absolutely superb” “Asian-inspired dishes to savour” are enjoyed by all at this “relaxed and welcoming” venue from highly rated chef Hrishikesh Desai – his number two restaurant at the Gilpin Lodge. Some reporters quietly admit that they “actually preferred the food here to Hrishi” – supposedly his number one.
Summary
From the “sublime” location (the more relaxed of the hotel’s two dining rooms, see also HRiSHi) to the “truly fabulous coverage of all aspects of Asian cuisine” (but mostly focusing on southern India) that’s “packed with spice sensation”, reporters “loved everything” about Hrishikesh Desai's Gilpin Lodge sibling “including being able to see into the open kitchen”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Gilpin Spice, Gilpin Hotel?
Crook Road, Windermere, LA23 3NE
Restaurant details
Gilpin Spice, Gilpin Hotel Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A wonderful part of the Gilpin Hotel. Same lovely but very professional staff, can't do enough for you. The menu is great. Sharing of small plates for starters. The fried chicken strips were sublime. Crab and lentil dishes were missing a little something. Mains, loved the King Prawns. Lovely fried rice, theatre very good, the waitress offered to mix the rice at the table, with the runny fried egg at the bottom of the dish. Cucumber Riata great. Spicy Aloo, really great with the yoghurt and bombay mix. Very very good."
"Good Asian cuisine, some very flavourful, some less so, but very enjoyable."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £90.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 120.00 | Dinner only | 11 |
| Menu2 | 75.00 | Lunch only |
Tapas / Dim Sum
| Main | Pudding |
|---|---|
| £18.00 | £5.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Crook Road, Windermere, LA23 3NE
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
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