From a full-on traditional English or a light continental option, if you're in the Lake District , you'll want a decent breakfast to get your started.
And there's plenty of fine establishments offering a tasty start to your day.
From vegan friendly dishes to a traditional eggs and bacon you'll find a menu for all tastes at one of these renowned breakfast spots.
For early birds or late risers, picky eaters or constant grazers, there's some genuinely great places to enjoy the most important meal of the day.
Here's our pick of the best places to get breakfast - or even a spot of brunch - found in Ambleside, Bowness and Windermere.
Graze
This gorgeous little contemporary cafe is rated one of the best on the lakeside thanks to its fresh tasty food and reasonable prices. They also offer a good range of menu items for those with special dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, plus a large vegan menu.
The food on offer tends to be of the healthier variety, with the spinach and egg breakfast wrap coming highly recommended - along with the avocado and hummus on toast. Graze is dog-friendly, meaning your furry friend can come along too.
Crag House, 4 Crag Brow, Lake Road / Helm Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3BU
Homeground Coffee and Kitchen
Located in the heart of the popular lakeside village of Windermere, Homeground prides itself in bringing brunch and speciality coffee to the Lake District. Their regularly updated seasonal menus boasts a range of tasty breakfast and brunch options, including a variety of toast, classics including bacon butties, cereals, eggs royale, benedict, french toast and their Autumn menu even has on-trend pumpkin spice latte waffles. Breakfast and brunch staples with a modern twist.
Main Road, Windermere LA23 1DX/homegroundcafe.co.uk
The Magic Roundabout
This stylish coffee shop in Bowness offers a massive choice of breakfast dishes - from healthy smoothies and granola to classic fry-ups and breakfast sandwiches. Described by many as the best full English in town, it's all freshly prepared with generous portions that have earned it a great reputation with locals and visitors alike. They also have decent lighter options too, including teacakes, waffles, pancakes and more. Guaranteed to cater for everyone in your party.
8 Queens Square, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3BY/themagicroundaboutbowness.co.uk/menus
Copper Pot Cafe
A cosy cafe in the heart of Ambleside, the Copper Pot is reputed to be one of the best places to eat in the town. Combine the gorgeous interiors of natural stone and shabby chic decor (with open log fire) with a renowned menu of quality food, it not hard to see why its so popular. There's breakfast and brunch items for all tastes on offer - from fresh crumpets, sourdough toast, fruity granola and breakfast ciabattas to traditional bacon and a smashed avocado offering aptly named Green Eggs. Their Lake District Large 'Un is well known for being as filling as it is delicious.
Church Street, Ambleside LA22 0BU/www.copper-pot.co.uk
The Alpine
This charming cafe can be found in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere, and is well known for its generous all-day breakfast offerings - in fact it's one of the only places in Bowness that serves breakfast all day. It's all freshly cooked to order with a healthy portion of all the items you'd expect in a hearty fry-up - and reasonably priced to boot. Definitely one to visit if you want a traditional full English and a mug of builders tea. Well equipped for children too.
1 Grosvenor Terrace, Windermere LA23 3BS
Folk
Trendy and relaxed, this craft coffee shop wouldn't be out of place in Manchester's Northern Quarter. With a menu full of fresh homemade dishes with plenty of plant-based options, it's one of the most popular places in the Lake District to grab a spot of brunch - which is served all day. Think traditional brunch dishes with a modern twist, and probably the best eggs in the area. They're fully licensed too, if you prefer your brunch boozy, with a great selection of real ales and fresh cocktails. Entirely dog friendly.
4 St. Martins Parade, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3DY/folkcafebowness.co.uk
Gandhi's Cafe
Specialising in vegetarian and vegan world food, this gem of an eaterie is well-known for its friendly, relaxed atmosphere - with funky tunes - and diverse meat-free menu. Their Big Veggie Breakfast is probably the best meat-free full English you'll get in the Lake District, and comes with veggie haggis (yes, it's a thing), bubble and squeak, mushrooms, beans, cherry tomatoes, seeded toast and fried egg. Or make it vegan with some scrambled tofu. Or try Chilaquiles - a traditional Mexican breakfast dish with tortilla chips, with fried beans, salsa, feta topped with a fried egg or avocado. Classic "Things on Toast" also available for those wanting a lighter meal.
The Slack, Ambleside LA22 9DQ/www.gandhiscafe.co.uk
Charlie's of Windermere
A traditional British cafe in the heart of Windermere, Charlie's offers a menu of cooked breakfast classics, including bacon and sausage baps, beans on toast, egg on toast and of course a full breakfast - both meat and veggie options available. A solid but no-frills approach to the beloved full English with the quality ingredients you'd expect and served with tea or coffee of your choice. Very dog friendly too.
7 Oak Street, Windermere LA23 1EN
Mio Mondo
Don't be fooled by the Italian branding and continental stylings of this cute little coffee house - they serve a stellar breakfast menu with all your favourites. Highly rated with locals and tourists alike, their simple approach to the classics has earned it a great reputation for a consistently decent breakfast. Expect a full cooked breakfast - and veggie alternative - breakfast ciabattas, eggs and bacon and waffles. There's also toast and teacakes for those wanting a lighter bite to start their day. And go before 11am and you'll get a discount on your full English.
Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3BJ
Fresher's Cafe
A well-recommended and cheerful cafe in a prime spot in the heart of Ambleside, Fresher's has a fantastic all-day breakfast menu, and known for being decent value. Serving a proper English breakfast, there's a wide range of options available with all the dishes you'd expect in a classic British cafe. Think light bites such as teacakes, crumpets and beans on toast, and meaty options such as breakfast baps and and full cooked breakfast if you're more than a bit peckish. If you're here for brunch, the homemade quiche comes highly recommended. It has a lovely outdoor area for alfresco dining - and dogs are welcome too.
Unit 3 The Courtyard Rothay Road, Ambleside LA22 0EE
Ginny’s Teapot
A pretty vintage/retro chic tea house with a lovely ambiance that is rated by locals and visitors to the quaint Lakeside village of Hawkshead. It's well known for its adorable afternoon teas, but their breakfast menu comes highly recommended too. Whether you want a bowl of cereal or some toast, pancakes or a full English, you'll be catered for. There's also veggie and vegan options too - and they're all well presented. Lots of cakes and bakes on offer too, if you can find the room for an after-breakfast treat. Well worth a trip if you're in the area - muddy walkers and dogs welcome.
Main Street The Square, Hawkshead, Ambleside LA22 0NZ
Urban Food House
Urban Food House is a new restaurant which is aiming to bring urban food and style to the rural area of Bowness. Think on-trend decor and a menu full of classics with a modern twist - an Instagrammer's dream. It's quickly becoming the go-to spot for a late breakfast, with a full brunch menu made up of a variety of classic and contemporary dishes. Ranging from simple sourdough toast and smoothie bowls to traditional smoked salmon and eggs or a full 'urban' English breakfast, there's a decent selection to choose from, suiting all tastes and dietary requirements. Their brunch menu overlaps with the main lunch menu too, if you're planning a late one.
Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3BJ/urbanfoodhouse.co.uk
