Luigi's

Luigi's in Ambleside is a sit-down Italian restaurant where dogs are welcome inside on the basement floor, which means nobody needs to do the pavement-waiting shuffle while you tuck into proper comfort food. The slate streets and Victorian charm of Ambleside pull visitors in, and this is a comforting place to land when the walking is done and the hunger is loud.

Expect Italian favourites that suit everything from we've-earned-this evenings to we're-too-tired-to-think meals. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-run, with the kind of proper comfort-food energy that makes sense after a day in the Lakes. Mention your dog when booking so the basement floor is ready.

Dogs welcome inside means paws and people can stay together, though your dog will still attempt to look innocent while staring directly at your plate—an impressive skill to witness in real time.