Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Pizza
Italian
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Vegetarian cafe and restaurant set in a complex that also houses cinemas and a jazz bar. Menu offers snacks like olives and potato wedges, pizzas, pasta dishes, salads, and mains like wellington plus drinks and ice cream for dessert. Established since the 2000s. Open Mon-Sun 10:00-22:00. Restaurant is closed Mon but the caféi s for drinks and cakes until 5pm.
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Last update on 05 Aug 2023 by geometric-noise
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103 Reviews
First Review by jonnie
Coeliacsquirrel
Points +291
Ambleside Institution - Edit
I first came here in 1992! (yes I am that old) when vegetarian food, never mind vegan, was hard to find outside big cities. It’s offering of veggie/vegan pizza & pasta may not be as unique as it was then but the food is still lovely & the vibe still relaxed yet stylish. And most of the dishes can be made gluten free. Good to see it busy on an October lunchtime - hopefully it will still be here in another 30 years.
Read morePros: Wide selection of vegan options , Most dishes can be made gluten free , Good selection of vegan wines
Guest
cazrl71
Points +50
Good vegan food - Edit
Had the vegan aubergine parmigiana and it was delicious.
Read moreTofu cheesecake was really good. Very rich.
Pros: Aubergine parmigiana and tofu cheesecake., Nice surroundings and ambiance., Given a jug of water without having to ask.
Cons: Not cheap
Guest
shonamaule
Points +374
Incredible Vegan Food - Edit
We’ve been coming here for years and it never fails to amaze us! Such fresh, delicious Italian food and lovely service. The restaurant is gorgeous too! I had the vegan roast and it was brilliant.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-08-06
Guest
darrenb
Points +1461
Fab food with decent portions - Edit
Second visit to this lovely restaurant. Great to see it really busy.
Read moreThere's lots of choice for vegans and gluten free options clearly labelled. I had the nut roast which was delicious (if a little salty). Friendly and helpful staff. Will be back next time we're in the lakes.
Guest
EleanorBP
Points +92
Amazing Italian food - Edit
Delicious vegetarian and vegan food - no compromises! Friendly service, tasty Italian food and loads of variety- what's not to love
Read morePros: Wide range of delicious vegan and vegetarian food, Stylish decor, Kids can order smaller portions of standard menu
Guest
Simon_Keller
Points +1648
Lovely place - Edit
Okay, so I get why there’s some scores lower than 5. My main (lentil bolognaise) didn’t pack a flavour punch, although it was nice. The vegan cheese garlic bread was amazing. The interior is also excellent, it may have had some modernisation compared since other reviews. Service was good. Will certainly be returning.
Read morePros: Menu selection, Interior, Cheese garlic bread
Guest
maisiemoo99
Points +280
Great pizza !! - Edit
We loved our takeaway pizzas after a long walk - really easy to order online and collect !! We both requested vegan cheese and had The Big One and The Rainforest, which were both really tasty. When I collected the staff confirmed it was vegan cheese without me having to ask which is always nice 😁
Read moreGuest
LesleyDargie-walker
Points +424
Lovely restaurant - Edit
Stopped off after a walk, when we walked in I was a little worried we were in walking clothes/boots with how nice it looked inside but they didn't seem to mind. Other walkers out as well, we had a pizza with mushrooms and tofu and the avocado and roasted pepper panini, both were really good! I did want a pudding but I thought they were just a little pricey.
Read moreGuest
ConnorFam
Points +24
Lovely place - Edit
8 of us, half vegetarian and half vegan, 4 adults, 4 children and 2 dogs.
Read moreAlthough dogs are not allowed inside, there is a lovely covered over outdoor area with patio heaters which meant on an absolutely cold and pouring it down day, we could still enjoy a vegan/vegetarian meal in the dry and warmth of the covered patio.
Between the 8 of us we had pizza, chilli nachos, mezze board, garlic mushrooms, avocado toastie, wedges, poached eggs with avocado. Hot drinks cold drinks and deserts also. Only one vegan desert but it was so delicious and filling. My son who is autistic was also catered kindly for.
The manager was lovely as were all the staff. Thank you for a lovely visit, we’ll be back.
Pros: Great vegan choice, Great vegetarian choice
Cons: Dogs only allowed outside but is heated & covered
Guest
mockingbird
Points +3028
A big let down - Edit
This place has been on my radar for so long and I finally got round to going but will not return.
Read moreMenu is mainly veggie pasta and pizza with vegan options. There’s a bunch of unimaginative starters and salads too. Big plus for me was a decent alcohol free drinks menu, a very rare thing anywhere.
I went for a focaccia and olive starter, it was nice enough although focaccia was dry. Main was the nut wellington - very well presented and I was excited to eat but after half the dish, the flavour was too much, very saltie, boring, not enough veg to make the dish interesting.
Staffing situation was weird, loads of staff but we didn’t feel any of them were on it at the table. Have feedback on food when asked and served just looked at us blankly. Decor need attention, rough around the edges. Very big shame.
hack_man
Disappointing to hear for what is supposed to be an established marquee listing. Been thinking about going here for years but it may not be worth the long trip across the Pennines.
Read moremockingbird
Maybe the pasta dishes are better. Just do not get that wellington!! My eating partner had stomach upset the next day too and thought it was the food. It really felt like a place that was once something and is now a shadow of its former self.
Read moreGuest
izzwiz
Points +606
Unreal food - Edit
Food here was absolutely amazing and it was so hard to choose what to have because everything on the menu sounded perfect.
Read morePros: Good portion sizes , No meat!
Guest
waldry
Points +196
Superb food - Edit
I am shocked that it was so busy. The place is huge in a small town and yet it was full of people enjoying veggie/ vegan food. Brilliant!!!
Read morePros: Lots of variety , Extremely good food, Atmosphere
Cons: Tiramisu was not vegan
Guest
chrisssiiy
Points +24
Okay at best - Edit
I'm really shocked at all the 5 star reviews. This place really needs to sort out their pizza, it was so bland. The base tasted like a cheap make-your-own pizza from a supermarket. The pasta dish on the other hand was LOVELY. The service great, the actual restaurant is gorgeous. But wow, you can't be serving pizza like that for those prices at that quality. I'm sure most of these reviews must be eating pasta!
Read morePros: Pasta was lovely, Staff were really attentive , The restaurant is gorgous
Cons: The pizza was the worst we've had in a long time , The service charge automatically added to the bill
Guest
Bathsheba
Points +222
A Real Treat - Edit
Amazing atmosphere and the customer service was just right. It was a nice evening out in a smart restaurant, which seemed pretty reasonable value for the early bird movie deal. The menu for vegans was very extensive and it was difficult to choose between the vegan pizzas or the selection of mains which included a vegan pesto dish.
Read morePros: Smart atmosphere , Menu range
Cons: Olives
Guest
TonyW
Points +67
Superb Italian food - Edit
So much choice for vegans in Ambleside and this restaurant is a highlight.
Read moreGreat to be able to select so many dishes off the menu and the food was excellent ; had garlic pizza starter (shared between 2) and pasta main, both were delicious. Lovely decor and friendly service, felt like a special occasion meal.
Updated from previous review on 2023-12-27
Pros: Great menu with lots of vegan options, Friendly service, Good wine list
Guest
mykitchengreens
Points +65
Sort out your seasoning - Edit
We were gifted the movie deal at Zeffirelli’s for Christmas and finally got around to using it, which I think is a very fair price (around £28 for a film and a two course meal). However all the options on the menu were particularly boring for vegans - all the nice sounding foods to me were vegetarian.
Read moreI thought the flavours were a bit off, with the polenta wedge being way too salty, and the pizza being way too bland and I had to use so much pepper to make it palatable. My husband (omni) enjoyed his soup and pizza, so it could have been my meal choices.
It would be nice if the movie deal came with a drink if purchased as a gift though, as it makes the night feel incomplete a present.
Pros: Wines were labelled, Movie deal is a good price for a night out
Cons: The vegan desserts were boring
Guest
Mattyg
Points +160
Fantastic Pizza - Edit
Visited Zeffirellis a number of times and the food and service has always been excellent. The selection and range on the menu is impressive, with the pizza and pasta being a particular favourite, although the nut wellington was very good as well. Notably the vegan cheese on the pizzas is very good. The sticky toffee pudding is a standout pudding option that always delivers!
Read moreThe staff were attentive and friendly and it is clear why Zeffirellis is an Ambleside institution and a must visit for those in town.
Pros: Excellent food, Local beers, Friendly staff
Cons: Slightly pricey
Guest
amy743
Points +225
Really good vegan pizza - Edit
Loved the pizza here, the vegan cheese was really good - generous portion and it actually melted. Authentic Italian restaurant. Have vegan dips for potato wedges such as pesto, mayo and hummus, but don’t do ketchup. Also can add tofu as a protein topping for the pizza.
Read morePros: Yummy pizza , Lots of seating
Cons: Don’t do ketchup
Guest
Katyfloss
Points +72
Good options but meh - Edit
Definitely a good amount of choice here but was disappointed by the quality of food. It was a fine meal, I just expected a lot better.
Read moreGuest
prez
Points +862
Plenty of options - Edit
Rounded up from 3.5 stars.
Read moreService is good and the place is huge so we managed to twice grab a table without booking on a bank holiday. Food comes out quite quickly.
The nut wellington had a rich wine gravy which made it slightly too salty but was still good. Can’t fault the pizza either, had a good amount of toppings.
Guest
Yewfield
Points +13
four veggie establishments in a small town - Edit
We started Zeffirellis 44 years ago from an old Cinema
Read moreand we have friends coming back year after year
Thank you
Guest
CharlieMills
Points +5236
Delicious nut wellington - Edit
The nut wellington main was delicious. The red wine gravy was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed the pudding too. Definitely worth a visit here.
Read moreGuest
Veganolive1
Points +4758
Please Speak To Staff - Edit
Visited for dinner and sat on a table where I could see staff behind a glass screen in front of the pass eating in between serving customers, one with his hands, which I find very unprofessional and unhygienic and this has reduced my score. Staff should be eating food on their break not whilst working.
Read moreThe starters were delicious, polenta wedges with tomato salsa, barbecued fennel with black olive tapenade and sweet potato wedges with houmous and warm tomato dip. The main courses were not great, caponata pasta which was bland with a way too sweet sauce and a gluten free pecan and cashew wellington, which was basically the nut balls off another dish with no pastry. We thought it would be made with gluten free pastry the nut balls my husband did not like. Many of the staff are quite abrupt in manner and not especially welcoming either at all apart from Lucy who was very nice.
Updated from previous review on 2022-01-20
Pros: Vegan options, Vegan wines and drinks labelled
Cons: Staff eating whilst working
Guest
Feed-Your-Mind
Points +259
Love this place - Edit
Was recommended by a local. Absolutely delicious, worth the extra bit of money. Everything we had was high standard.
Read moreHighly recommend the nut roast and had 2 great starters
Pros: Very good vegan option
Cons: More pricey that many the Thai place across the r
Guest
Sazmosa
Points +331
So good I chose pasta when pizzas were an option! - Edit
The staff were really friendly and welcoming. I had the nut ball spaghetti and it was delightful. No extra charge for plant milks.
Read moreInteresting menu!
Pros: All veggie - lots of vegan options, A range. I had to choose! , Seemed genuinely Italian and a well loved place
Cons: Drinks are quite expensive
Guest
·X·
Points +21078
Zeffirellis - 3.5 Stars - Edit
Nice Italian vegetarian restaurant in Ambleside. The vegan garlic cheese bread appetizer tasted excellent. The pesto Genovese was good but would have been better with a different type of noodle and some salt. The spaghetti arrabiata was not great, boring, and overpriced at £15.
Read moreGuest
KimMichelle
Points +74
Exceptional service - Edit
Amazing service and people working there.
Read moreThe food had a huge variety of options for vegans and I had plenty of choice for Vegan and Gluten free too.
Really tasty food. Can't fault it.
Pros: Many vegan options. , Plenty of GF options , Space between diners
Cons: Homophobic diners going unchecked
Guest
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