En route to the Lake District, we booked in here for one night, mainly to have the tasting menu. Since on the previous two occasions we had been blown away, could it be third time lucky?

Head chef, Lisa Allen, flush with her success on the Great British menu show on BBC2, has now given the vegetarian gourmet menu at Northcote the GBM treatment. Consisting of five courses, the forager’s soup and the strawberry dessert with Kendal mint cake (that failed to impress the judges, but wowed us), were two of the memorable dishes for me. She works with such delicacy and the flavours she manages to create are spot on. Ingredients are sourced locally or from their own garden, right next to the hotel. Happy to cater creatively for all diets (she has a shellfish allergy), vegans will be similarly thrilled. With petit fours and coffee, for food of this standard, it’s a bargain too: £40.

Reviewer Veggie Places

We've eaten here before but this time we decided to stay as well. You'd be hard-pressed to find better vegetarian food anywhere; it was as good as the best I've had. We had the five course gourmet vegetarian - the seven course tasting menu is also available. The price includes a half bottle of champagne; I don't drink so we were given an allowance instead. The food was exquisite, with not a risotto, lasagne or even that old standby, parmesan cheese, in evidence. Excellent coffee and home made petit fours completed the special treat, which we enjoyed in front of a real roaring fire. Service is friendly but professional. It's like staying with some (posh) relatives, who own a pile in the country. We will definitely be back.

Reviewer Veggie Places

We visited for a parent's 60th Birthday celebration and were not disappointed by the specially created vegan menu (we kept the actual menu as a souvenir). With advance warning the chef is able to create a fine dining Michelin starred selection to match that of the other meat-eating diners. Locally sourced seasonal produce is used and the service is faultless. A real treat for a special occasion in wonderful surrounds.

Reviewer jane o (Lancashire) has written 26 reviews

A brief look at the web site will confirm that the chef is clearly ‘at home’ preparing all sorts of meat dishes so I was a little unsure how the vegetarian meal would stack up. It did not disappoint. Clever food combinations, visually appealing and tasting delicious. What more can you want? The restaurant itself was a calm oasis, with well spaced tables and attentive staff. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced and it is good to see small producers supported. My one regret is that I did not try the sampling menu but chose two of the items from it instead.

Reviewer Lynda P (Surrey) has written 3 reviews