78 Highgate, Kendal LA9 4HE

About This Pub

Ah, the Shakespeare Inn – it's one of those classic pubs in Kendal that really captures the spirit of the Lake District, with its mid-19th century charm and a refurb that keeps things feeling fresh and inviting. I love how they focus on locally-sourced food and have a great lineup of cask ales and cocktails, making it a top choice for a relaxed meal or a cheeky nightcap. The accommodation sounds like a real treat too, with cosy en-suite rooms tucked away in the courtyard, ideal for anyone wanting to unwind after a day of exploring. But, and it's a big but, I've seen some chatter about the food not quite hitting the mark lately, with a few meals falling short and leaving a bad taste – quite literally. Plus, there are tales of the manager coming across as a bit off-putting, which could spoil the otherwise friendly atmosphere. Still, with its solid reputation overall, it's worth considering if you're passing through; just pop in with an open mind and maybe keep it simple to avoid any potential hiccups. All in all, it's got heaps of potential for a memorable visit, as long as you go in knowing it might have a few rough edges.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The pub has a genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, just like stepping into a cosy corner of the Lake District.
  • They offer fresh, locally-sourced food with daily specials and a cracking selection of cask ales, wines, and cocktails to suit all tastes.
  • The accommodation is clean and snug, with en-suite rooms in a quiet courtyard – perfect for a peaceful overnight stay after exploring Kendal.
  • It's wonderfully family and dog-friendly, so you can bring the kids or your four-legged mate without any fuss.
  • Its prime spot in the heart of Kendal makes it an ideal base for trips to the Lake District, with easy access to sights and walks.
Cons
  • Some recent experiences have been disappointing with food quality not living up to the hype, like meals not matching the menu descriptions.
  • There have been reports of a less than helpful attitude from the manager, which can really put a dampener on things.
  • Service can sometimes feel a bit abrupt or lacking in warmth, leaving a mixed impression overall.
  • A few guests have mentioned issues with room comforts, such as mattresses that feel a tad worn out.
  • For larger groups, pre-ordering hasn't always gone smoothly, leading to frustrations during meals.

Contact Information

78 Highgate, Kendal LA9 4HE
+441539724069
Pub
Hours not available

Opening Hours

Opening hours not available

Location

Recent Reviews

Please don’t waste your money here! Absolutely terrible food, and the manager/ owner Lee has a condescending and patronising attitude. We were on a family holiday and booked a table for 15 people on a Saturday night. We were asked to provide a pre-order, which is completely understandable for such a large table. Out of the 15 meals, not one of them was right. The chicken burger had no sauce, it was supposed to have a lemon mayo and chilli jam, the mac and cheese came out of the kitchen without any of the toppings that were advertised, the gravy for the pie, and the curry sauce for the fish and chips was brought up 15 minutes after the rest of the food… the list goes on and on. We believe that none of the food we were served was in fact ‘home made’, and when the issues were highlighted to Lee, he was extremely rude and refused to apologise or offer a solution, and instead decided to blame us for his mistakes. Please don’t bother, spend your money elsewhere as this is the worst meal I’ve ever been served. I’ve also never been spoken to in such a disrespectful manner as a paying customer, the whole family were very upset about this incident for the rest of the evening. Please go elsewhere!
NM
Nicola Moorhouse
If you’ve ever wondered what disappointment tastes like, visit The Shakespeare Inn. A family of 15 of us (plus a baby and two dogs) visited The Shakespeare Inn in Kendal after booking in advance and submitting a pre-order. Despite the pub’s claim of homemade food, our experience was deeply disappointing. Almost all meals arrived missing key ingredients or did not match the menu descriptions—examples included a bland mac and cheese, a subpar chicken burger, and an unrecognizable bean burger. The owner, Lee, was defensive and dismissive when issues were raised. Though the owner eventually admitted the meals were missing key components (which suggests there is absolutely no quality control in the kitchen), he failed to offer a sincere apology. Although a 50% food discount was eventually and reluctantly given, we felt even with that discount, what we paid was too generous given the poor quality of food and attitude from the owner, particularly as many of us had to go elsewhere for food later in the evening. Don’t waste your money here. There are much, much nicer places to eat in Kendal.
KM
Kathryn Moorhouse
Bad food and a manager with a worse attitude. No main dish came out as described on the menu, and the manager claimed everything is freshly prepared in the kitchen. I've never seen a smash burger with a perfectly formed patty with uniform edges, let alone 2 on the "smash" burger that looked identical in size and shape. I mean that's fine if that's what you're going for, just don't call it a smash burger, however it tasted cheap like a mass produced old school dinner burger. Look I don't know if it was a bad day for the kitchen, which is fine everyone has an off day, but the way the manager spoke to one of the group when they initially raised the concerns was totally unacceptable. There are better places to eat in Kendal, go to one of them.
RC
ryan cresey
Enjoyed our stay here. The courtyard room was clean and perfectly suitable for a short stay. It was the first night of a new menu, and after a discussion with the chef, we chose the tortillas. We were very pleased we had! Delicious, and the ale was good too.
MA
Martin Arrowsmith
Great location for centre of Kendal. The room was pleasant although the mattress did feel a little old. Welcomed (?) abruptly shown to our rooms, told breakfast was between 8-9am. Dinner was okay, although the person in the kitchen couldn't do a small side salad instead of garlic bread with the main I'd ordered. Waiting staff gave very good service. Breakfast.... arrived at 8.30am. Other customers already seated. Eventually, we were told the manager had over slept and another member of staff were on their way to do breakfast for us. Rachel arrived, produced a great breakfast and we were left wondering why she's not running the business!
V
Vicky

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