Everyone’s favourite food here in Barrow is pie. You can pick up a pie pretty much everywhere. Ask someone on the street for a pie, and they’ll probably pull one out of their pocket for you. While we’re not going to get into the whole debate of who does the best pies in Barrow, we will point you in the direction of some of our favourite restaurants and cafes in town.
Places to eat in Barrow-in-Furness
Restaurants
It’s not all that often you come across properly authentic Thai cuisine, but here in Barrow Thai @ Review breaks the mould and serves a truly delicious taste of the Orient. The portions are huge, everything’s incredibly tasty, and if you fancy yourself as a spice aficionado, the hottest dishes really are rather hot. The only downside – although some see it as a blessing – is that the restaurant doesn’t have a license, but you can keep the costs down by bringing your own booze.
The Custom House is among the most iconic buildings in Barrow and also one of the most popular restaurants. It’s a four-storey, Grade-II listed building that dates back to the 19th century. It offers some of the tastiest dining in town, as well as more casual eats and drinks in the One Restaurant and Bar, which is also among our favourite nightlife options in Barrow-in-Furness.
If you’re after the best steak in town, you’ll find it at Kapadokya on Dalton Road. It’s a Turkish restaurant with huge meals, massive flavours and the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet. Sample as much as you can, but be sure to save room for the homemade baklava – it’s delicious. The restaurant has recently been extended, so you shouldn’t have a problem booking a table. However, if you want to be sure, there’s no harm in booking in advance.
For a special occasion, or if you want to sample some of the finer dining in town, make your way to the Abbey House and Gardens and try to get a table at Oscars Restaurant and Bar. It’s one of the most beautiful restaurants in South Cumbria and offers a delightful menu of dishes concocted from the finest local produce. The scallops are a real treat. If you visit when the weather’s pleasant, part of the restaurant has a retractable roof, which allows for some lovely al fresco dining.
Lastly, Francescas Restaurant and Pizzeria is a great Italian restaurant on Duke Street. It’s right up there with the most popular restaurants in town, in part because of its excellent location, but mainly because the food is fab and very reasonably priced.
Restaurants in Barrow-in-Furness
Cafes in Barrow-in-Furness
Cafes
If you’re after somewhere to enjoy some daytime eats, The Last Resort is the best cafe in Barrow-in-Furness. It’s nothing fancy, just a great cafe with simple, tasty food, excellent coffee and yummy homemade cakes. Plus, drinks refills are half price all day, every day.
Veggies will want to make their way to Pastures Pantry on Scott Street. It’s an all-vegetarian cafe, with a good selection of vegan dishes and cakes available as well. It also boasts a brilliant selection of nut milks and caters to other dietary restrictions too. It’s clean, the food’s healthy and tastes great and it’s very reasonably priced.
The Fig Tree is another fine cafe on Scott Street. Its sandwich and homemade soup meals may well be our favourite lunch option in town. Although, be sure to take a look at the specials board too. It changes regularly but is always delicious.
Abbey Mill Coffee Shop is a gorgeous countryside eatery and ice cream parlour that’s hidden just off Manor Road overlooking Mill Beck and nearby ruins of Furness Abbey, which we name among our favourite activities in Barrow-in-Furness. The ice cream is excellent, and the scones are sublime. Plus, there’s a lovely outside seating area.