Villa Positano — Restaurant in Great Britain

We've been visiting Bowness for years and have always wanted to try this restaurant, but each time it's been fully booked. Finally, on our most recent trip, we booked a table in advance so we could be sure we'd finally get to eat there.

It's a small restaurant, tucked away down a narrow passageway just off the main pedestrianised street in Bowness. As you approach the smells are delicious, a combination of herbs, tomatoes and garlic. Once inside, it's a small place, rather old fashioned in a way, the male staff all smartly dressed in black trousers with matching waistcoats and white shirts.

The menu was surprisingly small - smaller than when we last visited Bowness - but we opted for a starter of bruschetta and two chicken dishes for our main courses. The bruschetta arrived almost immediately, which caught us by surprise, and was tasty if nothing remarkable. As for the chicken dishes, the meat was nicely cooked and came surrounded by our chosen sauces, and a dish of cooked vegetables was brought separately. The chicken dishes were actually rather tasteless though, not as flavoursome as they had sounded on the menu, and although we'd chosen different meals they looked almost identical.

We chose not to follow our meals with desserts, and altogether for the two main courses, two bruschetta starters, and a bottle of wine the bill came to just over £60. All in all it was an underwhelming meal, nothing really bad about it but at the same time it didn't wow us, and we were both disappointed after wanting to try this restaurant...

"Well, that was quite the experience. Walked in tonight around 6pm hoping to grab a table and asked to see a menu. The place was practically empty - just one couple dining - but apparently that didn't matter. The staff member who greeted us had all the warmth of a glacier. Instead of showing us a menu, we got the third degree about whether we had a reservation. When we said no, we were curtly informed they were 'fully booked' - which was particularly amusing given the sea of empty tables staring back at us. The whole interaction was bizarre and unwelcoming. No apology, no suggestion of when we might come back, just a flat-out dismissal that left us scratching our heads. The attitude was unnecessarily rude and frankly unprofessional. Safe to say we won't be making a return visit. Thankfully, there are three other Italian restaurants in town that actually seem to want customers. Would definitely recommend checking out one of those instead - at least they'll probably let you see a menu without treating you like you're asking for state secrets. Sometimes poor service speaks louder than any food review ever could." worst experience and interaction...

A Hidden Gem in the Lake District , A Must Visit Italian Delight

Tucked away on a charming one way street, this Italian restaurant might be a little tricky to find, especially with car access restricted unless you’re a disabled badge holder but trust me, it’s worth the effort.

From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is absolutely captivating: warm, welcoming, and authentically Italian. It’s a spot that feels both special and relaxed, the kind of place where conversations linger over empty plates and glasses of wine.

The staff are fantastically attentive, cheerful, and clearly passionate about what they do. It’s refreshing to see young talent thriving in the hospitality industry, and their energy adds to the overall experience.

A word to the wise: skip the beers and lagers. This place shines when it comes to its wine selection, which perfectly complements the food and enhances the overall dining experience.

If you’re visiting the Lake District, make this restaurant a priority. Excellent food, a beautiful atmosphere, and standout service make it a true highlight...