Head to Zeffirellis for Italian-inspired vegetarian dining — think hearty bowls of lasagne and spaghetti al pomodoro, followed by rich tiramisu or refreshing sorbet. Round off your evening by watching a film, as Zeffirellis is also home to a five-screen cinema.

Our affordable compromise was dinner and a film at Zeffirelli’s, an arts cinema attached to a vegetarian restaurant and jazz bar, which offers early-bird film-and-pizza for £15.25 (£12.25 for under-12s).

Named after the great Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, Zeffirellis has been a landmark in the town for over 40 years, the combination of cinema, music venue, restaurant and café surely making the complex the envy of many similar sized places across England. In 2021 Time Out magazine placed Zeffirellis at number nine in its list of ’50 best cinemas in the UK and Ireland, calling it a ‘gem at the northern tip of Lake Windermere’. Many years ago the films Withnail and I and Gothic were premièred here, with the directors of both - Bruce Robinson and Ken Russell - present at the respective showings.

Dotted along the pretty stone streets, you’ll find Zeffirellis and Fellinis - award-winning sister vegetarian Italian and Mediterranean restaurants, which also house a daytime café, a cool jazz bar, and a cinema. Wander a little further and you’ll find award-winning chef Neil Broomfield’s Great North Pie Co. with outdoor seating and hot, hearty pies filled with delicious locally sourced ingredients to tuck into all year round. If you’re looking for something a little more lively for a meal out with your flatmates or date night, then try the rustic Es Mexican Tapas bar and beer garden.

Then check out Zeffirellis and Fellinis, the family-run restaurants at the heart of Ambleside's cultural and social scene. Indulge in classic Italian and Mediterranean vegetarian cuisine while enjoying excellent ambience and quality service that will keep you coming back. But that's not all - these institutions also offer multiple cinema screens showcasing the latest films and art-house features, as well as a popular Jazz Bar for evening entertainment.

For over 40 years Zeffirellis has been a firm favourite for loyal friends and customers, winning many awards and accolades for our fine vegetarian cuisine, film premieres, music events and service. Branded as a vegetarian restaurant, they also serve a lot of vegan food. One person said on TripAdvisor: "This restaurant is amazing, I was blown away by the amount of gluten-free and vegan options (which were clearly marked on the menu, thank you!).

For those looking to explore the delightful village of Ambleisde, Zefferellis is an ideal eatery for vegans and vegetarians in the Lake District. Located in the heart of Ambleside, this restaurant, like La Casa Verde, offers an extensive Italian-inspired menu with delicious plant-based options. From mouthwatering vegan pizzas to vegetarian pasta dishes, Zefferellis caters to a range of dietary preferences.

Zeffirellis & Fellini’s is a great centrally located restaurant in Ambleside featuring a starter, main, and dessert menu with so many vegan options you won’t know what to do with yourself!. Their vegan beef wellington (pictured below) was easily the star of the show and I got severe fomo from not ordering this and will definitely be trying it next time. One little taste was just not enough!

Zeffirellis in Ambleside has won countless awards since it opened 40 years ago, offering a vegetarian and vegan-inspired menu that specialises in Italian cuisine. Interestingly, it’s also paired with its own cinema and jazz bar, offering two-course Italian meals and a cinema seat for under £30. Expect vegan pasta, pizzas, risottos and more – many of which have gluten-free options to boot.

Known locally as Zeffs, this award-winning vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Ambleside has been a favourite haunt for locals and tourists for more than 40 years. It’s busy from the moment it opens its doors to serve breakfast. The dough balls with pomodoro sauce (£4.25), followed by a margherita pizza (£14.50) and finished off with ginger/ pear sticky toffee pudding (£6.50) were divine!

A favourite amongst locals and visitors, Zeffirellis has a five-screen cinema featuring all the latest film premieres. Right in the heart of Ambleside, Fellinis is a stylish and comfortable venue that has an exciting programme of live satellite shows throughout the winter months. Watch theatre, music, opera and dance performances as they are happening in venues around the world.

Zeffirellis and Fellinis, Ambleside Zeffirellis and Fellinis are family owned restaurants with an Italian influence. Enjoy a mixed palette at Zeffirellis with a mixture of non- meat options, vegetarian, vegan and gluten cooking. Meanwhile, Fellinis is focused on providing its clientele with a full ‘Vegeterranean’ dining experience, created with locally home grown ingredients.

Head to Zeffirellis, which shows a selection of current and past blockbusters, indie films, and kids’ films on several screens. Zeffirellis also has an excellent Italian-inspired vegetarian restaurant specialising in pizza and pasta, both at lunchtime and in the evening, with the downstairs cafe also serving informal drinks. You can find out the latest cinema times here.

We headed for dinner at Zeffirellis, which happened to be an independent cinema with a pizzeria and jazz bar attached. The atmosphere was lively but classy, it was quite large and the decor reminded me of that of an American diner or a large Indian restaurant. The menu was entirely vegetarian and had all gluten free and vegan options clearly marked on the menu.

Zeffirellis and Fellinis are family owned restaurants and an independent cinema based in Ambleside. The restaurants make for a great pre cinema treat (cinema packages are available) but they are also worthy of an independent visit. Zeffirellis hosts a mixture of meat and non-meat options, iincluding vegetarian, vegan and gluten free cooking.

When we arrived in Ambleside, Zeffirellis was our first port of call. This Italian-inspired vegetarian restaurant is also owned by the same people as Fellinis & Ambleside Manor and is a little more casual than its sister restaurant. Their speciality is pizza and pasta dishes, with lots of vegan options available.

Zeffirellis is one of Ambleside’s most popular family venues and award winning pizzeria. The restaurant offers Italian inspired dishes for lunch and dinner such as pizza’s and pastas alongside entertainment including an upstairs jazz bar and cinema. The cinema is independent supporting new and emerging talent.

Hidden away in the heart of Ambleside, Zeffirellis Cinema is the perfect location to enjoy a film, some local music and some occasions special events and musicals. You can rest assured that this location will have something that will suit both you and your partner during your trip to the Lake District!

This vegetarian pizzeria is really special, combining an award-winning restaurant with an attached cinema!. It also hosts regular live music nights in its very own jazz bar and has a wonderful Art Deco vibe. The food is excellent and you can even book a meal and cinema deal for a full night out.

Italian-inspired vegetarian food served in a trendy restaurant with live music in their jazz cafe. Not only is this an independent cinema, but an authentic vegetarian pizzeria and relaxed jazz café too!. This award-winning pizzeria welcomes you with warm, informal, and stylish arms.

quite nice, service was slightly slow however quite busy in the restaurant and outside. lots of gluten free options available, quite accommodating for most allergens. food was nice however wish the “nibbles plate” came with an oil or butter for the bread as it was a little dry.

Another amazing restaurant in the Ambleside area is Zeffirellis. This unique restaurant is actually attached to a cinema, making it a great spot to visit before going to watch a film. This restaurant is also a delight for vegetarians; the whole menu doesn’t contain any meat!

Your trip to Ambleside wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the award-winning Zeffirellis. A unique venue, the building is home to two restaurants, a jazz bar, and a cinema. An Italian with a difference, this Ambleside restaurant serves an exclusively vegetarian menu.

A short walk from Brathay Lodge is the vegetarian restaurant, café Jazz bar and Cinema, which is Zefferellis Ambleside. Their menu in the award winning restaurant is based on Italian fair, Pizza and Pasta. You can get a deal for a two course menu and a cinema ticket.

This independent cinema and live music venue is a great way to spend an evening resting weary legs. It has a café and restaurant with an excellent range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. They show a wide range of films, musicals and classical concerts.

Lastly, Zeffirellis doesn’t just attract cinephiles with its films but also coffee lovers with its unique coffee offerings. They’ve made a name for themselves serving up a diverse range of coffee that pairs beautifully with their famous pastries.

Address: Compston Road, Ambleside, LA22 9DJWebsite: ZeffirellisStar Rating: 4.4 (Google Reviews). Zeffirellis is a vibrant hub for vegetarian dining and live music. Their extensive menu includes wood-fired pizzas and creative pasta dishes.

You just can’t go wrong with some classic Italian inspired pizza and pasta. The delicious combination of crispy pizza crust, well-seasoned tomato sauce and bubbly cheese are always a winner. That’s exactly what you’ll get at Zeffirellis!

All vegetarian with plenty of vegan options, Zeffirellis and sister restaurant Fellinis are the reason Ambleside has been the location of choice for vegans in the Lake District for many years.

With a restaurant, cafe, jazz bar and cinema - if you are looking for a way to spend a relaxed day with friends or family in Ambleside then Zeffirelli's could be the place you're looking for!

Zeffirelli – vegetarian restaurant with a jazz bar and cinema attached. Buy a combo ticket for a movie and a meal at a great price, and you can even take your drink into the cinema with you!

Zeffirellis is an independent cinema, but it’s also so much more!. It now incorporates an award-winning pizzeria. As well as a jazz café bar and is an Ambleside institution.

Whether you’re vegetarian or not, you won’t notice – the cooking is that thoughtful. There are lots of gluten-free options available, and many items are vegan.

A gem in the heart of Ambleside, this vegetarian Italian eatery offers delicious food, friendly service, and a cinema for a full evening of entertainment.

Dinner tip: Dine at Zeffirellis, a lively spot known for its fresh pizza and unique dinner-and-cinema combo. A great place to end your first night.

Zeffirellis: A vegetarian cafe attached to a cinema serving Italian food. It’s perfect for a relaxed romantic meal and often hosts live music.

Zeffirellis is home to an award-winning vegetarian restaurant, a midday café, a jazz bar, and a cinema in Ambleside. view more information

To be honest I wouldn't really choose to eat in Ambleside, though Zeffirellis is decent if you like proper pizza (though it's all veggie).

Some of the best include: The Old Laundry Theatre, The Rheged Centre, Theatre by the Lake, Zeffirelli’s, Fellini’s and many more.