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Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Pizza
Italian
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Vegetarian cafe and restaurant set in a complex that also houses cinemas and a jazz bar. Menu offers snacks like olives and potato wedges, pizzas, pasta dishes, salads, and mains like wellington plus drinks and ice cream for dessert. Established since the 2000s. Open Mon-Sun 10:00-22:00. Restaurant is closed Mon but the caféi s for drinks and cakes until 5pm.
132 Reviews
First Review by jonnie
KatieGill123
Points +796
Great - Edit
Fully vegetarian, many vegan options. Not the best vegan pizza I've ever had but very tasty nonetheless. Do a pizza & movie deal on a Wednesday 👍
Read morePros: Pizza & movie deal, Friendly staff, Loads of vegan options
Guest
Dede
Points +624
Lunch - Edit
Italian restaurant with outdoor seating in centre of Ambleside
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-10-04
Pros: All vegetarian with lots of vegan options , Lovely wine and local beer
Cons: Maze not great small portions and cheese poor, Humus dry
Guest
jasminegraceg
Points +1270
Great vegan selection - Edit
This restaurant is fully vegetarian with a lot of vegan options available. I popped in just for a light lunch. I had the soup of the day (chunky vegetable) with a fresh bread roll. They were both very tasty and it really hit the spot. Would love to return with a bigger appetite and try some other options.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-09-03
Guest
mycoffeeheart
Points +523
Good vegan options - Edit
I am Vegan and Italian, and, for this place, I must write two quite different reviews
Read moreAs a vegan: the place has many options and they are tasty, I had the nut balls spaghetti and the nut balls were great. I also had bruschetta which was very tasty 4/5
As an Italian: this place is NOT italian at all, the pasta was not cooked properly, which is a big miss, bruschetta is all but italian, same with the pizza 1/5
Updated from previous review on 2026-08-22
Guest
katiemayy
Points +72
Incredible vegan options - Edit
One of the few none fully vegan restaurants I will trust! The food is always delicious and staff are very friendly and helpful. Love this place!!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-08-16
Pros: Vegan options, Yummy food, Lovely staff
Guest
AllisonGarcia
Points +366
Real Italian - Edit
The pasta dishes tasted so authentically Italian. We had starters, entrees and desserts and they were all excellent. It seats a lot of people. It was very busy, though it was less so by 8pm. Everything came quickly and service was impeccable.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-07-08
Pros: Pasta
Guest
Dalih
Points +1067
Wow, amazing but Wellington! - Edit
What a great place, lots of choice for vegans. I had the lentil pasta with vegan cheese, and the mini Buddha bowl. My partner choose the vegan nut Wellington and asked for the recipe!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-06-25
Guest
Jfinch26
Points +502
Jazz + a delicious meal = perfection - Edit
We came here for a meal and some live jazz on our last night at the lake district and it was lovely! The wellington is delicious and a massive portion so prepare yourself.
Read moreWe got the music deal, 2 courses anr live music for only £25... a bargain!
Staff are lovely and the atmosphere was really nice, would come here again
Updated from previous review on 2026-06-19
Pros: Great prices, Great food, Lovely staff
Guest
stulave
Points +3325
A lovely restaurant, for a nice meal - Edit
This restaurant is vegetarian, the menu has a number of vegan options, it also identifies which vegetarian options can by made vegan. I went with two meat-eaters, who enjoyed their food a lot. I had 3 courses and have nothing but praise, good flavours and portion size. The staff knew I was vegan and served my food stating it was vegan.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-06-11
Guest
Flume
Points +909
I really didn’t rate this place - Edit
I am confused why this place is so highly rated. I got the two course and movie meal deal. The whole menu is good if you are vegetarian, but the staff seemed confused by veganism.
Read moreMy first course was bruschetta. They substituted motzarella with packet shredded vegan cheese. It was like an open sandwich, but the bread was soggy. The staff also had to check the menu to see if it could be made vegan
The 2nd course was Arrabiata. They did my pet peeve of advertising a vegan option, then removed anything non-vegan instead of substituting it. Bottom 20% of spaghetti I have had at a restaurant, I loaded it up with pepper.
There were also just a couple of strange things. Like they asked if I would like iced water, then brought me water without ice. Or having you save 2 quid by getting the movie meal deal, and then factoring in the movie ticket to the service charge, negating half the money saved by buying them together.
Honestly it was probably a 3 star meal, but I am feeling dramatic. I don’t think I am their target demographic.
Updated from previous review on 2026-06-11
Pros: Vegeterian restaurant
Cons: Seemed confused by ordering vegan, Advertised as vegan option, but just removed stuff
Guest
JohnBrownlow
Points +223
Very popular and with good vegan options - Edit
Zeff's has been a family favourite for over 30 years. We've eaten here dozens of times going back to when it was basically a vegetarian pizzeria upstairs! The food is always good and there's enough vegan options. The staff are polite and friendly. Good value for money.
Read morePros: Good food, Excellent service, Value for money
Guest
Dixon22
Points +81
Great food, service and ambience - Edit
It is so nice to go to a pure vegetarian restaurant and we had a great evening. However it would be nice to have more designated vegan dishes rather than vegan options - as a vegan I was anxious that they did veganize the dishes we selected ( pizza). The main course buddha bowl was a disappointment - it was essentially a salad and at 16.50 GBP very overpriced. Typically buddha bowls do include grains - admittedly the menu does not describe grains but it left for a very unsatisfying main course. The server did however provide some brown rice on request. The environment was pleasant- great to see it busy on a Tuesday night and did not feel overcrowded
Read morePros: Fully vegetarian/vegan, Mostly excellent service , Nice ambience
Cons: Need more designated vegan dishes
Guest
Plants4katie
Points +1079
Classy vegetarian restaurant - Edit
Really nice atmosphere and yummy food. Visited with a meat eater friend and at first we did not even realise this was vegetarian only as in her words, the menu was flavourful enough. Classy venue and knowledgeable staff. Huge portions, it seemed impossible not to leave with a box
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-05-16
Guest
maisiegrace
Points +173
A treat ! - Edit
We had an amazing 3-course meal here and it was such a treat! I hope we can come back again one day. We ordered the mega mezze platter for starter, a bolognese and aubergine parmigiana for mains, and the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. It was all delicious but I have to say in particular the pesto sauce was wonderful, it was so good to have a real fresh pesto, which is a world away from the jarred stuff.
Read moreGuest
flissjoy
Points +24
So good!! Me - Edit
Pasta amazing. Wellington amazing. Cheesy garlic bread divine and dreamy. Lovely atmosphere
Read moreGuest
Travels_in_Reggie
Points +5415
Zeffirellis - Edit
I would have loved to eat in, but with a no dogs allowed policy, I settled for a takeaway. I chose one of their pizzas, and they were happy to make adjustments to the toppings to my taste. It was ready for collection promptly, and the pizza was really enjoyable. I’d happily return.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-02-06
Guest
Tanjarine
Points +103
Gluten free and vegan option’s aplenty - Edit
Highly recommend for vegan and/or gluten free.
Read moreThe chef has a gluten free lifestyle so there are many options on the menu…which is rare for vegan food!
Updated from previous review on 2026-02-01
Pros: Choices, Friendly, Gluten-free vegan
Guest
LesleyRigby
Points +119
Vegetarian restaurant! - Edit
Lovely atmosphere, very busy, excellent staff and service. The menu was very vegan friendly with gluten free also well catered. We sat upstairs in the Jazz restaurant and there was a great singer on.
Read morePros: Great food, Lots of choice, Great atmosphere
Guest
Leafn4give
Points +458
Delightful - Edit
Delightful vegan food, photogenic, tasty & served by friendly and attentive staff. Another vegetarian establishment catering better for vegans than many vegan eateries. Mini Buddha bowls for starters were great but forgot to take photos
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-12-02
Pros: Ambience, Tastey, Attentive & helpful staff
Guest
MeganDonovan
Points +28
Fantastic - Edit
Friendly staff, great atmosphere, we ordered the vegan nut wellington and the sticky toffee pudding, both were 10/10 delicious. Would definitely recommend visiting if you’re vegan in the Lake District! Will definitely return.
Read morePros: Fast service, Menu, Quality of food
Guest
JaredLin
Points +635
Amazing - Edit
Very fancy vegetarian restaurant. We had the vegan option food and was delicious. Definitely recommend visiting for dinner if you’re in Lake District
Read moreGuest
JoeandJane
Points +28
Such a shame no dogs allowed indoors - Edit
Have visited Zefferellis regularly since the 90’s . Always loved the food & cinema deals.
Read moreSadly nowadays it’s not possible or desirable to leave your dogs in a car, motorhome or holiday cottage so unless it’s a really warm day where we can sit in the rather uninspiring ground floor outdoors bit we can no longer visit.
Surely you can allow dogs in the front bit? Think you did in the front cafe bit in the early days?
You must lose so much trade because of this.
We just went elsewhere yet again, which was a shame.
Pros: Great food, Good interior , Vegan & veggie
Cons: No dogs allowed indoors
Guest
FionaWallace
Points +341
Perfection - Edit
Can’t go wrong here, great ambience, knowledgeable and friendly staff with years of experience. Menu extensive for both vegetarian and vegan.
Read moreAlways a must if you’re in the area
Guest
DroopySnoopers
Points +134
Not the best experience - Edit
Had two dishes, one vegan which was quite nice and one vegetarian which was not good at all.
Read moreThe menu for a Sunday was different to any other day according to what we found online and we weren't very pleased with the options.
The restaurant itself was very nice and the service was also really good. Just a shame about one of their dishes not tasting good at all.
Guest
susiehaha
Points +436
Great food, sumptuous surroundings! - Edit
Zeffs is a little touch of class in Ambleside 😉. Loads of vegan options at this otherwise veggie Italian restaurant. Rather over the top but delightful decor, always feels slightly decadent and swanky! As usual, I had the pecan and cashew nut roast wellington with mash, veg and a rich gravy, which is very savoury and delicious. Mrs HaHa had a pizza. Only drawback is it ain't cheap! But then nowhere is these days, especially in the Lakes. Always nice to visit again.
Read morePros: Good quality food., Nice surroundings , Great choice
Cons: A bit pricey
Guest
GracePlant
Points +1363
Gorgeous location - Edit
Vegan options are clearly labelled and a beautiful restaurant. The meal deal included with a cinema ticket, so worked out a good price:)
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-02-08
Guest
Ashphyxiaa
Points +34
Gorgeous - Edit
Some of the best pasta I've had since going vegan - which you'd think is a surprise! The tofu cheesecake was lovely but a bit rich. I adored the whole menu - as well as the vegan wine selection! Alcohol free Shiraz was lovely. Movie deal made it worth it.
Read morePros: Delicious, Lovely interior
Guest
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