The Lake District and Cumbria are fast gaining a reputation as an unmissable foodie destination.

With four Michelin-starred restaurants in the region, it’s no wonder the standard is high.

There is something to satisfy all tastes, diets and cultures; from cosy country inns to exquisite fine dining restaurants, you can enjoy mouth-watering menus from a landscape rich in exceptional produce.

By day, enjoy a light lunch at an inviting tearoom or delight in some local foodie delicacies at one of many farmers markets across the county.

By night, savour some of the most creative dishes you will ever find or sample a home-cooked favourite at a traditional Lakeland inn.

Cumbria is also home to dozens of breweries specialising in craft beers and traditional ales, and even has its own distillery, offering an selection of world-class spirits.

For afternoon tea at an idyllic lakeside hotel: Enjoy an afternoon tea at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa by the shores of Grasmere water and prepare to indulge, not only in the delicious array of treats, but also the stunning lake views from either the Sitting Room or Dining Room.

This artistic yet generous contemporary afternoon tea features the very best selection of local produce and freshly baked cakes for an unforgettable sweet treat.

www.daffodilhotel.co.uk

For fine dining in the forest: Winner of the 2016 Taste Cumbria Award at the Cumbria Tourism Awards, Cottage in the Wood is located in the heart of Whinlatter, England's only mountain forest.

The Cottage in the Wood is a 17th century restaurant with rooms that have been lovingly restored.

'The Cottage' provides a tranquil and relaxing ambience and is the perfect base for exploring the magic of the Lakes while enjoying creative and original food from the surrounding area.

The area provides a rich larder; Herdwick Hogget from the surrounding fells, freshly landed fish and shellfish from Whitehaven harbour and a host of wild foods.

www.thecottageinthewood.co.uk

For vegetarian and vegan delights: Situated on the stunning River Kent in Kendal, the Waterside Café is a family-run vegetarian and vegan café offering delicious food freshly prepared on premises daily using the finest, largely organic and Fairtrade, locally sourced ingredients.

With everything from homemade pancakes to superfood lattes, delicious curries to exceptional homemade cakes, this menu is not to be missed.

www.watersidekendal.co.uk

For a bit of spice: Gilpin Spice is a completely unique restaurant for the Lake District, which transcends international boundaries and focuses on an informal menu with sharing dishes from the spice trail spanning the Indian sub-continent, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and China. All the spices are sourced personally from around the world by Executive Chef, Hrishikesh Desai.

www.gilpinspice.co.uk

For quality Cumbrian food in a traditional Lake District inn: Nestled in the stunning fells in the heart of the northern Lake District, a short distance away from Loweswater and Crummock Water, the Kirkstile Inn’s team of six chefs is serious about good quality, locally sourced, home-cooked food.

Traditional dishes such as shepherd’s pie, Lakeland steak and ale pie, and slow-cooked lamb shank feature on their menus throughout the year with an everchanging specials board

www.kirkstile.com

For a meal in a two Michelin-starred restaurant: Opened in 2002, L’Enclume’s idyllic riverside location in the historic village of Cartmel is the perfect setting for Simon Rogan’s distinctive culinary style.

Simon and head chef Tom Barnes make the best use of the Cartmel countryside, as well as vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers from their own 12-acre farm to create the signature menus that have earned them two Michelin Guide stars.

www.lenclume.co.uk

For a beer from the brewery: Hawkshead Brewery is one of the most successful of the new wave of independent breweries with everything from thirst quenching session beers; big hopped modern pale ales; IPAs; malty red ale; lager; deep dark stout and beer.

The Brewery, which is based in the small village of Staveley, runs scheduled tours of the brewery four times a week and The Beer Hall offers an ever-changing menu with Beer Tapas, light lunches and main meals as well as a bar offering Hawkshead beers, in cask, keg and bottle.

www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk

Visit www.golakes.co.uk/things-to-do/food-and-drink.aspx for more delicious delicacies.