TRIPADVISOR says it’s Keswick’s best restaurant. I booked a table at Bar eS to see if the hype is real.
One thing I wasn't expecting from one of the Lake District's largest towns was its highest-rated restaurant to be a Mexican eatery. In a region filled with pubs and restaurants serving classic British food, it was a refreshing change to settle down for something a bit more international.
I’m talking about Keswick’s Bar eS, where the vibrant mix of tangy, spicy, and comforting flavours was the perfect nourishment for my partner and me after a brisk autumn walk.
Bar eS is rated top by TripAdvisor's 'highest rating' sorting, with a 4.7/5 after 1,409 reviews.
Restaurant review: Bar eS, Keswick
Like me, if you book a table at Bar eS on the same day as you go, you'll notice a lack of time options available to book. This instantly filled me with hope that the meal was going to be something out of the ordinary, and I wasn't disappointed.
The décor in the establishment is rustic yet modern. Smooth wooden cladding and tiles adorn the walls of the ground-floor bar and seating area. Upstairs, the building's original beams and white stone walls stand proudly, contrasted by contemporary Aztec-inspired art.
To drink, we both went with a pint of Salt Loom IPA and followed it with a Classic Margherita, because 'when in Rome'. The margherita was lovely; crisp and tart, with not too much salt and was the perfect combination to cut through the spice of the Mexican food.
In our first round of dishes, we were brought two crunchy salads and a pulled chilli beef nachos. The salads were light, crunchy, colourful and appetising and were a great portion for the £3 price.
It’s hard to mess up loaded nachos. This, admittedly, means it's also hard to stand out. But stand out is what Bar eS’ nachos do. The pulled chilli beef was rich and tender and worked harmoniously with the cheese, sour cream, guacamole and tomato salsa. The crunchy jalapeños and raw coriander added an extra layer. A very minor critique, as always with loaded nachos... I just wish there were more toppings!
The atmosphere in Bar eS was lively and pleasant. There was a mix of fitting music, which included Latin, reggae and funk. The service was also excellent; the staff were very friendly and attentive, and couldn't do enough for you. They paced the food timings very well, and before we knew it, our next course: gambas pil pil (prawns cooked in garlic and chilli), battered salt and pepper squid, and chicken tinga flauntas had arrived.
Rather than relying on heavy garlic and oil usage, as many gambas pil pil do, Bar eS’ prawns were large, fresh and succulent whilst maintaining the pil pil’s typical flavourfulness. Possibly the best dish we had on the night, just make sure to soak up all that juice with the sourdough bread that is provided.
The fried squid were pleasingly chunky in size. They were juicy and tender yet crispy and light, and paired with the lemon and garlic aioli accompaniments, extremely moreish.
You can’t come to a Mexican-inspired eatery without trying a tortilla wrap. We went for the special, chicken tinga flauntas, and weren’t disappointed. They featured tender chicken with cream cheese, jalapeños and black beans, with avocado crema, sour cream, and fresh greens garnished on top. They had a melt-in-your-mouth quality, which helped make them extremely tasty.
Bar eS, which has been delighting diners since its opening in 2014, lived up to the hype. The £80 bill (including tip) felt well worth it for the experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply stopping by for a light bite paired with one of their extensive drink options, this spot delivers. It was easily one of the best Mexican-inspired dining experiences I’ve had in a long time, and it’s a place I’ll happily return to again and again.
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