This airy, pale-wood and glass affair, attached to Grasmere’s Heaton Cooper Gallery, has a Scandinavian feel, and name, for good reason. Mathilde, a country Norwegian girl, stole the heart of Lancashire-born Alfred Heaton Cooper, the first generation of these well-respected Lake District landscape artists (now in its third) while he was travelling around Scandinavia as a young artist in the 1890s. The café’s food has a Scandinavian simplicity and earthiness; perfect brunch-style dishes such as poached egg with Jarlsberg or sauteed mushrooms on sourdough, a brioche bun hot dog with pickled onions and Finnish mustard.

Difficult to pronounce (unless you happen to be Swedish) but delicious to eat, this smoked trout dish is just one of the delights you can find on the menu at Mathilde’s Café – which is housed inside the Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere, and named after Alfred Heaton Cooper’s Norwegian wife. The Scandi influence makes its presence felt throughout many of the dishes on offer – we particularly like the sound of Köttbullar – Scandinavian meatballs with creamy mash, Mathilde’s pickle, lingonberry compote and gravy (and no flatpack furniture in sight anywhere). And the Nordic but nice cakes get a big thumbs up from us too.

Mathilde’s Café at the Heaten Cooper Studio in Grasmere is a lovely spot for lunch in the Lake District. Named after Mathilde Marie Valentinsen, a country girl from Norway, who stole the heart of acclaimed artist Alfred Heaten Cooper, the menu at this Grasmere café is inspired by simply and tasty Scandinavian food culture. From homemade Scandinavian inspired cakes to flavourful specials, there is always something exciting to discover at Mathilde’s Café, Grasmere.

A Scandinavian cultured café, Mathilde’s Café is located at the Heaton Cooper Studio. With food influenced by Viking tradition, the café is based upon good quality and healthy everyday food. Simple, tasty food done well, great for a mid-walk pit stop, to refuel after a big hike, or even just a delicious coffee and cake.

Described as perfect for light lunches by people who have visited, Mathilde’s menu has a wide range of delicious dishes which you won’t find anywhere else. From fishcakes to beef buns, open sandwiches to mackerel pate, it’s the perfect place for those looking to try something a little different from the norm.

Situated in part of the famous Heaton Cooper Art Studio, this daytime only cafe features amazingly inventive Scandi food along with more familiar Scandinavian favourites like meatballs. If you are really hungry can recommend a Viking Breakfast (as large as it sounds). Beautiful choice of cakes.

And if you want to ‘try before you buy’ there are plenty of cafés and restaurants in Cumbria which serve Carvetii Coffee including Mathilde’s in Grasmere, Homeground in Windermere, Yard 46 in Kendal, the Black Bull in Sedbergh and Wild Zucchinis in Cockermouth.

Mathilde’s Cafe is a journey that started in the 19th century and has brought together all of our favourite things: romance, art, picturesque views and a love of food. Located in the historic Heaton Cooper Studio, there’s quite a back story to their heritage.

Bike friendly cafe offering great homemade cakes and coffee in the picturesque tourist destination and village of Grasmere in the Lake District. Do try their iced fruit cake, yum!. Looking for a specific location to find cycling cafes or suggested routes?

We had the chalk trout, breakfast bun and shared a potato rosti. My only critique is that I wish the dish included the other half of the egg ?. We also got the miso caramel toscakaka to take away and eat by the lake which was sensational!

Discover a Lakeland artistic dynasty and a Scandi-inspired café at the Heaton Cooper Gallery. Smorrebrods, salads, tart of the day and Krakauer hot dogs await…lunch served daily – closed Tuesdays. Drivetime: 35 minsBook?

Heidi’s of Grasmere, the Mathilde’s Cafe next to the Heaton Cooper Gallery and Green’s of Grasmere are all excellent places for lunch.

Why not take a look at the Scandinavian-inspired menu at Mathilde’s Cafe and see if something tickles your taste buds!