Cumbria may be known for its breathtaking landscapes, sheep-dotted hillsides, and sticky toffee pudding — but there’s something new (and smoky) happening between the mountains and the markets: slow-smoked BBQ brisket is making its mark.
Whether you’re on a weekend retreat in the Lake District, meandering through market towns like Kendal and Penrith, or hiding out in a country pub, there’s a brisket revolution quietly brewing in Cumbria — and it’s delicious.
🐂 1. The Smokin’ Yak – Windermere
A unique fusion of BBQ and Himalayan flavours, The Smokin’ Yak brings brisket with a twist. Their beef is slow-smoked using traditional wood-fire techniques, then finished with spices inspired by the mountains of Nepal and northern India. Think smoked brisket in naan wraps, spiced brisket rice bowls, or brisket momos.
📍 Windermere, pop-ups & festivals
🔥 Pro tip: Their “Brisket Wrap with Chilli Tamarind Sauce” is pure genius — smoky, tangy, spicy bliss.
🍖 2. BAHA Smokehouse Kitchen – Bowness-on-Windermere
Tucked away in one of the Lake District’s most charming towns, BAHA runs a Smokehouse Kitchen concept that includes brisket slow-cooked for 12+ hours, glazed with house BBQ sauce and served in both traditional and creative formats — like brisket bao buns or brisket-topped ramen.
It’s modern, stylish, and a perfect post-lakeside-lakewalk reward.
📍 Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere
🔥 Pro tip: Don’t miss their “brisket and bourbon” night — the pairing is legendary.
🛻 3. The BBQ Barn – Carlisle (Mobile BBQ Unit)
Locally loved and full of rustic charm, The BBQ Barn is a mobile smokehouse that appears at markets and festivals across Cumbria, especially around Carlisle and the northern fells. Their Texas-style brisket is beautifully barked, smoke-ringed, and served with slaw, loaded fries, or classic BBQ sides.
📍 Carlisle-based – check social media for events & appearances
🔥 Pro tip: Try their “Brisket Box” with creamy mac & cheese and jalapeño cornbread.
🍺 4. Fell Bar x Fire & Smoke – Penrith (Taproom Collabs)
Fell Brewery regularly hosts BBQ pop-ups at their Penrith and Kendal taprooms, where local smoke masters dish out trays of smoked brisket, burnt ends, and loaded buns alongside fresh pints of their signature Lakeland beers.
It’s a perfect pairing: rich, smoky brisket with bold, hoppy brews in a laid-back local setting.
📍 Penrith & Kendal taprooms
🔥 Pro tip: Pair brisket with a dark porter or smoked ale — it’s a flavour explosion.
🧡 Honourable Mention: Cumbria’s Hidden Smokers
As you’d expect in a region known for its foodie independence and rugged individualism, some of the best brisket in Cumbria isn’t found in restaurants — it’s coming out of converted horseboxes, garden smokers, and micro-caterers who only serve brisket once a week (if you’re lucky).
Look for:
- Weekend BBQ boxes near Keswick & Ambleside
- Farmers markets in Ulverston, Cockermouth, and Kirkby Lonsdale
- Pop-ups at Lakeland breweries and cideries
Sometimes the best BBQ in Cumbria isn’t on a map — it’s on a winding road with a chalkboard sign and a trail of smoke.
🥩 Why Cumbrian Brisket is a Hidden Gem
Cumbria is all about local beef, wild landscapes, and food cooked with care — and brisket fits right in. The best pitmasters here use Cumbrian cattle, locally sourced hardwoods, and a deep respect for flavour and patience. The result? Brisket that’s as memorable as the views.
✨ Final Thoughts: From Fells to Firepits
Whether you’re fresh off a hike or just strolling through town, smoked brisket in Cumbria is the reward you didn’t know you needed. It’s rich, hearty, warming, and just rustic enough to match the landscape.
So grab a fork (or your hands), follow the smoke, and experience Cumbria’s rising BBQ culture — one brisket box at a time.
Know a secret smokehouse in the Lakes? A farm pub with a smoker out back? Let us know — we’ll bring the appetite and the napkins.