
Lancashire is justly proud of its traditions and its traditional foods but these days, however, something unexpected is happening - thanks to exciting collaborations between restaurateurs and local producers. Many chefs in the county are crusading champions of Lancashire's larder and their menus are peppered with re-invented classics and new creations based on excellent raw materials, from Bowland lamb to Goosnargh duck. The county's sprawling urban areas have also spawned a fascinating range of ethnic and multi-cultural eating places serving authentic food at knock-down prices.
Red ChilliOne of a trio of genuine Chinese restaurants with branches in Leeds and Manchester, this modest place is situated in the centre of the Lancashire town of Bacup.
25 Market Street, Bacup, Lancashire - Cuisine: Chinese
AubergeLocated on the High Street in Rishton, The Auberge Restaurant occupies a rather imposing building that was once a Nat West bank.
106 High St, Blackburn, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Millstone HotelFormerly a coaching inn, the Millstone Hotel of today still retains the character of bygone years. The restaurant exudes an air of refined elegance, aided by the crisp white tablecloths, sparkling glasses, traditional oak panelling, attentive service and roaring open fires.
Church Lane, Mellor,, Blackburn, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Clog & BillycockThe Clog & Billycock is set on a hillside above the River Darwen in the picturesque rural village of Pleasington.
Billinge End Road, Blackburn, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Jali Blackpool, Carlton HotelThe Blackpool branch of Jali lies on the famous Northern Promenade within the Carlton Hotel, it sports a richly decorated interior centred around an ancient well which was uncovered during renovations.
282 North Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire - Cuisine: Indian
KwizeenThe people of Blackpool have learned to live with Kwizeen's quirky name, because it delivers wonderfully 'out-of-place' food in a rather drab part of town between the bus station and the parish church.
47-49 King Street, Blackpool, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern European
The MedBlackpool's original Greek taverna (formerly Giggi's) has been around for more than 25 years and has served the town well during that time.
21a Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire - Cuisine: Greek
The Waggon at BirtleThis particular 'waggon' is parked on the old Bury to Rochdale road (B6222) just below the hamlet of Birtle. It used to be a drinkers' haunt, but the interior has been opened up, with chunky stripped-wood tables now dotted around the bar and dining areas.
131 Bury & Rochdale Old Road, Bury, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Luciano's at the MillstoneThe Millstone Inn was a village pub in its previous incarnation, but it is now a thriving Italian restaurant abuzz with a vibrant atmosphere.
Bolton Rd, Chorley, Lancashire - Cuisine: Italian
Shaw Hill Hotel Golf & Country ClubThe Shaw Hill Hotel is an imposing, three floor Georgian country house cradled within a magnificent rural setting with its own 18-hole golf course.
Preston Road, Chorley, Lancashire - Cuisine: European
Freemasons at WiswellThe Freemasons at Wiswell is located in the picturesque tiny village of the same name, just south of Clitheroe in the stunning Ribble Valley.
8 Vicarage Fold, Clitheroe, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Inn at WhitewellOld-world style with all the trimmings is what visitors can expect when they arrive at this gentrified medieval inn tucked away in the Forest of Bowland.
Whitewell, Clitheroe, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Bay Horse InnFollow the signs for the Trough of Bowland if you are heading out to this immaculate black-and-white timbered inn: it looks, feels and behaves like a genuine country hostelry, even though it's only a few minutes' drive from the M6.
Bay Horse Lane, Forton, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
La LocandaLa Locanda is an award winning Italian restaurant nestled in the charming rural village of Gisburn in the Ribble Valley and it is owned by an Italian husband and wife team Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi.
Main Street, Gisburn, Lancashire - Cuisine: Italian
Hipping HallEnsconced in three acres of lovely walled gardens in the hinterland between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, this historic stone manor house has been extensively and sympathetically renovated over the years and now offers elegant comfort in evocative surroundings.
Cowan Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
The HighwaymanHaving scored a resounding hit with the Three Fishes at Mitton, Michelin-starred Nigel Haworth and co. are aiming to repeat the formula at this lavishly refurbished Victorian inn close to the borders of Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire.
Burrow, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Villa HotelBuilt as a Victorian gentleman's residence in rolling Lancashire parkland, this handsome and highly distinctive building is now a thriving hotel and restaurant ideally situated a short drive from junction 3 of the M55.
Moss Side Lane, Kirkham, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Lancaster House Hotel, The FoodworksA country house hotel in the modern style, Lancaster House stands in lawned grounds just south of the city, almost opposite the university.
Green Lane, Lancaster, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Quite Simply FrenchThis restaurant's name is a bit of a give away, and a clear indication of its ethos: a down-to-earth French restaurant that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not.
27a St Georges Quay, Lancaster, Lancashire - Cuisine: French
Sultan of LancasterIndian food meets Islamic art in this highly unusual set-up, housed in a former Methodist chapel. The main focus is a genuine and exquisitely decorated restaurant – complete with a glorious ceiling, ornate pillars and hand-crafted screens – where customers order from an evening menu in the onion pakora / chicken tikka masala mould.
Old Church, Lancaster, Lancashire - Cuisine: Indian
Sun CafeEscape from the incessant rain, put your umbrella away and relax in the comfortable surroundings of the ironically named Sun Cafe.
Sun Street Studios, Lancaster, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern European
The BoroughThe Borough gastro pub is set in a lovely listed Georgian building with Victorian frontage, situated in the centre of Lancaster overlooking historical Dalton Square.
3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
NorthcoteSet amid the beautiful landscape of the Ribble Valley, Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft's attractive brick manor house is well into its third decade as a Michelin-starred restaurant and congenial country hotel.
Northcote Road, Langho, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Waterside Restaurant and Wine BarNestled in the heart of the Pennines, The Waterside is a mellow bar and restaurant with a relaxed, intimate feel adjacent to the Rochdale canal at Littleborough.
1 Inghams Lane, Littleborough, Lancashire - Cuisine: Mediterranean
Longridge RestaurantThe Longridge Restaurant is the flagship restaurant of Paul Heathcote's gastronomic empire and it occupies a group of homespun Lancashire cottages, but the interior has been given a bright, contemporary look of late with bold colours, suede seating and clever lighting.
104 - 106 Higher Road, Longridge, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Corporation ArmsKnown locally as 'The Corper', The Corporation Arms is an eighteenth-century stone inn which was once home to workers constructing the nearby reservoir for the Preston Waterworks Company.
Lower Road, Longridge, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Banthai RestaurantAn authentic Thai dining experience awaits you at The Banthai Restaurant in fashionable St Anne's. On the outside it looks like this restaurant was once a small, unassuming, traditional sweet shop.
19 Alexandria Drive, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire - Cuisine: Thai
Greens BistroIt's well worth the hunt to find Greens, which is hidden away in a basement among Lytham's shops and private dwellings.
3-9 St Andrews Road South, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Clifton Arms HotelOn the site of a seventeenth-century coaching inn, this sizeable seafront hotel now enjoys prime views of Lytham Green and the Ribble estuary; visitors also appreciate its hospitality and fine food.
West Beach, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Grill on the HillGrill on the Hill is the new restaurant located in the 17th century Stanley House Hotel which is set in fifty-four acres of Ribble Valley countryside, just outside the Lancashire village of Mellor.
Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Lancashire - Cuisine: British
The Three FishesHaving done regional food proud at Michelin-starred Northcote Manor in Langho, Nigel Haworth decided to branch out into the world of gastropubs.
Mitton Road, Mitton, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Heathcotes BrasseriePreston was one of Paul Heathcote's first destinations after he decided to branch out beyond his flagship Longridge Restaurant. Since then, the chosen premises - once a convent school - has become a real asset to the town's financial district.
23 Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Inside OutInside Out is a thoroughly modern restaurant that is spacious on the inside, with contemporary art and effective lighting, whilst the exterior serves as a fine al fresco venue with a terrace overlooking the charming garden.
100 Higher Walton Rd, Preston, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern
Italian OrchardThe Italian Orchard may have a surface area akin to a six acre orchard, seating up to 300 guests, but do not be daunted by the size.
96 Whittingham Lane, Preston, Lancashire - Cuisine: Italian
Lorenzo’s RistoranteGianluigi and Susan Lorenzini's popular venue is a firm favourite with the locals and many others who also make the trip out from Preston to his roadside trattoria.
Preston New Road, Preston, Lancashire - Cuisine: Italian
Olive PressIn the basement below the Paul Heathcote's Winckley Square Chop House, this branch of the Olive Press works wonders as a rustic, family-friendly 'pizzeria, bar and grill' serving familiar and innovative Mediterranean food at keen prices.
23 Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire - Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ramsons RestaurantOver the years Chris Johnson has developed a real appetite for all things Italian at his end-of-terrace property in newly trendy Ramsbottom.
18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern European
Casa TapasIt may stand directly opposite the local cricket club, but Casa Tapas brings a touch of sunny Spain to the Lancashire village of Rawtenstall.
93 - 95 Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, Lancashire - Cuisine: Spanish
The Dining RoomThe east Lancashire town of Rawtenstall is renowned locally for skiing: well, dry-ski slopes anyway! Now it has a new claim to fame – a serious restaurant dealing in top-end modern French cuisine.
8-12 Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern French
The Old BoreDon't worry, there's nothing boring about this revitalised 200-year-old stone pub below Rishworth Moor. Chef/proprietor Scott Hessel has breezed in like the proverbial 'new broom' and quickly made the place a Yorkshire talking point – and award winner, to boot.
Oldham Road, Rishworth, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Spread EagleThe setting is a major attraction for visitors to this cottagey seventeenth-century inn, and you don't need to worry about booking a table with a view: everyone in the Riverside Restaurant can enjoy vistas of the Ribble and the Bowland Hills beyond.
Sawley, Sawley, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Fisherman's RetreatDespite its maritime name, this fascinating pub has deep North Country farming roots, and the owners still rear prizewinning Charolais cattle, sheep, pigs and red deer on 80 acres of lush Lancashire pasture close to the Retreat.
Riding Head Lane, Shuttleworth, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Lovels Bar & GrillIn a secluded woodland location in north Lancashire, Holland Hall Hotel occupies a stunning listed former country house in the elevated town of Upholland.
6 Lafford Lane, Skelmersdale, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Dalmeny Hotel Atrium RestaurantThe fabulous family-run Dalmeny Hotel offers an oasis of tranquillity on the promenade overlooking the sea in St Annes. Alongside the many features of the hotel, The Atrium Restaurant, recently voted Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year, offers a seasonally changing menu with modern, imaginative dishes that are complemented perfectly by the restaurant's light, airy, spacious and tastefully contemporary design.
19-33 South Promenade, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire - Cuisine: French
Jack's BistroJack's Bistro is a leading light in fashionable St Annes. The restaurant is completely free from pretension - it is true to its name by offering an informal, intimate bistro ambience, aided by candlelight and a subtle backdrop of music.
54 Wood Street, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire - Cuisine: Bistro
Twelve RestaurantIn the shadow of a beautifully restored landmark windmill, this curiously shaped restaurant occupies what was once a dance studio.
Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British
Lunesdale ArmsA few miles south of Kirkby Lonsdale on the Lancashire/Cumbria border, this eighteenth-century stone inn is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Lune Valley.
, Tunstall, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Waddington ArmsWaddington Arms originally an old coaching inn is situated in the centre of the village from which it takes its name, famous because King Henry VI stayed nearby at Waddington Hall before being betrayed to the Yorkists in 1465.
, Waddington, Lancashire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The High Moor RestaurantThe High Moor is housed in a charming period building, dating back to 1642. Serving reliable British cuisine and a mere 15 minutes' drive from the M6 (Exit 27) this makes a perfect place to take a detour from motorway driving and stop for a meal, or perhaps to enjoy a Sunday lunch within a convivial atmosphere and with magnificent views across the Lancashire countryside.
Highmoor Lane, Wrightington, Lancashire - Cuisine: British
The Mulberry TreeBuilt in 1832, this cavernous one-time drinkers' den has had a rich life, serving time as a wheelwright's, blacksmith's and even a brewery before taking on a new lease of life in 2000.
9 Wood Lane, Wrightington, Lancashire - Cuisine: Modern British