Harden's survey result
Summary
“Possibly the most authentic Italian food in the north of England, and with no compromise to British ideas of what Italian food is” – this converted old cottage on the A59 is “somewhat reminiscent of an agriturismo, but casting its net over Italy, serving various cuisines rather than just one”. Maurizio Bocchi is the chef, while his wife Cinzia runs front of house, and “their knowledge of oils and wines is amazing” (“olive oil is a speciality verging on obsession and the all-Italian wine list is full of excellent wines you've never heard of, all at very fair prices”). “The food is hearty enough for a rural Lancastrian appetite” – “pastas, particularly the home made ones, are always excellent, fish is always very good, but meat tends to be overcooked in that curiously Italian manner”.
Summary
“Possibly the most authentic Italian food in the north of England, and with no compromise to British ideas of what Italian food is” – this converted old cottage on the A59 is “somewhat reminiscent of an agriturismo, but casting its net over Italy, serving various cuisines rather than just one”. Maurizio Bocchi is the chef, while his wife Cinzia runs front of house, and “their knowledge of oils and wines is amazing” (“olive oil is a speciality verging on obsession and the all-Italian wine list is full of excellent wines you’ve never heard of, all at very fair prices”). “The food is hearty enough for a rural Lancastrian appetite” – “pastas, particularly the home made ones, are always excellent, fish is always very good, but meat tends to be overcooked in that curiously Italian manner”.
Summary
Maurizio (chef) and Cinzia (front of house) Bocchi’s “fiercely Italian” venture occupies “an old weaver’s cottage on the main A59 road through the village” and is “the best Italian food in this part of Lancashire”. “They can’t do enough to make sure you enjoy your meal, and the food is very authentically Italian, based in the Marche, but roving around other regions (there’s little that you would recognise from the menu of your standard high street Britalian). The wine list – all Italian – is very special: not cheap, but good value, and full of unusual vintages. The list of Italian beers is worth a look too (even the soft drinks are largely Italian). Portions are as lavish as both agriturismo and Lancashire would expect!”
Summary
A quaint converted building in the Ribble Valley provides the location for Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi’s fixture of fifteen years’ standing, which takes pride in its local sourcing of Italian dishes.
For 30 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at La Locanda?
Owner's description
Cosy and full of original rustic charm, La Locanda is located in the tiny village of Gisburn, nestled within Lancashire's wonderful Ribble Valley and on the doorstep of The Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The restaurant accommodates around 40 people, with a small bar and dining area downstairs, and a pleasantly welcoming restaurant on the first floor.
Owners, Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi are justifiably very proud of their country's world renowned food culture and heritage, and produce dishes that make sure you enjoy a truly authentic experience.
You'll find the ethos at La Locanda is very much in tune with that of the Slow Food organisation and AgriChef Patron, Maurizio is a proud member of the Slow Food Chefs' Alliance. Paying to true attention to sourcing produce locally, La Locanda has forged strong alliances with many of Lancashire's most respected food producers.
Please Note: To secure your reservations on a Saturday evening, or for special events (e.g. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day), a reservation fee of £10 per head will be collected. This fee will be deducted from the total of your bill.
We look forward to welcoming you at La Locanda soon!
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £28.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 29.95 | Dinner only | 6 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies |
|---|---|---|
| £8.95 | £18.95 | £4.45 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £18.95 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.95 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Born and raised on the banks of Lake Maggiore, in the north of Italy and close to neighbouring Switzerland, Maurizio’s love of food began at an early age. He loved heading out into the woods and foraging for wild mushrooms with his grandmother, and to watch his mother making bread, using flour from the local mill, and fresh pasta with the eggs collected from the hen house.
Motivated by his uncompromising drive to make sure that Italy’s traditional food heritage was properly respected, in 2003, he and Cinzia established La Locanda and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, more than 12 years down the line, La Locanda has won numerous awards, accreditations and accolades for its Slow Food ethos and credentials, and for its authentic representation of Italian food culture and traditions.
Main Street, Gisburn, BB7 4HH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
