Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in Broadgate
Hardens guides have spent 34 years compiling reviews of the best Broadgate restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 15 restaurants in Broadgate and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Broadgate restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured Broadgate Restaurants
1. Northcote
British, Modern restaurant in Langho
Northcote Rd - BB6
It’s something of a case of ‘plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose’ at this famous foodie boutique hotel in the Ribble Valley, just off the A59, where star chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen quit in early 2025, only almost immediately to announce her return after the property had been sold by The Stafford Collection to kitchen manufacturer magnates, Alf & Clare Ellis; and where – all the while – indefatigable MD Craig Bancroft continued to marshall operations (as well as the considerable wine list). Despite all the changes, reports and ratings in our annual diners’ poll – in which the hotel is a top-40 most commented-on destination outside London – consistently acknowledge it as a “beautiful venue that always delivers high quality food, with a welcome emphasis on local produce”; and with “Lisa Goodwin-Allen doing a magnificent job of maintaining high standards here”. There are a variety of dining options, with the à la carte offering supplemented by a variety of tasting and chef’s table menus. And “the friendliness and professionalism of all the staff led by Mr B is truly excellent”. “Their special events are truly special” too, with many foodies knowing of the hotel via their annual Obsession festival in January and February each year. (Big changes are envisaged in future under the new owners, including the completion of a new-build dining pavilion for Lisa; transformation of the existing dining room into a more relaxed brasserie; and a complete refurb thrown in.)
2. The Inn at Whitewell
British, Modern restaurant in Clitheroe
Forest of Bowland - BB7
“Everything you could wish for in a romantic weekend get-away” – this “special”, remote inn set in the Ribble Valley occupies a “memorable location”, “nestled alongside the River Hodder”, and itself “full of character” (if you stay, each of the “beautifully appointed rooms is decorated to a high standard, each with a peat fire for those colder winter visits”). The menu overseen by chef Jamie Cadman (who cooked for Queen Elizabeth II when she popped in to celebrate her 80th) is more that of a superior pub than of a restaurant, with dishes like Potted Duck Terrine and Shoulder of Burholme Lamb rubbing shoulders with Fish Pie, Fish ’n’ Chips and Steak. The wine list is excellent, as you’d expect for a site that also hosts a vintners. This year’s worst report? – “the cooking is very competently executed using the freshest of ingredients although the menu changes little”.
3. The Three Fishes
British, Traditional restaurant in Whalley
Mitton Rd - BB7
“Nigel Howarth is back to his best”, cooking “superb food” at this country inn (“don’t confuse it for a pub, it’s an excellent proper restaurant”) since coming out of retirement three years ago (he made his name as chef-patron for 30+ years at the nearby Ribble Valley culinary heavyweight, Northcote). He certainly hasn’t lost his touch, with one reporter saying he “preferred this to Northcote”; another asked “How has this not been awarded a Michelin star?”. Still a mover-and-shaker in gastronomic circles, Nigel hosted the week-long Fusion 2 festival of prominent chefs last autumn – one of whom was his son Kirk Howarth, of London’s vegan sensation Plates.
4. Italian Orchard
Italian restaurant in Broughton
96 Whittingham Lane - PR3
2023 Review: “Completely consistent… they still do the best ever Pizza Napoletana” – this huge Italian ‘Ristorante & Pizzeria’ just outside Preston was opened in 1985 and has grown over the years to house 300 guests in one sitting, of whom about a third are in a striking glazed extension, complete with al fresco terrace.
5. Shajan
Indian restaurant in Mellor
Longsight Rd, Clayton-le-Dale - BB1
This award-winning curry house from Mohammad Ali continues to punch above its weight (geddit), having expanded three times over the years to its current 205-seater size; the Ribble Valley spot offers a “really nice atmosphere and lovely food” to match, with one fan who has “been going for over 25 years, so rigorous testing” (indeed) claiming that they have “yet to find one to beat” its Lamb Madras.
6. YU
Chinese restaurant in Copster Green
500 Longsight Rd - BB1
Victor Yu’s enjoyably flash Cantonese pub conversion in the Ribble Valley guarantees a “perfect night out with good food” – and is “just as brilliant as ever” after 22 years. He opened a spin-off in Manchester last year, Choi Wan in the new House of Social food hall, inspired by Hong Kong-style street food.
7. The Cartford Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Little Eccleston
Cartford Lane - PR3
In an “unusual setting” on the banks of the River Wyre by a historic toll bridge (“right down by the water with a pleasant walk before the meal”), the Beaumes’ rambling riverside inn combines views of the Lake District and chic lodgings ranging from a penthouse suite to luxury cabins. “A quiet lack of fuss presides over the whole experience” while on the food front, it “continues to offer probably the best food on the Fylde (that sticky out bit of Lancashire between Preston and Lancaster)”. “The food varies between simple or classic dishes done very well and a few excursions into experimentation (which sometimes work, sometimes don’t), so – split the difference – and say it’s very good”. Top Tips – “bargain three-course lunch for £27 per person”; it’s “well worth popping into the on-site deli”, TOTI (‘Taste of the Inn’), where you can pick up “a really splendid choux bun”; “you’ll never go wrong with their superb French Onion Soup, followed by an oxtail suet pudding”.
8. Breda Murphy Restaurant
British, Modern restaurant in Whalley
41 Station Rd - BB7
2023 Review: “Simplicity” combines with “top quality” at Carlow-born Breda Murphy’s deli-restaurant, a popular destination in the Ribble Valley since 2006 for her Anglo-Irish home-style cooking. “At first it feels overly conservative, but every dish is perfectly cooked, often with a small and interesting twist such as thick-cut lime and soy-cured salmon.”
9. The Vincent Hotel V-Cafe
British, Modern restaurant in Southport
98 Lord Street - PR8
2024 Review: This “buzzy and consistent” brasserie at a stylish modern hotel and wedding venue offers “excellent service and good food”, with an eclectic menu that stretches from “delicious steaks and fish ’n’ chips” to sushi and other Asian delights, then back to comforting domestic desserts including chocolate mousse and fruit crumble.
10. Freemasons at Wiswell
British, Modern restaurant in Wiswell
8 Vicarage Fold Clitheroe - BB7
Opinions are somewhat divided this year on this famous pub with rooms in the Ribble Valley, where chef Steve Smith departed in mid 2024 for the bright lights of Manchester. Fans say its production of “Michelin-starred service, wines and food, all without the aspirations and fuss”, continues unabated and feel “you don’t get much better than this for quality and value”. But it also inspired a couple of disappointments this year, including amongst former fans, who perceive “a lack of heart or passion” to recent meals, or who have found some dishes “uninspired and poorly prepared”. Hopefully teething problems?
11. Bistrot Vérité
French restaurant in Southport
7 Liverpool Road - PR8
This “very popular French bistro and bar”, from the Vérité family, is “a fantastic little gem”, serving “faultless food in a buzzy atmosphere” – “a warm welcome is guaranteed, service is professional”, and the menu features “Gallic classics including great fish and seafood”. Founded 16 years ago by Mark & Michaela, it’s now run by their sons Jacques (chef) and Charlie (maître d’) – and is apparently a favourite of chef Marc Birchall on his days off from Lancashire’s stellar Moor Hall.
12. Aven
restaurant in Preston
10 Camden Place - PR1
“Really great, inventive food prepared to exacting standards by a talented chef” makes this two-year-old from a strong team headed by Oli Martin (ex-Northcote and Hipping Hall) a “real gem”, serving “ambitious tasting menus (for £79 per person at dinner, no à la carte) with strong presentation and good blends of flavours that are precise but not excessive”. (Giles Coren of The Times also heaped praise on “supremely gifted and thoughtful chefs (and) proper northern hospitality” in his November 2024 review).
13. Roasta Preston
Chinese restaurant in Preston
43 Plungington Road - PR1
2024 Review: “Went here after reading Jay Rayner’s Nov 2022 review. Superb!” – this no-frills café near the Central Lancashire University campus (from Hong Kong natives Fai Tsang and her husband, Wai) is “very much a café rather than a restaurant but you can (need to) book”, thanks to brilliant Cantonese cooking that’s worth rolling up your sleeves for. Top Menu Tip – “The roast duck and siu yuk are delicious with the crisp skin contrasting the tender meat. Soy chicken is very flavourful and the brisket tender, tasty and well spiced”.
14. Haighton Manor
British, Modern restaurant in Haighton Green
Haighton Green Lane - PR2
2024 Review: This crowd-pleasing pub once served as a hospital, but since its takeover and refurb’ by the Brunning & Price group some years back, it’s now a proper country gastroboozer (also with a handful of rooms); on the menu – high-quality British dishes abetted by some more exotic influences from around the world.
15. Kalash Divine Indian
Indian restaurant in Southport
1-5 Lord Street - PR8
“Doing something different from any other Indian restaurant around town”, this six-year-old venue expanded into the premises next door to meet demand for the family recipes introduced by founders Ranjeet Singh & Alvino Cardozo, who live up to their restaurant’s name (and address on Lord Street) with food they see as a ‘spiritual’ experience.
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