Top 10 most romantic restaurants in Lancashire to celebrate this Valentine's Day
January is almost behind us and Valentine's Day will soon rear its head.
While many of us can look forward to a box of chocolates or bouquet of flowers from a secret admirer, some take the opportunity to enjoy a good meal out. In Lancashire, we're not short of options for the most romantic day of the year; after all, the county boasts plenty of Michelin Star and AA Rosette eateries.
But what are the most romantic restaurants in Lancashire? TripAdvisor has put together a list of the 10 most romantic in the county, offering a variety of cuisines, styles and price tags.
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1. Quite Simply French, Lancaster
Synonymous with romantic, dimly-lit restaurants is of course, French cuisine. As the name aptly suggests, Quite Simply French is an establishment that's taken the precision, flavours and historic cooking styles of French food and brought it to the north of England.
Quite Simply French changes its menu every day and seasonally, with every plate cooked to order.
Not only is it top of this list, but the restaurant boasts a number of awards too. It's won the AA Guide and Visit England's Highest Quality Food Award. It is also Lancaster’s only 5-star hotel as rated by both The AA and Visit England.
But that's not all; customers seem to think the restaurant is worth a visit too. On TripAdvisor, the latest reviewer wrote: "Brilliant great food and atmosphere - Have been here a few times and it always lives up to expectation - highly recommended probably the best restaurant in Lancaster."
Another posted: "We had a lovely evening here. The food was out of this world! It was really flavoursome food and the attention to detail was evident. Highly recommend, we will definitely be back very soon. Best food around by far!"
2. Le Sorelle Restaurant, Blackpool
If you're more local to Blackpool, Le Sorelle might be a good option this Valentine's Day. Offering hand-crafted Italian cuisine, the eatery serves fresh ingredients with dishes including antipasti, pasta, meat, pizza and many other traditional Italian eats.
From 5-7pm Sunday until Thursday, there's an early bird offer at the restaurant, with diners able to benefit from any starter and pizza or pasta for just £15. Garnering an impressive five-star rating on TripAdvisor, many customers have been impressed with the restaurant's offerings.
One person wrote: "Found this great little Italian restaurant on TripAdvisor so decided to book it. We were greeted by the owner who was so friendly along with our waitress. Meal was sooo good and full of flavour. Would highly recommend and certainly will return the next time we’re in Blackpool. Thanks for a great meal along with the drinks."
3. Moor Hall, Aughton
For a more high-end experience, Moor Hall is third on the list of most romantic restaurants in Lancashire. The two-Michelin star restaurant is set in five acres of beautiful gardens in West Lancashire, with views to the south over a beautiful lake, said to be the remains of a medieval moat.
Chef Mark Birchall offers an exquisite experience. Moor Hall holds five AA Rosettes and was voted 'Restaurant of the Year' at the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards. One diner wrote on TripAdvisor: "We were invited to Moor Hall by some new friends, who had been told it was a wonderful experience, they were not wrong. From start to finish it was near perfect.
"Starting with a tour of the vegetable gardens which was inspirational for our own veg garden. This led to a visit to the kitchens with the first taste of what was to come. The whole tasting menu had such depth of flavours making it difficult to pick a favourite. The staff were exemplary… The environment was also notable being in beautifully renovated Elizabeth (?) building. A very memorable experience, thank you R&R."
4. The Bank Bar and Grill, Blackpool
In the heart of Blackpool, The Bank Bar and Grill is an independent family-run restaurant that serves locally-sourced food. Opened in 2018, the restaurant on Corporation Street has a relaxed-atmosphere, serving modern favourites.
On the menu are burgers, pizza, pasta and other classics such as hunter's chicken, fish and chips, and a rack of ribs. With the review, "High standards and quality in Blackpool", one diner was quick to sing its praises.
They said: "This restaurant really has high standards for food and service. From the time we arrived to when we left nothing was any problem. The food was excellently cooked and presented the staff always smiling and in uniform made it a pleasure to dine at this restaurant. Thank you to Ricardo. Very highly recommended when you’re in Blackpool."
5. Northcote, Langho
Another option at the higher end of the scale, Northcote is a one-Michelin star restaurant led by executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen. Located in Langho in the Ribble Valley, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, Northcote overlooks a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Not only can you dine in luxury and style, but the restaurant also offers rooms for a truly spectacular break. The most recent reviewer wrote: "Attended our 1st Obsession evening which was amazing. Such a privilege to experience this and hope will do again.
"Food and service was second to none and we felt very special. What amazing staff. So attentive to all our needs and the time just flew by. Well done to chef Rafael Cagali and all the staff. If you want to feel "Special" just go eat at the Northcote for an experience you will never forget."
6. Angels Restaurant, Ribchester
Another restaurant in the picturesque setting of the Ribble Valley, Angels Restaurant offers cosmopolitan dining, all created by executive head chef Simon Eastham.
The eatery offers a Valentine's Day menu, available on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15. Priced at £79.90 per person, you can enjoy a glass of fizz and a six-course menu with a fillet of beef and cheese board included.
A reviewer wrote: "Superb New Year's Eve lunch. Run by husband and wife Simon and Claire and family giving it the personal touch. Always a very warm, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere enhanced great live music form the pianist on this occasion. It's always like coming home!"
Another posted: "Wow!! This restaurant is amazing, our children bought us a voucher for here last Christmas and due to circumstances we only got to use it this week. We drive past here many times in a week and have always wanted to go. Looking from the exterior you get the impression that it is a luxury restaurant and an expensive one.
"From the minute we walked in you are greeted by the owner who is so friendly and down to earth. There's no airs and graces with her and the young members of staff are so polite. We had the 4 course menu, everything from the chicken liver parfait to the trifle was mouthwatering. It was a lovely ambience with nice chilled music. We will certainly be returning soon."
7. La Bottega, Blackpool
La Bottega, situated on Abingdon Street in Blackpool, offers Italian delicacies. Diners appear to enjoy the pizzas, fish and lobster-stuffed pasta.
On TripAdvisor, one diner wrote: "Lovely fresh food, simple cooked, great staff and atmosphere. The deserts are all home made. Not the old style "Italian " restaurant, just quality food."
A second posted: "Absolutely gorgeous meal, we were just visiting Blackpool for the day, the food was amazing, atmosphere really nice, and service was really friendly and efficient, would definitely recommend."
8. Coach and Horses Restaurant, Bolton-by-Bowland
Set in a restored traditional coaching inn, the Coach and Horses isn't your classic boozer. Boasting two AA rosettes, the restaurant exudes sophistication, with a cosy bar and individually-styled bedrooms.
One person wrote: "Stayed with friends as part of the Lazy Sunday offer. Very enjoyable stay. Staff and service were excellent and room comfortable. Enjoyed a delicious roast dinner."
Another left a review reading: "Stayed overnight at The Coach and Horses with my husband, sister and brother in law. We arrived around 3.00pm and had a couple of drinks in the bar. Friendly staff, a good choice of tipples and it was lovely to see a large group of locals who had just been on a pheasant shoot call in.
"There was a nice mix of locals and a couple of others who were staying the night. Our room (Mouse) was lovely, good quality bed linens, comfy bed, beautifully decorated. Could not fault it. We enjoyed dinner in the restaurant and all 4 of us had 4 courses from the a la carte menu. All of us enjoyed our food immensely.
"The atmosphere in the restaurant was great, not too loud but not too quiet. The staff were again very friendly and personable. Breakfast the next morning was wonderful, we sat at a table that could see into the kitchen so it was nice to be able to see our food being prepared. Overall a great stay with fabulous food. Would definitely recommend."
9. Tugra Meathouse, Preston
A different offering, Tugra Meathouse is a Turkish dining experience on Market Street in Preston. Dishes on the menu include grilled steaks, Japanese Wagyu steaks and Turkish kebabs.
The most recent reviewer stated: "Went for 21st birthday and they were extremely accommodating and made it a fun and memorable birthday and good food too!!"
Another diner wrote: "We came in to celebrate my friends birthday. From the first step, they made everything easy and fun. They organised everything very well. Moving on to the food, it was simply amazing.
"The steak is cooked to perfection and the small mistake was immediately amended. The staff are beyond nice. They are the kindest staff I've ever seen in any restaurant. They were fun, energetic, and incredibly friendly. Simply put, the restaurant is a must visit in Preston or if you're any where nearby."
10. Himalayan Monal, Preston
Another alternative option, Himalayan Monal immerses diners with the flavours of Nepal and India with a fusion of Nepalese, North Indian, South Indian, and Indo-Chinese cuisine. The chefs at the Friargate restaurant have more than 25 years of experience, being two brothers from Gulmi in Nepal who moved to Delhi and Mumbai, then Dubai, and finally to the UK.
Calling it "phenomenal", a reviewer posted: "Once again….. My goodness. This place is honestly, the best Restaurant in Preston!!!I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. 5th visit this evening and it was just perfect once again. Consistency is everything. The standard here is very very high consistently. Please don’t change."
Another stated: "Himalayan monal has been my go to Asian food place since I’ve moved here. Have to admit their ambience, food, staffs and service is 10/10. It’s probably the best Nepalese food place is north west."