Location: Horwich
Top Restaurants in Horwich
Horwich Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Horwich
Horwich (/ˈhɒrɪtʃ/ HORR-itch) is a town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. Historically in Lancashire, it is 5.3 miles (8.5 km) southeast of Chorley, 5.8 miles (9.3 km) northwest of Bolton and 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Manchester. It lies at the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors with the M61 motorway passing close to the south and west. At the 2011 Census, Horwich had a population of 20,067.
Things to do in Horwich
1. Sokrates Taverna - Horwich
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
Sokrates Tavern on Winter Hey Lane in Horwich is a relaxed and friendly restaurant serving authentic Greek, Cypriot and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. The dining room has a rustic and easy-going ambience. When the temperatures are high customers love to dine in the Greek village yard. The focal point of the menu is the Greek Meze Banquet which offers an array of 15 or more dishes served to the middle of the table for people to share over an hour or so. It is a great way to eat with family or friends and enjoy a Feast of Flavours. There is a full A' la Carte menu with dishes like the Greek Island Prawns, Mousaka and not to forget the Greek Souvlaki (skewers) and Lamb Koftas. Desserts like the delicious and very popular Greek Yoghurt cheesecake and home made Baklava. Sokrates Taverna has an excellent selection of red, white and rose wines from Greece and Cyprus.
Reviewed By dave h - Bolton, United Kingdom
we went here for our lads 13th birthday, expecting a greek experience, greeter tried to be nice, but was over powering. the menu was over complicated (confusing). after ordering the food, we were told to take our cutlery out of the basket, which was on the table, why? after ordering the meze, we were told how to use the dips ( please!) meze included a greek salad, however no olives came with it. after going to Greece for many years, no bread, no olive oil, maybe we're spoilt.food was average
2. Blundell Arms
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Brianinsydney
Have been visiting once a year for several years when in Bolton for a family birthday. Quite busy but no excuse for the really slow service. Five people and we waited over 30 minutes for the orders to be taken and for the Delivery of each course. When we did get the main course, the lasagna for one of us was cold. The response from the "head person"? Was "ok we'll change it". No apology and we were left feeling that we were wrong. Other than that the food was ok at best. Will not be returning.
3. Il Toro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 417 reviews
Reviewed By nannieannieWigan - wigan
Visited with friends.
Upstairs nice and cocktails good.
Downstairs..cramped, noisy.
Food very average. Not asked about choice of potatoes /veg. You were presented with an uninspiring side dish of roast potatoes, carrots and green beans...Roast potatoes?????
Fish overcooked.
Dessert simply awful.
But the best was yet to come..
When an item on the bill was queried..(and it was no small matter) the manager was Brusque to the point of offensive.
He went off to check whether the item had been served and returned with a bill minus this item but also minus an apology or any type of platitude. His abraisive manner and lack of public relation skills were obvious.
Will I return or recommend??
NO.....
4. Viva Espana
Overall Ratings
4 based on 304 reviews
Viva España has been serving delicious tapas to hungry Boltonians since 2001. Hailing from the great Spanish city of Murcia, owner and head chef Javier has lovingly developed an extensive menu with dishes to suit every palate.
Reviewed By EE15 - Bolton
Great value tapas - you don't get to choose on the set menu but the amount of food you get is ridiculous!
Highlights were the mushrooms, beef stew and patatas bravas.
Paella had a delicious flavor however the rice was still hard / undercooked.
Service friendly.
Lovely sangria.
5. The Black Horse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
Olde English Traditional Country PubHome cooked traditional English Pub DishesOpen fires - laid back atmosphere.All are welcome including well behaved dogs.
Reviewed By Ian A - Wigan
Our second visit to this hidden little gem, can't beat a good country pub after a walk over Rivington and this absolutely fits the bill. The staff are lovely and helpful, they were very attentive and came over to make sure our meals where all ok. Excellent value for money, we had three Sunday lunches which were absolutely spot on, the home cooked Yorkshire Puddings were out of this world and a children's meal which was polished off in no time. Draught beers were great and very responsibly priced, we all had a dessert which was equally as tasty and well presented. Will definitely be back here and would recommend to anyone in the area.
The open fire really sealed it......
6. Luciano's at the Millstone
Overall Ratings
4 based on 455 reviews
Reviewed By Adcro - Horwich, United Kingdom
I'm late to the party with this one, I know. Lucianos at The Millstone is a very popular Italian restaurant in Anderton, between Horwich and Adlington, towards Chorley, and has been so successful that it has also opened a sister venue at Middlebrook Retail Park. Before now I had been to neither. There's a lot of Italian restaurants around Bolton and it was hard not to think "oh, another Italian restaurant".
But this is where Lucianos is different. The first thing you notice when you walk in the door is that the staff are talking to each other in Italian... that's a good sign in a true Italian restaurant! It's decorated in a bright and modern contemporary style, showing modern Italian dining rather than the old fashioned 'Ristorante' style we often have over here with candle-filled Chianti bottles, faux grape vines and nick nacks all over the place. A couple of trendy Vespas are found on the way in, with a dining area to the left, and a modern bar area to the right, making it clear this is a modern venue, not another cheesy Italian themed restaurant.
Despite not having a reservation, we are welcomed warmly, and shown to a pleasant table where we are given our menus by a charismatic manager / maitre'd, who seems very much at home in that role, and has fine tuned his patter; he asks if we'd like any wine by the bottle, but we were only having soft drinks, so he took the glasses away with the quip, "less mess for me!", I also like that when we were browsing the dessert menu later on, he chimed in, "Remember, signori, I will never let you struggle... all desserts come with a third spoon for me". I like this. You don't get the bon viveur style head waiter so much these days, and it's nice when you find it, and it seems genuine and warm hearted.
For our starter we order Budino Nero, which is black pudding served with sweet peppers, chorizo and red wine reduction, served with crostini bread, and the Terrina a modo nostro, a duck and chicken liver pate, finished with aged brandy and port. Served with cranberry compot and crostini.
As we wait for our starters, we look around some more at the decor and the layout. I never visited this place when it was a pub, but its hard to imagine, as it's been so pleasantly decorated in white wood panelling, black photo frames of modern day Italy, and plum coloured accents in the linen, and dark plum leather effect booth Seating. Very stylish.
Before too long our starters arrive, and are beautifully presented. The lighting in this venue really shows off the food well. The pate was delicious and fresh with a little salad, and the black pudding starter was simply beautiful. It was meaty but with a red wine reduction which was deliciously sweet, and worked well in contrast with the meaty flavours and richness of the chorizo. I was so impressed with it that I asked one of the wait staff if they could find out what the sauce was for me. Marvellous!
We were so impressed with the starters that we were salivating at the idea of our mains! Main courses took a little longer to arrive, but the venue was starting to get busy, so it's not surprising, plus frankly I'm happy to wait longer for good quality food cooked fresh to order.
We ordered the tagliatelle carbonara speciale, and my partner decided to try something new, and opted to try the Ravioli All'Argosta, which is egg ravioli filled with lobster in a lobster and tomato bisque.
The carbonara was presented as well as it can be, and I took the offer of fresh parmesan topping. The flavours were excellent, and it was wonderfully creamy and filling! The lobster ravioli looked... well... there's probably not many ways you can make it look good on a plate given the nature of it as a dish... but it was there on the plate... and was very tasty with a distinct flavour without being overbearing. The quality of the fresh pasta was superb too!
So our starters and main courses were both excellent, two thumbs up! We were enjoying relaxing in the atmosphere of the place too, so the wait didn't feel too bad. We were very full, but decided we simply had to try some of the desserts... you know, to properly finish off!
I ordered one of the home-made caramel cheesecakes, and my partner ordered the canolo (tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta... a bit like a brandy snap). The cheesecake was tasty but a lot softer than I was expecting, probably as I've become more used to American style baked cheesecakes. The slice was a bit on the thin side, but the flavour was good, and wonderfully creamy. The canolo was also a little bit of a small portion. Admittedly it was listed as "canolo" (one) rather than "canoli" (multiple), but this one little canolo looked a bit lonely on a huge plate with a dusting of icing sugar over it. I think as a portion perhaps three of them would be a better portion and look better, but again the flavours and textures were excellent and couldn't be faulted. Delicious!
By now it was getting very busy, and we had trouble getting the attention of any of the staff to be able to ask for our bill, so I had to go to the main counter and ask the manager, but he was very friendly and gracious and brought the bill over straight away.
All in all, we were very very pleasantly pleased with Lucianos on what was a simple spur of the moment visit. The quality of the ingredients, the style of the setting and decor, and the professionalism of the staff really made this an enjoyable visit, and we will most definitely be returning! Buonisimo!
7. The Cherry Tree at Blackrod
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The Cherry Tree at Blackrod is a Bustling Restaurant in Bolton, near Chorley Lancashire. Offering Fine Wines, Cask Beers & Modern British Dining. A family owned restaurant and bar that provides classic British cooking with a warm, friendly and personal service. We concentrate on serving our take on classic dishes with a modern influence using only the freshest, local produce. Aside from our award winning food, we offer an extensive selection of drinks including Cocktails, Gins, Fine Wines and Champagnes - served by the glass as well as by the bottle.
Reviewed By lillibet12309 - Preston, United Kingdom
I was brought here just before Christmas and I did a review afterwards. Returned today and think the food was even more impressive than it had been in December. I had the chargrilled chicken breast which was delicious. I rarely eat chicken skin but this was crispy and very tasty, accompanied by dauphinoise potatoes and leeks and peas done in a delicious creamy sauce. My weakness is cheesecake and I was delighted to see a passion fruit one on the menu.
I would recommend this place to anyone.
8. ASK Italian - Bolton Middlebrook
Overall Ratings
4 based on 397 reviews
Using simple yet delicious ingredients, ASK Italian restaurant serves delicious Italian cuisine in a modern and spacious dining room. There is a great range of pizza, pasta and risotto or meat and fish dishes, along with a popular kids menu. An extensive wine list and Italian premium beers will complement your meal at ASK Italian.
Reviewed By scotty t
Decided to opt for Ask Italian despite the plethora of eateries within touching distance at Middlebrook. We are glad we did. Service was top notch and the food delicious and hot. Reasonably priced too.
9. Chiquito - Bolton Middlebrook
Overall Ratings
4 based on 579 reviews
Reviewed By Sue W - Bolton, United Kingdom
Came here for lunch not been here before,we were greeted right away and shown to our table the place wasn't to busy.We ordered a pullpork on brioche and a fish finger on brioche both with fries,the food was ok nothing special but for £5.95 each it wasn't bad.My dessert was better pineapple slices with ice cream.Staff were good and friendly.
10. Bella Italia Bolton
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 496 reviews
Bella Italia have over 100 Italian restaurants across the UK serving pizza, pasta, Italian classics and more, made with ingredients from Italian-family producers.
Reviewed By KimMcClure71 - Wigan, United Kingdom
My first visit to Bella Italia tonight -
The food was lovely, most staff are very good and helpful. However there are others that have no people skills and ruin your Mothers day meal.
I won’t disclose any names but I will write to Bella Italia separately. Such a shame when everyone else worked so hard.
