Location: Darwen
Top Restaurants in Darwen
Where to Eat in Darwen: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Darwen is a market town and civil parish located in Lancashire, England. Along with its northerly neighbour, Blackburn, it forms the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen — a unitary authority area. It is known locally as "Darren" and its residents are known as "Darreners". The main road through Darwen is the A666 towards Blackburn to the north and Bolton to the south, and ultimately at the Pendlebury boundary with Irlams o' th' Height where it joins the A6, about 4 miles (6 km) north-west of Manchester. Darwen's population decreased to 28,046 in 2011 and is made up of five wards.
Things to do in Darwen
1. Ocean Palace
Overall Ratings
4 based on 266 reviews
We have a comfortable 20 table layout, wheelchair friendly and more than welcome children of all ages. A fully licenced bar from Pinot Grigio all the way to the exclusive Dom Perignon Champagne!
Reviewed By Marie T - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Nice first visit after recommendation from colleagues at work. We attentive staff. Super polite. We ordered chicken sweetcorn soup with was lovely and fresh. Sui mai were just ok...my husbands ribs equally just ok...however our mains duck in plum sauce and sweet and sour pork were heavenly good sized portions. I wasn’t keen on the fried rice tasted and looked like frozen reheated. Quite pricy...but we did enjoy it and will return for the duck very soon
2. Anaz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
Reviewed By djboss - Manchester, United Kingdom
Ok, so it was Boxing Day and we hadn’t booked. So it was maybe busier than usual and possibly they’d run out of stocks and the actual chef may not have turned up! We were sat down to wait for a table for two to come free, without being advised that it might be quite a wait. I can sort of accept that, with the apology that we got. What wasn’t good, was the poor quality food. Badly cooked. For example, the dhansak was too sweet to finish, with only two small pieces of chicken. The man breads had most definitely been recently extracted, not from a tandoor, but from either a supermarket, or more likely a bulk food service bag!
I doubt that even on a good night, this place is worth a visit.
3. Mangiamo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 341 reviews
Reviewed By HazelandRachel - Manchester, United Kingdom
We went to Mangiamo with 7 friends on a Saturday night. It was awful. We were packed in like sardines. We hadn't even all managed to sit when we were harassed for drinks. Literally harassed. The waitresses were rude and unhelpful. The asparagus starter with smoked salmon and goats cheese was flavourless and served on soggy leaves and warn tomatoes. Completely over cooked. The bread for pate was stale and the pate portion was miniscule. The soup starter was served in a dirty bowl and again very small. Mains were no better. The calzone was stuffed with poor quality cheap ham. The veggie dish came with bacon. The arabiatta sauce was flavourless. The steak like shoe leather and full of fat. We received dishes we didn't order and then were charged for them even though we sent them back. The drinks were wrong. It was a bit like fawlty towers as one point. They started to clear our plates when not all of us had finished and even when we were eating off them Then the bill was wrong and it was their fault. Terrible food terrible customer service. Don't bother!
4. The Crown and Thistle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 283 reviews
Reviewed By narpo456 - Blackburn, United Kingdom
Called Sunday teatime without booking but three table available available and 5 tables occupied. Ordered two course Sunday Lunch @ £12.95 a head. My wife and I both went for the French Onion soup and she ordered the braised shoulder of lamb whilst I went for the roast beef.
The soup was absolutely disgusting . Plenty of onions but extremely gloopy with what appeared to be dark undissolved gravy granules and that is what the taste was , but with a sickly added butter taste. It said somewhere that the soups were homemade so I appeal to homemade and suggest that homemade starts to buy packet soup and use that instead. Put the gravy granules in the bin.
The lamb and beef dinners were tender plus nice and tasty .The veg consisted of peas , cabbage , cauliflower and peas .They arrived hot and each had a very nicely cooked Yorkshire pudding .
The place itself was warm and the staff very welcoming . At the time of ordering there was the choice of one course or two . We will return but certainly not for the first course.
5. The Royal Arms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By t2cps - Darwen, United Kingdom
popped in after walking the dogs, as it is possible to take them in. Very friendly, lovely log fire. Good choice of beer and wines. Lovely home cooked food, with typical bar food choices. Toilets clean, neat and tidy and the ladies had hand cream also.
Would definitely recommend to pop in.
6. Victoria Hotel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
This is the home of REAL CHIPS, not frozen, a selection of real ales, and the TOCHOLES TREACLE MINE. the owner, george, and his wife jane, will order in anything special tat you like. The prices are very reasonable, the pub is open wednesday to sunday, the food is excellent......
Reviewed By carole h - Lancashire, United Kingdom
Visited here on Sunday with husband and elderly mother. They both had the large steak and kidney pudding with home made chips which they thoroughly enjoyed - only 1 piece of kidney and the rest filled with chunky steak. I had the slow cooked beef in ale with herby dumpling which was amazing. Definitely worth the money and will visit again very soon.
7. Calypso Caribbean Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 578 reviews
Reviewed By yoda9133
Visited for lunch with family. Calypso is very nicely unusual in its interior decor , not posh but certainly has an authentic Caribbean atmosphere about it with bright colours Ordered a starter of chicken wings and then a main course of Jerk Chicken leg served with the sides of fries and coleslaw, sauce and a pot of curry sauce as well as recommended on the menu. The starter came and I thought they had put the starter and main together. I was wrong..this was just the starter and there were four excellent pieces of chicken. Next came the main course. The food was all so tasty and portions were ample. I was stuffed by the time I had finished. I could not believe the cost of the meals ...the main course was only £5.95 WHICH IN NO WAY RELFECTS ON THE FOOD AS IT WAS OUTSTANDING.
I have visited other similar themed restaurants in town and they are not a patch on the Calypso. I believe it is advisable to book evenings as it can get quite busy. By the way a great pint of San Miguel. Will be back very soon.
8. The Pack Italian Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 445 reviews
Italian Restaurant Serving Daily Specials and 3 Course Set Menu (Tue-Thu 17:00 - 19:00 & Fri-Sun 12:00 - 17:30). English Italian Awards runners up for Best Pizzeria 2015 & Best Pizza 2016. Finalist in 2016 North West #FoodPorn Awards. Kids Eat for £1 at selected times.
Reviewed By Lisa C - Blackburn, United Kingdom
Haven’t visited the Pack for several years and I was really pleasantly surprised. Even though we hadn’t booked we were accommodated quickly. Lovely decor, bar area, ‘specials’ drinks menu e.g. Cuckoo gin with ginger ale and fresh chilli.
We chose to eat a bruschetta- delicious, a vegetarian pizza with added pineapple - yummy sourdough base and fresh tomato sauce and a skewer of chicken and chorizo on a bed of saffron risotto - moist and tasty. We’ll be back.
9. Akash Indian Brasserie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Ruth S - Burnley, United Kingdom
Popped in here after a night out at Darwen therate it was quite late but they welcomed us and gave us a table. Staff very friendly even though late and probably wanting to go home. Food very good - would recommend and we will be back.
10. Ranken Arms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
Reviewed By gillianarnott - Manchester, United Kingdom
Simon and the guys at The Ranken Arms hosted my birthday meal for 38 friends and family. Great service, great food and we had an fabulous relaxed afternoon. Food is always fantastic- I highly recommend the cheese and onion pie - mouth watering. Highly recommend. Gill and Eric
