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What and where to eat in Blackpool

 

 

If you’ve visited Blackpool in the past, you will likely have memories of eating ice cream on the pier, fish and chips while sitting on a bench overlooking the beach and fending off cheeky seagulls or searching the gift shops for a stick of Blackpool rock that has your name encased inside it.

 

But while the Lancashire seaside town has a plethora of highly-rated chippys, you might want to seek out more ‘fine dining’ for a holiday treat. In the digital age, we have all become foodies, taking snaps of our food to post on Instagram, so we have a look at some of the best restaurants that Blackpool has to offer to make your social media followers green with envy!

 

Blackpool is quite the archetypal British seaside town and offers a staggering array of entertainment, activities, shopping, shows, and restaurants. The seaside setting means that the town is provided with incredible local ingredients, from fish fresh from the Irish Sea to the award-winning produce of Lancashire.

 

There’s always a time and place for your favourite chain and fast-food restaurants, but when you can get those offerings in every town and city in the UK, why not seek out something a little extra-special while you’re on holiday? Whether you’re just stepping out for a bite to eat or looking for pre-theatre food and drinks, here are some of the best restaurants in Blackpool.

 

Kwizeen

 

This Mediterranean restaurant has won several Taste of Blackpool and Taste of Lancashire awards, which demonstrates its promise to source ingredients from a 30-mile radius and the successful fusion of British cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.

 

Chef Marco Calle-Calatayaud, born in Catalonia, has shown that he is unafraid of creating bold and inventive dishes at Kwizeen, so expect to see Bury black pudding and Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese alongside chorizo and parmesan.

 

The menu can change depending on the season and availability, especially when it comes to the restaurant’s fish offerings, but crayfish, salmon, squid, and monkfish are regulars.

 

http://www.kwizeenrestaurant.co.uk

 

The Cottage

 

To say there are a lot of seafood restaurants in Blackpool may be somewhat of an understatement, but The Cottage gets a special mention due to its inclusion in Rick Stein’s Seafood Lovers Guide, as the best fish and chips in town.

 

All the seafood is sourced locally from Fleetwood, just to the north of Blackpool, and The Cottage’s daily specials can include anything from turbot to catfish to skate. The restaurant has been a Blackpool fixture since 1920, establishing itself as one of the finest places to enjoy British home cooking and fish and chips.

 

https://cottagefishandchips.co.uk

 

Michael Wan's Mandarin

 

If you’re in the mood for exotic Oriental cuisine, then you’ll find authentic Chinese cooking at Michael Wan's Mandarin. The restaurant is well-established in Blackpool and has been serving the finest and freshest tastes of the East to Blackpool diners for over 50 years.

 

Michael Wan’s fuses the freshest local produce with expert Chinese cooking, presenting a mix of traditional Chinese and Cantonese dishes, which will tantalise your taste buds and make your senses sizzle.

 

You should not visit without trying Mrs Wan’s dumplings, and on Wednesday nights there is live music from some of the best local artists.

 

https://www.michaelwansmandarin.co.uk

 

The White Tower

 

The prestigious White Tower restaurant can be found on the penthouse floor of Blackpool’s Casino Building, which provides it with incredible views over the promenade and the Irish Sea, and guests can even enjoy their dinner on the outdoor terrace, furthering their elegant dining experience.

 

Choosing only the best produce that Lancashire has to offer, the chef creates dishes that can only be described as astonishing, with gourmet offerings such as lobster bisque for a starter, and marinated oranges in Cointreau for dessert, for diners surrounded by modern decor and a calming, chic ambience.

 

https://www.whitetowerrestaurant.com

 

Blackpool Tower Ballroom

 

There’s no more a quintessentially British experience than taking afternoon tea in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Whether you want to realise your Strictly Come Dancing dreams by participating in the tea dance or to admire the amazing architecture of the historic and world-famous ballroom, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.

 

Step back through history as you enjoy scones, sandwiches, and cakes, washed down with lashings of tea or coffee, as you watch the couples take to the dance floor, gliding around to the sounds of the famous Wurlitzer organ.

 

https://www.theblackpooltower.com/plan/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea/

 

Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar

 

The Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, a short drive away, provides an escape from the bright lights of Blackpool town centre. It is located adjacent to one of the oldest working windmills in Europe, and diners will find an idyllic dining experience amidst edgy urban decor, a world away from the fun and thrills of the promenade.

 

The restaurant takes inspiration from local produce and culture, with a menu that constantly changes to make sure the freshest ingredients make it to your plate. From Cumbrian venison to Forest of Bowland beef, Skrei cod loin to salt-baked celeriac tart, you’re sure to have a dining experience like no other.

 

https://www.twelve-restaurant.co.uk

 

The Beach House

 

Set in an iconic building in the heart of the town, The Beach House provides a dining experience above and beyond that of simple pub grub, with alfresco dining allowing panoramic views of the sea and the surroundings. It is a restaurant that has established itself as a true Blackpool landmark.

 

There is live music from local musicians every Thursday to Sunday, which only adds to the wonderful ambience of the restaurant, which offers a variety of menus from breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with traditional pub meals such as burgers and pizza to small plates and tapas, as well as seafood and sumptuous salads.

 

https://beachhouseblackpool.co.uk

 

La Fontana

 

Just a stone’s throw from Blackpool Tower is the Italian restaurant La Fontana, providing an authentic and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant has become part of the foundation of Blackpool, and a former Restaurant of the Year winner.

 

Serving up the finest in Italian cuisine, with a selection of antipasti, meat and fish dishes, pasta and indulgent desserts, it is the ideal place for a romantic dinner, a night out with friends, and a kid’s menu means it is great for families. Wine and dine under the faux night sky in the courtyard and experience the best of Italy in Blackpool.

 

https://lafontanarestaurant.co.uk

 

The Bank Bar & Grill

 

The Bank may be one of the newest additions to Blackpool, but it has already proved to be a very popular venue, especially for the theatre crowd. It has established itself as a place for quality food and drink, from pizza to pasta, steaks to seafood.

 

There is a ‘light bites’ bar food menu for those heading to a matinée performance, a classic afternoon tea, and the bar prides itself on its extensive cocktail, spirit, and wine offerings. It can be found centrally, within strolling distance of all the local attractions and theatres.

 

https://www.thebankblackpool.com

 

The Lancashire seaside town can offer dining experiences to suit everyone, so if you plan to visit Blackpool, make sure you get a taste of what is on offer!