Food & Drink

Discover the best dining that Blackburn has to offer

There are lots of new food and drink places to discover in Blackburn alongside the town’s already well-known gastronomical gems! So, whether it’s a quick bite to eat at lunchtime, a nice meal and drinks before a night out with your friends and family, we’ve pulled together a full ‘menu’ of options to tease your tastebuds and make your mouth water. Check out our top picks below as well as a full A-Z list of places to eat and drink…

Places to eat in Blackburn

Cultural Quarter

There’s a £50m new Cultural Quarter being developed in Blackburn town centre and it’s here you’ll find the likes of Akbar’s, Istanbul, Masala Fusion, Toro’s, Kobeda Palace and Heavenly Desserts (…and trust us, this place lives up to its name, the desserts truly are heavenly!) All within a short walk of King George’s Hall, REEL Cinema and the town centre, these restaurants are packed every weekend and are serving up the highest quality food – the sort of standard that you’d expect to have to travel to big cities to find. Foodies, this one is for you!

Cathedral Square

If cocktails are more your thing, there’s only one place to head – Cathedral Square! Just a stone’s throw from the train station and set against the stunning backdrop of Blackburn Cathedral, you’ll find alchemists at The Firepit and Turtle Bay mixing up the very best alcoholic concoctions, which they serve alongside their ever-evolving and ever-popular menus. Both are open at lunchtime too alongside their busy neighbour, the Cathedral’s very own café, Checks and Greys. Just a short walk away, you’ll also find Thira – voted one of Blackburn’s best places to eat on TripAdvisor!

Blackburn Market Food Hall

You won’t find anywhere busier at lunchtime than the bustling food hall at Blackburn Market! And the queues are the ‘proof in the pudding’ of just how good the food offer is here. Take the escalator down from The Mall and you’ll be spoilt for choice with everything from Indian favourites to Turkish delights, a super popular stall serving Chinese culinary delights, an Italian and, of course, the good old English cafes that we all love! With plenty of seating, you can sit in or take-out – the choice is yours. Also in the market, you’ll also find one of two Exchange Coffees in the town – the perfect place for coffee connoisseurs.

Check out some of the best places to eat & drink in Blackburn

  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants

Akbar’s Restaurant

King George’s Hall, Northgate, Blackburn BB2 1AA

Akbar’s Restaurants – Offering mouth-watering authentic Indian cuisine dishes cooked to perfection.

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  • Halal
  • Restaurants
  • Unlicensed

Masala Fusion

76-80 King William St, Blackburn BB1 7DT

Indian Street food you will absolutely love! Dedication to authenticity helps them build flavours that deliver sensational moments with every bite.

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  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants
  • Unlicensed

16th Street

Unit 3 Nab Ln, Blackburn BB2 1LN

Serving the finest Halal SmashBurgers & Fried Chicken. 16th Street is a fast food restaurant known for its variety of street food-inspired offerings.

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  • Featured
  • Restaurants

Thira

32 Darwen St, Blackburn BB2 2BY

They provide authentic Kerala cuisine. The menu featuring traditional dishes like Masala Dosa, Appam, and Prawn Moily.

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  • Unlicensed

Blackburn Market

The Mall, Blackburn

A stunning, state of the art Market in the heart of Blackburn

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  • Cafes
  • Featured

Checks & Greys Cafe

One Cathedral Square, The Blvd, Blackburn BB1 1FB

A modern café at Blackburn Cathedral open 7 days a week. Serving breakfast, hot and cold lunches and delicious sweet treats.

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  • Cafes
  • Halal
  • Unlicensed

Cafe Blanc

53 King William St, Blackburn BB1 7DJ

Cafe Blanc serves a variety of coffees and cakes. It’s also a go-to lunch destination for town centre workers.

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  • Cafes
  • Featured

Exchange Coffee

13-15 Fleming Sq, Blackburn BB2 2DG

Ask anybody in Blackburn where the Exchange Coffee shop is and they will say “follow your nose!”.

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  • Cafes
  • Halal
  • Unlicensed

Caffee Impresso

58-62 King William St, Blackburn BB1 7HU

Set in the heart of Blackburn, they provide a retreat for coffee and food lovers with a bit of glam.

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  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants
  • Unlicensed

Frankster’s

Salford, Blackburn BB1 5BD

Frankster’s was created with one simple goal, to provide a new mouth-watering food experience to the towns inhabitants.

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  • Cafes
  • Featured
  • Unlicensed

Heavenly Desserts

1-2 Sudell Cross, Blackburn BB1 1AN

Made with love, dedication, and passion, their desserts will create heavenly moments for all who visit.

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  • Featured
  • Restaurants

Turtle Bay

Cathedral Square, Blackburn Town Centre

Food is at the heart of the Turtle Bay experience – just as it’s central to the heart and soul of Caribbean culture.

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  • Featured
  • Restaurants

The Fire Pit

1 Cathedral Sq, Blackburn BB1 1EZ

Any restaurant can serve up a meal, but at The Firepit they aim to serve you an experience you will never forget.

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  • Cafes
  • Featured
  • Unlicensed

Mad Hatters Cupcakes & Tearoom

15 Town Hall Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AG

The perfect ambiance, and relaxed atmosphere were light snacks from breakfast to toasties are served throughout the day.

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  • Featured
  • Pubs

The Drummer’s Arms

65 King William St, Blackburn BB1 7DT

A classic single roomed bar sitting opposite the Town Hall. It is a CAMRA pub of the year.

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  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants
  • Unlicensed

Istanbul Restaurant

Unit 1 Nab Ln, Blackburn BB2 1LN

Istanbul Restaurant takes pride in serving original authentic Turkish food, using their own unique blend of fresh ingredients.

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  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants
  • Unlicensed

Toro’s Steakhouse

108 Northgate, Blackburn BB2 1AA

Their mission is to create an exciting dining experience focused on quality taste, quality products and the best comfortable experience.

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  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants
  • Unlicensed

Kings Castle

49-51 Darwen St, Blackburn BB2 2BL

Famously gratifying gourmet burgers, all the way to the glamour and showbiz of the Hollywood shakes of fame.

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  • Cafes
  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Unlicensed

The Ginger Muffin

4 Sudell Cross, Blackburn BB2 1AN

A café located in Blackburn town centre. They serve made to order sandwiches, home made soups, hot chicken pasta and more!

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  • Cafes
  • Halal
  • Unlicensed

RF Cafe & Patisserie

51 Regent St, Blackburn BB1 6BH

RF Pâtissérie, serves up a diverse breakfast and brunch menu in Blackburn.

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  • Cafes
  • Featured
  • Unlicensed

Rhode Island Coffee

3-7 Lord St, Blackburn BB1 7NQ

Enjoy their unique blend and fairtrade certified coffee and relax in the friendly coffee shop.

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  • Featured
  • Pubs

Rock Box

63 King William St, Blackburn BB1 7DT

Blackburn’s small n mighty local rock bar, playing great music & serving great booze for great people.

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  • Featured
  • Halal
  • Restaurants

Kobeda Palace

Richmond Chambers, Blackburn BB1 7AR

The menu is a mix of traditional Turkish favourites to slow cooked steaks, smokey briskets, short ribs and lamb shanks.

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Click here for the A-Z list of venues across Blackburn

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