If your New Year’s resolution is to broaden your taste bud horizons and try different things, then look no further.

We’ve rounded up the 10 restaurants and cafes in Blackburn with Darwen to try in 2023 so you’ll never be stuck on where to eat.

From fine dining, to cheap and cheerful, there’s something for everyone in this list.

1. Scholar’s Restaurant

Starting off number one with Scholars - a small bistro based at Blackburn College run by a passionate team of industry professionals and students from the college. It currently stands as the top rated restaurant in Blackburn and it’s no surprise why. The restaurant offers the full fine-dining experience but for a fraction of the ordinary price. So not only can you support staff who are training and working to grow in confidence and culinary skills by choosing to eat there, you can save yourself a a lot of money since the four-course menu only costs £12.95.

2. Calypso

If you fancy a flavour of the Caribbean, then book in at Calypso in Blackburn. The restaurant is located on The Wharf, Eanam in Blackburn and is the go-to if you want a night to remember filled with good food and good music. For those who struggle deciding, the menu offers different boxes like the ‘Shack ‘N’ Go Date Night Box’ and ‘Stop Ya Jerkin’ Around Box’ filled with a variety of different bites.

3. Exchange Coffee Company

Exchange Coffee Company is one of the longest serving coffee shops in Blackburn and it’s no surprise why they’re still going strong today. Like the other branches in East Lancashire, the café on Fleming Square in Blackburn has an exhaustive list of different teas and coffees to choose from and each cup is made with care. The café is used as a place warm and friendly place for locals to meet up with friends over a cup of coffee. The building next door, which is housed within the grand old building of the Exchange Arcade, can be used for special occasions or business meetings.

4. Dolly’s Tearoom 

The delightful restaurant on Bolton Road in Darwen serves brunch, lunch, afternoon teas, evening dining, and cocktails and wine so you can choose to go for any occasion. The restaurant is ranked as the number two restaurant in Darwen on TripAdvisor for the warm and welcoming staff and food that almost looks ‘too good to eat’.

5. The Dog Inn

The Dog Inn, on Belthorn Road in Blackburn, happens to be Lancashire’s first community owned pub and is a beloved establishment in the area. The pub is praised for the quality of the food and the welcoming staff but one key feature that makes The Dog Inn stand out from the rest is its location. Set in the quaint village, the views from the pub have been described by customers as ‘breath-taking’ with one happy customer saying: “I couldn’t and can never fault the place honestly best local pub going. First time taking my Mother in law and it’s made her want to move from the Kent coast to up here.”

6. Deli Carlo

Deli Carlo is an Italian café on Croft Street, Market Square in Darwen. The cosy café is a hidden gem in Darwen that offers authentic Italian food and coffee, with one customer claiming it to be the ‘best cup of coffee’ in Lancashire. It’s the perfect place to eat in the summer as they offer outdoor seating so you can feel like you’re dining with in the heart of Rome (almost).

7. MyLahore

MyLahore in Whitebirk Road is one of the latest additions to Blackburn as it opened its doors to foodies on August 1, 2022. While the restaurant is part of the British and Asian fusion restaurant chain, the Blackburn restaurant is individual and specific to Blackburn. The restaurant is located in the old Red Lion Hotel and has kept some of the features in the décor. The food is full of flavour, comes in decent portion sized and reasonably priced.

8. The Royal Arms

You can find this British pub on Tockholes Road, Darwen. The family pub offers homemade pub classics and serves food throughout the day. After a walk on the moors, The Royal Arms is the perfect spot to wind down and order a well-earned pint from the variety of cask ales. Just when you thought it couldn’t sound any better, it’s also dog friendly, so you don’t have to leave your furry family members behind. The pub recently received the TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award, which is a badge of honour for restaurants, showing the high standard of service they provide.

9. Thira Restaurant

Thira restaurant on Darwen Street, Blackburn is also another place that’s received a TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award for their exceptional standard of service and food. The menu is focused on offering customers an authentic Kerala cuisine and is prepared by a chef with 20 years of experience in the food industry, so it’s no wonder why it’s so popular.

10. Ego at The Knowles Arms

Ego at The Knowles Arms, located on Pleckgate Road, in Blackburn is a Mediterranean steakhouse is the perfect place to host a works dinner or birthday party. As well as Mediterranean, the menu allows you to try a taste of the world with French, Spanish, Italian, Greek and Moroccan food. We’d recommend visiting on a Tuesday though for the Steak Night menu. This includes a choice of the five cuts of steak, served with chips, tomato, mushroom and rocket for £10. It’s a no brainer.

Where are you looking forward to trying in 2023?