Ramsbottom has earned a reputation as one of Greater Manchester’s finest foodie enclaves - and deservedly so.
The picturesque town in the borough of Bury has welcomed a wave of interesting, independent restaurants and bars in recent years, catering to the young professionals and families flocking to live there.
While that's been cited as a cause for concern for some residents, the choice of places to eat has never been better for locals and visitors alike.
Here's our pick of some of the best restaurants and places to eat in Ramsbottom.
Levanter and Baratxuri
Looking for top class tapas? Walk this way.
This award-winning pair of restaurants are owned by the same people and each have their own slant on Spanish cuisine.
Pull up a seat at Baratxuri to graze on Basque-style pintxos and raciones, as well as roasted meat and fish from its wood-fired oven, or head to Levanter for more traditional tapas such as croquettas and chorizo in red wine.
10 Square Street, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AT | levanterfinefoods.co.uk | 01706 551530
Tre Ciccio
With a name that translates loosely as 'three chubby friends', you can always rely on Tre Ciccio to deliver a hearty feed.
The Italian restaurant was established in Altrincham before branching out to Ramsbottom in 2019.
The menu centres around Neapolitan food cooked in its wood fired ovens, including pizzas to rival any in Manchester, and southern Italian style roast chicken and potatoes, served in rustic, trattoria-style surroundings.
The group behind it recently went into administration but the restaurant remains open and they're said to be 'optimistic' about its future. Use it, or lose it.
Market Place, Ramsbottom, BL0 9HT | treciccio.co.uk| 01706 497100
The Eagle and Child
This award-winning gastropub serves a simple, seasonally-changing menu full of classic home comforts.
It's particularly popular for its stupendous Sunday roasts, including a Bowland beef sirloin with Yorkshire pud and duck fat roasties.
Not many restaurants are so committed to local produce: not content with sourcing its meat and fish from nearby, fruit and vegetables are grown in its Incredible Edible beer garden, which is also home to chickens that lay the eggs used in its kitchen.
As a Thwaites pub, you’ll regularly find Lancaster Bomber and Wainwright on the hand pumps along with house ale Top Bunk, two guest beers and a craft cider, and a reasonably priced wine list.
3 Whalley Road, Ramsbottom BL0 0DL / eagle-and-child.com / 01706 557181
Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom
This cosy pub's name is a nod to both its location and the open fires that roar in winter inside the 200-year-old building.
Behind the bar you'll find 13 different draught beers, including four local cask ales, along with a lengthy wine list with plenty of high quality options by the glass, dispensed from its Le Cruvinet wine preserving system.
It's known for good grub too: on the menu are dishes like Goosnargh chicken and bacon dumpling with pickled wild mushrooms, baby leaf salad, honey, lemon and ginger dressing; and oat-crusted mackerel with Devon crab and fava bean salad, pea puree and sorrel; as well as a simpler lunch offering including a seasonal set menu.
13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, BL0 0AA / hearthoftheram.com / 01706 828681
The Hungry Duck
This modern British bistro serves simple but well-executed dishes making use of local ingredients where possible.
Expect starters such as sticky peppered pig's cheeks with remoulade and puffed skin followed by main courses including venison saddle with salted caramel, apple mustard and crisp pak choi.
There's a serious wine list too, sourced from The Vineyard of Ramsbottom, which also hosts special wine evenings at the restaurant from time to time.
76 Bridge St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AG | hungry-duck.co.uk| 01706 550899
The Fisherman's Retreat
Situated in the grounds of a trout fishery overlooking Ramsbottom, this scenic hillside spot opened in 1992 and has been run by the same family ever since.
Originally designed as somewhere for fishermen to warm up and have a bite to eat, it's evolved into a well-regarded restaurant, bar and wedding venue.
The menu mixes up pub grub such as cheese and onion pie and beef wellington with sharing plates including a full rack of lamb cutlets, chateaubriand steaks and whole roast suckling pigs for larger parties.
It's also got its own whisky shop, stocking more than 500 different Scottish single malts.
Riding Head Lane, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0HH | fishermanstretreat.com| 01706 825314
The Coach at Edenfield
This welcoming village pub in Edenfield is popular with both locals and walkers (it's dog-friendly too).
On the menu you'll find refined yet hearty pub grub such as a crispy potato-topped game pie with red wine jus; rack of lamb with sweet potato fondant; and beetroot risotto with thyme, parmesan, pumpkin seeds and poached egg.
It also serves afternoon tea on weekdays and brunch at the weekends.
163 Market Street, Edenfield, BL0 0HJ
The Mouse Trap
This deli bar promises 'cheese, wine and good times', and really what more could you want from a night out?
Inside you'll find a counter stacked with local Lancashire, best of British and classic continental cheeses, along with pork pies, sausage rolls and other nibbles to enjoy with a glass of vino or two.
There's also an all-you-can-eat cheese buffet (!) on Thursdays, a cheese box subscription service, plus live music sessions on the first Friday of every month.
47 Bolton St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9HU | themousetrapcheese.co.uk| 01706 281366
Grind and Tamp
This speciality coffee shop serves up an organic, ethically-sourced drinks list, from single origin pour-overs to classic flat whites, alongside brunch and lunch.
In the mornings you'll find dishes such as chorizo hash with grilled tomato, fried egg and chipotle yoghurt, with a weekly-changing selection of homemade soups, salads and sandwiches served later in the day.
45 Bridge St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AD / grindandtampcoffee.uk| 01706 558030
Owen's Restaurant and Bar
This popular bistro and bar serves a simple menu of classic comfort food, including its hit homemade cheese and onion pies.
Everything's made in house, from the hash browns served at breakfast to the daily-changing specials at lunch and dinner, with ingredients sourced from Lancashire's rich larder.
The Chocolate Cafe, Ramsbottom
As the home of an annual chocolate festival, Ramsbottom is cocoa-loco for the stuff.
But you don't have to wait until the event rolls around every April - there's a café dedicated to it open year-round.
The Chocolate Café does very much what it says on the tin, selling up a range of its own bars, truffles and even chocolate pizza.
You can also sit in to enjoy a hot chocolate or coffee, afternoon tea or a simple breakfast or lunch.
2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HX / 01706 822828 / chocolate-cafe.co.uk
