Whatever the time of day there are plenty of tasty treats on offer in the city.

Whether you are looking for breakfast, brunch or dinner, this Lancashire city has transformed itself into a centre for the best food and drink. There has been a sea change in Preston, a city that was not so long ago considered in urgent need of revitalising its centre. Its change in fortunes is down to, in no small part, its evolving food and drink offer and the hospitality heroes at its centre. From Caribbean restaurants and some of the best street food to Spanish tapas and fine dining, Preston has it all. The places we’ve highlighted are just a small selection of places offering fantastic food and drink.

GREAT FOR BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

Brew and Bake, Preston Market

Julie Fausset, owner of Brew and Bake, followed her dream of opening her own coffee shop at the age of 57 and has been serving comforting, homemade dishes since she launched Brew and Bake in early 2018. The business has been such a success that Julie, who used to work in orthopaedics at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, moved to a bigger site at the refurbished Preston Markets, now a popular foodie hub.

You’ll find the menu packed with ingredients from local producers including Honeywells and the Bury Black Pudding Company as well as some just a few steps away at the market. Their breakfasts – traditional, veggie and vegan – are a must-try. What’s even better is they serve teas from Manchester’s Bird and Blend Tea Company and sustainably sourced coffee.

THREE OTHERS TO TRY

Town House Coffee and Brew Bar

A go-to for some of the best homemade food and snacks, this popular coffee house serves fantastic breakfasts and brunches from a full breakfast to smashed avocado on sourdough and French toast. Make the sensible decision, though, and go for the five stack pancakes.

townhousecoffee62.co.uk

Rise, Miller Arcade

The city’s ultimate brunch haunt – and it seems Preston’s most instagrammable food location – in the Miller Arcade, promises smoothie bowls, chilli and sweetcorn rosti, poke bowls and the All Rise breakfast – avocado, poached eggs, bacon, chorizo, beans, mushrooms and sourdough. Take your appetite with you.

risebrunch.co.uk

Cafune Café

For something a little different – and a menu packed with South American flavour, Cafune Café is the place. Breakfasts of Ecuadorian hash brown, pancakes made with yellow cornmeal and huevos pericos - fresh tomato, onion and mature cheddar cooked with scrambled eggs and served in a toasted arepa – are all designed to impress. And coffee lovers will love their own blend using South American beans.

cafune.co.uk

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LUNCH

Plau, Preston

It took three years to get this wonderful former Plough Inn open to paying customers. But it was worth the wait. Owned by Meat and Drink Co, founded by husband and wife team Jeremy and Rebecca Rowlands and Nicola Heritage, they have created a drinking and dining heaven on Friargate. Never ones to rest on their laurels – or to miss the opportunity to host a good event – they are currently completing a new roof terrace as well as developing an outdoor space at the back of the 350-year-old building where they will host a pop-up bar from the end of November with even grander plans for the start of next year. You won’t want to miss a peer down the glass-covered 40ft well they discovered during the building work. Even better, you can have a glass of Lancashire produced gin and tonic or their own craft beer while you do it. They are also running a craft beer click and collect service.

plau.co.uk

THREE OTHERS TO TRY

The New Continental

This once down at heel old boozer is now one of the feathers in Preston’s foodie cap. Great food, beers to suit any afficionado’s palate and on a warm day you can sit outside just a few steps from the River Ribble.

It’s also home to the brilliant Continental Beer Festival and hosts films, bands and a regular diary of events.

newcontinental.net.

Fino Tapas

Venture just off Fishergate onto Guildhall Street and you’ll find yourself in Spanish tapas heaven made with ingredients from local producers including Goosnargh chicken, beef and eggs from Walton le Dale and tomatoes and lettuce from Lancashire’s salad bowl, Tarleton. Meats and olives come from Spain’s finest. At lunch you’ll get good value with three tapas for £10. finotapas.co.uk

We Don’t Give a Fork

This casual place has become one of the city’s coolest places to eat. On the menu are burgers suitable for any carnivore or herbivore from chilli chilli bang bang, which comes loaded with jalapenos and hot sauce, to the chickpea, sweetcorn and courgette burger.

wedontgiveafork.co.uk

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COFFEE/WINE STOP

Jonah’s, Preston Market

Visit any food and drink event in and around Preston and you’re likely to see the Jonah’s coffee cart keeping people sustained with their fantastic brews. What started as a mobile coffee business now has a permanent base in Preston’s Box Market and is run by talented young coffee lover Adam Gardner. He was one of the first businesses to sign up to the new space in 2018 and the business goes from strength-to-strength. There is coffee to go but also indoor and outdoor space to sit and spend a while, whether it’s for that first morning cup, your lunch break or the perfect pitstop during a day shopping in the city.

jonahs.coffee

THREE OTHERS TO TRY

Pickles of Preston

This popular stall in Preston Markets – which has been operating in the city since 1972 - continues to thrive but the days of standing at the stall with a cheeseboard and glass of wine have had to be put on hold for now. The Pickles delivery service makes up for it though: order through their online shop where you’ll find everything from the best artisan cheese and charcuterie to chutneys, wine and local gins. They will deliver or you can pick up. picklesofpreston.co.uk.

The Larder

This café, part of a social enterprise, has a menu that celebrates Lancashire producers with many of their dishes making the most of ingredients grown or made in the county. During lockdown they also cooked for the community, producing nutritious meals for the most vulnerable and in need. A place well worth your support.

larder.org.uk.

Winedown on Wheels

While Winedown’s basement bar in Lancaster Road is currently closed due to the pandemic, father and son Dougie and Will Lowe, are delivering their own Winedown on Wheels deli service. Artisan cheese delivered to your door? Yes please. They currently deliver across Preston and some surrounding areas.

winedownpreston.co.uk.

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FOR THE EVENING

Kimji Korean

One of the newer members of Preston’s dining scene – and the city’s first Korean restaurant – Kimji Korean has caused a stir. Don’t be fooled by the simple exterior in Winckley Street, their dishes created by owner and chef Shen Chen, are packed with flavour and include Army Stew or Budae Jjigae, invented during the Korean War when American soldiers brought food from home to Japan. The result? This spicy stew with rice.

kimjikorean.co.uk

THREE OTHERS TO TRY

Olive Tree Brasserie

One of a handful of successful restaurants founded by Lancastrian Dean Wilson, here you’ll find Greek-inspired plates packed with flavour.

olivetreebrasserie.co.uk

Bistrot Pierre

There was much fanfare when this national French restaurant group opened in the city in 2018. The menu is full of modern French dishes and other celebrating global flavours.

bistrotpierre.co.uk/locations/preston/

263 Restaurant

This two AA rosette has been a welcome addition to the city’s burgeoning fine dining scene. Run by the people behind other Preston ventures, Fino Tapas, Don’t Give a Fork and Winckley Ale House, this is one to watch.

263preston.co.uk

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