Quality Assurance

All eating establishments listed on this website have received one or more of the awards and accreditations below. Please be aware ratings may change throughout the year.

Taste Lancashire Quality Assurance

Taste Lancashire is a quality award scheme for eating establishments developed by Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board and Quality in Tourism.

The award recognises the importance of the food and drink industry to Lancashire and acknowledges establishments who provide a consistently high quality dining experience and show a commitment to the use of local produce. The award assessment is carried out annually and any type of eating establishment can apply. Businesses are marked against a quality criteria according to the type of eating establishment.

• The Quality Assured Award is given to eateries achieving 60-80% in their assessment.
• The Highest Quality Assured Award is given to eateries achieving over 80% in their assessment.

AA Rosettes

AA inspectors annually award Rosettes to restaurants for the quality of their food.

Excellent restaurants that stand out in their local area are awarded with AA Rosettes. The food is prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good-quality ingredients.

• One Rosette is awarded to restaurants that stand out in their local area. The food is prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good-quality ingredients.
• Two Rosettes are awarded to restaurants which offer higher standards and better consistency. Greater precision is apparent in the cooking and there is obvious attention to the quality and selection of ingredients.
• Three Rosettes are awarded to outstanding restaurants that demand recognition well beyond the local area. The highest quality ingredients receive sympathetic treatment, and there is consistent timing, seasoning, and judgement of flavour combinations. You can expect excellent and intelligent service, and a well-chosen wine list.
• Four Rosettes highlight cooking that demands national recognition. Dishes demonstrate intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills and remarkable consistency. An appreciation of culinary traditions is combined with a desire for exploration and improvement.
• Five Rosette restaurant food stands comparison with the best in the world. It is highly individual, benefits from breathtaking culinary skills, and sets the standards to which others aspire. There will also be a knowledgeable and distinctive wine list.

Michelin Stars

Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants offering the finest cooking, regardless of cuisine style. Stars represent only what is on the plate. They do not take into consideration interior decoration, service quality or table settings.

• 1 Star = A very good restaurant in its category
• 2 Stars = Excellent cooking and worth a detour
• 3 Stars = Exceptional cuisine and worth the journey

Michelin Bib Gourmand

The distinction is granted to establishments offering "good food at moderate prices".

Michelin’s Eating Out in Pubs Guide

Michelin also recognise many restaurants and pubs in their Eating Out in Pubs guide in which Lancashire has several establishments. All the pubs in the guide have been selected for the quality of their cooking.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) accredits a range of different food and drink providers on their efforts to reduce their environmental impact.

All award winners have demonstrated that they are taking action across a wide range of areas. You may find in the food and drink establishments you visit that there is an emphasis on sourcing quality local, fair-trade and organic produce.

In Lancashire we have providers who are dedicated in their commitments to sustainable tourism and so have been awarded with a Green Tourism Business Scheme award.