An Italian restaurant in Gisburn has been crowned the best in Britain and the owners say it is the "greatest honour of [their] careers".
La Locanda claimed the top spot in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026.
The list, compiled in partnership with business technology platform Square, was revealed at an awards ceremony on Monday, July 13.
Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi, who have run La Locanda for 23 years, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news.
"La Locanda has been ranked No. 1 in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026 and named winner of the North West region.
"This is the greatest honour of our careers.
"When we opened La Locanda, our dream was simply to bring authentic Italian cuisine and genuine Italian hospitality to our little corner of Lancashire.
"We never imagined that one day our restaurant would be recognised as the UK’s No. 1 local restaurant.
"This award is not just for us.
"It belongs to our amazing team, our loyal customers, our local suppliers, our family and everyone who has supported us throughout this incredible journey.
"Thank you to The Good Food Guide for this extraordinary recognition, and thank you to every guest who has dined with us, recommended us and made La Locanda what it is today."
The Good Food Guide described the restaurant as an "uncompromisingly authentic taste of Italy," highlighting its use of Lancashire’s natural produce and its "homely, intimate" atmosphere.
Cinzia said: "My heart is exploding.
"I think this is the biggest achievement we have had in 23 years."
"We are so happy," said chef Maurizio. "To be recognised by The Good Food Guide as the best local restaurant in the country is something we could only have dreamed of when we first opened our doors more than 20 years ago."
La Locanda isn’t the only Lancashire restaurant to make the list.
 Sé Anar in Blackpool was ranked 85th.
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Chloë Hamilton, head of reviews and listings at the Good Food Guide, said: "In the face of adversity, creativity has flourished in unusual and unlikely places.
"It has been hugely rewarding to see how these tiny operations are offering outstanding quality in a way that so clearly strikes a chord with the local crowd.
"Arrive with an open mind and a good appetite and you’ll be brilliantly rewarded."
The guide’s 2026 list reflects evolving trends in the hospitality industry, with a rise in micro-restaurants and businesses diversifying their income streams.
More than 25 per cent of listed restaurants also operate as delis, wine shops, or cafés.
This year marks the first time the list has been officially ranked.
Now in its 16th year, the awards celebrate community-driven restaurants offering high-quality food and welcoming, informal dining experiences.
Square’s head of international marketing, Lizzie Barclay, said: "The Good Food Guide is the ultimate companion for food lovers, so we’re delighted to partner with them for another year to shine a light on the country’s most exceptional local restaurants.
"The incredible businesses on this list have all the ingredients that make independent hospitality so special: the passion, the personal touch, and the community."
