
Quick info
About Bistro 197
Bistro 197 is a bistro on the first floor of Towneley Golf House on the edge of Townley Woods in Burnley. The menu runs to twenty dishes, including English Breakfast and Scotch Egg alongside mac and cheese, a cauliflower starter, chicken dishes, dauphinoise potatoes and red cabbage. Reservations are recommended. Outdoor seating serves guests dining outside, and high chairs accommodate families with young children. It opens Wednesday to Sunday, daytime only, and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Has kids' menu
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
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Menu & Prices
20 dishes- Coffee
- English Breakfast
- Scotch Egg
- Buttermilk Chicken Burger with Fries
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Seafood
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention mac & cheese, goats cheese bonbon, salt & chili crispy chicken and hasselback potatoes.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention mac & cheese, goats cheese bonbon, salt & chili crispy chicken and hasselback potatoes.
Customer Review Summary
Diners consistently single out the food at Bistro 197, with the mac & cheese, cauliflower starter, and poached pear dessert earning repeated praise for quality and value. Close behind are the arancini, salt & chili crispy chicken, and chocolate fudge brownie sundae with salted caramel ice cream, all described as excellent or brilliant. Several also highlight the friendly staff and cozy atmosphere, though one reviewer notes a concern about kitchen hygiene practices. A few mention the music selection as a minor drawback, while others appreciate the seasonal additions like red cabbage and Hasselback potatoes. One diner describes the portion of sea bass as modest, but the overall experience remains positive with many planning to return.
Customer Review Summary
Diners consistently single out the food at Bistro 197, with the mac & cheese, cauliflower starter, and poached pear dessert earning repeated praise for quality and value. Close behind are the arancini, salt & chili crispy chicken, and chocolate fudge brownie sundae with salted caramel ice cream, all described as excellent or brilliant. Several also highlight the friendly staff and cozy atmosphere, though one reviewer notes a concern about kitchen hygiene practices. A few mention the music selection as a minor drawback, while others appreciate the seasonal additions like red cabbage and Hasselback potatoes. One diner describes the portion of sea bass as modest, but the overall experience remains positive with many planning to return.
Featured reviews
- LINDA WHITAKER
“We only went for coffee & it was good, Lovely atmosphere, don't doubt food good. Hope to book a meal soon. Friendly staff too. .”
- Jackie Cumming
“The food was lovely but the kitchen staff touched everything with their hands when plating it up and no sign of handwashing, just wiping on the same teatowel. Luckily I have no allergies!”
- ang power
“Great food as usual. Lovely staff who go out of their way to accommodate menu tweaks. Great value and a comfy, cosy spot set on the edge of the beautiful Townley Woods.”
- Kev Rob
“After a long search for a Sunday dinner spot in Burnley we took a chance on 197 after a recommendation. I'm glad we did because the food was 'spot-on'. The starters hit the mark - delicious cauliflower, the tenders were huge. All 5 mains were fantastic. The chicken was cooked superbly, the dauphinoise was a treat. The red cabbage was slightly sweet for my liking but nonetheless a super seasonal addition to the plate. The puddings were generously sized and again wonderful. Poached pear. Yes please. £20 for two courses is great value. First time here but it's now on the list of places that are worthy of a return. The lost star is for having to ensure Shania Twain twice on the piped-in music.”
- James McDonough
“Superb food. Went for the Mother’s Day special and the food was simply brilliant. As was the service. That’s before you consider how good the value is! Two adults, two children and drinks came to less than £70 and the quality is as good as …”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
- Popular for popular for breakfast
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Quick bite
- Offerings· 7
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves healthy options
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Accessibility· 1
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Plenty of parking
- Dining options· 7
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
- Highlights· 4
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Crowd· 1
- Good for groups
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near Bistro 197
- Real Food Hall4.54740.9 mi£10–20Vegetarian optionsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
urban bites burger meal, burger and fries, pizza
- 1.1 miWheelchair accessible
gluten free fish and chips, fish and chips, halal options
- 1.1 miWheelchair accessible
cold food, burnt side dishes, family sharing platter
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bistro 197Good for kids · Reservations | 4.6307 | — | £10–20 | mac & cheese, goats cheese bonbon, salt & chili crispy chicken |
| Real Food HallVegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.5474 | 0.9 mi | £10–20 | urban bites burger meal, burger and fries, pizza |
| Banny's Drive Through & RestaurantWheelchair accessible | 4.11,858 | 1.1 mi | — | gluten free fish and chips, fish and chips, halal options |
| Nando's Burnley - Pioneer PlaceWheelchair accessible | 3.6319 | 1.1 mi | — | cold food, burnt side dishes, family sharing platter |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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