Checkmate Restaurant and Bar
Advertisements
Quick info
About Checkmate Restaurant and Bar
Checkmate Restaurant and Bar is an Afro-Caribbean restaurant at 31-33 Mesnes St in Wigan, run by the owner and her children. The menu takes an Afro-fusion approach, with suya and goat curry alongside jerk chicken served with coconut rice and vegetables. Diners choose the spice level when ordering, from no spice up to spicy, so each plate can be set to suit the person eating it. The kitchen also prepares vegetarian options and traditional soups, and it takes requests for bespoke meals.
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention jerk chicken, jollof rice, goat curry and coconut rice.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention jerk chicken, jollof rice, goat curry and coconut rice.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the chicken, from jerk chicken with coconut rice that fell off the bone to a brown stew described as freshly cooked and flavoursome. Jollof rice comes close behind, with one reviewer recommending it highly and another ordering it with goat at a medium spice level. Others mention goat curry, grilled fish with Jamaican curry, fried yam, plantain, moi moi, mashed beans with sauce, and rum cake with ice cream. Many describe a friendly welcome, staff who explain unfamiliar menu items, and a family-run feel. Some say the spice can be adjusted from none to hot, and several call the prices reasonable. Reviewers also welcome a different kind of restaurant for Wigan. The one negative came from a diner whose oxtail arrived freezing cold inside and so tough it could not be chewed, though the sauce was good. Several say they plan to return, and one came back for takeaway after a first visit.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the chicken, from jerk chicken with coconut rice that fell off the bone to a brown stew described as freshly cooked and flavoursome. Jollof rice comes close behind, with one reviewer recommending it highly and another ordering it with goat at a medium spice level. Others mention goat curry, grilled fish with Jamaican curry, fried yam, plantain, moi moi, mashed beans with sauce, and rum cake with ice cream. Many describe a friendly welcome, staff who explain unfamiliar menu items, and a family-run feel. Some say the spice can be adjusted from none to hot, and several call the prices reasonable. Reviewers also welcome a different kind of restaurant for Wigan. The one negative came from a diner whose oxtail arrived freezing cold inside and so tough it could not be chewed, though the sauce was good. Several say they plan to return, and one came back for takeaway after a first visit.
Featured reviews
- Sam Chambers
“Lady that served us was very friendly and food was tasty and reasonably priced. Good to see different food places in Wigan”
- John R
“After first hearing about checkmate,I thought I would give it a try,I usually opt for rusholme or cheetham hill weekly to find some more cultural food,so something more local would be a great addition to the town,and finally..checkmate has brought something special to wigan,firstly the warm welcome..and a little help with the items on the menu I wasn't familiar with,I had soon ordered and ready for the food,only a little while later,my choices had arrived,the chicken was unique,freshly cooked vibrant and super flavoursome,the mashed beans with sauce was new to me,but definitely something I will pick next ime,I also had,plantain,moi moi,and fried yam to complete the perfect main meal, And I couldn't leave without rum cake with ice cream, I loved the whole meal,and eager to return again, Lovely people serving superb food, A great asset to wigan,and would recommend anyone to go and try ! Great value for money,easy to park, And somewhere I will continue to visit ! Well deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
- Alison
“Excellent first time visit here; The service was fantastic, proper family home vibes and great music at the perfect volume for conversation without it being too quiet. We had Jollof rice medium spice with goat and steamed veg and a Goat curry, coconut rice and both had two large Trophy beers all for 50odd quid. Sat reading the menu and can't wait to come back and try everything else, might even have the hotter spice level next time. Thank you so much ❤️”
- Ash Shellien
“The service was good only the woman who served us was wearing head phones, I got the oxtail and it was cooked in a microwave as the inside was freezing cold and it was supper tough couldn’t even chew threw it, the sauce was great but the meat wasn’t !”
- Ann Knox
“Went tonight with two friends, after following reviews, especially one earlier from Karen,had the chicken (see previous reviews) was delicious. Staff can't do enough,so helpful, explain about everything you ask. Will definitely return and recommend. Thanks for a lovely evening 😊”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Checkmate is an Afro-Caribbean restaurant and bar located on Mesnes Street in Wigan town center. Popular for its Afro-fusion cuisine, the menu serves freshly prepared dishes like Jamaican chicken brown stew, fried yam and beans, and suya. We offer bespoke meals (hot or not), vegetarian options, and traditional soups.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Casual
- Coffee
- Quick bite
Show more amenities
- Dessert
- Table service
- Solo dining
- Restroom
- Dining options· 2
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
Location
Restaurants near Checkmate Restaurant and Bar
- The Wheel Restaurant4.6610.1 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleGood for kidsReservations
fish and chips, student-run college restaurant, christmas lunch
- La Sentidos Loca4.79130.2 mi£20–30Outdoor seatingWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
large portions, great service, good atmosphere
- 0.2 mi£20–30Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
roast dinner, steak, chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkmate Restaurant and Bar | 4.516 | — | £10–20 | jerk chicken, jollof rice, goat curry |
| The Wheel RestaurantWheelchair accessible · Good for kids · Reservations | 4.661 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, student-run college restaurant, christmas lunch |
| La Sentidos LocaOutdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.7913 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | large portions, great service, good atmosphere |
| Gallimore's Fine RestaurantOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.3854 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | roast dinner, steak, chips |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Restaurants nearby
More to explore in Wigan
78 places
Restaurants in Wigan
Photo: Miller & Carter Parbold · 4.6 · 5,599 Google reviews
See all 78 restaurants in Wigan
