Bolton News Best Gastropub and Restaurant: Bob’s Smithy Inn

Located in a rustic spot at 1448 Chorley New Road, between Bolton and Bottom O’ Th’ Moor, this historic, stone-built pub has been serving up its range of lunches, nibbles, and dinners for many years.

With great food and panoramic views of the West Pennine Moors, close to Rivington and Smithills Country Estate, Bob’s Smithy Inn is popular with both locals and ramblers stopping in for a pick-me-up.

The outdoor area (Image: NQ)

The pub bills itself as a gastropub, so food is very much at the forefront of its offering.

The menu has a little bit of something for everyone – soup-of-the-day starters and prawn cocktails giving way to sirloin steaks and lamb shanks.

Salt and pepper squid, lamb koftas, Cajun chicken wings with garlic mayo, king prawns in garlic butter – all these can be found on the Smithy Inn menu as starters.

(Image: Bob Smithy’s Inn Country Pub & Dining)

Grills and pasta dishes flesh out the mains, whether you want to keep it traditional (though elevated!) with a chicken, leek, and bacon pie, go all in for an 8-oz sirloin steak, or fancy a splash of seafood with the pan-fried seabass.

Classic salads and burgers round out the menu, with special daily desserts available on request, though there is also a luxurious selection of specials available, including lamb shank, red snapper, or duck leg.

Jordan with his parents Lorraine and Stuart. (Image: Martini Archive)

Drinks-wise, the pub tries to keep things traditional, stocking a selection of ales both locally- brewed and sourced from further afield, as well as wines and soft drinks.

Bob’s Smithy Inn is no stranger to awards, maintaining a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for several years due to consistently high ratings.

The pub was also awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award in the 2025 Food Awards England, also making the finals in 2022 and 2023.

To vote for the venue in this year’s The Bolton News award, buy a copy of today’s newspaper.