Best Restaurants in Formby
Written by someone who eats here regularly. No sponsorship, no filler: just honest recommendations from a local.
Best overall
Best local regular
Formby has four restaurants worth knowing about. Here they are, in order.
These are all in the village, not at the beach. Book ahead for weekends: Formby is small and the good places fill up quickly.
At a Glance
| Restaurant | Type | Price | Dogs | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left Bank Brasserie | Brasserie | £££ | No | Essential at weekends |
| Emily's | Restaurant | ££ | No | Book ahead at weekends |
| The Sparrowhawk | Gastropub | ££ | Yes | Walk-ins possible |
| Don Luigi | Italian | ££ | No | Book for larger groups |
The Reviews
Left Bank Brasserie
Brasserie · £££ · No dogs · Essential at weekends
The best restaurant in Formby. Proper brasserie food, excellent wine list, room that's actually atmospheric rather than just beige. The kind of place that's genuinely enjoyable rather than just okay. Book at least a week ahead for Friday or Saturday evenings: it fills up and they don't overbook.
Honest take
The price reflects the quality. If you're on a budget, this isn't it. If you're looking for the best meal in Formby, this is it.
Best for: Birthday dinners, date nights, celebrating something
Emily's
Restaurant · ££ · No dogs · Book ahead at weekends
The most-loved neighbourhood restaurant in Formby. Locals go back regularly, which is a far better endorsement than any review. Good food, reasonable prices, the kind of place you're happy to go on a Thursday evening without it feeling like a special occasion.
Honest take
Not the cheapest but very good value for what you get. No annoying pretension. Kids fine, groups fine, couples fine.
Best for: Regular dining, family meals, groups
Good gastropub food done consistently well. The most flexible option in Formby: doesn't require booking with the same urgency as Left Bank or Emily's. Dog-friendly. Beer garden in summer. The right choice if you haven't booked but want a decent evening out.
Honest take
Pub food rather than restaurant food: which is exactly what you want from it. Not trying to be Left Bank and better for it.
Best for: Post-walk meals, dogs, unplanned evenings out
Don Luigi
Italian · ££ · No dogs · Book for larger groups
Reliable Italian in the village. Good for groups and families that want a table easily and predictable food. Not going to change your life but won't disappoint either. Decent pasta, good pizza, friendly service.
Honest take
It's the Italian restaurant in a town that needs a good Italian restaurant. It fills the gap well. Best for groups where you need everyone to find something they want.
Best for: Groups, families, Italian cravings
Cafés & Lighter Options
NT Café (at the beach)
The National Trust café at the Victoria Road car park. Decent coffee, good cake, hot food at lunchtimes. Not cheap: you're paying for location, not cuisine. Ideal for a post-walk stop before the drive home. Dogs welcome outside.
Village Cafés
Several independent cafés near Chapel Lane in the village: good for coffee and lunch. Worth exploring if you're spending time in the village rather than at the beach. Nothing that needs booking; casual walk-in options.
Booking Tips
Left Bank: book 7–10 days ahead for weekends
Friday and Saturday evenings fill up quickly. For a birthday or special meal, book further ahead. Weekday lunches are usually available with shorter notice.
Emily's: book by Tuesday for the weekend
Popular with regulars who book standing weeks. Call earlier rather than later. Weekday bookings much easier.
The Sparrowhawk: early or late walk-ins
If you want a table without booking, go early (before 7pm) or later (after 9pm) on weekends. Midweek is easy. Food service hours worth checking.
Don Luigi: groups call ahead
For a table of 6 or more, call ahead. Smaller groups can usually get in without booking on most nights.
Common Questions
What's the best restaurant in Formby?
Left Bank Brasserie. If you want the best meal available in Formby, that's your answer. Book ahead.
Where should I go if I haven't booked?
The Sparrowhawk: gastropub, dog-friendly, walk-ins usually possible especially early evening. Or Don Luigi if you're going with a group and want pasta and pizza.
Are there restaurants near Formby Beach?
The NT café is at the beach. The actual restaurants are in the village: about 10 minutes by car. Worth the drive for a proper meal rather than settling for the café.
Is Emily's good for kids?
Yes: Emily's is family-friendly. Relaxed atmosphere, not overly formal. Left Bank is fine for older kids; less ideal if yours are very young.
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