70
26%
26
Market Overview
With 70 restaurants in Preston, the market is crowded alongside 94 cafes, 217 fast food outlets, 31 bars, and 122 pubs, creating intense competition in the food and drink sector. Italian cuisine leads with 12 restaurants, followed by Indian with 10, while Pizza, Chinese, Sushi, and Asian each have 3 outlets, and Chicken and Portuguese have 2. This distribution shows a concentration in familiar Western and South Asian flavours, but with 26 unique cuisine types, there is fragmentation across the city. A key opportunity gap exists in digital presence: only 18 restaurants (26%) have a website listed, meaning many rely on foot traffic or third-party platforms. For a population of 140,000, the high number of competing food businesses—particularly the 217 fast food outlets—puts pressure on restaurants to differentiate clearly. The market is saturated in popular categories like Italian and Indian, but underserved in niches such as Portuguese or specialised Chicken dishes. Owners must navigate this competitive density by leveraging gaps in cuisine and online visibility.
Top Types in Preston
What Customers in Preston Care About
Authentic Italian variety
With 12 Italian restaurants, diners expect genuine regional dishes beyond generic pizza, seeking menus that reflect true Italian cooking.
Consistent Indian flavours
The 10 Indian spots mean customers look for reliable taste and specific regional options, such as Punjabi or South Indian, to stand out.
Easy online discovery
Only 26% of restaurants have websites, so customers often rely on search engines or apps, making a basic online presence vital for visibility.
Value against fast food
With 217 fast food outlets, restaurants need to justify higher prices through quality ingredients and a better dining experience.
Location near social hubs
Competition from 31 bars and 122 pubs means being close to the city centre or nightlife areas can attract pre- or post-drink diners.
Restaurants operating in Preston
A sample of real restaurants in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Sagar Premier Indian Restaurant | Indian |
| EastZEast | Restaurant |
| Manjaros | Restaurant |
| Sai Surbhi | Restaurant |
| Fusion Room | Restaurant |
| Original Bistro French | Restaurant |
| The Viceroy | Indian |
| Romanos | Restaurant |
| Nando's | Chicken |
| PizzaExpress | Pizza |
| Gusto | Italian |
| Bella Maria | Italian |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Restaurants Owners in Preston
Build a simple website
With only 18 restaurants online, a basic website listing your menu and contact details can capture local search traffic. Focus on clear, mobile-friendly pages to stand out from the 74% without web presence.
Target underserved cuisines
Italian and Indian dominate, but consider niches like Portuguese or specialised Chicken dishes, which have minimal competition. Analyse the 26 cuisine types to find gaps that match local demand.
Leverage surrounding food traffic
The 94 cafes and 217 fast food outlets draw crowds seeking quick meals. Position your restaurant as a quality upgrade by highlighting unique offerings and ambiance to convert some of this traffic.
Competition Snapshot
Preston's restaurant market is dense, with 70 eateries competing in a city of 140,000 residents. Italian and Indian cuisines are oversaturated, accounting for 22 of the restaurants, while specialities like Portuguese and Chicken have minimal presence. Standing out requires a strong digital footprint—only a quarter of competitors have websites—and clear differentiation through unique cuisine or strategic location. The sheer number of nearby cafes, fast food joints, and pubs means restaurants must explicitly define their value to attract diners beyond the quick-service options.
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