Deli Carlo - Salumeria Italiano in Blackburn with Darwen

Called into this café today during lunch while rushing through Town. So glad I did, friendly staff, lovely place, great location and service with a smile. Cannot (hence writing this review) recommend the place enough. Awesome authentic Italian tasting coffee and their pastrami New Yorker sandwich was simply amazing. All reasonably priced and I’d go as far to say it’s the best pastrami I’ve ever had! Bold statement yes, but try for yourself you’ll not be disappointed.

Went for a light bite for lunch, the Deli Carlo BLT was one of the best BLT I have ever had. Everything used was fresh, taste was fantastic. This was matched with a great service and above all friendly staff!

A female member of staff came outside next to the table where we just bought 2 coffees and proceeded to vomit all over the floor twice next to the front door of the market, she made no attempt to clean it up. She did not wash her hands and went straight back to cleaning and tidying tables, then inside to serve. Absolutely disgusting, how can someone with a vomiting issue be working in a food and drink establishment. Won’t be going again if this is the usual food hygiene standards. I thought handwashing was a basic that everyone knew. We left our 2 full coffees as god knows whether she’s touched the cups or god knows what.

I'm disabled the staff are understanding and great with me . I been going a few years and will carry on going to visit delicarlo

We’ve been visiting this lovely Deli for a few months when visiting family in the town. Normally we just have a coffee (best in town) and usually tempted by a sweet treat. We’ve seen the lovely lunches being served to other customers and promised ourselves we must try the savoury options. Today was the day and it was fantastic. I had the Italian, a warm crispy ciabatta with roasted peppers, pesto, oozy mozzarella with salad. Absolutely scrummy. My hubby had the spicy meatballs with focaccia. We both tested each others both yummy. I had to take away my chocolate brownie (part of the meal deal) as we were both full. The staff are super friendly and helpful. We will be planning more lunchtime visits to work our way through the savoury menu and take some of the lovely products home from the Deli counter. Thanks for the best lunch in ages and see you soon.

Superb food. Diavolo Calabria’s superb and lovely coffee. Ordered the Spartacus wrap to take away. Wonderful staff and so polite

We had a great welcome and we were given attention right away. The waitress was smiling courteous and helpful. This was a great start. Coffee and scone were wonderful. Airport cafes could learn a thing or two from this welcoming place! I would highly recommend this place in the very centre of the town. Well done.

Deli Carlo is a great place to visit,Emma ,Jackie, and Mel are always happy to help polite and happy to customers one of my favourite places to visit

Sat outside in the sun. Paid inside. Panini and tea. £8.10. Friendly service. Paid cash. Food and drink both good. First visit. I would go again. Darwen free music event was on. Went on a Saturday.

Cosy, little hidden gem. Everything about it is brilliant. Amazing food, couldn’t fault it! Drinks were lovely. We didn’t try the deserts as we were full. There are a few tables inside and outside, so not always space, but worth popping in to check before you try elsewhere.

I grew up in Darwen & haven’t eaten out here for a while. Went to Deli Carlo for a latte & lunch today and was hugely surprised! Honestly the coffee was spot on and the food is the best food out I’ve eaten in Darwen. Sat outside in the sun with great food and lovely customer service, so nice to enjoy being back in Darwen. Hugely recommend anyone to stop by for a lovely meal & a great place to shop local. 10/10

Lovely latte and a ciabatta for brekkie, sat outside in the glorious sunshine, with nice and friendly service. What's not to luv😀

Deli Carlo is the best place in Darwen for Lovely Italian food and Coffee ,brilliant meeting place in market square , lots of outdoor seating. All produce best quality great choice of cheeses olives meats bread .Staff very friendly, food delicious , would recommend a visit if in Darwen

I sat at an outdoor table, watching the (Darwen) world go by last Friday lunchtime. The best cup of coffee I had on my trip to Lancashire that week. The Polpette al Sugo, served with a sliced panino, topped with cheese, was a taste from heaven. The cafe is obviously popular with the local Italian community, which speaks for itself

Such a gem! The food from Deli Carlo is fresh, flavoursome and delicious. I highly recommend popping in try one of their moreish sandwiches and picking some Italian delights!

My girlfriend and I were passing through Darwen and decided to go here for lunch. Both of us agreed it was the best sandwich we’d had in a long time and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. Highly recommend!

Been coming here for years and well done to the new owners for keeping the much loved specials. The produce used is fresh and local and we always enjoy visiting here! Always service with a smile, staff are lovely and the food is delicious! Will continue to visit this brilliant place!!

This Deli serves the best meatballs I’ve tasted, cooked to perfection in a spicy tomato sauce with warm buttered bread. I would highly recommend and definitely worth a try.

Deli Carlo under new ownership . very friendly place to visit , we visited late morning and had flat white coffee and All day Breakfast sandwich , which is Pancetta cheese sun dried tomato on Ciabatta roll Delicious . Deli well stocked olives pasta cheeses Italian meats meatballs and much more , well worth a visit

I visit this deli every week, it is a little place that has a friendly, family atmosphere. They boast an excellent menu and the owner is an excellent cook, try the lasagne. The staff are welcoming and make you feel quite at home. It really is a marvellous place to enjoy some excellent food. Kate Evans

A few of my family have been, until now, fairly regular and very happy patrons. On the last 4 or 5 visits the service has been very slow to the point where I have had to go in and remind them that we were waiting, the food and hot drinks were delivered sometimes 15 minutes apart (coffee and panini - not a challenge) with no comment after we chased and the small side salad included with a sandwich is now miniscule - very disappointing. I have seen and occasionally chatted with the new owner, but she seems pretty clueless and her young staff seem to take her lead. This place charges above the Darwen average and it used to be worth it under the previous management who seemed to know exactly what running a deli cafe was about, but no more I'm afraid. You've lost myself and my family - a shame.

Called in at lunchtime for a cuppa...but the warm welcome, scrumptious aromas soon changed my mind!! I ended up having a coffee (Americano) & biscuit, followed by a wrap (Spartacus) which was packed with a delicious mix of cheese & Mediterranean vegetables, followed by guess what, another wonderfully tasting coffee which this time came with a chocy. The service was friendly, effective & efficient. The dining area welcoming & cosy, but sufficient space, clean & tidy. The actual deli is filled with interesting buys. Really pleased I went. A rare gem in Darwen centre!

Loved this deli and already looking forward to going back. Delicious food and fabulous service. The restaurant is very clean which is always my number concern when dining out.

Great place for your Italian shopping needs. A large selection of cold meats, cheeses and other delights. A nice cafe attached too serving great coffee (one of the best in town, actually), and salads/sandwiches for a nice light lunch when you're in town.

Visited this little place for a bite to eat with my friend. The staff are warm, welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable. Food was delicious and very well-priced. We both at and drank for £13 and they sell lots of Italian goodies to take home with you as well. I would definitely recommend this place to all my friends

Okay, it's fair to say that the music loop of Dean Martin singing Italian songs in English and the inevitable Nessum Dorma blasting out from the CD player is a bit naff but the rest is great.

I recently purchased cold meats and cheeses, with a selection of olives and breads for a family event. The food and service was excellent from start to finish. It was moderately priced. I always say good food isn't cheap and cheap food isn't good. I would highly recommend them. Rebecca did a great job and made sure that I got exactly what I wanted.

Fantastic italian deli.. Amazing food.. Amazing atmosphere.. Brilliant helpful staff.. Definatly worth a visit if you havent already..

Had a quick bite to eat here. Really nice food and seating inside and out but the cutlery definitely needs to be checked before giving to customers. Service quick, staff efficient and prices very reasonable. Would visit again

what a fantastic little place. the food is delicious the service is wonderful and its really not badly priced for quality. i will definitely be visiting again when im next in town

No puedo poner en palabras lo bueno Deli Carlo es. La comida es absolutamente increíble (yo tenía uno de los sándwiches y un postre de caramelo salados) es sin duda la mejor comida que he probado en mucho tiempo.

Popped in for a coffee and stayed for an hour and had a lovely focaccia sandwich, very well made with fresh quality ingredients.

Friends get together in a lovely little deli. The choices on the menu were varied and we were spoilt for choice. We were not disappointed, the food is well presented and delicious. Loved the stuffed mushrooms and peppers and the bread was yummy. Nice salads...

We visited here on the off chance for lunch. We ate ciabatta with mozzarella and pesto A Spartacus wrap and coffees. We could have done with some more salad ,pesto and olives but saying that we throughly enjoyed it.

A menudo entrara a personal café muy agradable y servicial. Es una pena que el café no es mucho más grande. A la venta de productos Standard es excelente.

Visité Deli Carlo hoy tuve una tabla de quesos y leche. La tabla de quesos estaba muy bien presentado en una pizarra de tres quesos uvas apio manzana chutney y galletas saladas, me gusta mucho, el personal encantador almuerzo. Delicatessen como una buena selección de aceitunas queso, embutidos. Vale la pena una visita a Darwen para este café.

First time in the Deli Carlo. we had Greek Platter to share it was brilliant, this place is well worth a visit .........

Very enjoyable meal, well worth a visit .Service and the staff where friendly and helpful, I we had the wraps, I had tje La Mancha and my friend had the Spartacus like toutch of a lMixed lettuce Green Olives and pesto.

Lovely little deli outside market entrance, you can have light lunches or full platter meals all reasonably priced! Staff are lovely and all pleasant and welcoming! I would highly recommend

Cannot recommend this place enough. Really helpful staff and great food. If there's a few of you wanting lunch I would recommend you book as always busy - best coffee in Darwen

This Deli is fantastic the food is always the same standard brilliant , the staff are so welcoming. I love this place whether just calling for a coffee and panettone , or delicious Italian sandwich definitely worth a visit if you have not been here .

This place is wonderful. The staff are so friendly and the food first class. Quite a short menu but the quality makes up for it. Carlo has done a wonderful job, pity there is nowhere to expand!

Superb little Italian café. Beautifully authentic with knowledgeable staff and plenty of choice. Well worth a visit and very much a cut above the greasy spoons in the local area

For just a coffee or for a nice lunch, this is a good place to visit. Only downside is that it is a little small but there's not a lot they can do about that.

Great stop off for lunch. Good choice of Italian sandwiches etc. Excellent coffees and great deli. Also friendly and efficient service.

I've often eaten here and found the service to be excellent and the generally Italian cuisine to be equally good.As a smaller boutique deli they are often full at meal times so finding a table can occasionally be an issue.

Lovely food, nice to see something different in the area.Well worth a visit if you fancy something more interesting than a ham salad for lunch.

I grew up in Darwen but haven't really been back for over 20 years until now. Even though Darwen really isn't the place to visit except if your going to walk through the hills there is a place to go if you do happen to be in Darwen and that's this little place "Deli Carlo". I went with my father who goes here a lot and it is I have to say quite a nice little Deli with great food. I had a wrap and soup and it was quite delicious my father had the meet ball rap and thought it was amazing. I have reviewed a lot of places around the world and this has to be quite up on the list as nice places to eat. I recommend it if your in Darwen , but I don't think many tourist will go to Darwen but if your passing through please try this place . Food is great and the ladies who work there really friendly.

Top notch Italian salumeria is fantastic any time of the day (closed evenings) food is fab along with the staff. Please pay it a visit you won't be disappointed.

Always a great place to stop in the Center of Darwen and watch the world go by , fantastic food service with a smile and the foods amazing - yummy yum .

Amazing little deli. Everything is fresh and authentic. The lunch is quite good value and the coffee is fresh Italian coffee. Wouldn't go anywhere else for lunch in Darwen. It's fab.

I love Deli Carlo. The staff are always friendly and eager to help. The food is out of this world. The only problem I have is what to choose. There are so many delicious and tempting things to choose from. It is definitely worth a visit. The food is so fresh and tasty.

Fantastic, authentic Italian Deli serving delicious food and coffee. A group of us (3 cyclists) cycled over from Southport yesterday (c50 miles into our ride), and Delicarlo proved to be the perfect stop to refuel, sitting outside in the sun. Thanks to Kath and the team for a wonderful lunch stop! Would highly recommend a visit when in the area, both cyclists and non-cyclists.

Really nice little Italian, good food and coffee and very friendly staff good prices and fast service, perfect little lunch place.

This fine establishment occupies one of the larger shops built into the frontage of Darwen Market Hall. There's an excellent deli with a wide selection of Italian and continental foods including cured meats, sausages, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, cheeses and so on with shelves stacked with pastas, risotto rice, panettones etc. Alongside is a small cafe where you can sample much of the delicious food with an expertly prepared cup of your favourite coffee.

I have been coming here with my family for the past couple of years and will continue to do so! The cafe is small, quite often it's full and I have to come back, or wait, but once at the table, service is quick, and always with a smile. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The menu is small, yet I've never been stuck for choice. The ingredients are fresh and authentic. The deli part of the shop is packed with both fresh and longer life products. Perfect for taking stuff home when you're done in the cafe.

Absolutely love this place. Such wonderful food, service and staff! Could not put a foot wrong. I also love supporting the local businesses. Especially when the food they sell is brilliant. I love just stopping by for a quick coffee. Proper Italian coffee!

Deli Carlo is tucked onto the outside edge of Darwen Market Hall. They make good use of a small location, with four or five tables and a counter with bar stools. It's a lovely spot to watch the world go by. Plus, the deli counter is the backbone of a fantastic food selection. I'm vegetarian and don't eat gluten, and the staff can quickly and easily put a number of different plates together to meet those needs. They even have gluten free biscuits that can be substituted for those which normally come with a coffee.

I have been a few times, eating in and take away. The staff are so lovely and friendly. the food is exceptional.

I had a Spartacus wrap, asked for chicken as an extra filling and got it and it was amazing, friendly staff and great coffee!

lovely place to go for a meal or snack lovely culture and food and all staff are lovely fab chrisps and pop too

Was in Darwen visiting a friend and was taken to this lovely Deli for a lite lunch, I had bruschetta with a side salad and a latte, very good food and excellent coffee all at a reasonable price.It's a small place, the staff are very friendly, can't wait to visit again!

Visited Wednesday 27th January with a friend. Having been once before to eat, I felt confident to try again. We weren't disappointed. Plenty of choice on the menu and the specials board. My friend (who is well travelled and has sampled varied menus) couldn't speak highly enough of this great little place in Darwen. My aim is to try every dish on the menu.

Placed in the center of Darwen has a small cafe area where you can drink or eat good Italian products.... The owners are very friendly and the place is quiet and pleasant.

The staff are lovely, the food is heavenly, and the only downside is that they only have a little shop so space is at a premium... BUT you'll still go back there again and again because the food is SO good.

only a small café of seating area, but well worth it. the food is amazing, served with fresh coffee. 100% recommend a quick meal deal

As soon as you walk in you can smell all the flavours of Italy blended with fresh coffee in this Deli. The food was fresh and tasty and the service was very friendly and efficient. A great place to stop for 15 minutes for lunch or to take away.

Great food - fresh, well prepared. Super coffee. The place is small which can be a challenge with a pram, or for more than 4 people, but it is well worth it. Friendly staff, and lovely stuff at the deli.Yeah!

Lovely staff, food very good but small cafe so can feel a bit claustrophobic when busy. A bit overpriced for some dishes.

A really homely family feel when you visit the Deli. With quite a large Italian lunch selection as well as a cold meats counter should you wish to take anything home, it makes a lovely weekend brunch! We had the Mezze platter, which was divine!! Highly recommended! The staff are really friendly and nice, and will endeavour to make your experience as great as possible.

It's quite easy to forget you're still in Darwen when eating at Deli Carlo it has a Mediterranean feel about the decor and menu. The food is really lovely, genuinely Mediterranean in quality, taste and presentation. Staff are friendly and helpful and as an added bonus you can purchase all kinds of yummy stuff to take away like olives, pesto, cheeses etc etc.Really great value for money

My young daughter has been here several times with her grandad.... ( who loves anything Italian ! ) So when she was promised a treat this is what she choose... Lunch at the Deli! I must admit I was not looking forward to it. What a surprise, I thought the end was limited but only because I did t understand it! The food was amazing just a shame the sun wasn't shining as I would not have believed I was in Darwen. This is a real gem! Try it you will love it. My daughter had a Mighty Meaty sandwich and I had Ciabatta with cheese and sundries tomatoes they were both served with a nice vibrant salad...... A truly amazing lunch!

I start buying mainly cheese and salami from Carlo's when he still had his stall on the 3-day market. Since he moved into the shop, it's just got better and better. Consistently good quality, even down to the coffee that they serve! I'm on first name terms with the staff, and it's great just spending an hour or so in there (when you have the time, that is!), because you never know just who's going to pop in and have a natter with you! Have introduced, or recommended, Carlo's to my family, and friends, both from Darwen and elsewhere I don't think ANYONE's been disappointed!My only observation, NOT a criticism though (!), is that the cafe area is a little "cosy", so it's rather awkward if there are more than, say, 3 or four of you, but PLEASE don't let that stop you trying it, if you haven't been!

Visited for a coffee and it was absolutely delicious haven't been before as usually working during its opening hours. Lovely friendly atmosphere and a great authentic feel. Well done Carlo you must be so proud !!!!

I got recommend to visit this place by friends and seeing the reviews on trip advisor I had to try this place and so glad I came! What can I say a little delicatessen in the market this place wouldn't be out of place in London or Manchester. I had the deli Carlo special on a ciabatta it contain three types of salami's and cheese sundried tomatoes and chilli absolutely amazing! Finished off with a cappuccino perfecto! Personally think it's the best Italian in Lancashire for food and coffee! Would be back again soon!

Everything down to the deserts are fantastic run by the local Italian carlo! Keep up the good work guys and girls

This deli is run by a smashing, little Italian guy who's Lancastrian accent is broader than most indigenous dialects. Extremely friendly as you would expect and the food on offer is luxurious, delicious and all sourced by himself direct from Italy. This is an original Italian Salumeria and you can obtain all the ingredients necessary to make a stunning Italian meal in your very own home. EXCELLENT. 100%

A gem in the heart of Darwen. As you walk through the doors, you feel like to have escaped to a little piece of Italy. The smell of fresh coffee, the Italian music and Mediterranean décor all add to a truly remarkable ambience. What's more, the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and willing to share advice and ideas. We come here every Saturday morning for breakfast. Excellence!

great Italian place, original cuisine and well served. Authentic cuisine at a reasonable cost. Try it and you will love it and you'll be surprised at the price.

Love this small deli/coffee shop excellent Italian snacks and meals. Nice coffee served by friendly staff. Good selection of cooked meats, salamis etc on sale.I regularly have a coffee here and can recommend their bruschetta very tasty.

Great little shop/cafe. Top selection of authentic Italian foods,knowledgable staff and what alovely place to sit ,rest and chat over a plate of scrummy food and a coffee.

On a second trip in a month along the A666, we were looking for a place for lunch but did not feel we good face another blow out at The Thomas Edgerton (see separate review) so we stopped off in Darwen - take a left at the Millstone pub which is on the junction with the A666 and follow signs to the free parking behind the Market.The town centre has undergone a bit of a makeover with the imposing Chapel being transformed by Wetherspoons. Unfortunately they didn't take a wrecking ball to the 3 Day Market when they had the chance as this detracts from all the good work going on around the square.Deli Carlo is a lunchtime cafe serving a good range of Mediterranean snacks and platters. The staff are very friendly and rightly proud of their town. Luckily the sun was shining so we took a table outside. The food was excellent quality and service prompt. My only quibble was a lack of drinks licence (probably to deter public boozing in the Market Square). For that reason, I withhold a star.

Always helpful staff with the best selection of Italian meats and cheeses. Superb quality and good prices. I have the Italian with extra parma ham. Omg yes please!

i love this little shop briliant selection of italian food .the sandwiches are excellent as are the selection of italian cured meats and cheeses and they also do some amazing homemade italian breads and imported italian grocery items some of which you would only be able to order online if not for this shop.one of the best food places in darwen well done carlo and staff.

The food is the best ever, the staff are lovely and it's great value for money. I can't recommend this place enough

We eat regularly at deli carlo. Coffee is fresh and tasty. Meatball sandwich is my fave, other half loves the new york deli. We look forward to our days off just to go and have an hour eating fresh tasty food with friendly service. Love picking up biscuits for snacks that night. We are off tomorrow, will probably be in! Thanks everyone. Rosie & Andy xxx

My husband and I nip in here regularly. The friendly staff, fresh coffee, great authentic italian food are all part of the reason we continue to return.

We go deli Carlo every week if it's not to sit in the cafe to buy the beautiful pasta,olives and chilli jam. As a family we love to go have a nice sandwich and a coffee on a Saturday morning. Only thing is it's a shame the cafe area can't extend as the cafe area is only small. Fantastic place to eat,fab atmosphere,friendly staff.

Darwen is pretty well know for it's wide selection of Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurants with the odd new Chinese Restaurant (Mr Fu's in particular) but it's worth remembering the area has a large Italian population and there's finally a venue to cater for them. Located in the "Circus" area of Darwen Town Centre, Carlo's Deli offers a fantastic range of Italian cured meats, salamis, beautifully tasty sun dried tomatoes, olives, and the best home made pesto I've ever tasted. The menu is fairly simple but the dishes totally delicious - try the Polpetti on Focaccia with a beautifully dressed salad with olives and stuffed peppers - a meal deal costs around £5.75 and for this you can have your meat balls with a packet of Tyrells crisps and a coffee or cold drink. A recent addition has been the "Specials Board" with individual treats of slightly larger dishes to share. These feature a lovely Antipasto with mozzarella, assorted salami, prosciutto and grilled Ciabatta, a Spanish selection with omlette, manchego cheese and chorizo, and a Greek selection with dolmades, feta, olives etc. All for £9.50 and totally gorgeous. Well worth a visit for a lovely lunchtime experience or just to sit outside and enjoy a coffee whilst marvelling at the exotic views of Darwen!