Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Liverpool.
Restaurants
The London Carriage Works
This restaurant at the Hope Street Hotel was created by Paul Askew and is the city’s most celebrated restaurant; there’s a fine dining section and a more informal brasserie area – both excellent.
Hope Street Hotel, 40 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9DA
(+44 (0)151 705 2222)
60 Hope Street
Rather snobbishly described as ‘a London restaurant in Liverpool’ by AA Gill, this is another good choice; seafood is a speciality, and the signature dish of deep-fried jam sandwich with Carnation milk ice-cream shouldn’t be missed. There’s a more informal bistro, too.
60 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BZ
(+44 (0)151 707 6060)
Alma de Santiago
This popular bar and grill at Dovedale Towers will inject a little fiesta flavour into your food with its delicious Spanish and Latin American cooking. Plus, it's on Penny Lane, so you'll be humming that tune and feeling all nostalgic and warm inside.
Dovedale Towers, Penny Lane, Liverpool L18 1DG
(+44 (0)151 709 7097)
Sapporo Teppanyaki
Pure food theatre, with sushi and noodle dishes prepared in open kitchens by skilful blade-wielding chefs. Sup on succulent sashimi and soothing soba-noodle stir-fries.
134 Duke Street, East Village, Liverpool L1 5AG
(+44 (0)151 705 3005)
Simply Heathcote’s
A stylish restaurant on the Strand, this is a great place for lunch prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, especially on Sundays. It’s eminently family-friendly, too.
Beetham Plaza, 25 The Strand, Liverpool L2 0XL
(+44 (0)151 236 3536)
Ziba Bar & Restaurant
This restaurant at the Racquet Club on Chapel Street serves expertly prepared Modern British cuisine in imposing Victorian surroundings; great for long late lunches and early evening drinks.
Racquet Club, Hargreaves Buildings,
5 Chapel Street,
Liverpool
L3 9AG
(+44 (0)151 236 6676)
Everyman Bistro
Smart, great-value basement bistro beneath the Everyman Theatre with daily changing menu of Francophile tarts, flans and quiches. Continental beers and wines complete the carte.
5–9 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BH
(+44 (0)151 708 9545)
Cafés
Delifonseca
Artisan cheese and charcuterie platters, tasty focaccia sandwiches and hearty soups are the order of the day at this well-stocked deli and restaurant.
12 Stanley Street, Liverpool L1 6AF
(+44 (0)151 255 0808)
Number Seven Deli
A deli, café and gallery with freshly roasted coffee, cakes and sandwiches.
13–15 Falkner Street, Liverpool
L8 7PU
(+44 (0)151 709 9633)
The Other Place Deli
Restaurant-quality ready meals to take away, plus the usual deli delights.
121 Allerton Road, Allerton, Liverpool L18 2DD
(+44 (0)151 724 7718)
Bars and clubs
Baby Cream
An upscale lounge bar and restaurant with live DJs from those canny Cream club people, with great views over the water. There’s a plush Powder Room for girlie moments over martinis and make-up, too (www.babycream.co.uk).
Atlantic Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool
(+44 (0)151 702 5826)
PanAm
PanAm (aka the Pan American Club) is a suave, booth-lined bar and restaurant in one of Liverpool’s historic waterside warehouses, the grade I-listed Britannia Pavilion. Open daily, 11am–2am.
Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
(+44 (0)151 709 1156)
Blue Bar and Grill
Located in Edward Pavilion, this is one of the most stylish places in town.
Alma de Cuba
This magnificent Caribbean-themed restaurant and bar is housed in a former Catholic church – think marble columns, votive candles and guilt-free mojitos. Praise be!
St Peter’s Church,
Seel Street,
Liverpool
L1 4AZ
(+44 (0)151 709 7097)
The Cavern Club
Has to be mentioned, although this isn’t the original venue played by the Fab Four but a careful reconstruction; nevertheless, it’s viewed as hallowed ground by Beatles fans and is still a buzzing live-music venue (www.cavernclub.org).
10 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6RE
(+44 (0)151 236 1965)
Korova
This is a great venue to see promising young Liverpudlian bands and up-and-coming DJs. Electro band Ladytron are co-owners of this funky music-focused multi-purpose venue, which mixes playfully decorated bar, café (Eat), club and restaurant (Chilli Grille) with style. Go to www.korova-liverpool.com for events listings.
39-41 Fleet Sreet, Liverpool L1 4AR
(+44 (0)151 709 7097)
Keith's Food & Wine Bar
The perfect pitstop for a glass of wine after the Lark Lane farmers’ market, or delicious home-made cake with ice-cream.
107 Lark Lane, Liverpool
L17 8UR
(+44 (0)151 727 4350)
Pubs
The Monro
This gastropub serves the perfect pint; it also has an exceptional menu featuring full-bred meats, local produce and organic wines; we loved rabbit pie, Cheshire wild boar, and Lancashire ostrich.
92 Duke Street, Liverpool L1 5AG
(+44 (0)151 707 9933)