From delicate small plates to locally-sourced laid-back dining, Liverpool has it all. We get it, sometimes you’re just not in the mood to get dressed-up and fancy, sometimes jeans, t-shirt and a belly full of hearty food is all that’s needed.
And that’s what this list is all about – Liverpool doing what it does best: fantastic food in relaxed surroundings. Designer shoes not required.
It might only be open on Saturday afternoons but this is a must-visit place for anyone looking for sustainable vegan fare surrounded by some of the most laid-back and friendly people in the city. Based underneath the radical bookshop, News From Nowhere, the food on offer is donation-only and environmentally-friendly. If your psyche is in need of a deep cleanse, head here.
Food-lovers should make their way to Maray, tout suite. Inspired by the historic district of Le Marais, Paris, the food more than matches up to our cross-channel cousins. Largely based around small plates and prevailing food trends, the dishes are beautiful and surprisingly affordable, designed for both sharing and cooing over.
For the past forty years, The Egg Cafe has been serving up homely vegan and vegetarian food to the people of Liverpool. It’s a refreshingly unstuffy place, that offers a darn sight more than just eggs. The frankly enormous salads are our top tip.
Off to the theatre? The nearby Pen Factory is the perfect place for a pre or post-show meal. Specialising in seasonal small plates, the food focuses on British and European cuisine, with subtle influences from around the world. The atmosphere is informal, unhurried, and self-assured – if you’re looking for a new favourite haunt, this may well be it.
This multi-purpose events space has hosted some of the UK’s most innovative food and drink events, earning countless plaudits along the way. The Times describes it as one of the coolest restaurants in Britain, and it’s hard to disagree. It features vintage caravans, towering shrubbery, roaring fires and the biggest public screen in the city all under the roofs of three old warehouses and a coach shed.
The Reader Bar & Restaurant offers diners a bistro-style menu, inspired by continental European flavours and created using locally sourced seasonal produce.
Sitting in the heart of Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle district, Boxpark Liverpool will offer forward-thinking street food, drinks and entertainment under one roof.
The wildly popular cook haus and bier palace how now opened in Liverpool, looking to emulate the success of its sister branch in Manchester.
This 18th-floor bar and restaurant has stunning views of the Liverpool Skyline, including the River Mersey.
Goodness Gracious is a rooftop bar with stunning views over Liverpool, found above the OH ME OH MY cafe on Water Street.
Tempest on Tithebarn is a huge industrial bar, serving up high-quality small plates and cocktails. It features regular live music performances and has a roof terrace with great views.
Gordon Ramsay’s modern European restaurant comes to Liverpool ONE, taking over two floors and featuring all the classic Bread Street Kitchen dishes.
Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery serves up British cuisine and smart cocktails in a charming retro-style venue in Liverpool.
The 80-cover restaurant is split across two levels with the main restaurant downstairs boasting an open kitchen; the best seat in the house is at the benches where you are almost nose to nose with the chefs as they prepare the food.
Sister venue to Jimmy’s in Manchester, Jimmy’s Liverpool is a bar, restaurant and live venue, hosting late night music, gigs and DJ sets.
Panoramic 34 boasts ceiling to floor windows with a breathtaking 360 degree aspect, but there’s plenty more to get giddy about than just the views.
Our favourite is The Scorpion, two beef-free patties with melted spicy pepper ‘cheese’, yellow mustard, jalapenos, sriracha mayo, spicy chipotle paste, red onion, ketchup, tomato and lettuce, packed in a vegan burger bun.
Bradford has given us giants of the visual art world such as David Hockney and Ian Beesley, check out our guide of art galleries to find the best places to experience art in the city.
As a northern city with a culturally rich past, Take some time to explore the weird, wonderful and wacky variety of museums in Bradford.
As the birthplace of J.B. Priestly and the home of the Alhambra, the city's longstanding thespian tradition ensures there are no lack of theatres in Bradford.
Bradford has a reputation for intimate gigs and rowdy rock nights, we've rounded up the best places to see both in our guide of music venues in Bradford.
There are more green spaces in Manchester than you might think. We've picked out some of the best parks and gardens in and around the city.
Explore the zero waste shops in Greater Manchester and make small, personal steps towards tackling environmental issues like plastic pollution.
From water parks to national trust properties, here are our top places to go rural without leaving Manchester too far behind.
Looking for somewhere to eat outside in Manchester in these hot summer months? Here's our guide to the restaurants in Manchester with the best areas for al fresco dining.
Whether you’re looking for vinyl records or top class chocolate, Sheffield’s independent shops are here to serve – here’s our selection, from the legendary to the eclectic.
A round-up of the best walks in Sheffield, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.
Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.
Take me there
There's no rest for the art lover - this month brings outdoor sculpture, musings on water, political drawings and Liverpool Biennial 2023!
We look towards a summer filled with quality festivals, from cultural behemoths to grassroots gems.
The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.
Summer's classical music calendar is filling up nicely! Read our top picks of concerts happening in Manchester and the North.
Books are big this summer, with festival readings, poetry slams, creative writing activities and famous faces all putting in an appearance.
All signs point toward June being a scorcher of a month, so let’s take a look at all things summery food and drink.
From literary activities to brilliant independent shops, keep your minds and homes filled with the good stuff this month.
Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.
