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From gourmet tapas to towering burgers – by way of sushi, Chinese and vegetarian food – we’ve done our best to lasso together an inventory of food and drink in Liverpool. At some we’ve gone nuts for the food, in others the booze and for some it’s all about the venue. So, if you’re looking for the city’s most moreish plates, or simply somewhere to grab a simple beer, this is the guide for you.
El Gato Negro Liverpool, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool,, Liverpool, L2 3YL - Visit now
El Gato’s home in Liverpool is the beautiful stone-clad Walker House, part of the landmark Exchange Flags building. Overlooking the iconic Nelson monument and Liverpool Town Hall, this stylish open-plan restaurant and bar offers a wide range of options for dining and drinking. You can even enjoy tapas al fresco, sat in our fully covered and heated patio area.
The Art School Restaurant, 1 Sugnall Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L7 7DX - Visit now
The Art School’s tasting menu differs from most, in that rather than a series of tiny plates the dishes are fewer in number but gradually increase in size and intensity, reaching a crescendo with the masterpiece plate of Galloway beef – easily one of the top ten dishes in the North. The experience doesn’t come cheap but event dining of this quality rarely does.
Stanley’s Bar & Grill, Stanley Dock, Regents Road, Liverpool, L3 0AN - Visit now
It might be a short trip away from the city centre, but Stanley’s Bar & Grill feels like a whole new world. The food is second-to-none, taking traditional dishes and adding a flourish that elevates them far above the norm. If you’re looking for one of Liverpool’s best restaurants, either for a special occasion or to wow a guest, look no further.
Bacaro restaurant, 47 Castle Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 9UB - Visit now
Bacaro elegantly and effortlessly serves up a taste of the Mediterranean – Italian cicchetti plates, to be precise. Which means: herby focaccia, arancini, meat boards and fritto misto (or fried fish). With dusky walls, moody lighting and intimate booths, it’s the perfect place to share some tapas-style dishes, washed down with the Italian classic, Campari. Don’t miss the affogato dessert, too. Why? You’ll see.
The Grapes Liverpool, 60 Roscoe St, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9DW - Visit now
Built around 1804 on the site of an ancient tavern, The Grapes is one of the oldest pubs in Liverpool. It has, perhaps unintentionally, become an arty haunt, with punters just as likely to be found discussing Derrida as football.
Bold Street Coffee, 89 Bold Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4HF - Visit now
Bold Street makes a strong showing in this list, and for good reason – it’s a hive of fiercely independent shops and cafes. Bold Street Coffee is one of the best, with, as you’d expect, a strong range of heavily-caffeinated coffee blends, but a superb selection of breakfast dishes. Our favourite has to be the home-made cinnamon granola with banana, figs & blueberries, served with a pumpkin lassi. Irresistible.
Camp and Furnace, 67 Greenland Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 0BY - Visit now
Lauded by Jay Rayner as “one of the more intriguing venues I have eaten at for a long while”, Camp & Furnace brings together 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. You guessed it – the place is enormous. It’s big on its foodie events, too, with film-themed dining on Screen Thursdays, a Friday Food Slam and a Saturday Meat Market (cooked up over a huge BBQ). Ergo, one of the coolest places to eat in Liverpool.
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