Hunan, a Chinese restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown, may be a bit off the beaten track – but it’s all the better for that.

Jamie’s Italian is located in Edwin Lutyens’ soaringly elegant Midland Bank, one of the city’s treasures. The menu’s full of crowd-pleasing choices, with a huge selection of pastas, mains and bruschettas, and an appealing kids menu.The drinks range is broad and deep, with wine, beer and cocktails for all tastes and budgets.

An enormously popular restaurant and deli near Brunswick Dock and station.

Eat where the locals go in this hidden-away treat.

Sister restaurant to Simon Rogan’s two Michellin starred L’Enclume – more low key but just as tasty.

A no-nonsense Chinese with a warm atmosphere and great menu options.

Liverpool’s Albert Dock is a reliably great day or night out, and here’s what’s on offer there over the Christmas weeks.

Bistro dining above the Bluecoat gallery

Independent hotel in an idyllic setting.

Urban Spanish tapas in the heart of Liverpool

A elegant restaurant and bar attached to the former Free Trade Hall

With a large beer garden and commitment to using locally sourced produce, Free State Kitchen in Liverpool isn’t just-another-burger-joint.