Liverpool is blessed with an abundance of brilliant bars and restaurants catering for every possible taste.
From big chains, to smaller independents there is literally something for everyone. But when visiting a new city it's sometimes hard to know where to start when it comes from choosing where to part with your hard-earned cash.
So members of the Liverpool Echo team have come together to share their city centre favourites with a wide range of restaurants, bistros, bars and pubs - some well known and others a little off the beaten track. We've also shared our top tips for making the most of every venue - including details of our dishes of choice and best-loved beverages.
Don't know where to start? To help you on your quest, we’ve compiled an insider's guide to the city restaurants and bars that are must-visits during your time in Liverpool.
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The Pen Factory by Steve Graves
Harnessing the spirit of the much-missed Everyman bistro, a vibrant but relaxed space set between Liverpool's two stunning cathedrals on Hope Street. Serving a wide and constantly-changing range of beers and a great cocktail menu, this converted industrial space (the clue's in the name) is welcoming but chic, and also serves excellent food including some of the best hummus in the city.
Staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and the venue attracts a dedicated crowd from the Everyman theatre and Philharmonic Hall nearby. We'd especially recommend the ice-cold Krombacher Hells lager and a seat in the rear garden on a sunny afternoon.
The Pen Factory, 13 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BQ
Lunya by Steve Graves
The very definition of a labour of love for its owners Peter and Elaine Kinsella, from just across the River Mersey in Wirral. Their Hanover Street restaurant and sister site Lunyalita on the Royal Albert Dock offer tapas with an emphasis on high quality ingredients.
Inspired mainly by Catalan cuisine - but with plenty of variations on that theme - Lunya is a true culinary experience in a great location right in the heart of town. Their twist on Scouse combines Peter and Elaine's passion for Catalan food with a nod to Liverpool's most famous dish and is not to be missed, especially paired with wine from their excellent list.
- Lunya, 55 Hanover St, Liverpool L1 3DN
- Lunyalita, Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
The Quarter by Lottie Gibbons
A great spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner; it's really an all-rounder. Located in the genteel Georgian Quarter, the family-run business first opened in 2003 and has been at the heart of the neighbourhood ever since. The Quarter is an Italian restaurant by trade, so you can't go wrong with any of their pizza and pasta dishes.
We recommend starting with olives and calamari, accompanied by a gin (or two) cocktail. Follow this up with their 'Cipolla Capra' consisting of melt-in-your-mouth goats cheese, balsamic onions, buffalo mozzarella, and crispy onions. On a sunny day, opt for a table on the terrace for an alfresco dining experience complete with a spot of people-watching.
The Quarter, 7 Falkner St, Liverpool L8 7PU
The Angus by Lottie Gibbons
If you're looking for a relaxed drink after a busy day in the city, The Angus Tap & Grind is the place to go. This no-frills venue on Dale Street has a light and airy interior dominated by a wooden island-style serving bar. They offer a decent selection of real ales and craft beers on constant rotation and have a full range of wine, spirits, bottled beer, and independent tins, all at a very reasonable price. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks, and when the place isn’t busy, they are happy to chat and share recommendations. For football fans, The Angus has two televisions and a big screen showing every Liverpool and Everton game. There's a great atmosphere on match days, and despite only opening in 2020, The Angus has already established a loyal base of regulars.
The Angus Tap and Grind, 83 – 85 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2HT
Bundobust by Liam Thorp
This restaurant arrived in Liverpool in 2019 having launched successful ventures in Bradford, Leeds and Manchester. The popular Indian street food and craft beer brand now operates a major space in the city’s trendy Bold Street area.
Inside, diners are treated to a tantalising selection of vegetarian and vegan Gurjarati street food and a range of specially selected craft ales from domestic and international breweries as well as Bundobust’s own brewery, which goes from strength to strength.
The vibe inside is casual and great for larger groups who want to sit, chat and share great food in a comfortable and informal setting. The menu offers popular combo choices which bring together a great range of tasty Indian street food and are highly recommended for groups and first-time visitors.
- Bundobust, First Floor, 17-19 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4DN
The Vines by Liam Thorp
This bar has stood proudly on a corner of Lime Street, just a few hundred yards from Liverpool’s main train station, since 1867.
Previously owned by the Walkers Warrington Brewing company, the pub, affectionately known as ‘The Big House’ was recently renovated and reopened by the 1936 Pub Company, which has done a stunning job in bringing this famous old boozer back to life.
A fine selection of cask ales, rare whiskies and specially selected wines should be enjoyed in the strikingly revamped Edwardian Hall at the back of the pub. A must visit for any pub romantics.
- The Vines, 81 Lime St, Liverpool L1 1JQ
Berry and Rye by Elliot Jessett
This (not so) hidden gem may be hard to find, and you may well walk past it more than once, but once you draw back the curtain and enter the inner sanctum of Berry & Rye’s prohibition-themed cocktail bar, you’ll feel transported to another time and place.
Fortuitously, this place has great cocktails, fine wines and a whiskey collection to please any self-declared connoisseur.
The decor is a melange of styles inspired by the 1920s, 30s and 40s with dark wooden furniture, dimly lit light fittings and an antique piano tucked up against the wall - ready for the venue’s resident’s crooner to serenade you.
It’s table service only which allows you to kick back and relax and peruse the drinks menus and admire their presentation - each drink given a page description in leather-bound books.
It’s a strictly civilised affair with cheese and charcuterie boards available to off-set the varied libations you’ll happily consume.
- Berry and Rye, 48 Berry St, Liverpool L1 4JQ
The Grapes by Dan Haygarth
Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter is blessed with many great and historic pubs. Among the best is The Grapes, which has stood on the corner of Roscoe Street and Knight Street since the 18th century. Its deep red facade gives way to a compact and bohemian setting that is full of character. Wood panelling and distinctive decoration give a sense of old meeting new in this different take on a city centre pub.
Packed to the rafters at weekends and populated by a diverse band of regulars, you might find yourself drinking in the roof garden or on the pavement, surrounded by its ‘Roscoe Street Rainforest’.
The Grapes serves a variety of weird and wonderful local ales, as well as a pint of Guinness which can compete with the best. And if you’re after something a little bit different to Eurovision, live jazz on a Sunday night is not to be missed.
- The Grapes, 60 Roscoe St, Liverpool L1 9DW
Queens by Dan Haygarth
Found on Queen Avenue - away from the hustle and bustle of Castle Street - Queens brings a slice of Parisian style to Liverpool. The bistro and wine bar serves an ever-changing menu, made up of dishes crafted with quality and well-matched ingredients. Chefs work in a partly-exposed kitchen, adding atmosphere to a relaxed, French-inspired setting.
Queens’ steak frites is as good as it gets, while a starter of pigeon breast, celeriac puree, hispi cabbage and blackberries is another personal favourite. The friendly staff are knowledgeable and will happily pair your meal with a glass from an extensive wine list - supplied by neighbours R&H Fine Wines - or a crisp European lager. If you’re willing to part with a little bit more cash, you will struggle to beat this classy but unassuming hidden gem.
- Queens Wine Bar and Bistro, 8 Queen Ave, Liverpool L2
Maray by Paddy Edrich
As a vegetarian, you know the quality of a restaurant when it pays the same level of care and attention to its vegetable dishes as it does its meat. Maray has two locations in the city centre - one on Bold Street and a larger space in the Albert Docks - and exquisitely pairs Middle-Eastern small plates with a carefully put together wine and cocktail list. Inspired by the owners' experiences in the cultural melting pot of Le Marais in Paris, Maray's informal yet upmarket setting is a must for anyone visiting Liverpool.
The restaurant uses local suppliers wherever it can, and the relaxed and informative staff are always willing to recommend. Must haves on the menu include the Disco Cauliflower - whole roasted and smothered in harissa and tahini - and the baked halloumi with pomegranate molasses. If visiting Maray on the Albert Docks, why not pop into The One O'clock Gun pub next door? Run by the owners of Maray, a pint of its One O'clock Pale Ale made by locals Carnival Brewing is a must after your meal.
- Maray, 91 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4HF
- Maray, Unit 4, Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
Kazimier Garden by Paddy Edrich
This bar would more often than not go under the radar of a majority of first-timers visiting the city due to its nondescript location and shabby frontage. Tucked away next to a block of flats, which has on more than one occasion threatened the future of the bar, is a relaxed and friendly local in an unconventional setting.
Affectionately known as The Kaz and operated by the team behind one of Liverpool's best nightclubs, The Invisible Wind Factory, the garden bar serves a great selection of European and craft beers.
As well as the drinks, the bar has a food truck with constantly rotating venders, and the Stockroom - a brilliantly dark and dingy space for live music and comedy. With its mishmash of tables surrounded by an eclectic array of plants, there are few better spots to enjoy a drink when the sun is shining.
- Kazimier Garden, 32 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4BE
Casa Italia by Hannah Rees
A fixture in Liverpool city centre’s food scene. Located in the Cavern Quarter, Casa Italia sits across the road from the Eleanor Rigby statue and is just a short walk away from Mathew Street. Opening in 1976 makes it one of the city’s longest-established restaurants, serving generations of Scousers authentic Italian cuisine.
True to its roots, the restaurant has been run by the same Italian family for the last four decades. The food is fresh and homemade, with customers prepared to join the famous queue on Stanley Street just to taste its pasta and pizza dishes. Although a queue might sound slightly off putting, Scousers will tell you that it is well worth the short wait.
We recommend keeping it simple with a Spaghetti Bolognese or Tortellini Alla Panna, and then finishing off with a carafe of wine to share.
- The Casa Italia, 36-40 Stanley St, Liverpool L1 6AL
Ye Cracke by Hannah Rees
Although Liverpool has plenty of places once frequented by the Beatles, there are some places that are lesser-known and less busy than the Cavern Club. Ye Cracke, pronounced ‘the Crack,’ is one of those places. Located on Rice Street, just off Hope Street in Liverpool city centre, the 19th-century pub is known for being a favourite of John Lennon and his art school classmates. However, for regulars, the pub is known for its relaxed atmosphere, wide selection of ale and large beer garden offering the perfect place to sit on a sunny afternoon. As one of the city’s oldest pubs, it is a must-visit for those looking for a traditional place to drink.
- Ye Cracke, 13 Rice St, Liverpool L1 9BB
The Baltic Fleet by Elliot Ryder
It’s difficult to avoid Liverpool’s maritime heritage when visiting its city centre pubs. Many watering holes pay homage to Liverpool’s glory years of Mersey seafaring by name or decor, with one pub in particular set up and run by those who once serviced the vessels themselves, The Casa - established by local dockers in the 1990s and to this day remains an interesting snapshot of the city’s politics. But one pub catches the Mersey winds better than most.
The Baltic Fleet has stood the test of time on the Wapping thoroughfare, not far from the river itself. Rather than serving seafarers, it now pleases locals and tourists alike with a great selection of beers and historic furnishings, with walls covered with maps and advertisement for trips to New York and Montreal.
Even the chimneys on the old building are a nod to the enormous liners that once berthed not far away.
- The Baltic Fleet, 33A Wapping, Liverpool L1 8DQ
Bakchich by Elliot Ryder
You won't be short of places to eat on Bold Street. Once a home to the city’s independent shops, it has exploded into a culinary destination in recent years with nearly all taste catered for. For those whose Mediterranean appetite leans towards the Levant and Middle East, then Bakchich is one spot not to miss.
Opened in 2013, it has quickly become one of the busiest restaurants among some fierce competition. Its main offering is Lebanese Street food, bringing a Scouse/Arabic fusion that enables visitors to learn more about the traditions and culinary heritage that unites communities. Its big hitters are expected; mezze platters with as many colours of the rainbow with a range of sweet and sharp flavours to boot.
It also serves up some of the best Shawarma, Falafel, and baklawa, with its drinks underpinned by a specialist selection of fruit and yoghurt cocktails.
- Bakchich, 54 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4EA
Etsu by Maria Breslin
You’re not going to stumble across Etsu. Despite its official address being on the busy Strand, the entrance to this Japanese restaurant is on the somewhat hidden Beetham Plaza. You have to seek it out and it is so worth seeking out. It’s an authentic Japanese restaurant rated extremely highly by family when visiting Liverpool from Tokyo. And when we’re celebrating, or just in desperate need of good food, it’s always our number one choice. I’m a sucker for Estu’s sashimi, simple and served with pickled ginger and wasabi, it always hits the spot. For me it’s all about the tuna but the salmon is also excellent. The range of Saki is to die for.
- Etsu, 25 The Strand, Liverpool L2 0XJ
Dead Crafty by Ryan Paton
Opened in 2016 by married couple, Gareth and Vicky Morgan, Dead Crafty is a must for any beer lover visiting the city. This independent establishment set on the corner of Dale Street was crowned best craft beer bar in the UK for a reason as it boasts a rotating selection of 20 taps from the finest breweries across the world, as well as the best from the local area.
We recommend perching yourself at the bar where a friendly member of staff will be on hand to help guide you through the supreme offering of IPAs, lagers, sours and stouts. This welcoming space has the personality of a local pub in the heart of the city centre and is also incredibly dog friendly so you may be lucky enough to be in at the same time as the owner's dog, Dolly, or one of the bar’s many other four legged regulars.
- Dead Crafty, 92 Dale St, Liverpool L2 5TF
KaiBaiBo by Ryan Paton
This newcomer to Liverpool's food scene is a hidden gem located in one of the city's most vibrant areas on Slater Street. Kai Bai Bo is the Korean game for rock, paper, scissors and this exciting restaurant has brought the amazing flavours from this region to Merseyside.
It is the brainchild of brothers, Robin and Chris, who have used their experience living in South Korea and travelling around Japan to create a unique menu that can be enjoyed in a casual, modern space.
The ramen is a contender for the best you can get in the city and there are delicious sides available such as bao buns and char siu pork that enables you to sample an authentic slice of Asia in the heart of Liverpool.
- KaiBaiBo, 5 Slater St, Liverpool L1 4BW
Buyers Club by Jess Molyneux
Buyers Club is without a doubt a good thing worth searching for. Tucked away down a narrow driveway by the former Old Blind School at the top of Hardman Street, you can follow the floral painted wall to Hardman Yard and past a sea of orange benches to come to, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in the city. A trendy spot, the dedicated team welcomes customers from the city and beyond to enjoy delicious handmade pasta dishes, pizzas, desserts, craft ales, cocktails and more. In one side of the venue, you can spot chefs preparing dishes by hand in a partly-exposed pasta kitchen and whilst the wine list changes frequently, a Buyers Club must have is the orange wine. Buyers Club is more than your average neighbourhood bar and kitchen - and whether you sit inside admiring the brick walls decorated with art or soak up the sun in the yard outside, the vibe and food is always boss.
- Buyers Club, 24 Hardman Street Hardman, Liverpool L1 9AX
Spanish Caravan by Jess Molyneux
Compared to other popular haunts in the city, Spanish Caravan is fairly new - but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t already established itself as one of Liverpool’s go to bars. After first coming to Prescot, a town just outside of the city, Spanish Caravan opened a second venue on Slater Street. Bringing a slice of the Mediterranean amongst the hustle and bustle of nearby bars and clubs, Spanish Caravan offers chilled days, wild nights and Balearic vibes. Great for larger groups, you can chill inside and listen to live music in the evenings or head outside to their beer garden with a jug of sangria in the sunshine. If you’re also feeling peckish, staff are on hand to recommend some small snack options to pair with one of their many wines or beers. If you’re looking for a place to go in the city centre, a visit to Spanish Caravan should be on your to do list.
- Spanish Caravan, 34 Slater St, Liverpool L1 4BX
Madre by Storm Newton
Madre is tucked away on the corner of one of Liverpool's most iconic sites, the Albert Dock, serving up a vast selection of tacos and quesadillas along with a wide range of cerveza. It's modern and relaxed, with delicious food, excellent drinks and an eclectic playlist to boot. Its courtyard is the perfect spot for cocktails in the sunshine. Madre was born from a partnership between the award-winning Belzan on Smithdown Road and Breddos in London, and opened in 2019 following a sell out pop-up a year earlier. In terms of dishes, my personal favourite is the pork al pastor tacos. A shot of tequila is also a must.
- Madre, 6, Atlantic Pavilion Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AE
Elif by Storm Newton
Turkish restaurants are not hard to find in the city centre's foodie hub of Bold Street, but Elif is just furlongs ahead when it comes to quality. There are people queueing to get in regularly and whenever I walk past and get a whiff of that grill my mouth starts watering. Its menu includes classic Turkish dishes such as ali nazik kebabs, grilled hellim and iskender - a traditional feast of lamb or chicken served with bread, yoghurt and a tomato butter sauce.
Elif's popularity has seen it expand beyond the city centre, with venues now on Lark Lane and in Childwall. It's also a perfect lunch spot, with some great value for money early bird deals available.
- Elif, 33 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4DN
Elif, 6 Lark Ln, Liverpool L17 8US
Elif,138-140 Queens Dr, Liverpool L15 6XX
NORD by Jess Flaherty
NORD, based in the city’s thriving business district, is a beautiful, swanky venue kitted out with pops of rich forest green, pale pink, and deep, dark red, creating a cosy yet luxurious setting. There’s a mix of seating on offer, with stylish pink bar stools, green velvet tub chairs, benches, booths and more. The menu is a little confusing upon first glance, as the food isn’t categorised so it’s not initially clear what courses are appetisers, starters, or mains, but the helpful servers are on hand to talk it through.
According to the NORD website, the venue hopes to “celebrate Northern hospitality and heritage, friendly and engaging service, paired with a food and drink offering built on local relationships with our suppliers”. The kitchen is headed by Liverpudlian executive chef Daniel Heffy, and he does not disappoint. Every dish is crafted with a relentless commitment to detail, and the flavours on offer are simply sublime. It’s a little off the beaten track, but it’s a gorgeous venue well worth seeking out - both the decor and the menu are incredibly impressive.
- NORD, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9QJ
Petit Café by Jess Flaherty
A French themed setting with a cocktail menu packed with delicious treats, Petit Cafe boasts two venues in Liverpool. It’s locked down Parisian ambiance in both and, in addition to its cocktail menu, it offers wine, beers and more, as well as cheese boards if you get a little peckish.
The Berry Street venue, Petite Café du Coin, is surprisingly spacious, occupying a corner plot, though it’s still cosy. There’s also a live jazz band that often makes appearances at the weekend, adding a whimsical and fun twist to the average night out. It's easily one of my most favourite bars in the city. For my birthday recently, my friends and I sat there for hours chatting away, drinking the most delicious, decadent cocktails, and enjoying the live music on offer.
Its Allerton branch, Petit Café du Quartier, is smaller but still manages to bring the magic and style of Paris to south Liverpool.
- Petit Café du Coin, 60 Berry Street, Liverpool, L1 4JQ
- Petit Café du Coin, 137-139 Allerton Road, Liverpool, L18 2DD
The Merchant by Elle May Rice
The Merchant is one of my favourite places to go for a drink after work or kick-start my night out. Once home to Mello Mello, the Merchant restored the derelict Slater Street building in 2016 and turned it into a bar with an adjoining pizzeria named Nightcrawler. The bar has a huge range of gins on offer - plus an offer where customers can buy one and get a second for £1.
With a huge selection of spirits and craft beers, the Merchant is a laid back city centre bar that provides a quirky spot for a pint or a pizza. With its stripped back walls, hanging lush green plants and expansive beer garden, it’s worth popping in for a drink all year round.
- The Merchant, 40 Slater St, Liverpool L1 4BX
So Salsa by Elle May Rice
Popular Crosby tapas restaurant So Salsa launched a new venue on Castle Street last year, inside the former Maluco site. The restaurant is family run and offers quality fresh tapas dishes from cuisines across the globe, not just Spain.
The venue is only tiny, making it perfect for date nights or quiet catch-ups. The staff are friendly and always happy to talk you through the menu or offer advice on which cocktails to try. Dishes on the menu include Duck Spring Rolls, Salt & Pepper Chicken Pancakes, Halloumi Fingers, Honey Goats Cheese and much more.
- So Salsa, 2 Castle St, Liverpool L2 0NA
So Salsa, 2-4 Cooks Rd, Liverpool L23 2TB
The Denbigh Castle by David Humphreys
Tucked away in Liverpool’s newly minted Beer Quarter on Hackins Hey, off Dale Street, the Denbigh Castle has been on an upward trajectory since it was taken over and rebranded back in 2020. Run by the team that also operates the Bridewell in Campbell Square, the Denbigh Castle is a traditional wet pub offering an excellent alternative to the Madri and Carlsberg monopolisation of some bars and pubs in the city.
Not only that, the Denbigh has become a haunt of choice for the discerning Evertonian pre and post match, while also welcoming a number of very, very good dogs. It offers a warm welcome, regardless of your footballing loyalty and while steeped in history - with the building dating back more than 200 years - has a contemporary and authentic feel that any beer enthusiast can enjoy.
The Denbigh Castle is a must visit on any city-wide pub crawl and one that is not to be missed.
- The Denbigh Castle, 10 Hackins Hey, Liverpool L2 2AW
NQ64 by Gary Stewart
Not so much a place for a quiet drink as a place for a loud drink as you compete with the dozens of ‘80s and ‘90s arcade games for the attention of your fellow drinkers, both you and the machines rising to screaming levels surprisingly quickly. It’s a slightly grubby basement bar painted black with hideous dayglow wall art. You pay cash for tokens to pump into machines from your childhood, or possibly your parents’ (or grandparents?) childhoods, while downing draught IPA or some of the incredibly strong cocktails (The Dr Robevnik is recommended and a flaming visual surprise). Vanquish your foes quickly because before too long you will be too drunk to waggle a joystick. The Guitar Hero game is right outside the toilet but always popular.
- NQ64, 22 Colquitt St, Liverpool L1 4DE
Down the Hatch by Gary Stewart
Fast food places come and go but Down the Hatch is reassuringly eternal. They’ve been serving veggie and veggie adjacent customers burgers and sides from La Bateau’s former basement on Duke Street since 2017.
I’m not vegetarian but you don’t have to be to enjoy a saitan zinger burger and fries. It’s wholesome plant-based soul food but it doesn’t try to be worthy like so many veggie places, you feel reassuringly guilty for the dirtiness of the meal you just ate which is how I like to feel after a katsu curry or a mac and cheese. The cocktails are also decent.
- Down the Hatch, Basement, 62 Duke St, Liverpool L1 5AA
Chop Chop by Jamie Greer
Nestled between some of Liverpool’s original and most beautiful streets, Chop Chop is the perfect place for some Korean and Japanese comfort food. Perfect for a quick dinner break or tasty tea, this Fenwick Street takeaway may not be the biggest on this list but packs a lot of heart.
Despite it opening in 2008, it remains something of a hidden gem in the city centre. Chop Chop specialises in deep fried chicken and lightly fried tofu, making it perfect for meat eaters and vegetarians. A popular option is the Katsu Mega, featuring the chicken alongside Mega sauce and fried veg over rice. Side dishes include fried noodles and kimchi.
Owners Lee and Yeom had no previous experience with food service before, but you wouldn’t know it with the consistently fast service. Furthermore, for visitors to the M&S Bank Arena for Eurovision, it’s just a 15 minute walk away, or 5 minutes by car.
- Chop Chop, 44 Fenwick St, Liverpool L2 7NB
The Red Lion by Jamie Greer
The Red Lion only opened less than a year ago but has established itself as a firm favourite amongst Liverpool’s pubgoers.
Its soft lighting and wooden floors gave it the feel of a traditional British pub, despite it being on the site of an old office. It’s got something for everyone, with a great selection of beers, ales and wines, regular live music, bar snacks and live sports.
However, the biggest gem in its crown is its two beer gardens, which is perfect in good weather. With its location on Slater Street, it’s also the perfect place to start a night out, with Liverpool’s renowned nightlife scene around the corner.
- The Red Lion, 36 Slater St, Liverpool L1 4BX
The Grapes by Connor O'Neill
The Grapes was built around 1804 and is known as being one of the Beatles’ favourite venues. It was the only pub on Mathew Street in the 1960s, and even though over the years much has changed, it still remains a traditional city centre boozer to this day.
By day, this welcoming haven is a terrifically traditional pub, one that is home to people of all ages and walks of life. But by night, the place becomes Karaoke Central.
Whether you are young, old, or somewhere in between, you’ll probably agree on one thing: once The Grapes has you in its grasp, it’s very difficult to leave. Few people come to Liverpool without taking a walk along Mathew Street, especially as it was considered the birthplace of The Beatles.
Many visit the street to follow the path once taken by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and The Grapes is right at the heart of the action. There is no better place to head on a night out.
- The Grapes, 25 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE
Maggie Fu by Connor O'Neill
Liverpool is home to one of Europe's oldest and largest Chinese communities, and with that comes great food.
One of the best places to head for Chinese in the city centre is Maggie Fu, which is a family-owned and independent business with two restaurants, one on Smithdown Road and the other on Hanover Street.
The venue quickly gained a huge reputation thanks to dishes such as its salt and pepper chicken and katsu or Thai green curry. It also offers a range of Big Bowl options, which include shredded crispy chilli beef, sweet and sour chicken or salt and pepper chicken.
Booking, however, isn’t an option, so at peak times you will see hungry crowds waiting outside. But once inside you will be treated to some of the finest Chinese cuisine has to offer.
And if that isn’t enough, the famous Maggie Fu cups are now available to buy for just £2 each, so you won’t have to smuggle them home instead.
- Maggie Fu, 25 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE
Steve Graves, Maria Breslin, Paddy Edrich, Lottie Gibbons, Dan Haygarth, Hannah Rees, Elliot Jessett, Elle May Rice, Jamie Greer, Gary Stewart, Jess Flaherty, Connor O’Neill, Storm Newton, Elliot Ryder, Jess Molyneux, David Humphreys, Ryan Paton, Liam Thorp
