It is well known that Liverpudlians never do things by halves, and in recent years a particularly loyal group of chefs, restaurateurs and eager diners have packed Liverpool’s restaurants like crazy; insisting that the rest of the country and the world should recognize Liverpool as a leader in the culinary world. Of course, despite being one of the UK’s largest cities, it is sometimes overlooked as a culinary destination. But the tide is turning, and today the city’s visitors are discovering creativity and innovation from kitchen to table. From street food markets to new bistros, we’ve listed the best restaurants in Liverpool to give you a glimpse of what the city has to offer.
The best Liverpool restaurants
Röski
With only 28 covers, Röski is a romantic little space with polished parquet floors and white tablecloths. But while it may be reminiscent of the kind of place where you and your dining companions have to spend an evening in an uncomfortable huddle of whispers – or fear of dropping dishes – it feels incredibly relaxing. Since opening in 2017, Röski has been widely acclaimed, and rightfully so. Owned and operated by Anton Piotrowski (winner of Masterchef The Professionals), the food is modern and fun, with a tasting menu focused almost entirely on pairing wines. As such, it’s not a cheap night out, and there may be few available bookings at weekends or during major events – so it’s worth planning, and if it’s just a short trip to Liverpool, allow plenty of time for a laid-back experience rather than a quick dinner.
Address: Roski Restaurant, 16 Rodney Street, Liverpool L1 2TE
Website: roskirestaurant.com
Rudy’s
Ask a local northerner or anyone who has been up north and they’ll tell you the best pizza in the UK is at Rudy’s. Although established in Liverpool’s main city rival, Manchester, the brand is now spread across six cities, proving that the huge culinary unifier is world class dough – in Rudy’s case double-fermented and made with pizza snob-approved Caputo ’00’ flour . Even the Stefano Ferrara grill is drenched in original flavors, hand-built and imported in Naples to make perfect, delicious char. Among Liverpool’s attractions, choose Bold Street and reserve a seat by the wide corner windows that overlook the bohemian shopping district and the massive ruins of St. Luke’s bombed-out church, once a place of worship and later an event venue Lost its roof during the Liverpool Blitz.
Address: Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana – Bold Street, 105, 107 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4HL
Website: rudyspizza.co.uk
Belzan
Located in one of Liverpool’s student-dominated suburbs, Belzan is a bit out of town and worth the cab ride for its photogenic sharing plates and crushing natural wine selection. Elegant in style, but not in luxury, this community restaurant boasts a variety of stylish lunch boxes: all polished concrete and white tiles, with immaculate dishes served on beautifully refined ceramics. Although Belzan’s website would lead you to believe it deals in “humble” cuisine, the food is as satisfying as anything you’ll find in Liverpool – with plenty of locally sourced produce, subtle Asian references and a focus on sustainability. Service is confident and carefree, and the team knows the intricacies of a regularly updated menu like the back of their hand. For early dining, the prix fixe menu is great value for money and includes a glass of wine.
Address: Belzan, 371 Smithdown Road, Liverpool L15 3JJ
Website: belzan.co.uk
Barnacle
Located on the mezzanine floor of Duke Street Market, Barnacle borrows some of the boisterous energy of its downstairs neighbors, but without the family-style seating and competing cuisines. Though occupying the same market hall, it has a more controlled atmosphere, complete with beautiful leather-backed chairs and polite table service. On weekends, live music often drifts up to diners in the rafters. The menu is an ode to Liverpool, highlighting the dishes of local farmers and producers, and feels special but not complicated or tortured. The fishy name is a nod to the city’s rich maritime heritage. Through this prism, Barnacle weaves a story of culture, history and identity through the food on the plate, led by Paul Askew, chef patron of the equally esteemed restaurant The Art School.
Address: Barnacle, The Mezzanine, Duke Street Market, 46 Duke Street, Liverpool L1 5AS
Website: barnacleliverpool.co.uk
Maray
One of Liverpool’s most popular and sought-after dining destinations, Maray started life in a former charity store on Bold Street. Since then, you might call it two and a half kids – or the perfect nuclear family, with restaurants in Liverpool’s Albert Dock and Manchester city center, and a bookable private space beneath the original Bold Street site. Conceptually, Maray is inspired by the similarly pronounced and differently spelled Parisian community where countless cultures collide, overlap and intertwine. The menu is described as Middle Eastern in flavor, but in reality, it’s a more international journey, introducing elements of India and the Mediterranean Levant. If this all sounds a bit dissonant, as it does at Le Marais, many influences and even diners (sometimes sardines together at the wide shared table) rub happily together.
Address: Maray, Unit 4, Britannia Pavilion, Liverpool L3 4AD
Website: maray.co.uk
Baltic Market
While street food markets can sometimes be very chaotic and lack a particularly relaxed sunset atmosphere, they are also ripe for those who want a general overview of the city’s food scene. For a calm sit-down meal, Baltic Market is not a good choice, but it offers a collection of some of Liverpool’s best independent restaurants in a spacious, unpretentious space. Current traders include Middle Eastern Halfa Halfa, which is an independent offshoot of the suburban Sefton Park; the Latin-leaning Noso, inspired by its founder’s Venezuelan childhood; and the fried chicken joint Pattersons, which is notoriously sinful for locals. In addition, it is located in the heart of the Baltic Triangle (or “Baltic Sea” as locals call it), an area of former warehouses now home to creative startups and often ranked as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the UK.
Address: Baltic Market, Liverpool L8 5RE
Website: balticmarket.co.uk
Wreckfish
Helmed by adopted northerner and food critic darling Gary Usher, Wreckfish was launched following a crowdfunding campaign – seeing a once derelict building transformed into one of Liverpool’s most popular restaurants. With an emphasis on first-class, seasonal ingredients, Usher describes his menu as “simple bistro food”, but with plenty of creativity and imagination to be found. Inside, the atmosphere is comfortable and pleasant. Despite the high quality of the produce and cooking, the dishes are reasonably priced and don’t have to feel like a wallet-draining travel splurge. Located just off Seel Street in a particularly lively and increasingly cultural part of Liverpool, Wreckfish is close to many of the busiest bars and just minutes from FACT, the contemporary art center with its gallery space and art cinema.
Address: Wreckfish Bistro, 60 Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4BE
Website: wreckfish.co
Salt House Tapas
This local favorite picks up the tapas rulebook and happily throws it out the window, offering globally-inspired snacks instead of Iberian-specific staples. You may find black pudding with pan-fried chicken livers and the classic garlic-oil-tied shrimp. While some may laugh at the break from tradition, an egalitarian approach to flavors and combinations makes Salt House one of the best restaurants in Liverpool. It’s certainly not a meal, and in the evenings the space swells with raucous conversation and the clatter of glassware; a joyous spot in Liverpool city center, a short walk from the main shopping street and iconic waterfront.
Address: Salt House Tapas, Church House, 1 Hanover Street, Liverpool L1 3DW
Website: salthousetapas.co.uk