17 Best Liverpool Restaurants for 2024
Whether you are just visiting or are looking to rediscover your city, we suggest that you bookmark these top Liverpool restaurants so you won’t miss out. Chefs, foodies and restaurateurs are all flocking to Liverpool because they know that this is the place to be for good food. The orientation of the city, with its proximity to the water, has brought with it a history rich in trade. Spices, sugar, tea and more were transported through Liverpool’s docks. More importantly, with trade came people introducing a myriad of cultures and cuisines to the area.
Today, many of the best Liverpool restaurants have borrowed and found inspiration in the city’s history of trade and mix of cultures. With such variety, it would be a shame if you didn’t sample at least one or perhaps more of the finest Liverpool restaurants.
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Best Restaurants in Liverpool
1. Hafla Hafla
Translated as ‘party, party’ in Arabic, Hafla Hafla’s owner and founder Tim Haggis wanted his culinary offering to be all about fun.
The Vibe
A Middle Eastern-style street food restaurant, Hafla Hafla lies in close proximity to the 200-acre Grade I listed Sefton Park.
What to Order
Liverpudlians rave about the salt and pepper halloumi fries here. Dip them into the Sipka jam and you’ve got a match made in heaven.
Hafla Hafla | 73 Lark Lane, Aigburth, Liverpool L17 8UP | ££
2. Panoramic 34
You’ll find Panoramic 34 300 feet above sea level up on the West Tower’s 34th floor, offering high-class European dining in a Liverpool restaurant.
The Vibe
Get an eagle’s-eye view of the city of Liverpool dining at one of the UK’s highest restaurants.
What to Order
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the assiette of desserts has a little something for everyone, though the Earl Grey macaron left a lasting impression.
Panoramic 34 | 34th Floor, West Tower, Brook St., Liverpool L3 9PJ | ££££
3. The Egg Café
An award-winning establishment nourishing scousers since 1984.
The Vibe
An easygoing Liverpool restaurant specialising in vegetarian and vegan foods. The Egg Café is set in an old Victorian warehouse. Treat your inner eco-warrior to locally and ethically sourced nutritious delights.
What to Order
Offering humble and healthy fare, the aptly-named famous garlic bread and cheese slices are popular with both visitors and regulars to this Liverpool restaurant.
The Egg Cafe | Top Floor, 16-18 Newington, Liverpool L1 4ED | £
4. Röski
Featured in “The Michelin Guide”, this is Liverpool’s premier dining spot for modern British cuisine. Book a table at Röski to sample Anton Piotrowski’s genius creations. The former winner of ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ presents homegrown British produce like you’ve never experienced before in his Liverpool restaurant.
The Vibe
A bright, pristine interior in muted shades leaves the food to do the wowing.
What to Order
Opt for the set lunch and you’ll be wowed by the simple yet lip-smackingly delicious sourdough and marmite butter. Expect elevated British cuisine and you won’t be disappointed in one of the best Liverpool restaurants.
Röski | 16 Rodney St., Liverpool L1 2TE | ££££
5. The Art School Restaurant
Located in the city’s Georgian Quarter, The Art School Restaurant is led by Chef Patron Paul Askew.
The Vibe
Situated in what used to be a Victorian ‘home for destitute children’, thankfully The Art School Restaurant is a very different place nowadays. Less frugal and more fine-dining, this is a must visit Liverpool restaurant for lovers of high-quality British cuisine.
What to Order
Order the roast breast of salt-aged miso duck accompanied with turmeric potatoes for an innovative twist on a British dish.
The Art School Restaurant | 1 Sugnall St., Liverpool L7 7EB | ££££
6. Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza
A popular pizza place, we recommend booking ahead at this buzzing Liverpool restaurant. However they do reserve a few tables for walk-ins if you want to chance it.
The Vibe
A touch of Neapolitan flair in one of Liverpool's best restaurants, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza is fast spreading its pizza hysteria throughout the U.K. Choose the Bold Street branch for its unbeatable views of St Luke’s Bombed Out Church.
What to Order
The word on the street is that Rudy’s does a mean Calabrese pizza with a depth of flavour that only nduja sausage can give.
Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza | 105, 107 Bold St., Liverpool L1 4HL | £
7. Backchich
A rich blend of Moroccan and Lebanese-inspired dishes are on offer at Backchich.
The Vibe
You will be taken in like you are one of the family and be treated to authentic Arabic hospitality.
What to Order
The lamb shawarma is a next-level taste sensation, expertly seasoned and accompanied with a creamy garlic sauce. Wash this down with one of their signature smoothies. The halva and pistachio in particular hits that sweet spot.
Backchich | 54 Bold St., Liverpool, L1 4ER | £
8. Down the Hatch
Down the Hatch are experts in over-indulgence, serving up dirty burgers, loaded hotdogs and other filthy meat-free offerings.
The Vibe
A naughty but nice vegetarian joint offering junk food with a conscience. Who says vegetarian food has to be healthy?
What to Order
Go all out at this Liverpool restaurant specialising in plant-based hedonism, and opt for the classic burger with a homemade soy mince patty and all the meat-free trimmings.
Down the Hatch | 62 Duke St.,Liverpool L1 5AA | ££
9. Madre
The Mexican taqueria Madre is one of the best Liverpool restaurants with a vibrant street-food style.
The Vibe
Modern Mexican restaurant Madre is situated in the lively Albert Docks’ Anchor Courtyard, known for its buzzy atmosphere. It’s just the place for sharing platters with friends or family.
What to Order
When you think of Mexican street food, tacos spring to mind, and that is exactly what you should order at Madre.
Madre | Unit 6, Atlantic Pavilion, Liverpool L3 4AE | ££
10. The Florist
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Liverpool specifically for a brunch date and cocktails, you’ve found it.
The Vibe
A botanical theme runs through The Florist restaurant’s elegantly airy, tree-lined interiors.
What to Order
Find any excuse for a brunch with friends just to try The Florist’s indulgent buttermilk fried chicken waffle with a glass of prosecco or two.
The Florist | 24 Hardman St., Liverpool L1 9AX | ££
11. Etsu
For an intimate and authentic Japanese dining experience, book a table at Etsu. You’ll find yourself dining in the spot that Eat Japan awarded as ‘The UK’s Greatest Japanese Restaurant’ in 2010.
The Vibe
It’s not the biggest of Liverpool’s restaurants, but what it lacks in space it makes up for in atmosphere.
What to Order
Spoiled for choice with its extensive menu, Etsu excels in the classics such as its nigiri, maki and sashimi sets. All washed down with sake, and you are good to go.
Etsu | Beetham Plaza, 25 The Strand, Liverpool, L2 0XJ | ££
12. Saffron
Indian and Nepalese specialities are served up in this family-friendly Liverpool restaurant.
The Vibe
If you are after authenticity and the freshest of flavours, Saffron is the place.
What to Order
The selection of chutneys provided offer that sweetness that pairs so well with the full-bodied spiced dishes. The rich lamb bhuna proves a hit amongst locals and visitors alike.
Saffron | 415 Smithdown Road Liverpool L15 3JL | ££
13. Maray
Maray has it all: a decadent ambience, sublime Mediterranean dishes and impeccable service. With a later closing time than you’ll find at many other Liverpool restaurants, it’s a great spot for a bite after a night on the town. With multiple locations, Maray’s Liverpool restaurants are obviously the best. No shade thrown to Manchester.
The Vibe
Inspired by a summer spent in Le Marais district of Paris, Maray brings together French style with a Middle Eastern edge.
What to Order
Maray excels at their cauliflower dishes. From crispy cauliflower bhajis to ‘disco’ cauliflower bejewelled with pomegranates, the chefs at Maray know how to get the best out of their vegetables.
Maray | 91 Bold St., Liverpool L1 4HF | ££
14. Salt House Tapas
Salt House Tapas is arguably the best Liverpool restaurant for small plates. Take what you think you know about tapas and forget about it. Salt House Tapas is Liverpool’s answer to Spanish-style small plates with a Northern spin.
The Vibe
A spacious floor plan with high ceilings and multi-level seating make this a Liverpool restaurant you can breathe in.
What to Order
The climate is a little different in the North of England than Spain, so try a hearty take on tapas with pan roast hake and a butter bean purée accompanied with chilli garlic turnip tops.
Salt House Tapas | Church House, 1 Hanover St., Liverpool L1 3DW | ££
15. Barnacle
We couldn’t put together the crème de la crème of Liverpool's restaurants without mentioning Barnacle. A celebration of the region’s produce and all the culinary delights the area has to offer, Barnacle is a homage to Liverpool. They describe their culinary offerings as elevated ‘modern dishes, bar snacks and beverages.’ With three menus throughout the week, it’s worth multiple trips.
The Vibe
Artful earthenware plating and a rustic yet industrial décor are the perfect complement to the cuisine.
What to Order
For an extra special Sunday, go for a roast at Barnacle. The salt-marsh lamb with anchovy and goat's curd is a must for meat lovers.
Barnacle | 46 - 29 Duke St., Liverpool L1 5AQ | £££
16. Belzan
The perfect place for vegetarians and the more carnivorous amongst you. Belzan welcomes four-legged friends too.
The Vibe
So relaxed it’s laying down, Belzan achieves that shabby-chic, stripped-back look whilst serving up clever culinary concoctions. Of all the highly-rated Liverpool restaurants this one gets extra points for its laid-back appeal.
What to Order
Dig into the Guinness rarebit potato for a warming umami hit followed by the whipped Baron Bigod choux bun with quince jam.
Belzan | 371 Smithdown Road, Liverpool L15 3JJ | ££
17. The Quarter
The Quarter is the Liverpool restaurant equivalent of an NYC-style café. With a menu ranging from scrambled eggs during breakfast hours to pizzas and pastas in the p.m., you’ll find this a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.
The Vibe
Located in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, The Quarter serves up a relaxed ambience in a chic setting in the most beautiful part of the city, on cobbled Faulkner Street.
What to Order
As one of the most relaxed restaurants in Liverpool the food also reflects this, but not in a bad way. The menu offers simple perfection in its fresh stonebaked pizzas and mezze sharing boards.
The Quarter | 7 Falkner St., Liverpool L8 7PU | ££
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Try Cooking Scouse Foods
For the more hands-on amongst you, cooking the cuisine of England’s north-west is perhaps a culinary challenge you want to take on. Whilst eating out at restaurants can get your taste buds accustomed to Liverpool’s traditional fare, you might want to incorporate these new flavours into your own cooking.
Cooking classes in Liverpool can teach you the secrets to creating the dishes Liverpool is famous for. Learn to cook scouse, a meal that shares its name with the people of Liverpool as well as its dialect. There's nothing more Liverpudlian than scouse! The beauty of taking cooking classes is that you will learn homely dishes that generations of scousers have made. Most importantly these recipes aren't necessarily replicated and served up in restaurants.
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It is obvious that the city’s culinary scene is booming, with several of Liverpool’s restaurants being featured in The Michelin Guide. There’s no better time to get acquainted with the tastes of Liverpool.
For even more ways to explore Liverpool and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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