Chester Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: USDA steaks and other meaty treats – alongside a Manhattan-esque vibe – have won local renown for this swish steakhouse in the city centre. Closed for much of the pandemic, in October 2021 the venue finally announced its return via Instagram and its website: “You may have noticed some building work taking place over the last couple of months…we are beyond excited and thrilled to finally announce that we will be back in the New Year… We have some exciting plans to transform our iconic home in the Olde Custom House Building… Our team of chefs and bartenders are already hard at work behind the scenes developing an exciting new food and drink menu… don’t worry, your old favourites will still feature!”.

Owned by the Duke of Westminster, and sitting right next to the iconic Eastgate Clock, the city’s flagship hotel has a plush (if windowless) main dining room, which in March 2022 was relaunched after a £250,000 refit. The change was to mark a turning of the page from its time under Simon Radley, who held one of the North West’s more enduring Michelin stars here from 1998 till his retirement in mid 2021. So his replacement, Elliot Hill (arriving from Liverpool’s Panoramic 34) has big shoes to fill. He made a start in November 2022, winning three rosettes at the AA Awards… although under Simon, the hotel held four. Our limited initial feedback on his start here is all positive (if too limited for a rating), including for afternoon tea in the adjoining lounges – “attentive staff and excellent sandwiches and pastries... they also serve a Gentleman’s afternoon tea, with crispy haddock bloomers, and coronation chicken on spiced curry bread”.

It’s “always a pleasure” to visit this plush hotel, where the more relaxed, pavement-side Brasserie is “great for lunch” in “beautiful surroundings”; and where you’ll be looked after by “attentive staff with an eye for detail” – whether you’re after “casual dining (homemade soup and roll are delicious)” or an “à la carte menu (fish dishes are good)”. For the Grosvenor’s famous afternoon tea, head to the plush Arkle Bar & Lounge.

2021 Review: “A long-term favourite which has been going for decades” – in recent times now decamped to La Tasca's old digs from its original home in The Rows – it boasts “plush and trendy” décor; “the moules marinières are wonderful and there are nights dedicated to surf and turf or lobster”.

With a “good location near the racecourse”, this Georgian pub from Brunning & Price is “divided into cosy rooms and alcoves”, and excels for its “traditional pub food” including “fabulous fish ’n’ chips”, “good pies and specials” – “but the key is in the sides: excellent samphire, sauces, creamy mash and more”. The name honours prominent local architect Thomas Harrison, who designed the building as his own home.

“Great Spanish food” – including plenty of “tasty fresh seafood” – has made such a success of Joe & Ben Wright’s ten-year-old wine-and-tapas spot that they closed Joseph Benjamin, their original bistro next door, to concentrate their resources on it in 2021. It’s a “small (and you can’t book), but lively place with attentive service and a great atmosphere”. The brothers now have spin-offs in Altrincham and Salford.

2021 Review: “With stunning views over Chester Racecourse” (“book early to be sure of a window table”), this well-established venue marries “fine wines and food” and, so long as you “don’t go on race days”, there are “usually quiet areas for those important business meetings”.

No reports as yet on this boutique hotel dining room run by game expert Mike Robinson. Dry-aged beef and venison are brought from maturation cabinets to be cooked over a flame grill and, on paper at least, this is one of the city’s more interesting dining options.

“A very special place indeed” – this modest-looking backstreet bistro that chef Gary Usher opened 13 years ago in the Chester suburb of Hoole has achieved cult status and set the template for his crowdfunded Elite Bistros group, which now has six venues across the North West. “Always our choice for celebrations, delicious meals and superb service”, it’s “guaranteed to give you a great time”.

“Looking for a fantastic, well-priced supper? Look no further than The Grosvenor Arms at Alford”. This rather grand country pub (“library, conservatory, bar and snug”) on the edge of the Duke of Westminster’s Cheshire estate maintains “consistently high standards despite being a member of a large chain” – Brunning & Price – for whom this was the group’s first property.

2021 Review: Just a short drive outside Chester, a smartly appointed “bar and bistro in an old family grocers shop retaining much of the original features and fittings of the Georgian building” (The Gunnery). “A straightforward menu is well realised” and weekend brunch is a feature.

This “cracking pub” – a spacious and rambling sixteenth-century inn from the Brunning & Price group – feels “like having your own country club!”. It’s “very comfortable, with good beers” and “excellent ever-changing food served in generally substantial portions”, plus “warm service and a big garden for the kids to run around in”.

2019 Review: “Beautiful views over the Cheshire Plain” set the scene at this “very busy”, cosy rural pub (with rooms) between Beeston and Peckforton, whose long menu comes well-rated.

Chef Harry Guy (ex-Savoy Grill and Mallory Court Hotel) will open his debut restaurant in Wildes Group’s new Chester boutique hotel in 2023 (originally scheduled for mid 2022), by ‘The Cross’ at the ancient heart of this picturesque town. The venue itself sounds quite a ‘do’: with 18 bedrooms, rooftop pool, amphitheatre sauna and terrace with views overlooking the city. An “invitingly dark” dining room is promised, and setting its sights on becoming “one of the finest restaurants in the country”.

Situated on the ancient, picturesque top tier of ‘The Rows’ on Watergate Street, this August 2021 yearling from Adem & Holly Yilmaz (their first venture) is proving an excellent addition to the city. The Turkish cooking is “simple but there’s a great choice of really good dishes” and the welcome is “warm and friendly”.