Liverpool Restaurant Guide

“On the 34th floor of West Tower, right in the heart of Liverpool – the 360 degree vista over the city’s waterfront here is simply quite stunning!” It’s “a treat on many levels”, though, generally confounding those cynical about rooms with a view, with its “amazing food” and “sharp and efficient service”. Top tip: try it for afternoon tea.

Paul Askew’s “seriously good” open-kitchen four-year-old with large skylight (“attractive if slightly Spartan”), near the Liverpool Philharmonic – is the most commented-on European restaurant in town, and many diners consider it “the star of the Liverpool food scene” thanks to his “excellent” tasting menus (there’s quite an array, and also a cheaper lunch and earlybird prix fixe alternative); and with the sourcing of high-quality local ingredients often commended. For a minority, though, the scoff seems more middling, and service – while “top quality” to most reporters – at times comes over as “a bit stuffy” or “inflexible”.

This “excellent, innovative independent on trendy Bold Street” is inspired by the North African/Middle Eastern cuisine found in the Marais district of Paris and “trying hard to be trendy like Ottolenghi”. The place is “very buzzy”, with “fantastic small plates”, “great wine and cocktails” – and it’s “brilliant value”. “Good idea to book as it gets very busy”.

“The Latest (and flagship) branch of Gary Usher’s small but perfectly formed bistro chain” – this November 2017 newcomer (at the time of opening, the product of Kickstarter UK’s biggest ever restaurant campaign) has created more of a splash than any Liverpool opening of the last decade: an “impressively refurbished” workshop in the city’s old merchant quarter that’s now a “buzzy” and “lovely” space (where some of the seating is communal) and with “charming” staff. “Recognisably following his rewarding general formula” – it “serves quality produce in a fresh and interesting way, and delivers great value”. Quibbles are minor: e.g. “many things to love about this place, with some great cooking and brilliant ideas, but some dishes just need better balance to counteract the riot of flavours”. Top Tip: “Early bird dinner menu (two courses for £17) is a no-brainer”.

“I have not met anyone who has been who hasn’t raved!” – ex-barrister, Nisha Katona’s “trendily located” street food venture is “a really good new wave Indian” and has “succeeded in spades” in ‘The Pool’, providing “fresh”, “punchy” dishes that are “incredibly varied in flavour, and variety” in an environment that’s “always full and buzzing”, alongside some “very interesting cocktails”. “No booking, so in the evenings you need to put your name on the list and go for a drink until your table is ready”. Top Tip: “take pot luck and order the tiffin box where the chef chooses what you get”. (This was her initial branch – she’s expanded her “Dishoom of the North West” to other sites and cities now).

“Still one of my favourite places to eat in Liverpool”; “it never fails to deliver”, say fans, who reckon this Georgian townhouse, near the Anglican cathedral (opened by Gary and Colin Manning in 1999), compares favourably with many of the city’s newer venues: the menu is “interesting” and “standards all-round are high and delivered at an excellent price”.

A business district branch of the ever-growing ultra-glam Italian chain; though the sceney vibe and high prices can attract criticism, it impressed reporters this year, with “top seafood” a highlight.