British, Modern Restaurants in Liverpool
1. Moor Hall
British, Modern restaurant in Aughton
Prescot Rd - L39
“What can I say that’s not already been said? Just superb!” – Mark Birchall’s converted manor house north of Liverpool is five years old now, but still has the golden glow of one of the UK’s most fast-rising culinary stars, and some fans say they “thought it had a chance of its third Michelin star this year”. That would be an achievement anywhere – never mind in a corner of West Lancashire long seen as a gastronomic wasteland. The long drive, the lake, the grounds, the cleverly refurbished medieval buildings… all create a “perfect and luxurious experience”. “The dining room and lounges are sleek and welcoming and the attention to detail from the kitchen garden to the cheese room, even to the cutlery is flawless”. “Best of all, every mouthful from its tasting menu is fresh, clean and sublime” and a clear reflection of the “dedication, high standards and clear technical expertise” in the kitchen. Fame is bringing one drawback though – even those who judge it a “fabulous” experience sometimes think it risks becoming an “outrageously expensive” one. And – amidst praise for “fun and unintimidating staff who don’t miss a beat” – there is also the odd fear of “an over-focus on creating theatre rather than making the customer totally relaxed”. Top Tip – “the food bonanza continues at breakfast so stay over if you can”.
2. Restaurant 8 by Andrew Sheridan
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool city centre
16 Cook Street - L2
The flagship restaurant of award-wining chef Andrew Sheridan, 8 is one of the UK's most progressive dining experiences. Located in the heart of Liverpool - next to the original Cavern Club - diners are treated to an immersive sensory experience focusing on high quality food and drink, and music. Expect the unexpected.
3. The London Carriage Works, Hope Street Hotel
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
40 Hope Street - L1
2019 Review: For a “really good breakfast” or “fab afternoon tea”, this boutique hotel dining room does still win recommendations. Feedback is much more limited nowadays, though, compared with the heady days of its opening in 2003, when it was the hottest ticket in town.
4. Lawns Grill, Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa
International restaurant in Thornton Hough
Neston Rd - CH63
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since 2019 when Boris Johnson and former Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, met for crunch post-Brexit talks at this posh hotel & spa out on the Wirral. On limited feedback, ratings for its grill are good all-round, but more plaudits go to the rather dramatically named ‘Great Wirral Afternoon Tea’ – a “well thought-out offering with good choice of sweet or savoury options” that’s “particularly nice on the terrace or lawn”.
5. Fonseca's
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
12 Stanley St - L1
2019 Review: The original Delifonseca (re-named to avoid confusion with its spin-off), now with vintage cocktail bar, wins praise for its “really good food and interesting choices” from a daily-changing blackboard menu. Change may be afoot, however, with the owner eyeing a vast, Kickstarter-funded expansion of its dockside spin-off (home to a famed market hall), with plans to eventually operate from one base.
6. Wreckfish
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
60 Seel Street - L1
“Good quality cooking and ingredients” and “wonderful helpful staff who never intrude” keep everything ticking over nicely at the Liverpool outpost of chef-entrepreneur Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros operation, which opened five years ago on the strength of a £200,000 crowdfunding drive. It has a “limited menu, but done well”, which helps keep costs from spiralling.
7. Roski
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
16 Rodney Street - L1
“Amazing food and good value compared to equivalent standards elsewhere” help inspire ongoing high ratings for MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Anton Piotrowski’s stylishly sparse venue. Its 8-course tasting menu for £85 wins it very high ratings from fans. The only gripe? – “wish they had smaller menus in the evening: by the final courses I am just too full!”
8. Hanover Street Social
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
16-20 Hanover St - L1
2021 Review: “Consistently good food at a competitive price” plus a “useful central location and a great choice of gins” means this modern brasserie from Merseyside’s Red & Blue Restaurants group is “worth a visit”.
9. Belzan
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
371 Smithdown Road - L15
“Fantastic and friendly service”, “amazing food” and a “lovely wine list” is the winning combination at this modest but high-achieving local bistro launched five years ago in a row of shops by owners Chris Edwards & Owain Williams with chef Sam Grainger.
10. Spire
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
1 Church Road - L15
“The Locke boys are still ‘smashing it’ in south Liverpool with fresh seasonal dishes...” say fans of Adam and Matt’s “top-notch local”, a short stroll from Penny Lane. “It’s a little crushed when it’s full, but worth accepting that for what you get”: “the food is always excellent and served by friendly staff”.
11. Fraiche
French restaurant in Oxton
11 Rose Mount - CH43
“Marc Willkinson is a genius” and “never fails to impress” at his “compact” venue – an unexpected find “off the beaten track” out on The Wirral, in a conservation village bordering Birkenhead. It has, on several occasions, topped our diners’ poll as the UK’s No. 1 destination. With just a dozen covers, it’s very much one man’s labour of love with its “imaginative visuals and playlist”, not to mention his really “unusual” and distinctive cuisine, delivered as a six-course tasting menu. Save space for the end of the meal: chef really knows his way around pudding and chocolates. Early in 2022, there was news that the restaurant was to close, but this is not the case. Marc is hunting for new premises, though, and if he finds them change will be afoot.
12. Burnt Truffle
British, Modern restaurant in Heswall
104-106 Telegraph Road - CH60
“Described as a ‘small, local bistro’… what an example of British understatement!” – Gary Usher’s Wirral outpost (his initial follow-up to Sticky Walnut) continues to win a thumbs-up in feedback. “The friendly, cheerful and very knowledgeable staff make you feel at home instantly, and the food? Novel, inventive, well prepared and VERY tasty!”
13. Barnacle
British, Modern restaurant in Liverpool
Mezzanine, Duke Street Market, 46 Duke Street - L1
Open in December 2021 – no feedback as yet on this new venture, which has a bird’s eye view over the very good-looking Duke Street food market from its mezzanine. A number of local food glitterati are involved (including The Art School’s Paul Askew and Bone & Block’s Harry Marquart). The menu’s local sourcing is evident, with the aim of creating an ‘intimate Scouse brasserie’.
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