Liverpool is a city full of vibrancy and culture, famed for its football history and the hometown of the Beatles. Aside from this, it’s a food haven, with an unbelievable selection of restaurants spread across the city, from Smithdown Road to the Georgian Quarter and Albert Dock.
We’ve spent a lot of time here over the years, so we know the place better than most. If you didn’t already need a reason to visit, here’s our guide to the best places to eat in Liverpool in 2026 – you won’t be disappointed.
Cowshed
Tucked away in a quaint Grade II-listed building on Seel Street, Cowshed is the ultimate place for steak in Liverpool. Each cut of meat is perfectly cooked according to your taste (although medium-rare should always be the go-to), including choices like Ribeye, Flat Iron, and Rump – which you can all get as part of their Greedy Cow platter.
There is only one menu, but that’s all you need, and you should pair your beef with one of their sides, particularly the fries and savoy cabbage & green beans in chorizo cream. And don’t forget your sauce – in our opinion, the pepper sauce is the only option for steak.
Aside from steak, they also serve dishes such as spiced roasted cauliflower and black tiger prawns, or you can order a few starters, including their croquettes of the day and halloumi bites.
It’s one of Liverpool’s most sought-after food spots, so booking is essential – do also let them know if it’s a special occasion, as staff are highly accommodating and will provide a dessert for you. Those with allergies can rest assured, too, as they will prepare things carefully as per your request.
Opening Times
Monday-Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm
Saturday-Sunday 12 pm – 10 pm
Salt House Tapas
Tapas is always a solid choice for dinner, allowing you to share food with friends and try as much as possible on the menu. Salt House Tapas in Liverpool, located on the corner of Church House opposite John Lewis in Liverpool One, is among the best independent tapas places in Liverpool.
For the table, as a general rule of thumb, they recommend three dishes per person, but this will depend on how hungry you are – and you can always order more as you begin to clear plates. Signature dishes you need to try include their chargrilled fillet steak with jalapeno chimichurri, chorizo sausage with fried egg, Padron peppers, and pea & mint risotto.
While tapas can sometimes be a worry for those with allergies due to so much variety, you can relax knowing that they take things seriously and use a flag system to let you know what has been prepared separately.
It’s the perfect spot for people watching, if that’s your thing, with large windows that overlook Hanover Street. And if you choose to visit during a special celebration, you may find yourself with a glass of their house cava.
Opening Times
Monday-Thursday 12 – 10 pm
Friday 12 – 10:30 pm
Saturday 12 – 10:30 pm
Sunday 12 – 9 pm
Cafe Oro
An independent and family-run cafe located on Smithdown Road, Liverpool’s thriving student hub, Cafe Oro is one of those places that only the locals know. You won’t find it on many of the top lists, which is highly surprising given the quality of the food, but what this does mean is you’re sure to find a table with top-notch service.
The Mediterranean-style coffee house serves your classic breakfast and brunch items, such as the classic Full English, eggs royale, and smashed avocado on toast with poached eggs, but also a range of flavourful dishes like shakshuka and chicken arrabiata.
The 15-minute trip is more than worth it by bus, and you can visit other local indie stores nearby, such as Dead Ink Books and Defend Vinyl. There are also the iconic Penny Lane and Sefton Park, not too far away, if you fancy spending time exploring some green space.
Opening Times
Monday-Wednesday 9:30 am – 5 pm (but occasionally stay open later)
Thursday-Sunday – 9 am – 5 pm (again, extended evening hours may apply)
Duke Street Market
Can’t make your mind up? Why restrict yourself to one type of cuisine when you can choose from a range of food from Cuba to Southeast Asia? Duke Street Market, aptly found on Duke Street, is a trendy food hall in Liverpool known for its award-winning food and drinks.
Inside, you have the choice of six restaurants: Club Fish, Bone & Block, Cahita, Ginger, Big Lola’s Taquiera, and Barbina Pasta Amore X Pizza Dealers. Our favourites include the Cahita Cubano and Crispy Korean Chicken Bibimbap, but other amazing choices include the N’duja and Beef Brisket and Ancho Beef Brisket Quesadillas.
You’ll be escorted to a bench by one of the venue’s staff, where you can then order from your smartphone and the food is delivered directly to your table. They also have a bar where you can order a pint of their DSM lager or a cocktail (the Papaya Zombie Killer is a no-brainer).
Opening Times:
Monday: Closed (usually open on Bank Holidays, 12 pm – 6 pm)
Tuesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Friday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm (Brunch starts at 10 am)
Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm
Pattersons
Another hidden gem found along Gradwell Street, a short walk from the city centre, Pattersons is arguably the top stop for fried chicken in Liverpool. The meat is brined for 24 hours in their secret recipe of herbs and spices (which is over 40 years old), creating their signature flavour that the residents know and love.
Choose between their fried chicken, ranging from 250 g to 1 kg, with sides such as hash browns and buttered corn, or your choice of chicken wings coated in flavours like salt and pepper and sriracha.
However, the stars of the show are the burgers, specifically the flying pig (fried chicken with pulled pork, pickles, and garlic aioli) and the firecracker (a spicy chicken burger with jalapenos, chilli cheese, and Reaper hot sauce. The chip shop curry sauce loaded fries are a winner too.
Opening Times
Monday – Thursday: 2 pm – 10 pm
Friday – Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Villa Romana
An authentic Italian diner located on Wood Street, Villa Romana offers visitors a slice of paradise with their fresh pasta dishes and pizzas made from fresh dough. With their exposed brick arches and white tablecloths, it’s like being transported to Napoli.
The menu here is unlike other Italian chains in the area, serving a range of unique dishes like their Tagliatelle Villa Romana, a homemade pasta saturated with wild mushrooms, a creamy truffle sauce, and sliced fillet steak. Additionally, the Frittura Mista is a great sharing starter, consisting of prawns, calamari, sea bass, and mussels.
You can’t beat their selection of pizzas either, including classics like Prosciutto e Funghi, Calzone, Salame Picante, and our favourite, the Villa Romana (topped with Parma ham, salami, mortadella, olives, and pepperoni sausage).
While the restaurant is perfect for an evening meal, they do offer a lunch special of two courses for £15 Tuesday-Friday from 12 pm to 2 pm, which is one of the best deals you can find in Liverpool. Plus, you can add a dessert on for an additional £5, what’s not to love?
Opening Times
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 12 pm – 2 pm, 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Saturday: 12 pm –10 pm
Sunday: 2 pm – 9 pm
Lunyalita
Lunyalita is a staff-owned, independent Catalan restaurant located on the beautiful Albert Dock. A ‘little sister’ to the main Lunya venue on Hanover Street, it has a more relaxed atmosphere, with a view of the waters and lights of the docks.
Set over two floors with stunning brick arches, you can expect Spanish classics like Patatas Bravas, Tortilla, Albondigas, and, of course, Paella to share. They offer a £16 lunch meal Sunday-Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm, as well as a £25 early evening deal Monday-Thursday from 5 pm – 7 pm.
On the ground floor, you can purchase some products to take home with you – prepare yourself, as it’s one of the largest Spanish delis in the country, with huge cheese wheels and thinly sliced cured meats.
Opening Times
Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 8:30 pm
Friday: 11 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 9:30 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 8:30 pm
Spitroast
Spitroast is a cosy bistro located at the top end of Smithdown Road, specialising in rotisserie chicken and other healthy dishes. Their Sunday Roast is raved about, with your choice of meat along with roast potatoes, sweet potato mash, glazed carrots and an amount of gravy that would satisfy any northerner.
And, of course, the menu is saturated with salt and pepper dishes, almost a Liverpool staple these days – in particular, their halloumi and fries are the ultimate choices for a treat night. If you have any vegetarians or vegans in your party, they offer a delicious vegetable stir fry with chilli and soy glaze, and a superfood salad.
Service is quick, and you can usually bag yourself a table fairly easily, meaning it’s the ideal place if you find yourself struggling for time.
Opening Times:
Monday-Saturday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm