Liverpool is a city known all over the world for three things: football, its history, and the home of great music. However, over the last couple of years, the city has really been proving itself as one of the best food places in the United Kingdom. Hardly a year goes by without a new restaurant, cafe, or eatery opening its doors. The same goes for the already existing restaurants that are always unveiling new dishes and reinventing their menu. This means that every couple of months, there is something new and different to try out.
While there is no shortage of restaurants to try out in the city, some of the best places that are never a hit and miss are listed below. And if you are in the city, you should really try them out.
5 Best Restaurants in Liverpool
1. Cowshed Liverpool
2. Bacaro
3. Panoramic 34
4. Salt House Tapas
5. Etsu
Best Restaurants In Liverpool
Here are 5 of the best restaurants to visit in Liverpool with friends and family.
1. Cowshed Liverpool
Now, this restaurant is for all those who love meat. Cowshed is tucked behind a little red door on Seel Street, in one of Liverpool’s charming Georgian buildings. Over the years, the steakhouse has quietly carved out a reputation as one of the city’s go-to spots for great food and warm hospitality.
The space indoors is both intimate and a little mischievous. Plush wine-red booths and soft lighting create a cozy atmosphere, but it is the wall art that really makes you pause with its quirks. Regal oil portraits and warrior scenes feature cows’ heads instead of human faces on top of buff bodies. It is bizarre, hilarious, and oddly perfect, a reflection of the restaurant’s sense of humour and playful confidence.
As the name suggests, Cowshed is very much a haven for carnivores. Beef, being the protagonist of the menu, makes up about 90% of the offerings available. From succulent flat iron cuts to rich ribeye, rump to seasoned fillets, every steak is sourced locally and cooked with precision. There is no overcomplication here, just quality meat, seasoned well, grilled to your preference (with suggestions from the chefs, of course). All can be paired with classic sides like chunky hand-cut chips, sweet potato mash, and creamy peppercorn sauce. After a rich meal, you can finish up with a simple dessert like mango panna cotta or cheesecake.
The drinks list is just as considered, with a solid selection of craft beers, house cocktails, rum and spirits, and a wine list built to accompany a perfectly seared steak (such as a Malbec). That said, vegetarians won’t go hungry at the Shed as there are a few meat-free dishes on offer, so everyone at the table is covered. Cowshed has the perfect approach to dining: great food, lively vibe, and the friendly, attentive service that makes you feel at ease. It is perfect for a solo dinner, casual hangout with friends, but also works for a first date or a low-key celebration.
Location: 104 Seal Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Price Range: £20 – £40
2. Bacaro
Bacaro was inspired by the renowned and well-loved bacari of Venice, small traditional bars where locals gather for drinks and cicchetti. Liverpool’s reincarnation of this small bar is tucked along the luxurious stretch of Castle Street in the business district. Forget the marble-heavy grandeur of more traditional Italian restaurants. Bacaro is stylish without being showy, a simplicity that works well for everyone.
The interior is warm and very understated, with soft lighting, dark wood finishes, and a buzzy, informal vibe that has you feeling comfortable sitting in front of the bar as good as at a table. Speaking of said bar, the Campari Bar is a lively space where you can sip a strong espresso, a chilled glass of wine, or a perfectly balanced cocktail while grazing on small plates.
The menu is a celebration of Italian dishes. From oven-fired mini pizzas, a diverse selection of pasta (risotto to nduja ragu), to seafood, tender meat dishes, and vegetarian plates. The meals are designed for slow eating, an approach that encourages diners to sample widely and try a lot.
Open daily from noon to 10:30 pm, Bacaro is suited for both a casual midday lunch and a full-on evening meal. It is also a great post-work stop, with its central location making it a favourite among both locals and in-the-know visitors. Bacaro stands out for not trying too hard, but for doing the simple things exceptionally well. It’s a reminder that great food doesn’t need to be complicated, just care, quality, and warmth.
Location: 74, Castle Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Price Range: £20 – £40
3. Panoramic 34
Just like the name sounds, Panoramic is a dining experience that rises above the rest, literally and figuratively. The Michelin-starred restaurant is perched on the 34th floor of Liverpool’s West Tower, and offers both a delightful meal and a breathtaking moment. Located as high up as it is, its wraparound windows open up to sweeping skyline views of the city.
The ambiance is very calm and elegant, making it ideal for everything from romantic dinners to business lunches. And of course, those milestone celebrations where the setting matters as much as the food.
Yes, the food. The meals at Panoramic absolutely hold their own in the fine-dining space. The Tasting Menu is a delicious journey through modern European dishes made with seasonal ingredients and careful technique. Dishes like salt-baked beetroot, curried monkfish, or well-cooked highland venison arrive looking like something from a food gallery and taste every bit as good. You can pair your dishes with a great wine, as advised by the staff.
While the Tasting Menu is undoubtedly the headliner, Panoramic 34 also offers breakfast, lunch, and impressive afternoon tea. Their service is top-tier, and there is always an atmosphere that makes everything feel just a little more magical.
Location: West Tower, Brook Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Price Range: £90 – £150
4. Salt House Tapa
Salt House Tapas is located inside a restored, bow-fronted building that once stored sea salt. Over time, it has earned its place as one of Liverpool’s most beloved culinary landmarks. Just around the corner from Liverpool ONE, the bustling charcuterie and tapas restaurant brings a slice of southern Spain to the city centre.
Inside, you are immediately swept into a space that is lively and effortlessly cool. White tiles glimmer in the sunlight, while legs of prized ibérico ham dangle above the bar like edible trophies. Rioja racks are built into the wall and teeter with an impressive row of wines. And there is always a mouthwatering scent of garlic, smoked paprika, and sizzling chorizo dancing in the air. You can start your meal with a glass of fino sherry and some marinated olives at the bar. Something to put yourself in the right eating order before your food arrives.
The dining area is airy and informal, with a semi-circular seating arrangement. Vintage school desks double as tables, and soft cushions soften the window seating. There is both a ground floor with oversized panes that let in floods of natural light and a more intimate upper floor. At one end, the open galley kitchen gives way to a show of its own, chefs moving in sync as they plate up steaming tapas and charcuterie boards for guests. It is a great place for couples on date nights, or mingling with friends, and to get a regular dinner.
Salt House’s menu is all about sharing and sampling, with an abundance of Andalusian flavours leading the charge. Such as the morcilla black pudding, baby chorizos in orange honey, and steak fillets. For seafood lovers, there is the pan-fried seabass with fennel, orange, and black olives, grilled scallops, fried calamari, and king prawns. And you don’t want to skip the ibérico ham, thinly sliced, acorn-fed, and very tender.
Vegetarian diners are also in safe hands. Dishes like the Monte Enebro goat’s cheese, sautéed mushrooms and risotto, potato tortilla wedges, and roasted baby aubergines could make a carnivore convert. All paired nicely with a divine wine list rooted in Spanish tradition. For those who prefer something different, the line-up of cocktails, ciders, and beers is as good as any to accompany any of the dishes.
At Salt House, the food is a testament to how great Spanish dishes can be, and they do it flawlessly.
Location: Church House, 1 Hanover Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Price Range: £20 – £35
5. Best Restaurants in Liverpool: Etsu
Etsu has been delighting fans of Japanese cuisine in Liverpool for almost 20 years. The simple but beautiful restaurant is a destination worth seeking out for those in Liverpool. Located a few ways away from The Strand, a short walk from the city’s waterfront, the quietly stylish spot has been delighting diners with its sharing plates and sushi for a long time. Part of its charm is that it is not the kind of place you stumble upon easily; between some confusing GPS directions and an ever-present scaffolding next door, finding it can feel like an adventure. But once you step inside, all is forgiven.
The interior is an understated decor of light wood furnishings, cosy booths, and soft lighting that casts a gentle glow over each table. One part of the wall is adorned with handmade origami cranes that add a personal, almost whimsical touch to the place.
But it is the food that keeps people coming back, both seasoned sushi lovers and curious newcomers. Dishes are split into three interesting sections: kozara (sharing plates), ozara (larger mains), sushi, and, of course, sides. Each is further broken down into meat, fish, and vegetarian options, making it easy to find your way without becoming too overwhelmed. You can have yakitori or takayaki, crispy tempura, or a salmon sashimi platter, or the thick Japanese yasai curry with rice.
The restaurants also offer Bento boxes and katsu curries, which are a staple favorite. But the sushi, on the other hand, is the main reason to return, from the different sashimi platters to the unagi and spicy maguro. There is something for everyone, even the beginner sushi eater. From the food, it is very obvious that the chefs clearly take pride in their work, emphasizing quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods. There is also an impressive selection of sake for those who want to enjoy the full Japanese dining experience.
On a cold day, a bottle of sake and hot tempura or a sashimi set go a long way in warming the body.
Location: 25, The Strand, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Price Range: £15 – £30
When it comes to food, Liverpool is simply not playing. The food scene is filled with a lineup of some of the best dishes in the United Kingdom, and this list is only scratching the very surface. So, if you are visiting the city for a game, on vacation, or simply to explore, try out one of these restaurants and let us know what you think.
