While Oxford has long excelled at churning out prime ministers and literary giants, until recently its gastronomic output rarely matched its academic credentials. The city that gave us Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde, and countless political leaders once offered little more than lacklustre pub fare and overpriced cream teas to fuel the next generation of brilliance.

No longer. Like a chemistry experiment gone deliciously right, Oxford’s dining scene has exploded with flavour and ambition. The dusty, formal halls and tourist-baiting tearooms now share the stage with globally-minded independents, each contributing a chapter or two to the city’s evolving story.

What’s most enjoyable about eating in Oxford isn’t just the quality; it’s the diversity—from Thai food that would make Bangkok natives homesick and Himalayan soul food that lifts and soothes, all the way to pubs where traditional British fare receives the scholarly attention it deserves. The once-predictable Oxford dining experience has been thoroughly rewritten, with new cuisines and concepts continually matriculating into the scene. 

Interestingly (and we genuinely think this is a positive), there are no Michelin stars in the city; somewhat surprising for a place of such wealth and class, sure, but also indicative of a more humble approach to feeding people that leads to some truly nourishing dining experiences.

Forget topping the university rankings; these establishments are earning first-class honours in the art of hospitality. Whether you’ve got a student loan to stretch, fellowship funds to spend, or you’re simply visiting to soak up the surroundings, these restaurants deserve a place on your Oxford syllabus. Here are the best restaurants in Oxford.

Arbequina, Cowley Road

Ideal for tapas done properly from a former chemist’s shop…

Housed in a converted chemist’s shop (and yes, that charming vintage sign still adorns the exterior), this celebrated tapas joint has become a cornerstone of Oxford’s dining scene. Step inside to discover a simple, industrial-chic interior with functional furniture and a glistening stainless steel counter perfect for those who fancy a more interactive experience.

The concise menu is approachable and faithful to Spanish traditions with dishes that would make even the most discerning Madrileños nod sagely in approval. Salt cod croquetas with aioli arrive crunchy on the outside and oozing within, while the thick cut tortilla is a gold-standard version of a classic (onions? Check. Runny? Of course!) — a must-order that justifies the restaurant’s reputation.

It’s all on point, to be fair, and you’ll invariably find yourself tempted to order larger plates of grilled fish or blushing Iberico pork and succumb to that second bottle of vino. Go on; you deserve it. The natural wine selection brings things into 2025, and complements the food perfectly, with a focus on interesting, characterful bottles that reward exploration.

Whilst the first-floor dining room accommodates larger groups beautifully, for the full experience aim for those counter seats, where you can watch the skilled kitchen team work their magic just inches away. Sociable and enveloping, Arbequina is one of Oxford’s best restaurants.

Website: arbequina.co.uk

Address:72-74 Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1JB

Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell Road

Ideal for riverside romance and seasonal British cuisine…

No setting in Oxford rivals the tranquility of this converted Victorian boathouse perched on the banks of the River Cherwell, offering that rare combination of breathtaking location and seriously accomplished stuff on the plate.

As punts drift lazily by, diners savour a menu that celebrates modern British gastronomy with European influences, all without the unnecessary bells and whistles that would feel so superfluous in such tight surrounds. 

Instead, chef Paul Bell puts seasonal ingredient centre stage, into satisfying plates like caramelised turbot with purple sprouting broccoli, spring onions and Jersey Royals, or blushing pink lamb rump with smoky aubergine and heritage carrots, both dishes absolutely singing of early spring. 

The award-winning wine list stands among Oxford’s finest, offering plenty of opportunity to splash out for a special occasion or discover something new and interesting by the glass (starting at just £5.50). There’s also a short list of premium plonk sold by the half bottle, for those looking to savour something fine without falling in the water straight after settling the bill. 

On warm days, the outdoor terrace becomes unbeatable—dappled sunlight playing through the trees as you sip a crisp white wine and watch students wrestle with their punting poles, but winter brings its own charms, as you dine inside the cosy boathouse with its exposed brick walls and white linen-draped tables. The three-course set menu (two courses for £31, three for £38.75) offers good value for food of this calibre. Come for a milestone celebration, a romantic date, or simply when you want to remind yourself how beautiful Oxford can be.

Website: cherwellboathouse.co.uk

Address: Bardwell Rd, Oxford OX2 6ST

The Magdalen Arms, Iffley Road

Ideal for next-level pub food that’ll ruin ordinary gastropubs for you forever…

A laid-back, unpretentious pub in perennially ‘up-and-coming’ Iffley, The Magdalen Arms especially appeals on Oxford’s seemingly endless wet afternoons. Deep red walls impart a cocooning charm, while stripped floorboards and mismatched furniture bring that relaxed country pub vibe, all without a hint of pretension.

For those with knowledge of London’s gastropub scene, it’ll come as no surprise that the food at the Magdalen Arms hits the mark; it’s a sister pub to London’s acclaimed Anchor and Hope and Canton Arms, both of which are basically the perfect example of the form.

The menu celebrates big, hearty flavours with a sophistication that doesn’t try to ‘refine’ or ‘elevate’, but rather, simply, to feed. Expect starters such as Cornish mussels marinière, and showstopping sharing dishes like whole shoulder of lamb or Hereford steak and ale suet crust pie with buttered greens, both of which could happily feed a small tutorial group. Or, one very hungry diner who’s just spent some time at the rasta bar over on Cowley Road.

There’s no showiness here, just good, heartwarming dishes executed with the precision and care they deserve. The wine list offers plenty of choices around the £30 mark, and the bar staff mix a mean mojito. Couples play Jenga as they scoop up cep soufflé and parmesan cream, families dig into generously portioned sharing mains, while others linger over creamy salt cod brandade.

The Magdalen Arms represents everything a modern British gastropub should be—unpretentious, welcoming, and serving food that makes you want to come back again and again. When sunshine breaks through the clouds, ask for a table on the leafy garden terrace. Oh, and perhaps unsurprisingly, they do one of Oxford’s best Sunday roasts, too. 

Website: magdalenarms.co.uk

Address: 243 Iffley Rd, Oxford OX4 1SJ

Taste Tibet, Magdalen Road

Ideal for Himalayan soul food that’ll warm you from the inside out…

And, from the outside in, if you were to rub it all over yourself… Anyway, this compact but perfectly proportioned place just a minute’s stroll from the Magdalen Arms, has quickly earned a legion of devoted local fans—and with good reason. Transforming from a popular market and festival stall to a simple restaurant with exposed brick walls, wooden floors and long communal tables, Taste Tibet delivers exactly what its name promises: the genuine flavours of the Tibetan plateau.

The small but carefully considered menu works brilliantly for vegans and vegetarians, but the carnivores in the crowd won’t be left wanting either. Expect fragrant, intricately spiced curries and stews, warming dals, and their legendary momos (Tibetan dumplings) served with a fiery chilli sauce that will have you reaching for your water glass before coming back for more.

Behind the scenes operates a zero-waste operation and a thriving community-giving project, making your meal not just delicious but ethically sound too. Their beautiful cookbook is worth picking up if you want to recreate some of these flavours at home, but trust us—nothing beats the real thing.

Website: tastetibet.com

Address: 109 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RQ

Edamame, Holywell Street

Ideal for home-style Japanese that’s worth the wait…

You’ll have to queue to get into this tiny Japanese restaurant, but the wait rewards you with some of the most faithfully rendered Japanese food you’ll find outside of Tokyo. Taking understandable pride in only serving genuine home-style Japanese dishes, this family-run operation has been an Oxford institution for over 20 years, and is overtly positioned as an antidote to the pan-Asian ‘formulaic’ chains that permeate Oxford and beyond. We love it.

After such a bold mission statement, it would be unnerving to find a sprawling, corporate space. Safe to say, Edamame is compact and cosy, with shared tables fostering a convivial mood.  Begin with namesake edamame beans. The perfect beer snack, steamed and lightly seasoned with sea salt, you’ll likely get through several bowls of these (not to worry, at £4 a pop) whilst the tiny kitchen gets to work on your mains.

What makes Edamame special is their commitment to quality through a clever rotating menu system: lunch (Wednesday through Sunday), dinner (exclusively Friday and Saturday evenings), and a dedicated sushi night (Thursday only). This approach ensures maximum freshness, with small daily deliveries of fish and meat that sometimes sell out—a small price to pay for freshness and an air of exclusivity.

The dinner menu reveals the soul of Japanese home cooking—crispy-yet-tender chicken karaage marinated in soy and ginger; buttery, melt-in-your-mouth salmon batayaki with delicate Japanese seasonings; and the silky-crisp contrast of agedashidofu, where deep-fried tofu sits in a pool of sweetened soy, crowned with fresh mooli radish and spring onions. Each dish feels like something you’d be served at your grandparent’s place in Tokyo, rather than in a restaurant. In the best possible way of course…

Lunchtime brings hearty, comforting bowls like the yasai tofu itame—a vegetable and tofu stir-fry that satisfies without heaviness, perfect for fueling an afternoon of Oxford exploration.

The no-reservations policy means you might have to wait, but the warm welcome from owners Peter and Mieko makes it all worthwhile. Their attention to detail extends even to drinks, with selections like Ramune soda in its distinctive bottle and warm house sake served in traditional tokkuri flasks (£6 for small, £11 for larger) completing this wonderfully authentic Japanese dining experience.

Website: edamame.co.uk

Address: 15 Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SA

Gee’s Restaurant & Bar, Park Town

Ideal for Mediterranean dining in a stunning Victorian glasshouse…

This splendid Victorian conservatory, with its soaring glass ceiling and abundant greenery, creates a dining setting like no other in Oxford. First housing the flowers, fruit and vegetables of the Gee family, who were the leading nurserymen in the area, Gee’s has been one of the city’s best-known restaurants for close to 30 years.

Inside, regardless of season, the vibe evokes a summer garden party—the glass conservatory, mismatched furniture and hanging lamps providing a light and airy backdrop to Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The secret garden out back and tree-lined outdoor terrace offer additional enchanting spots for summer dining.

In keeping with modern cooking sensibilities, the menu at Gee’s takes its cues from the ‘seas and soils of Italy and Spain’. Served all day, the smaller plates section of the menu is ideal for a light lunch as you bask in the natural light. Start with a tomato and brown shrimp pizzette, Serrano ham croquettes and perhaps a curling tentacle of grilled octopus with smokey, spicy mojo rojo. If you’ve still got room, the market fish, grilled whole over coal, is always a winner.

Visit between 12pm and 6pm on weekdays for their express lunch menu, which at £29.95 for three courses is a steal. On warm evenings, the glasshouse seems to glow from within, creating a magical environment that’s perfect for a celebration or romantic dinner. There’s just something so nourishing about Gee’s – you somehow leave feeling lighter than when you came – and long may it continue that way.

Website: geesrestaurant.co.uk

Address: 61-63 Banbury Rd, Park Town, Oxford OX2 6PE

Pompette, Summertown

Ideal for sophisticated French cuisine in understated elegance…

Just a 10-minute drive north of Oxford’s city centre in leafy Summertown, Pompette (French for ‘tipsy’) is one of Oxford’s select few restaurants recognised in the Michelin Guide, and for good reason. This independent restaurant and wine bar from husband and wife team Pascal and Laura Wiedemann has quickly established itself as one of Oxford’s gastronomic highlights since opening.

Inside, deep blue walls contrast with exposed brick and marble-topped tables, creating an atmosphere of relaxed refinement. The front terrace, overlooking the street, offers perfect aperitif sipping on warmer days, especially during their dedicated “Apéro Hour” (Tuesday-Saturday, 5-6pm).

Chef Pascal Wiedemann brings serious culinary credentials to the table. After starting out with Henry Harris at Racine, he opened the brilliant Terroirs with Ed Wilson and later became executive chef, eventually launching Six Portland Road before establishing Pompette. His modern European menu shows clear French roots but isn’t afraid to incorporate Mediterranean and North African influences where they enhance a dish.

Start with traditional fish soup with rouille, Gruyère and croutons, or perhaps the game terrine with cornichons and sourdough. Mains might include a perfectly pink duck breast with rainbow chard and pickled walnut, or a rich bouillabaisse teeming with local seafood. The prix fixe menu (£26 for two courses, £32 for three) offers exceptional value for cooking of this standard.

Their weekday simplifies things, showcasing French classics at their finest: ‘Moules Frites’ Tuesdays come with a glass of picpoul for £23; Wednesday’s ‘Poulet Frites’ presents a half roast chicken with tarragon jus, frites and a carafe of wine to share (£45 for two); while Thursday’s ‘Steak Frites Night’ delivers a mighty onglet with jus de viande, watercress, frites and a glass of house red for £25. Sometimes, it’s reassuring to have all the decisions taken away, we think.

The wine list, as you might expect from somewhere called Pompette, is exceptional, with plenty of interesting options by the glass and a particular fondness for outstanding Alsatian wines, a nod to Pascal’s heritage.

The Coconut Tree, St Clements

Ideal for Sri Lankan street food with fiery flavours and warm hospitality…

Sitting on a busy street corner at the foot of South Park, The Coconut Tree might not look like much from the outside, but step inside and the aroma of sambol, spices and kotthu will instantly transport you to a market stall in Colombo. 

Though now an eight-strong chain with venues in Cheltenham, Birmingham and beyond, they’ve admirably refused to dial down their spice levels or standardise their seasoning.

Roughly hewn wooden tables, plain enamel dishes and kitchen rolls standing in for napkins combine to give it a wonderfully relaxed feel, all in the name of food that’s designed for sharing—arrive in a group and order as many dishes as you can to experience the full breadth of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Don’t miss the hoppers, bowl-shaped pancakes made from coconut milk and filled with sambol, coconut and an optional fried egg. The kotthu—chopped roti with spices, vegetables and your choice of meat, fish or cheese—is another highlight, delivering a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The coconut sambal served with chilli is the perfect side dish, its cool creaminess offsetting the heat of the curries.

Founded in 2016 by five Sri Lankan friends who turned a Cheltenham pub into a restaurant on a shoestring budget, The Coconut Tree has maintained its commitment to authentic flavors throughout its expansion. Many recipes come directly from the founders’ mothers and grandmothers, though diners seeking the full heat experience should specifically request dishes “Sri Lankan-style.”

Cocktails here are pert and bright — imaginative Sri Lankan-influenced concoctions served in quirky vessels (including hollowed-out pineapples and porcelain elephants) that enhance the casual, fun environment. Don’t miss their arrack-based drinks, featuring the traditional Sri Lankan spirit distilled from coconut flower sap. With over half the menu suitable for vegans, and dishes starting from just £3.50, this is accessible, exciting dining at its best.

Website: thecoconut-tree.com

Address: 36 Broad St, Bath BA1 5LP

Elle’s Deli (formerly Oli’s Thai), Magdalen Road

Ideal for extraordinary Thai food that evolves with the times…

You can’t talk about food in Oxford without mentioning Oli’s Thai, which until March 2022 was home to some of the finest Thai food in the country. While the original restaurant may be three years on from its last proper service, the good news is that the legendary Thai food lives on at Elle’s Deli, which now occupies the same intimate space on Magdalen Road.

Run by the same talented team behind Arbequina (yes, that stunning tapas bar we mentioned earlier), Elle’s Deli continues the legacy of those remarkable Thai flavours. The confit duck Penang curry—genuinely one of the finest Thai dishes you’ll find outside of Thailand—still makes appearances, the meat so tender it barely requires chewing, the complexity of spicing as good as it ever was at Oli’s.

These days, the format is more casual, with the reduced menu of just four or five dishes available Tuesday (11:30am-3pm & 6pm-8:30pm) and Thursday through Saturday (11:30am-3pm) for both eat-in and takeaway. The menu remains refreshingly concise, ensuring every dish is seasoned judiciously. 

The deli aspect itself shouldn’t be overlooked—it sells high quality produce from Britain, Europe and Asia, making it worth a visit even when you’re not dining in. Each morning brings a weekly changing selection of excellent baked goods, from sliced buns to Welsh cakes and custard tarts.

For the full Oli’s Thai experience, keep an eye on their Instagram for announcements of special ‘Oli’s Thai Nights’ at Elle’s Deli, where bookings can be made in person at the deli. They also host walk-in ‘Bao Buns & Noodle Soup Nights’ that are not to be missed. The format may have changed, but the exceptional quality and those incredible flavours remain—this is, without doubt, still some of Oxford’s finest Thai food.

Website: ellesdeli.com

Address: 38 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RB

The Old Bookbinders, Jericho

Ideal for authentic French bistro cooking in an atmospheric old pub…

This characterful pub, hidden away down an unassuming residential street in Jericho, was built in 1869 for workers from the nearby Oxford University Press. From the outside, it looks like a traditional neighbourhood boozer—and the front bar, with tankards on shelves and beer mats adorning the walls, does nothing to dispel this impression.

But venture further inside and you’ll discover one of Oxford’s most delightful surprises: a French bistro serving hearty cuisine that would reluctantly impress even the most discerning Parisians. Make your way through the bar (noting the train set on the ceiling—a quirky touch) to the tightly-packed back room where diners huddle around tables enjoying classics like coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon and snails in herb butter.

The menu changes at times, but maintains its commitment to traditional French techniques and flavours. Their food philosophy is refreshingly straightforward—prioritising quality over quantity with a core menu of bistro classics complemented by daily specials. You’ll find excellent set menus (starting at £21.50 for two courses) alongside celebrated burgers, crepes, and steaks. Portions arrive generous, prices stay reasonable, and the mood remains convivial—exactly what you want from a neighbourhood bistro.

True to its roots as a proper pub, The Old Bookbinders excels on the drinks front too. Six hand-pumps serve a rotating selection of ales (including both house favourites and guest options), alongside a thoughtfully chosen wine list focusing on affordable French bottles.

Open Wednesday and Tuesday from 4-11pm and Thursday through Saturday from 12-11pm (closed Sunday and Monday), The Old Bookbinders’ down-to-earth modesty makes its charm all the more apparent—this isn’t a place that shouts about its excellence, but rather lets the quality of the food speak for itself. Booking is essential for dinner, as the secret is very much out among Oxford’s food lovers.

Website: craftybelle.uk

Address: 17-18 Victor St, Oxford OX2 6BT

From Oxford to Oxford Circus (an easy journey, as it happens, on the Oxford Tube coach!), here are some of the best places to eat near that absurdly busy tube station. Bit of a forced segue, we realise…

Forget the Beatles, football rivalries and Ferry Cross the Mersey – Liverpool’s food scene is the city’s most exciting cultural export right now. While the rest of the UK was busy looking elsewhere, Scouse chefs have been quietly building a gastronomic powerhouse that punches well above its weight.

Liverpool’s dining renaissance is happening everywhere from transformed dockside warehouses to tucked-away supper clubs on residential streets – and it’s still flying under the radar just enough that you can actually get a table. Not for long, mind.

These are the spots worth clearing your calendar for – places serving everything from theatrical tasting menus to plates you’ll be tempted to lick clean (no judgment here). With all that in mind, and with several extra notches added to our belt, here are the best restaurants in Liverpool.

8 By Andy Sheridan, Cook Street

Ideal for theatrical dining that places you at the heart of culinary creation…

Here at IDEAL, we firmly believe there’s a place for the pretentious, in art, in music, and in food. In the best possible way, 8 by Andy Sheridan proves this to be true. It’s high falutin, sure, but it’s also highly enjoyable…

The taut venue elevates dining to a kind of performance art, featuring just 16 seats divided between two counters where chefs craft and narrate each course directly before guests. Sheridan, who came back to his Liverpool roots after making waves in Birmingham, has created something rather special in this Victorian building on Cook Street (a pleasing kind of nominative determinism…kinda).

Your evening begins in a dimly lit lounge with aperitifs and crisp, energetic nibbles pulled straight from the opening round of GBM (tuna tostada, crab croustades…you get the picture) before you’re escorted downstairs to claim your spot at one of the 8-seat counters. The tasting menu pulls influences from across the globe while delivering bold, distinctive flavours – all built around top-notch ingredients that help justify the £110 price tag. 

Yes, there’s a lot of stuff presented on stones and moss. And sure, there will be a tuile leaf or two. But fortunately, the clarity of flavour here is convincing and the delivery strangely compelling. The set-up naturally encourages a bit of chat with the chefs, but they’re tactful, knowing when to step back and let you actually engage with your dining companion or, you know, swoon over your last bite. This is Liverpool dining at its most personal and also its most dramatic.

Website: restaurant8.co.uk

Address: 16 Cook Street, Liverpool, L2 9RF

Wreck Bistro, Seel Street

Ideal for honest bistro cooking in a beautifully restored industrial space…

Wreckfish metamorphosed a once-abandoned building into one of Liverpool’s most cherished restaurants. Brought to life by chef Gary Usher  following a triumphant crowdfunding campaign, this bistro focuses on straightforward yet flawlessly executed dishes, with the emphasis always on flavour first and foremost, but also on excellent value – something of a signature of any Usher restaurant, and a very commendable one at that.

Step inside and you’ll immediately notice how the space balances its rough-hewn past with genuine comfort. Originally named Wreckfish after the Atlantic wreckfish—a species known for dwelling near shipwrecks—the restaurant has since been renamed Wreck Bistro as too many people mistakenly assumed it was a seafood restaurant.

The converted space retains character in its raw brick walls and lofty ceilings, while a sprawling open kitchen takes centre stage, allowing diners to witness the choreography of a confident brigade at work. There’s an appealing lack of pretension here—like dining in the home of a friend who happens to be an excellent cook.

The menu shifts with the seasons but might include starters like chicken liver parfait with farmhouse chutney, hearty mains such as braised featherblade of beef with beetroot ketchup and red wine sauce, or a shawarma-spiced chicken schnitzel. Their truffle and Parmesan chips have amassed an enthusiastic following of their own across all of the Elite Bistro’s restaurants, and they make an appearance on both bistro and special menus at Wreck for good reason; they’re as good as they sound, and there’s no much higher compliment than that.

On weekends, the breakfasts deserve your attention — from the Full Wreck-fast (complete with all the traditional fixings) to our go-to order, the smoked ‘Nduja beans on toast with a fried egg and sour cream. Whichever way you play it, have a Port of Liverpool (Irish whiskey, cherry liqueur, lemon and Ruby Port) or two, and luxuriate in a place where that implicit sense of hospitality is apparent in every gesture.

Despite the quality of both produce and cooking, prices remain accessible—their ‘bistro’ menu is laughably good value at just £23 for three courses. This reflects Usher’s philosophy that excellent food shouldn’t be exclusive, making Wreckfish a place you can return to regularly rather than saving for special occasions only.

Website: wreckfish.co

Address: 60 Seel Street, Liverpool, L1 4BE

Belzan, Smithdown Road

Ideal for neighbourhood conviviality and culinary innovation away from the city centre…

Slightly off the typical tourist route in one of Liverpool’s student-dominated suburbs, Belzan merits seeking out for its inventive small plates and impressive natural wine collection. This neighbourhood bistro balances casual chic with culinary aspiration—all polished concrete and white brick, with seasonal dishes presented on elegant ceramics.

Opened in 2017 by friends Chris Edwards, Owain Williams, and Sam Grainger (the latter now executive chef ), this once-hidden gem has accumulated serious accolades, featuring in the Michelin Guide and named among the UK’s 100 best local restaurants by The Good Food Guide.

The constantly evolving menu showcases hyperlocal ingredients—Grainger ambitiously sources from within 30 miles wherever possible, even incorporating pumpkins from customers’ allotments and wild garlic foraged from nearby Sefton Park. Current standouts include a beautifully balanced smoked beetroot with goat’s curd and blood orange, mushroom and chestnut dashi with butterbeans and cavolo nero, and the exquisite, positively pastoral-tasting barbecued lamb Barnsley chop with artichoke purée and pinenuts.

Don’t overlook (it’s impossible to miss, to be fair, as it’s being ordered by pretty much every table) their renowned Guinness rarebit potato—a humble-sounding creation elevated to something extraordinary through the marriage of Anna potatoes, Guinness-infused cheese, and a Bois Boudran-style sauce. The dish has become so iconic that it’s now a permanent fixture on their otherwise seasonal menu, with good reason. End with the comforting parkin cake with custard and crème fraîche ice cream—proof that northern classics can shine when given a contemporary twist.

Service is self-assured and straightforward, with staff well-versed in both the cuisine and the eclectic wine selection. The restaurant has developed such a reputation that it’s become an unlikely celebrity hotspot—Will Ferrell dined here during Eurovision 2023, while the entire fellowship from The Lord of the Rings (minus Gandalf, presumably) nearly “ate the whole menu” during a 2024 Comic Con visit.

For natural wine enthusiasts, Belzan offers one of the most exciting collections in the city. The prix fixe represents great value; three courses and a glass of wine is £35.

Website: belzan.co.uk

Address: 371 Smithdown Road, Liverpool, L15 3JJ

Madre, Albert Dock

Ideal for faithful Mexican flavours against Liverpool’s historic waterfront…

Born in 2019 from a collaboration between the culinary minds behind (just mentioned) Belzan and London’s Breddos Tacos, this waterfront gem delivers an immersive taste of Mexican hospitality. Transplanting the soul of Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Oaxaca to Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock, Madre (Spanish for ‘mother’) serves up Mexican dishes in a spirited, colourful space with an extensive outdoor seating area that springs to life in summer with DJ sets and flowing margaritas (the latter dependent on the sunnier season, it should be said). 

The menu centres on traditional – rather than ‘elevated’ or ‘refined’ – taco recipes, with standouts including the Tijuana-style carne asada with skirt steak, smoked mozzarella and grilled onions, the Baja fish tacos with tempura-battered Atlantic pollock, and the crab tostada featuring picked picked white crab with brown crab mayonnaise. God it’s good.

Beyond tacos, there’s plenty of antojitos (Mexican snacks) to pick over with a drink, while the restaurant’s wood-fired parrilla (grill) turns out impressive larger plates—the barbecued pistachio-crusted lamb breast with avocado salsa makes a compelling case for casting covetous glances beyond the taco section.

What truly brings Madre to life is its formidable bar program. Their margaritas are the stuff of slurred, eulogising legend, especially the ‘green wasp’ variation with Tapatio tequila, cucumber, coriander, habanero and agave that packs a memorable (well, perhaps less so after the third one) punch. 

The restaurant’s Madre’s Table option (£30 per person) offers a keenly priced introduction to the fine cuisine here —a curated selection of their favourite dishes that ensures you experience the menu’s highlights. Located just a five-minute stroll from the city’s central museums and cultural attractions, Madre offers the city’s most perfect refuel and refresh after a day of cultural exploration. 

Website: thisismadre.co.uk

Address: Atlantic Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AE

Manifest, Baltic Triangle

Ideal for seasonal British cuisine in Liverpool’s most creative quarter…

Housed in a repurposed warehouse in the rejuvenated Baltic Triangle, Manifest has swiftly established itself among Liverpool’s best restaurants since its 2022 opening. 

The restaurant’s curved archway entrance, set within the original warehouse brickwork, makes for an impressive first impression – maintaining the raw, industrial character of the Baltic Triangle while adding just enough polish to signal that something special awaits inside.

Proprietors Paul and Charlotte Durand have fashioned a space that strikes a delicate balance between casual and sophisticated, allowing the cuisine to command attention via a central open kitchen with counter seating for those eager to observe the culinary craft up close. The dishes shift with the seasons, featuring meticulously composed small and larger plates that honour exceptional British produce, much sourced from the neighbouring countryside.

If it’s on, order the sweet onion tart which incorporates several members of the allium family plus a very cleansing whipped ricotta, or the masterfully executed cod with sea buckthorn and smoked mussels – both dishes that highlight technique without unnecessary embellishment, the latter an impressive balancing act between bracingly sour and pleasingly salty. 

The thoughtfully assembled wine selection includes numerous options by the glass, featuring several intriguing natural varieties. There’s also a 3-glass wine flight, pitched at £45 per person – the size and pricing a welcome relief from those jarring, lengthy wine pairings that leave you too pissed by the ninth glass.

Admittedly, a little like 8 above, Manifest is a restaurant that suffers a little from enthusiastically low lighting in the evenings. Better to book in for lunch, when the light streams through the large industrial windows that dominate the brick façade just right. 

Website: manifestrestaurant.com

Address: 4a Watkinson Street, Liverpool, L1 0AG

NORD, Old Hall Street

Ideal for Northern hospitality delivered with Scandinavian precision…

NORD celebrates Northern soul (no, not Do I Love You?, but rather, the energy of this part of England) through a distinctly Nordic lens, carving out its own category in Liverpool’s buzzing food scene. 

It’s the baby of local lad Daniel Heffy, who cut his teeth in Stockholm’s starred kitchens before bringing his skills back home in 2023. In fact, this sense of recent homecoming is something of a theme in the city, with several of the restaurants on our list following this narrative arc. 

Heffy describes his approach as “Travelled British,” a nod to his local roots filtered through time spent in Scandinavia. The sprawling, space-age interior feels like dining in tomorrow – all sleek surfaces and egg-shaped booths that cocoon you while you eat. It’s the perfect backdrop for Heffy’s boundary-pushing cooking, which draws heavily on an impressive network of hyper-local suppliers. The menu reads like a love letter to the North West, with everything from Ward’s Fish (a fourth-generation family business in Birkenhead that’s supplied Heffy since the beginning of his career) to award-winning Edge & Sons Butchers in Wirral (just 6 miles away) who work with rare and native breeds.

Dishes roam from the simple to the utterly sublime. Start with oysters au natural or the quail scotch egg with roasted garlic aioli before moving on to standouts like scallop with potato cream, chive and black truffle, or the jaw-dropping chawanmushi with king crab, smoked eel and dashi. 

The lamb rack with squash hot sauce and crispy sprouts is probably the most ‘talked about’ dish here, however, and it’s easy to see why; the lamb is cooked to a perfect pink, and the hot sauce is complex, and acidic enough to cut through the fattiness of the meat. Crispy sprouts need no explaining. For something a little more humble, the charcuterie selection here comes from North by Sud-Ouest (run by Andrew Rogers, who trained in the foothills of the Pyrenees) and shows just how seriously they take their sourcing.

And because it’s not all about the wine, all the time, we can’t speak highly enough of the non-alcoholic options here. Billed as ‘Temperates’, the burnt citrus and winter spiced Chinotto is such a satisfying drop, and one recommended to us by the charming front-of-house team, who add real warmth to the atmosphere, quickly making this newcomer one of the city’s most talked-about dining spots.

Website: nordrestaurant.co.uk

Address: 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9QJ

The Art School, Sugnall Street

Ideal for culinary artistry within elegant Victorian architecture…

Housed in what was once a Victorian ‘home for destitute children’, The Art School now stands as one of Liverpool’s most celebrated dining spots. Chef Patron Paul Askew – Liverpool’s unofficial culinary ambassador and master of the white tablecloth experience – has created a restaurant so heartily committed to fine dining traditions that it makes the Titanic’s first-class restaurant look like a greasy spoon.

The elegantly restored space, with its striking red chairs against pristine white tablecloths, provides the backdrop for one of the city’s most unashamedly classical dining experiences. Askew is a chef who knows exactly what he is – you won’t find edible soil or food served on an iPad here – but that doesn’t mean he’s stuck in the past.

The menus read like a roll call of the North West’s finest producers. There’s Edge & Son’s Belted Galloway beef (the same supplier that NORD uses), Dunham Massey venison, and Loch Fyne scallops served caramelised and proud in the half shell. Askew’s fish game is strong, that’s for sure.

While the Prix Fixe (£55 for three courses) offers brilliant value with dishes like twice-baked three cheese soufflé with leek and Dijon mustard cream sauce, the Menu Excellence (a less humble name would be hard to imagine) is where Askew really flexes his grasp of classical tekkers. At £95 per person, you’ll get Charles Heidsieck champagne on arrival, and dishes like game terrine, pan roast sirloin with potato mille-feuille, and the ‘Art School S’mores’ – a grown-up version of the campfire classic featuring salted caramel, dark chocolate crémeux and Italian meringue that’ll have you feeling all nostalgic and just a little bit sick.

Don’t stop there. For those with a sweeter tooth than sense, don’t overlook the desserts featuring honey from the restaurant’s own local hives – a testament to Askew’s sustainability credentials long before it became fashionable to mention food miles in hushed, reverential tones. And if the two-hour table limit for early diners seems tight, remember this is a restaurant that measures soufflé rise with scientific precision – they’ve timed your chewing too.

Website: theartschoolrestaurant.co.uk

Address: 1 Sugnall Street, Liverpool, L7 7EB

Maray, Bold Street

Ideal for Middle Eastern vibrancy and Liverpool’s creative spirit…

Named after Paris’ Le Marais district, Maray began life in a former charity shop on Bold Street before expanding to additional venues including the Albert Dock and, more recently, Manchester. The original remains the heart of the operation and the optimal place to savour their vivacious Middle Eastern-inspired food.

The menu comprises exquisitely crafted small plates intended for sharing, with a particular excellence in vegetable dishes that propel plant-based cooking to the heights it deserves. The celebrated disco cauliflower—florets roasted until golden and lavished with chermoula, tahini, yogurt, harissa, and pomegranate seeds—has earned its Liverpudlian legendary status deservedly. We’ll always order at least two. You should too.

During busy evenings, you might find yourself at a communal table, actively contributing to a lively, convivial mood that perfectly complements the food. You might also find yourself dragging your warm pitta through a stranger’s hummus (don’t think that’s a euphemism), but that’s all part of the fun here. The drinks selection showcases imaginative cocktails infused with Middle Eastern aromas. For an ideal meal, select an assortment of mezze, the signature flatbread, and several larger plates to share, taking into account a dish or two for your new friends at the neighbouring table.

Website: maray.co.uk

Address: 91 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HF

Panoramic 34, West Tower

Ideal for gastronomic heights that aim to match Liverpool’s most breathtaking vistas…

Situated on the 34th floor of West Tower, Panoramic 34 until recently held the debatable honour of being Britain’s tallest restaurant. Though Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopgate has recently usurped this glamorous Liverpool destination, we can only assume (haven’t been to LC, and probably won’t) the food here is better.

Floor-to-ceiling windows deliver stunning 360-degree panoramas across Liverpool, the Mersey, and beyond—making it the choice of many Liverpudlians for celebrating momentous occasions or impressing the pants off first dates (metaphorically, we hope—those windows are rather exposing).

The kitchen demonstrates equally lofty ambition with their tasting menu (£99), which parades luxurious combinations like hand-dived scallop and langoustine tortellini with XO butter sauce that might not make your nonna happy, but will hit the spot nonetheless. Their venison treatment—complete with haunch lasagne, salsify, and the unexpected delight of pickled walnut ketchup—proves this kitchen isn’t just coasting on its view-based laurels. This is a genuinely great plate of food, that haunch lasagne not in the least bit dry, which is the obvious risk here.

For dessert devotees, the Black Forest creation arrives dressed to impress with dark chocolate mousse, Amarena cherries, and a mirror glaze so reflective you might catch your own expression of anticipation in it. Those with more modest appetites (or wallets) can opt for the Prix Fixe at a still-special-occasion £59 for two courses.

From the drinks menu, the ‘mouthwatering’ cocktails (bit of a weird term for a drink guys) are capably mixed with a little theatricality thrown in for good measure —the Pornstar Martini comes with its champagne sidecar, and the devilishly named Honey, You’re So Old Fashioned! (Maker’s Mark, honey, Angostura bitters, smoked salt) offers a refreshing twist on the classic. 

Is it wallet-busting? Absolutely. But then again, you’re essentially renting Liverpool’s finest view along with dinner. Approach your meal with this mindset, and you won’t be disappointed.  

Website: panoramic34.com

Address: 34th Floor, West Tower, Brook Street, Liverpool, L3 9PJ

Vetch, Hope Street

Ideal for Great British Menu excellence with Far Eastern influences…

After a successful tenure as head chef at Rothay Manor in the Lake District, Dan McGeorge (crowned Champion of Champions on Great British Menu 2021) has returned to his native Liverpool (there’s that arc again) to launch his debut solo venture. Situated in a handsome Georgian townhouse on Hope Street, Vetch offers a snug, elegantly mellow dining space where McGeorge’s delicate, Japanese-influenced cooking truly shines.

Let’s abandon any pretence here: Vetch isn’t for the “I just fancy a quick bite” crowd. This is tasting menu territory, where the illusion of ‘choice’ is boiled down to whether you’re having five courses (£85) or seven (£105), with an optional drinks pairing that will facilitate both an enlightened palate and a lighter wallet. For the less committed, the lunch and early bird menu offers three courses for a relatively gentle £45, which in fine-dining currency is practically a bargain.

The menu showcases McGeorge’s talent for harmonising classic techniques with unexpected, globetrotting flavour combinations. Dishes change with the seasons but might include the show-stopping cauliflower chawanmushi with parmesan and truffle (think of the finest cauliflower cheese elevated to celestial heights via Japanese egg custard), or the transformative monkfish with leek and XO dashi. 

Each dish arrives on ceramics that look custom-crafted for their specific contents, accompanied by cutlery so exquisite you might be tempted to slip it into your pocket (please don’t). Even the glassware has been selected to produce a tuning-fork resonance when clinked—a detail that tells you everything about the forensic level of attention being paid to every aspect of the experience.

Service walks that perfect line between informed and informal, with staff who can talk you through the intricacies of the Scandi-Japanese-Brit menu fusion while making you feel like you’re in on the joke.

Vetch represents Liverpool dining at its most ambitious and accomplished; a place where aesthetics and remarkable flavours coalesce into an experience that fully justifies its three-hour duration. 

Website: vetchrestaurant.com

Address: 29A Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Buyers Club, Hardman Street

Ideal for hidden courtyard charm, handcrafted pasta and natural wines…

Concealed off Hardman Street, down an alleyway, in a location likely to perplex first-time visitors, Buyers Club is a bohemian bar-restaurant producing some of the finest Italian-inspired cuisine in Liverpool. Pass through the archway into Hardman Yard and you’ll discover a welcoming haven that feels like a cherished secret among locals.

The menu revolves around fresh, handmade pasta dishes that thrum with flavour—think pappardelle with pork and fennel sausage, squash, sage and pumpkin seeds, or porcini and walnut tagliolini. Begin with their signature beef shin arancini or the cacio e pepe butter beans, or, you know, both; you’re a consenting adult and you’ve come here for a good time, after all.

The natural wine selection ticks all the right boxes for this kind of joint, with staff eager to guide you through unfamiliar territory. In summer, the beer garden metamorphoses into one of Liverpool’s best outdoor dining locations, perfect for lingering over a bottle of wine and multiple courses as twilight descends. You know what? We might just stay here a while, and pretend that outside isn’t happening…

Website: buyers-club.co.uk

Address: 24 Hardman Street, Liverpool, L1 9AX