The best restaurants in Liverpool for 2025

What is it? Beautifully crafted small plates (and some of the best veggie food in Liverpool).

Why go? Maray was born when a group of friends decided to bring the atmosphere of the fashionable Marais neighbourhood in Paris to Liverpool. Serving small plates inspired by Middle Eastern flavours, this trendy and intimate restaurant takes plant-based cooking to a whole new level. Maray also offers a tantalising selection of meat and fish dishes.

Time Out tip: Fancy a night cap? One of our favourite bars Cafe Tabac is a few minutes away. 

Address: 91 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HF

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 12-9pm, Friday-Saturday 12-10pm, Sunday 12-8pm

What is it? Food, marvellous food in a historic Victorian building.

Why go? The Art School Restaurant is housed in what used to be a ‘home for destitute children’ in Victorian times. But these days you’re more likely to be chomping on a cheeseboard than writing on a chalkboard. With a focus on exquisite, beautifully-prepared British cooking, we liked the twice-baked cheese soufflé with baby leaf spinach, Ormskirk leek and Wirral watercress, and the sumptuous roast breast of salt-aged miso duck paired with turmeric potatoes.

Time Out tip: Art School as a £55 prix fixe menu before seeing a show. 

Address: 1 Sugnall Street, Liverpool, L7 7EB

Opening hours: Tuesday‑Saturday lunch 12‑2.15pm, dinner 5‑9.15pm; closed Sundays and Mondays

What is it? Relaxed fine dining on the Michelin guide with a great wine list

Why go? Still fairly new to the city, Manifest opened in The Baltic Triangle in 2022 and has quickly made a name for itself in Liverpool’s budding food scene. Tucked away down a side road in an old factory building, the idea is simple: seasonal plates, both small and large, local ingredients, expertly paired with a variety of wines. All of the good food, none of the pretentiousness.

Time Out tip: Try the sweet onion tart, which includes every member of the allium vegetable family.

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

Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday 12-2.45pm, 5pm-9pm. Closed Sunday-Tuesday

What is it? A celebration of Northern hospitality and heritage, paired with a Scandi-inspired food and drink offering built on relationships with local suppliers.

Why go? Born and bred in Liverpool, Executive Chef Daniel Heffy went on to work in Michelin-starred venues in Stockholm, Sweden, before returning to his hometown to start his own venture in 2023. The NORD menu highlights locally sourced ingredients prepared in a contemporary way and always champions seasonal produce. Think fresh fazzoletti pasta and cod kievs.

Time Out tip: Show up early so you have time for a drink at the bar before dinner. It’s a pastel pink 70s dream and the menu is expansive. Our fave is the basil cocktail, well worth a try. 

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

Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 12-2.30pm, 5pm-late, Saturday 12-3pm, 5pm-late, Sunday 1-6pm. Closed on Mondays

What is it? A Mexican bar and restaurant on the Albert Dock serving street food and the best margaritas this side of the River Mersey.

Why go? A five-minute walk from most of the city’s central museums, this is the perfect place to kick back and relax with a tequila or two after a day of culture. Plan your trip to Madre on a summer evening and soak up the sun in the large outdoor seating area. Expect infinite variations of tacos, mezcal margs and live music.

Time Out tip: The slow-cooked beef shin and Oaxaca cheese tacos are seriously messy but well worth the salsa stains.

What is it? Located down a sideroad that I think is probably the city’s best kept secret, Queen’s Bistro will transport you from Liverpool to Paris.

Why go? One of the few shops down the adorably quaint Queen Avenue, which is entirely pedestrianized, Queen’s offering is simple: unpretentious seasonal dishes. The menu regularly changes, but always features big hunks of meat – so tender that you’ll make that awkward pleasurable moaning sound with every bite – and some seafood offerings. Their steak is one of the best in the city and knowledgeable servers are on hand for wine recommendations. 

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the whipped butter and focaccia to start. You’ll never go back to Lurpak again.

Address: 8-10 Queen Avenue, Liverpool, L2 4TX

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 9am-9pm

What is it? Laid-back Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine, which just re-opened in April 2025 after undergoing refurbishment. And she’s looking great. 

Why go? Now joined with its former neighbour Kasbah Café Bazaar, Backchich offers a wonderful mix of Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine. The staff always treat you as though you’re a guest at their own family table and the food is wholesome and bursting with flavour (think falafel, tabbouleh, hummus and shakshuka). It’s sure to warm you to the core if you visit on one of Liverpool’s frequent colder days.

Time Out tip: Their Lebanese pizzas might sound unconventional, but they’re completely moreish and will fill you up all day.

Address: 54 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4ER

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 10am-10pm

What is it? Enter through the bright purple arch on Newington and you’ll find this lively, lovely vegan café.

Why go? Split over two levels in an old Victorian warehouse, this award-winning vegetarian and vegan joint offers a colourful menu of pasta, pitta sandwiches, fry-ups and stir-fries to suit all plant-lovers out there. The vast, open-plan café also doubles as a gallery.

Time Out tip: The Egg Cafe is open in the evenings (between-10pm) – if you plan to make a night of it you can bring your own bottle of wine at £2 per person corkage.

Address: Top Floor, 16-18 Newington, Liverpool, L1 4ED

Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-5pm

What is it? A neighbourhood bar serving delicious fresh pasta and natural wines.

Why go? If your idea of a good time is a big bowl of pasta and a really good glass of wine, then you can’t do much better than Buyer’s Club. Hidden down a side road off Hardman Street, you’ll be delighted if you turn up to this spot on a sunny day – the beer garden is the perfect place to soak up the evening sun. 

Time Out tip: Order a couple of the portions of the cacio e pepe butter beans for your table to share – even your most carnivorous of friends will thank you. 

Address: 24 Hardman Street, Liverpool, L1 9AX

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12-12am, Sunday 12-10pm

What is it? A true taste of Italy – in one of the city’s homeliest restaurants.

Why go? If you want a restaurant that combines character and charm with brilliant pizza and pasta, then hotfoot it to the Italian Club. With its high ceilings and walls adorned with vintage maps, this much-loved Bold Street institution feels at once understated and lived in. It also offers some of the best Italian food in the North West.

Time Out tip: Discover a vegan menu and great gluten free options too. 

Address: 85 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HF

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 11am-9pm