Kim’s guidebook to Liverpool
Restaurants and coffee bars
Here is a list of my favourite places to grab a coffee or dinner, covering all tastes and all budgets!
A great independent coffee shop that is very close to the flat (less than 5 minutes walk!)
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Bold Street Coffee
89 Bold StA great independent coffee shop that is very close to the flat (less than 5 minutes walk!)
Great independent coffee shop - they roast the coffee beans themselves so you’ll smell it before you see it!
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92 Degrees Coffee
24 Hardman StGreat independent coffee shop - they roast the coffee beans themselves so you’ll smell it before you see it!
One of Liverpool’s most popular independents specialising in loose-leaf tea. Great food too (and closet to the flat!)
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LEAF
65-67 Bold StOne of Liverpool’s most popular independents specialising in loose-leaf tea. Great food too (and closet to the flat!)
A Liverpool institution that has been serving cheap, delicious vegetarian and vegan food long before it was trendy. The garlic cheese on toast and veggie Sunday roast are big winners
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The Egg Vegetarian Cafe
16-18 NewingtonA Liverpool institution that has been serving cheap, delicious vegetarian and vegan food long before it was trendy. The garlic cheese on toast and veggie Sunday roast are big winners
A traditional café that is meant to serve the best “Scouse” in town. Scouse is Liverpool´s traditional dish. It is a simple stew of wither beef/lamb, potatoes, carrots, with pickled beetroot on the side. Not my favourite meal but worth visiting for a true scouse experience!
Maggie Mays
90 Bold StA traditional café that is meant to serve the best “Scouse” in town. Scouse is Liverpool´s traditional dish. It is a simple stew of wither beef/lamb, potatoes, carrots, with pickled beetroot on the side. Not my favourite meal but worth visiting for a true scouse experience!
This is a no-frills establishment at the start of China town providing generous portions at inexpensive prices. It also provides a takeaway service and is very conveniently located for the flat.
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Big Bowl Noodle Bar
12-14 Berry StThis is a no-frills establishment at the start of China town providing generous portions at inexpensive prices. It also provides a takeaway service and is very conveniently located for the flat.
For fans of street food the Baltic Market has many options. Housed in an old warehouse in the Baltic Triangle you can get a whole host of cheap(ish) food from Liverpool´s street food favourites (open Thursday to Sunday)
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baltic market
107 Stanhope StFor fans of street food the Baltic Market has many options. Housed in an old warehouse in the Baltic Triangle you can get a whole host of cheap(ish) food from Liverpool´s street food favourites (open Thursday to Sunday)
Etsu
25 The StrandAmazing, authentic Japanese restaurant
Restaurant serving small plates inspired by the flavours of the Middle East alongside great cocktails and wine (and close to the flat!).
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Maray Liverpool
91 Bold StRestaurant serving small plates inspired by the flavours of the Middle East alongside great cocktails and wine (and close to the flat!).
The new trendy place to go that does a very good and reasonably priced 3 course set lunch for £20 (evening is more expensive) Their parmesan and truffle chips are to die for.
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Wreckfish Bistro
60 Seel StThe new trendy place to go that does a very good and reasonably priced 3 course set lunch for £20 (evening is more expensive) Their parmesan and truffle chips are to die for.
A beautiful fine dining restaurant by Chef Paul Askew - made for a bigger budget
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The Art School Restaurant
1 Sugnall StA beautiful fine dining restaurant by Chef Paul Askew - made for a bigger budget
A food critic´s favourite serving both a la carte and tasting menus. It is hard to get a table to book in advance
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Roski Restaurant
16 Rodney StA food critic´s favourite serving both a la carte and tasting menus. It is hard to get a table to book in advance
Barnacle
46 Duke StreetGourmet restaurant upstairs in Duke Street Market and just around the corner from the flat
Pubs, bars and going out
Liverpool has an amazing nightlight culture. Whether you want a quiet night in the pub, cocktails, or something more raucous you will find something to suit your tastes - here are some of my favourites!
A pub in the Georgian Quarter with a great history, has set up its own community library and has a completely vegan menu
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The Caledonia
22 Caledonia StA pub in the Georgian Quarter with a great history, has set up its own community library and has a completely vegan menu
A pub full of curios and characters that is definitely worth a visit.
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Peter Kavanagh's
2-6 Egerton StA pub full of curios and characters that is definitely worth a visit.
CAMRA say this is the most ornate and opulent pub in this country (that I had happy years working in!). The men´s toilets are so special they are a tourist destination in their own right and yes on occasion ladies are allowed in to view them too.
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The Philharmonic Dining Rooms
36 Hope StCAMRA say this is the most ornate and opulent pub in this country (that I had happy years working in!). The men´s toilets are so special they are a tourist destination in their own right and yes on occasion ladies are allowed in to view them too.
Be sure to take your seat in its very cosy side room with roaring fire and beautiful Victorian tiling.
Doctor Duncan's
Queen SquareBe sure to take your seat in its very cosy side room with roaring fire and beautiful Victorian tiling.
Go here if real ale is your thing - this pub has been a stalwart of real ale scene for many years!
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The Ship & Mitre
133 Dale StGo here if real ale is your thing - this pub has been a stalwart of real ale scene for many years!
A craft beer bar with over 20 taps of good beer.
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The Dead Crafty Beer Company
92 Dale StA craft beer bar with over 20 taps of good beer.
Scandi-cool decor, is a great place to dance with an Aperol spritz in hand. It also serves up great value pizzas
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The Merchant
40 Slater StScandi-cool decor, is a great place to dance with an Aperol spritz in hand. It also serves up great value pizzas
For a night of sophisticated tunes and drinks, head here – it´s one of Liverpool’s top jazz bars
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Frederiks
32 Hope StFor a night of sophisticated tunes and drinks, head here – it´s one of Liverpool’s top jazz bars
A beautiful urban oasis where you can catch an eclectic programme of live music and imbibe great craft beers.
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Kazimier Garden
32 Seel StA beautiful urban oasis where you can catch an eclectic programme of live music and imbibe great craft beers.
This is Liverpool’s first natural-wine bar, specialises in off-the-shelf, small-batch wines you’d struggle to find anywhere else and s super close to the flat
Bunch
50 Berry StThis is Liverpool’s first natural-wine bar, specialises in off-the-shelf, small-batch wines you’d struggle to find anywhere else and s super close to the flat
The city’s premiere speakeasy – a blacked-out bar with no sign, which can be missed in the blink of an eye. If you find the door, walk in for the bluesy prohibition-era atmosphere. Seats are limited and you may find people queueing outside at the weekend so consider booking a table. Very close to the flat
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Berry & Rye
48 Berry StThe city’s premiere speakeasy – a blacked-out bar with no sign, which can be missed in the blink of an eye. If you find the door, walk in for the bluesy prohibition-era atmosphere. Seats are limited and you may find people queueing outside at the weekend so consider booking a table. Very close to the flat
Located in the north docks the Invisible Wind Factory (run by the same cool kids that run the Kazimier) host loads of gigs and club nights. The venue is really impressive and the building also houses a café and artists’ studios. Check their website for gig/club listings
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Invisible Wind Factory
3 Regent RdLocated in the north docks the Invisible Wind Factory (run by the same cool kids that run the Kazimier) host loads of gigs and club nights. The venue is really impressive and the building also houses a café and artists’ studios. Check their website for gig/club listings
Located in the Baltic Triangle, Camp and Furnace is a huge bar-restaurant and events space that hosts everything from their famous Bongo Bingo nights to music festivals. Their Sunday Roast dinner is also a big hit (but you usually have to book). Check their website for listings
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Camp and Furnace
67 Greenland StLocated in the Baltic Triangle, Camp and Furnace is a huge bar-restaurant and events space that hosts everything from their famous Bongo Bingo nights to music festivals. Their Sunday Roast dinner is also a big hit (but you usually have to book). Check their website for listings
Heebies is a boozy late bar and courtyard, where they play sounds ranging from acoustic acts to pumping house. Its basement gig/club space mostly plays indie music
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Heebie Jeebie's Liverpool
80-82 Seel StHeebies is a boozy late bar and courtyard, where they play sounds ranging from acoustic acts to pumping house. Its basement gig/club space mostly plays indie music
24 Kitchen St
24 Kitchen StreetAmazing warehouse space for that hosts the best electronic music nights in Liverpool
Theatre, concert halls and comedy
Liverpool has a vibrant theatre and arts scene - from small independent spots to beautiful old concert halls, theya re all worth checking out!
A smallish intimate theatre space designed in the round. This is my personal favourite and offers pre-theatre dining options
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Everyman Theatre
5-11 Hope StA smallish intimate theatre space designed in the round. This is my personal favourite and offers pre-theatre dining options
A wonderful small, independent theatre (10 minute walk from the flat and another favourite of mine) showing innovative touring productions
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Unity Theatre
1 Hope PlA wonderful small, independent theatre (10 minute walk from the flat and another favourite of mine) showing innovative touring productions
This is the larger and more traditional sister theatre to the Everyman
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Liverpool Playhouse Theatre
Williamson SquareThis is the larger and more traditional sister theatre to the Everyman
A beautiful 1930s concert hall which is home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. With a wideranging schedule of performances from classical to contemporary music, comedy, dance and cinema. Its Music Room space provides the perfect setting for more intimate performances
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Philharmonic Hall
A beautiful 1930s concert hall which is home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. With a wideranging schedule of performances from classical to contemporary music, comedy, dance and cinema. Its Music Room space provides the perfect setting for more intimate performances
This offers the best value theatre in the city. There is a big injection of Scouse humour in most of their productions. Inexpensive dining packages are available in the theatre stalls but need to be booked early. It also offers a much smaller studio basement performance space for smaller productions.
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Royal Court Theatre
1 Roe StThis offers the best value theatre in the city. There is a big injection of Scouse humour in most of their productions. Inexpensive dining packages are available in the theatre stalls but need to be booked early. It also offers a much smaller studio basement performance space for smaller productions.
A very popular comedy club that has two city-centre venues (the other is on seel street), with local comedians taking to the stage every night of the week.
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Hot Water Comedy Club - Hardman Street
45 Hardman StA very popular comedy club that has two city-centre venues (the other is on seel street), with local comedians taking to the stage every night of the week.
Sightseeing
Liverpool has so many things to see and do. It is the city in the UK with the most listed (heritage) buildings outside of London, and has a rich musical history that does far beyond the Beatles. Here are some ideas covering museums, galleries, and general places of interest
Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road (the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) have been lovingly restored to their former glory when John and Paul lived there by the National Trust. This tour is extremely popular and is frequently sold out, so we recommend you book well in advance.
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Mendips
Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road (the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) have been lovingly restored to their former glory when John and Paul lived there by the National Trust. This tour is extremely popular and is frequently sold out, so we recommend you book well in advance.
Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road (the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) have been lovingly restored to their former glory when John and Paul lived there by the National Trust. This tour is extremely popular and is frequently sold out, so we recommend you book well in advance.
20 Forthlin Rd
20 Forthlin RoadMendips and 20 Forthlin Road (the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) have been lovingly restored to their former glory when John and Paul lived there by the National Trust. This tour is extremely popular and is frequently sold out, so we recommend you book well in advance.
For Beatles fans no trip would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Cavern Club located in Mathew Street. Over 60 years since it first opened the Cavern Club continues to offer the best of entertainment as a live music venue. The entertainment starts around mid-day every day. From Monday through to 8pm on a Thursday it is free to enter. Modest charges apply outside these times. If you book on the Magical Mystery tour this guarantees your free admission to the Cavern Club with your tour ticket
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Cavern Pub
5 Mathew StreetFor Beatles fans no trip would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Cavern Club located in Mathew Street. Over 60 years since it first opened the Cavern Club continues to offer the best of entertainment as a live music venue. The entertainment starts around mid-day every day. From Monday through to 8pm on a Thursday it is free to enter. Modest charges apply outside these times. If you book on the Magical Mystery tour this guarantees your free admission to the Cavern Club with your tour ticket
Located at Albert Dock this attraction tells the story of the Beatles’ rise to fame and their legacy.
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The Beatles Story
Located at Albert Dock this attraction tells the story of the Beatles’ rise to fame and their legacy.
This Beatles-themed bus tour is famous in Liverpool - it’ll take you around all of the famous Beatles landmarks such as Strawberry Field and Penny Lane which inspired the hits of the same name together with their childhood homes. The departure point is Albert Dock. The tour operates at several times each day and lasts 2 hrs. It is advisable to book in advance.
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Beatles Magical Mystery Tour
32 Gower StThis Beatles-themed bus tour is famous in Liverpool - it’ll take you around all of the famous Beatles landmarks such as Strawberry Field and Penny Lane which inspired the hits of the same name together with their childhood homes. The departure point is Albert Dock. The tour operates at several times each day and lasts 2 hrs. It is advisable to book in advance.
Liverpool´s Roman Catholic Cathedral is located at the opposite end of Hope Street to the Anglican Cathedral, but in contrast is a ultra-modern design that was completed before the Anglican cathedral. This is also free to enter.
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Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Mount PleasantLiverpool´s Roman Catholic Cathedral is located at the opposite end of Hope Street to the Anglican Cathedral, but in contrast is a ultra-modern design that was completed before the Anglican cathedral. This is also free to enter.
This free to enter grand civic hall is one of the finest of Liverpool’s architectural gems and used in the filming of the Harry Potter film ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them.
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St George's Hall Liverpool
Saint George's PlaceThis free to enter grand civic hall is one of the finest of Liverpool’s architectural gems and used in the filming of the Harry Potter film ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them.
Having been substantially rebuilt and reopened in 2015 this is another architectural gem merging the modern with the historic. Don’t forget to visit the Picton Reading room on the 1st floor which is modelled on the circular reading room of the British Museum.
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Liverpool Central Library
William Brown StreetHaving been substantially rebuilt and reopened in 2015 this is another architectural gem merging the modern with the historic. Don’t forget to visit the Picton Reading room on the 1st floor which is modelled on the circular reading room of the British Museum.
For the architecture buffs there is no nicer way to spend an afternoon than a stroll through the Georgian Quarter, Liverpool´s most photogenic district. You’ll find beautiful houses, cobbled streets, and ornate front steps. Stop at the Quarter café/restaurant on Hope St and watch the world go by
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Georgian Quarter
For the architecture buffs there is no nicer way to spend an afternoon than a stroll through the Georgian Quarter, Liverpool´s most photogenic district. You’ll find beautiful houses, cobbled streets, and ornate front steps. Stop at the Quarter café/restaurant on Hope St and watch the world go by
Located to the south of the City Centre this park houses a stunning Victorian Palmhouse and is the best of Liverpool’s parks. No trip to Sefton Park would be complete without a walk along the uber cool Lark Lane with its fantastic range of bars and restaurants. A stalwart of the street is Keith’s Wine Bar.
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Sefton Park
Located to the south of the City Centre this park houses a stunning Victorian Palmhouse and is the best of Liverpool’s parks. No trip to Sefton Park would be complete without a walk along the uber cool Lark Lane with its fantastic range of bars and restaurants. A stalwart of the street is Keith’s Wine Bar.
This art installation at Crosby Beach – Around a 15-minute drive to the north of the city centre. It features 100 iron men, all staring out to sea. Visit here at sunset for a breath-taking view. This is also very easy to get to by train using the Northern Line from Central Station.
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Indawo Enye Ngo Anthony Gormley
Mariners RoadThis art installation at Crosby Beach – Around a 15-minute drive to the north of the city centre. It features 100 iron men, all staring out to sea. Visit here at sunset for a breath-taking view. This is also very easy to get to by train using the Northern Line from Central Station.
Liverpool has a rich history in terms of maritime trade and a dark history for its role in the slave trade. Both museums worth visiting
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Merseyside Maritime Museum
Liverpool has a rich history in terms of maritime trade and a dark history for its role in the slave trade. Both museums worth visiting
Super museum located on the waterfront which charts the cultural history of Liverpool
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I-Museum yaseLiverpool
Mann IslandSuper museum located on the waterfront which charts the cultural history of Liverpool
The city´s most “traditional” museum with exhibitions on all sorts of things from the Egyptians to butterflies
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Iziko Lomhlaba
William Brown StreetThe city´s most “traditional” museum with exhibitions on all sorts of things from the Egyptians to butterflies
This attraction offers something for all ages and covers every era of British music. Among its many exhibits are the Door to Abbey Rd Studios and David Bowie's Ziggy stardust costume.
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Ukubona kwemfundo yomculo waseBhiritani
Canada BoulevardThis attraction offers something for all ages and covers every era of British music. Among its many exhibits are the Door to Abbey Rd Studios and David Bowie's Ziggy stardust costume.
The Walker Art Gallery is home to renaissance masterpieces, Tudor portraits and one of the best collections of Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art in the country. It also has contemporary art including work by David Hockney, Lucian Freud and Bridget Riley
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Igaleriya ye-Art ye-Walker
William Brown StreetThe Walker Art Gallery is home to renaissance masterpieces, Tudor portraits and one of the best collections of Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art in the country. It also has contemporary art including work by David Hockney, Lucian Freud and Bridget Riley
Tate has the biggest collection of contemporary art in Liverpool. It´s permanent exhibition houses some of the biggest names in modern art
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Tate Liverpool
Mann IslandTate has the biggest collection of contemporary art in Liverpool. It´s permanent exhibition houses some of the biggest names in modern art
A brilliant, independent, non-profit photography gallery with great exhibitions.
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Open Eye Gallery
19 Mann IslandA brilliant, independent, non-profit photography gallery with great exhibitions.
The oldest building in the city centre and houses galleries and shops selling antiquarian books craft and art supplies. Visit its Display Centre for unusually jewellery and ceramics. It secret garden is a calm oasis to chill in the midst of a busy city
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The Bluecoat
Upper Northgate StreetThe oldest building in the city centre and houses galleries and shops selling antiquarian books craft and art supplies. Visit its Display Centre for unusually jewellery and ceramics. It secret garden is a calm oasis to chill in the midst of a busy city
Neighbourhoods
Amazing street filled with cafes, bars and restaurants near the beautiful Sefton Park
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Lark Lane
Lark LaneAmazing street filled with cafes, bars and restaurants near the beautiful Sefton Park