Top 20 Restaurants in Liverpool

Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere! Well, you don’t need to go that far to enjoy a good meal anyway. Some people eat to live, and others live to eat - and if you’re the latter, you’ve come to the right place. From cheap bites to fine dining, we’ve got it all covered. We've added their price ranges from cheap (£) to expensive (£££), cuisine and location so you can get all the information you need, all in one place. Here are our top picks for some of the top restaurants in Liverpool.

About Liverpool

Liverpool is a vibrant city in the North West of England, situated along the River Mersey. It is famous for its rich history, cultural diversity, and passion for sports, with the Liverpool Football Club being one of the most successful clubs in English football history. The city is also known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Liver Building, the Albert Dock, and the Tate Liverpool art gallery, making it a popular tourist destination. The hometown of the Beatles, Liverpool's music scene is also very well renowned.

1. Mowgli

Cuisine: Indian
Price range: £15-£20
Location: 3 Water St, Liverpool L2 0RD, United Kingdom
Customer review: “The best food I've ever had. Staff lovely attentive and knowledgeable about the food on the menu.”

If you’re looking for a nice hearty Indian meal, Mowgli will give you more than just the bare necessities! Founded in 2014 by Nisha Katona, this restaurant is perfect for anyone that wants a taste of authentic Indian street food. Mowgli is also vegan-friendly and is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for anyone looking for healthy and delicious vegan or vegetarian food.  

Must try: Famous for its curries, the house chicken curry and mother butter chicken are two of their best-selling dishes. 

2. Gusto

Cuisine: Italian
Price Range: £35-£50
Location:  Edward Pavilion, Liverpool L3 4AF, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Had a lovely meal with family this evening. Staff were super friendly and service was quick.”

Gusto is one of the most famous Italian restaurants in Liverpool and has been operational since 2005. Not only are they widely popular in Liverpool, but there are also 13 other branches of this restaurant across the rest of the UK. Gusto’s prides itself on being one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for contemporary Italian food to its patrons and is perfect for students looking for a night of good food and fun after a long week of classes. 

Must try: Apart from the food, Gusto’s has a great selection of cocktails for you to enjoy along with your meal. 

3. Gino D'acampo: 360 Skybar

Cuisine: Italian 
Price range: £15-£40
Location: Old Hall St, Exchange St E, Liverpool L3 9LQ, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Amazing atmosphere, food and staff. The food was of high quality, good portion size and very tasty.”

Another famous Italian restaurant in the area, Gino D'acampo, is a very well-known restaurant across the city. Gino’s is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for authentic Italian food and is also vegetarian friendly. A night at Gino’s will be unforgettable but will also be slightly costly and is perhaps best suited for a celebratory dinner like a birthday or graduation day dinner. 

Must try: The food at this restaurant is always great but one of its best features is its Skybar which overlooks the city’s waterfront. 

4. Etsu

Cuisine: Japanese 
Price Range: £10-£25
Location: 25 The Strand, Liverpool L2 0XJ, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Best Restaurant in the Country! Bold claim, but I stand by it.”

Etsu is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for Japanese food and is a lively, welcoming place on The Strand that's great for any occasion. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating so if you want something alfresco on a nice sunny day, you can seat yourselves on their outdoor patio and enjoy a nice plate of sushi. 

Must try: They have a great selection of Japanese whiskeys and other local spirits like sake and shōchū that you must try. 

5. Villa Romana

Cuisine: Italian 
Price Range: £15-£30
Location: 6 Wood St, Liverpool L1 4AQ, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Fabulous delicious cuisine. One of the best Italian restaurants in Liverpool!”

Located close to the University of Liverpool, Villa Romana is a budget-friendly Italian restaurant that students can frequent whenever they’re craving a nice bowl of pasta. This is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for students and has a friendly atmosphere with very well-designed interiors, making it the perfect place for students looking for a quick photo-op and a good lunch. 

Must try: Villa romano serves up some great pasta and pizzas but make sure to save some room for dessert because they have some of the best tiramisus in town! 

6. Churrasco Steakhouse

Cuisine: South American
Price Range: £20-£45
Location: Aigburth Rd, Liverpool L17 8XW, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Cooked to perfection! By far the best restaurant in Liverpool for a medium rare steak!”

Ever wondered what an Englishman’s favourite cut of steak is? It’s a Tea-bone! Well, from t-bones to fillet mignon and medium rare to well done, you can find some of the best steaks in town at Churrascos. With two branches within the city itself, this is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool to go to if you’re craving a delicious juicy piece of meat done to perfection. 

Must try: Their Argentinian steak platter has some great cuts of meat, all prepared differently, perfect for anyone looking to experiment with different flavours. 

7. Rudy's pizza

Cuisine: Italian Quarter
Price Range: £10-£20
Location: 3-7 Castle St, Liverpool L2 4SW, United Kingdom
Customer review: “The stringy cheesy and crunchy crust makes for the best pizza in the city”

Looking for a cheap and tasty slice of pizza? Rudy’s is you're go-to! A student favourite, Rudy’s is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for students looking for some takeout or even a quick meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Frequented by a younger crowd, Rudy’s has a friendly vibe and is dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible. Their dough is completely vegan, and has many vegetarian options on their menu.

Must try: Their Calabrese pizza has a soft Calabria sausage that melts into the pizza - almost like a sauce - and has a unique taste. 

8. Smoke and dough

Cuisine: American 
Price Range: £20-£30
Location: St George’s Quarter
Customer review: “One of the best nights of the year! Hands down one of the best restaurants in Liverpool”

If you want an immersive dining experience, Smoke and dough is the place for you! A classic grill with a twist - this restaurant provides each table with its own girl, so you can enjoy the meat as soon as it's cooked. Smoke and dough offer up a mix of meats, greens and sides at this restaurant and you can enjoy extra BBQ meats and skewers at no extra cost.

Must try: Along with their sides, the restaurant provides each table with a selection of delicious bread and dips that you mustn’t overlook! 

9. Greek taverna

Cuisine: Greek
Price Range: £-££
Location: Ropewalks
Customer review: “The owner was outstanding! The food was just as amazing and authentic!”

One of the best-rated restaurants in Liverpool, Greek Taverna is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for greek food. The restaurant has some of the best services in the city, with a very helpful and kind waitstaff and a welcoming atmosphere. Their contemporary interior design, with exposed brick walls and a blue and white colour scheme, makes you feel like you’re enjoying a lovely greek meal in Santorini. 

Must try: You can’t go to a greek restaurant and not try their Baklava! For those of you who aren’t familiar with greek cuisine, Baklava is a traditional Greek desert, and the Greek taverna serves up some of the best Baklava in Liverpool!

10. Pho

Cuisine: Vietnamese 
Price Range: £10-£25
Location: 79 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4HF, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Beautiful, authentic Vietnamese food”

One of the best restaurants in Liverpool, Pho not only has delicious & healthy food, generous servings and friendly staff, but the best part is that they offer students a 15% discount! Their discount isn’t available for take-out, so if you’re craving some Vietnamese food, make your way down to Pho and don't forget to bring along your student ID. 

Must try: Aptly named - the best dishes at Pho are their pho - a traditional Vietnamese soup dish with broth, rice noodles, vegetables and meat. 

11. Toby carvery

Cuisine: British 
Price Range: £8-£40
Location: 502 Queens Dr, Stoneycroft, Liverpool L13 0AS, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Great food , great service , very helpful , pleasant and friendly staff”

Ever heard of a traditional Sunday roast dinner? Tobey Carvery prides itself on serving up one of the most authentic versions of this beloved traditional British meal. If you’re an international student looking to immerse yourself into British culture, Tobey Carvery is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for you to visit.

Must try: No Sunday roast is complete without some pudding, and Toby Carvery has a dedicated section in their menu - Toby Pudding Co. -  just for pudding! 

12. Sanskruti 

Cuisine: Indian
Price Range: £20-£30
Location: Bixteth St, Liverpool L3 9LP, United Kingdom
Customer reviews: "Really tasty food on really good price, with very kind staff."

Sanskruti - meaning tradition or culture - is a word that originated from “Sanskrit”, which is the name of what is thought to be the world's oldest language, which was developed in India. Sanskruti is an all-vegetarian restaurant that serves authentic Indian cuisine to its customers. Their mission is to express India’s vibrant and rich culture through food. Most Indian restaurants stick to one particular type of regional Indian cuisine, but Sasnkruti makes sure to include dishes from all over the Indian subcontinent.

Must try: For a taste of India, make sure to try the items off of their “Street Food” section which features popular street food from different parts of the country. 

13. Bakchich

Cuisine: Moroccan & Lebanese 
Price Range: £10-£30
Location: 54 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4EA, United Kingdom
Customer review: "The coolest decor, friendly staff, amazing services and delicious food."

Bakchich is a tiny piece of Lebanon located in Liverpool's trendy and eccentric Bold Street. From beginning to end, this exquisitely designed restaurant offers its patrons a taste and experience of the Mediterranean. This restaurant is reasonably priced near the University of Liverpool and is very popular among students. 

Must try: The humous & baba ganoush platter is a popular dish among restaurant customers and is a great option for people who want an introduction to Lebanese food.  

​​14. Shanghai Palace

Cuisine: Chinese
Price Range: £20-£50
Location: Waterloo Place 1 Bold Street Bold Street Food And D Bars & Restaurants, The Lyceum, Liverpool
Customer reviews: “One of the best restaurants in Liverpool, cannot fault their food at all!”

One of the best Chinese restaurants in Liverpool,​​ Shanghai Palace was first opened in 2001. The restaurant is very cozy and has beautiful interiors, perfect for a night out with friends. The staff is known for their excellent service and hospitality. If you’re looking for a nice hearty meals and some delicious soups, this is the place to be!

Must try: Their yeung chow fried rice is popular amongst patrons.

15. Lucy in the sky

Cuisine: British 
Price Range: £20-£30
Location: Unit 2, Imperial Court, Exchange St E, Liverpool L2 3PQ, United Kingdom
Customer reviews: “Great coffee, great music!”

The birthplace of the Beatles, it would be impossible to go through the best restaurants in Liverpool without mentioning at least one Beatles-themed restaurant. Named after their popular song “Lucy in the sky with diamonds,” this restaurant is the perfect place for students looking for a good breakfast or brunch. A small and cosy space, Lucy in the sky fills up pretty quickly so if you’re looking to grab a bite here, make sure to make a reservation.

Must try: Perfect for some of the more indecisive people, this restaurant has a pretty small menu making choosing your meal that much easier. If you’re still looking for a recommendation -  you can’t go wrong with their eggs benedict. 

16. Tapas Revolution

Cuisine: Spanish
Price Range: £15-£40
Location: 4 Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1RH, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Great quality and service truly Spanish style!”

Tapas revolution serves up some of the best Spanish food in the city and is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool. A student favourite, Tapas Revolution is a popular chain across the country and has very reasonably priced and tasty food. From large sharing plates to traditional tapas - meaning “snacks” or “small plates” in Spanish - this restaurant has a variety of dishes to choose from.

Must try: If you visit this restaurant with a group of friends, their Paella should be the first item you order. They also have an impressive selection of cocktails, with their sangria being a crowd favourite. 

17. Yo! At Liverpool one

Cuisine: Japanese 
Price Range: £10-£30
Location: Liverpool One, 14 Paradise St, Liverpool L1 8JF, United Kingdom
Customer review: "Good place for sushi, staff good and food tasty"

At Yo! Liverpool ONE, sushi lovers will be in their element. One of the best restaurants in Liverpool for Japanese food, Yo! Has a selection of rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and other types of sushi, for students to choose from. Yo! also has a very interesting billing system - when you’re done with your meal, the staff will come to your table and bill you according to the colour of your plates, with each item getting a price that corresponds to the colour of its plate.

Must try: Aside from their sushi, which is not to be missed, Yo! Served up a delish Katsu curry and has a great drinks menu. 

18. O'Neill's

Cuisine: Irish 
Price Range: £10-£25
Location: 68 Hanover St, Liverpool L1 4AG, United Kingdom
Customer review: "Great place night atmosphere great prices and the staff were very helpful"

A traditional Irish pub and restaurant - O’Neills in Liverpool, always extends a kind welcome. You can have fun there whether you want to play a few games, get some lunch while watching a game, or have a hearty meal. With its live music, O’Neills is sure to provide you with a fun, lively environment - perfect for university students looking for a fun night out. 

Must try: O’Neills has some of the best burgers in town, that pair perfectly well with a pint of beer. They always have a range of vegan and vegetarian options for customers to choose from. 

19. Down the hatch

Cuisine: American
Price Range: £15-£30
Location: Basement, 62 Duke St, Liverpool L1 5AA, United Kingdom
Customer review: "Massive vegan selection of meals, desserts and drinks."

Famous for its vegetarian options, Down the hatch is an underground restaurant with a unique atmosphere. Popular among a younger crowd, the restaurant has a cosy interior with  warm lighting, traditional brick walls, and hardwood furnishings. The staff is known for being very friendly and welcoming and the food is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool for anyone looking to indulge in vegan or vegetarian junk food. 

Must try: Definitely not the healthiest, but no doubt the tastiest option on the menu - Down the hatch has some of the best-loaded fries in the city.

20. BrewDog

Cuisine: American 
Price Range: £10-£35
Location: Manolis Yard, 8 Colquitt St, Liverpool L1 4DE, United Kingdom
Customer review: “Great selection of beer, friendly staff, good place to eat too."

The BrewDog bar in Liverpool's is located in the historic Ropewalks District and is just a short stroll from the Albert Dock and the Waterfront. BrewDog has some of the best brunch options in town every weekend in addition to having an extensive menu of burgers, wings, and salads. BrewDog is one of the best restaurants in Liverpool and is extremely popular among students with a co-working space where you can bring your laptop and grab a bite to eat. 

Must try: Primarily a bar, BrewDog is most famous for its beers and different brews that it offers its customers. They also have a guided beer-tasting experience where you can start your craft beer journey by learning about some of the different brews from their experts. 

Those were our top picks for some of the best Liverpool restaurants! Whenever you make your way into the city, make sure to make a stop at each one of these restaurants and try some of their signature dishes. We hope you’ve found this helpful and wish you all the best with your student life in Liverpool!