As a born-and-bred Scouser it pains me when I see travel guides to my home city of Liverpool.
Most listicles to the northern gem are full of the stuff locals dont actually do – and theyre often overpriced, charmless, overrated and touristy spots.
The fact Liverpool was voted as Best City for Students at the Student Choice Awards is no coincidence.
It proves not only that Liverpool really is the best city in the country, but that its not just Scousers who love Liverpool. People who come from all over the country (and beyond) love it too.
Watered down or half-hearted travel guides on the cliched stuff you can Google yourself are the worst, so here I present to you an up-to-date, authentic and no BS guide to the very best of Liverpool.
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If youre a first year student and want a slice of real Liverpool living or if youre planning the perfect Scouse staycation this autumn and need locals tips, read on…
Where to eat in Liverpool
Best steak in Liverpool:
Cowshed
This place is one of the most well-thought and clever restaurants in Liverpool. The super stripped back, simple menu hosts a collection of the finest and most delicious steak cuts and creative sides to accompany.
Finding a classy steak restaurant can be a tough feat but this cosy and intimate joint knocks the other often greasy and chain-feely steakhouse-esque restaurants out of the park.
The food scene in Liverpool over the last five years in particular, has really become something really quite special and unique, and Cowshed is a huge reason for that.
Best pizza in Liverpool:
Little Furnace
My friend has a rule that she will only ever just get what the special is here. Its a great rule to live by every time you visit Little Furnace, as after trying them out you wont ever want to eat pizza from anywhere else again. Serving up authentic Neapolitan Wood-Fired pizzas, cooked in under 90 seconds and priced at around a tenner each, its easy to see why Little Furnace has built such a cult following in the short time its been around. This gem located on Smithdown Road has only a handful of tables, but with the super fresh pizzas cooked to perfection so quickly, customers come and go at such a pace that youre never waiting long to be seated. Not a tourist in sight.
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Best bottomless brunch in Liverpool:
East River
Its hard to believe this restaurant has been around for less than a year. Already a locals favourite, its brought the Allerton Road food scene back to life with its interesting, tasty small plates and yummy cocktails. Its concept and reality of their signature bottomless bagel brunch is nothing short of a Sunday brunch dream.
Best tasting menu in Liverpool:
Roski
Give this place a Michelin star already. Seriously. This place deserves all their praise and flory – thats a cross between flattery and glory. This is hands down the greatest tasting menu in Liverpool. Anton Piotrowski and his team keep their menu fresh as they change it up regularly, making the experience different each time you go.
Anton – who won Masterchef: The Professionals in 2014 – proves exactly why its the ultimate treat place to go to when youre in the city. This place was a game changer for Liverpool and us locals are forever grateful for the masterful culinary delights you give us.
Oh, and order the carrot cake, and the steak and er, well, just about everything, because its uh-mazing. My fellow scouse friend who has dined just about everywhere in the UK, described this dining experience as one of his top 10 life experiences. I couldnt agree with that sentiment more.
Best burgers in Liverpool:
Free State Kitchen
This burger joint has a surprisingly big secret garden thats definitely worth checking out. Burgers and cream soda in the sun? Yes please!
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What to do in Liverpool
Duke Street Market
Duke Street Market is a proper market. When I say proper market, were not just talking about a street food market stuck in the year of 2012, wholl shamelessly rip you off charging £8.00 for a few measly hallomui fries. Nope, this is the type of market that makes you realise why you loved food markets so much in the first place.
Highlights not to be missed include the restaurant, Pilgrim who take you on a culinary adventure through different countries – they change up their mission a lot to keep things interesting.
Cinder is also a winner. Get the grilled strawberries, just do it, although youll probably never be able to go back and enjoy a strawberry in the same way again, so be warned…
Summer Market Brunch Leaf
On July 21st, you can experience the ultimate summer market brunch hosted at one of Liverpools most beloved coffee shops. There will be craft stallholders, live music and all things brunch. Best thing about the event, its free entry, however booking is advised. Head down between 12-4pm to enjoy. Also at this venue is Liverpools original and greatest pudding club, where guests enjoy a five course dessert menu, paired with their famous loose leaf blends. Their July Pudding Club is on the 30th this month.
Oh Me Oh Mys Roof Garden
Experience one of the citys most stunning venues, complete with its breathtaking roof garden view of the Liverpools skyline.
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The secret roof garden is called Goodness Gracious and youll understand when you experience it.
It feels like youre in touching distance of the famous Liver Buildings.
Its hands down Liverpools favourite sky garden, complete with its own outside bar, music and comfy seating, theres a reason the locals dont tell tourists about this gem of a place.
This spot also does the funnest brunch and ballroom events where after brunch you can get taught ballroom by a Strictly expert.
Yoga Brunch at One Fine Day
A yoga brunch always has the potential to be naff and overpriced. However, this one in One Fine Day has got utter soul and is well worth your pennies.
Hosted in the beautiful One Fine Day venue on the last Sunday of every month, you can feast and flow your way through the last Sunday of the month in their tranquil events space.
Your one hour yoga practice is followed by a mindful menu of nutritional brunch options and healthy juices.
Its 11am – 1pm and £20 per person. All abilities welcome and the only request is that you bring your own own mat.
Reel tours
Being the history and film geek I am, this is a personal favourite of mine and fellow film lovers all over. As Liverpool is the most filmed in city in Britain after London, this is the most wonderful tour to not only take in the iconic sights of Liverpool, but experience a taste of the magical dizzy heights of some of the greatest movie moments.
The city was first captured on film in 1897 and over the years it has been home to productions such as Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Captain America: The First Avenger, Fast & Furious 6, Yesterday and Film Stars Dont Die In Liverpool. The tour is a bargain at £15.
Where to stay on your Liverpool staycation
Hope Street Hotel
Hope Street Hotel is the citys sweetest and most elegant boutique hotel in the city. It sits in the heart of Liverpools Georgian quarter – just ten minutes walk from the city centre – where it holds its own amongst the stunning architecture of the area. Although, inside the tranquil hotel you feel like you could be any where. Its shut off from the busy hustle and bustle of city living, and as soon as you step foot into the charming hotel, itll be difficult to actually want to leave to see Liverpool.
The rooms attention to detail is everything a boutique hotel should hold. On the ground floor of the hotel, youll fRead More – Source
