In Lockdown One we all had grand ideas of learning another language, perhaps taking that online course we’d been meaning to do and finally getting round to doing that DIY project that was way overdue.
What did we actually do while grounded earlier this year? We ate. We drank. We ate and we drank a lot.
This time around, let’s make sure we’re scranning with the right places. When this Covid nightmare is all over, the likes of Maccies, Nandos and KFC will almost certainly be opening their doors again but your favourite little bistro? That cute little pub you keep meaning pop into? Well, they might not survive.
If you’re lucky enough to have a few extra pounds to leave the cooking to someone else, we’ve put together the details of a few independents in the Merseyside region who could benefit from your custom a hell of a lot more than big guys.
And remember, always try to order directly from the venue if you can, rather than using Deliveroo or JustEat etc who take quite a cut from restaurants. There’s usually a nice little discount in it for you too for ordering that way so it’s a win win.
Alcohol
Well, what else is there to do? There’s no 10pm last orders when you’re drinking at home and now, thanks to some amazing venues, you can have bar standard bevvies…
BoBo Bars & Abditory Bottle Cocktails
Designed to share. Mixed, and ready to pour. Bring your night out… home.
Let’s not waste time pretending we can make cocktails more sophisticated than a white wine spritzer – call in the professionals. BoBo Bars and Abditory have knocked together an incredible menu that not only tastes incredible but sounds banging too! Sounds? Yep – each bottle comes with a unique playlist to each cocktail.
Each bottle has a three month shelf life but face it, they’ll be enjoyed in a night, won’t they?
Order via their Instagram pages or www.bobo-bars.com/shop/
Balearic House Drinks Company
Inspired by Balearic Islands, sunsets & House music, The Balearic House Drinks Company are currently selling their first product, their own recipe bar quality Sangria that comes in pouches.
Each Sangria pouch is a pre mix of all the alcohol in Sangria – you just pour into a jug and add fruit juice and top up with lemonade, ginger beer or Prosecco depending on what flavour you buy.
Contact: https://www.thelids.co.uk/product/balearic-house-sangria/
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants
Just a few years ago, the only vegan option on the menu of a restaurant would be a side salad to accompany some olives. Now, veggies and vegans have whole restaurants devoted to their diet and Liverpool is home to some of the best ones…
Down The Hatch
Down The Hatch offer junk food delights with the twist, all of it being homemade! Burgers the size of your heads and fully loaded baskets to normalise any dining experience for any diet! With the addition of belly warming home cooked dishes to get everyone through the colder nights!
They’re available on Deliveroo or you can give them a call and get 10% off your order.
Dietary Notes: Fully vegan menu.
Location: 62 Duke Street (In the old La Bateau basement)
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 4pm – 9pm. Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 9pm
Contact: www.downthehatchliv.co.uk 0151 708 0860
Veggie Republic
Veggie Republic’s mission is to show vegetarians and meat eaters that anything can be veganised and taste amazing – with choices from vegan junk food and comfort food to raw vegan dishes, catering for every vegan style of eating including gluten free vegan dishes
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free available.
Location: 16 cook street, L2 9RF
Contact: 01513069848 www.veggierepublic.co.uk
Forked Up Vegan Delivery
Pre-order via Instagram or Facebook DM to secure yourself a delivery of a plant-based party in your mouth. The Oriental Box sees you get Sticky jasmine rice, 2x handmade ‘shroom gyoza, Katsu tofu, 2x veg spring rolls, Pickled Asian veg, Chip shop curry sauce and the star of the show.. a mock Peking duck bao bun with hoisin sauce, cucumber & spring onion.
Dietary Notes: Vegan.
Location: Collection from New Brighton or delivery throughout Wirral and within Wallasey.
City Centre
Does anyone actually refer to town as ‘city centre’? Whatever you call the L1 region, here are some venues you can get an amazing scran from…
Patterson’s Chicken
Patterson’s famous fried Chicken is brined for over 24 hours in their special mix of herbs and spices for depth of flavour and texture. Soaked in buttermilk for over an hour then dusted in our secret recipe flour before being fried to mouthwatering tastiness.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian options available.
Location: 26 Gradwell Street, L1 4JH
Opening Hours: Daily, 12 – 10pm
Contact: www.pattersonsliverpool.com
Spice City Indian Restaurant
At The Spice City they take pride in using the freshest herbs and spices, along with a wide range of exotic ingredients that will tantalise your taste buds in both their classic dishes and exclusive Spice City Specials. Enjoy 15% off when you order directly from their site.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian options are available.
Location: 18 Stanley Street, Liverpool, L1 6AF
Opening Hours: Daily from 4pm.
Contact: 0151 236 4443 www.spicecity.co.uk
Taco Or Don’t
Taco or don’t has organically grown over the past 2 years pressing our blue corn tortillas from fields to large events and is inspired from the owner’s time as a tequila ambassador and travelling across Mexico
The greatest tacos are a dance between the corn flour used in the tortilla and the filling – a small fact that is easily overlooked. These guys only produce 100% authentic tacos with 100% inauthentic flavours!
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free options are available.
Location: Phase One, Liverpool
Opening Hours: Collection Thursday – Sunday, 2pm – 10pm
Contact: Available on Deliveroo. www.instagram.com/tacoordont/
Chamber 36
Chamber 36 are a contemporary pan-Asian restaurant in Liverpool city centre offering a range of small plates, dim sum and main dishes available on Deliveroo, Just Eat or through their website for collection where you get 10% off.
Dietary Notes: Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free options available.
Location: 45-49 Berry Street, Liverpool, L1 9DF
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 3pm – 9.45pm
Contact: www.chamber-36.co.uk
Community Heroes
When Boris and the rest of the Tories said “Yeah, we’re cool with kids starving” pretty much every restaurant in the city worked together that no kid went hungry over the holidays. Each restaurant featured in this blog has gone above and beyond for their community during a time when their government hasn’t returned the favour to them.
The restaurants below are just a couple examples of social enterprises that also happen to serve delicious food too and restaurants that go that extra mile.
Blackburne House Bistro
Blackburne House is a local social enterprise that provides quality food and supports women to achieve through education. Their Bistro is open throughout lockdown for collection and take out. The food at The Bistro is hand prepared on the premises daily, using fresh local and seasonal ingredients, which mean their diners are treated to something different each time they visit.
Dietary Notes: The Bistro is proud to provide an imaginative range of vegetarian and vegan dishes and can cater for most dietary requirements.
Location: Blackburne House, Blackburne Place, Liverpool L8 7PE
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11am – 5pm
Contact: www.blackburnehouse.co.uk
Tusk Baltic
Specialising in vegan and veggie offerings, 95% of Tusk’s produce is locally and sustainably sourced and they are well on their way to becoming a 100% plastic-free business.
Their goal has been to operate ethically and sustainably since day one and have partnered with a carbon waste offset company that plants tree for every £10 spent in Tusk. Before they closed their doors back in March, they’d had over 3000 trees planted on their behalf!
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Dietary Notes: Vegan and Vegetarian options available.
Location: 52 Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, L18 5ED
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 9pm.
Contact: www.52roselane-tusk.com/
Crosby
Crosby is the home of The Scouse Bird Shop (well, for a little bit longer anyway) and some pretty amazing restaurants you can enjoy during lockdown two.
The Tree House
Located in Crosby, The Tree House is a family run bistro and throughout lockdown, are offering tasty homemade meals that can be reheated at your convenience. Sunday roasts are available for pre-order and everything is prepared and ready to be reheated within 30 minutes. You can view their full menu on their website and all their meals can be frozen so you can stock up to enjoy throughout the week.
Dietary Notes: Nut roasts are available on Sundays as well as vegetarian casserole all weekend.
Location: 60 Coronation Road, Crosby, L23 5RQ
Opening Hours: Collection Friday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Contact: Pre order by calling 0151 924 8838. www.treehousecrosby.co.uk
So Salsa
So Salsa is a small, family run tapas restaurant offering quality, fresh tapas dishes from cuisines across the globe, not just Spain.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian and Gluten Free options are available.
Location: 2-4 Cooks Road, Crosby, L23 2TB
Opening Hours: Collection Thursday – Saturday, 4pm – 10pm
Contact: Call 0151 924 9020 to book a set time to collect your order. www.sosalsacrosby.co.uk
Rock Salt
Just three doors down from Tree House restaurant, Rock Salt is the third venture from the family run business who also own Crosby based So Salsa. Throughout the next few weeks, they’re offering brunch takeaway which ranges from full breakfasts to proper toasties and pizza and small plate offerings on Friday and Saturday night.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian and Gluten Free options are available on their Brunch and pizza menu.
Location: 66 coronation road, Crosby, L23 5RQ
Opening Hours: Brunch Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Pizza & small plates Friday & Saturday, 4pm – 9pm.
Contact: Call 0151 924 7689 to book a set time to collect your order. www.rocksaltcrosby.co.uk
Fletcher & Co
Mother and daughter run Fletcher & Co which aims to be inclusive with something for everyone. Throughout this month, they’re offering their speciality Graze boxes and once Covid restrictions lift, they plan to open on an evening, as well as day time hours, and serve small plates as well as their usual deli and coffee shop vibes. Their Graze box menu is available for collection or delivery of a 2 mile radius to L22.
Dietary Notes: Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free options available.
Location: 35 Crosby Road North L224QB
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 4pm
Over The Water
Some of the tasty offerings from The Wirral are so good that we’re going to let our friends over the water say they’re Scousers when they’re on holiday!
The Tapas Kitchen
Established in 2017, The Tapas Kitchen in West Kirby has become one of the Wirral’s most popular tapas style restaurants. Despite having no Spanish background, they beat some of the best tapas eateries around in 2019 when they won Restaurant of the Year at The Wirral Life Magazine Awards.
Dietary Notes: The Tapas Kitchen has a dedicated vegan menu and due to the fact they use rice flour in their sauces, most of their dishes are also gluten free.
Location: 95 Banks Road, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 0RB
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 5pm -10pm
Contact: 0151 625 8111 www.thetapaskitchen.co.uk
Zero Clucks Given
When the Wirral got their very first vegan junk food restaurant, Zero Clucks Given, they hit gold. Not only is their food naught, ridiculously tasty, over the top and huge, the owners give a cluck too – they’re passionate socialists, a living wage employer and committed to helping their community.
Dietary Notes: Everything on the menu is 100% vegan.
Location: 45 Oxton Road, Birkenhead
Opening Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 12 – 8pm. Friday & Saturday 12 – 9pm
Contact: Pre order for collection or delivery by calling 07961892564
Cascades Coffee Shop
A family run cafe with over 25 years of experience serving delicious home cooked meals using fresh produce, some of which is grown in a local allotment.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian and Gluten Free options are available.
Location: Waterworld, Chester High Road, Burton CH64 8TF
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 2pm
Contact: https://m.facebook.com/cascadescoffeeshop/
Figo’s Mediterranean Kitchen West Kirby
Proudly presenting the new Mediterranean restaurant in West Kirby. Friendly atmosphere with freshly served food.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian and Gluten Free options are available.
Location: 66 Grange Road, West Kirby, CH48 4EG
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 2pm – 10pm. Friday & Saturday, Noon – 10pm.
Contact: https://m.facebook.com/FigosMediterraneanKitchen/
South Liverpool
Not only does South Liverpool get the pretty trees, they also get some pretty good eateries.
The Radiance Coffee Rooms
The Radiance Coffee Rooms covers everything from hot and cold sandwiches and jacket potatoes to homemade cheesecake and Roast Dinners on a Sunday. They offer collection and local delivery.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian options are available.
Location: 96 Bentham Drive, Childwall, L16 5EU
Contact: 0151 722 5163
Ying Wah
One of the longest established restaurants in the city, Ying Wah has been serving the South Liverpool community for over 40 years and lockdown won’t stop then delivering their tasty modern Chinese food.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian options are available.
Location: 11 Woolton Street, Liverpool, L25 5NH
Opening Hours: Daily, 3pm – 10pm
Contact: 0151 421 1222 www.yingwah.co.uk
Chy South Road
Chy South Road prides themselves in offering authentic Chinese cuisine in modern surroundings. Their chefs use only the freshest ingredients available to make sure that each and every dish is packed full of flavour.
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian and Gluten Free options available.
Location: 98 South Road, Waterloo, L22 0LY
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 5pm – Late. Saturday & Sunday, 2pm – Late.
Contact: www.chysouthroad.co.uk
