Anyone who has been to or lived in Liverpool knows that they do things differently here. Scouse, not English, is a state of mind and a point of pride. Here, people largely still know their neighbours and stop and say hello, which, for a city of almost half a million people, is unheard of. But it’s this community spirit that makes Liverpool the perfect city for independent businesses, especially restaurants and eateries.
Liverpool has a history of being a proving ground for independent restaurants before they expand across the country. Mowgli had its start on bustling Bold Street, which remains the independent foodie heartland of the city centre. In fact, the owner of Mowgli, Nisha Katona, has said in interviews that “Without Liverpool, there would be no Mowgli” because of the way the city embraced the restaurant.
Similarly, local favourites like the Maray—famed for its disco cauliflower—and Mexican outfit Madre gained a cult following before expanding into neighbouring (and more expensive) Manchester and beyond.
So, why is Liverpool so great for independents? Well, it comes down to the history of the city and the people who call it home.
Liverpool’s Strong Community Spirit Fuels Independent Restaurant Success
Community is huge in Liverpool. There’s pride here, unlike anywhere else, and the desire to support and uplift your own is definitely an integral factor here. On the opening week of a wine bar in the suburbs of Liverpool, it was amazing to see people queuing for tables despite there being a lack of advertising online. This just shows how the community rallies behind new businesses and wants them to flourish from the start.
The city loves to root for the little guy. Whether that’s in politics, sports, or in life generally, that’s something that’s in the DNA here. So, when the choice between a high street chain or a local independent comes up, it often seems like the independent is going to get the support every time.
Kate Hughes, the owner of Free State Kitchen, says, “There are so many places where the owners really care about not only the food but also their customers, and this makes all the difference.”
Similarly, Amit Kumar, who opened his Indian restaurant, Barton Rouge, in 2017, shares, “Liverpool’s support for new and unique food experiences has been overwhelming. The community’s encouragement has been vital to our growth over the years. Even during COVID, their support was vital for us.”
So, when we see some of our favourite spots grow from a stall in the independently-run Baltic Market or Duke Street Market to a full-fledged, brick-and-mortar restaurant, it feels like a friend or family member who’s going up in the world. It feels personal.
When my favourite hidden gem, the Sicilian-run Cose Buone, made the leap from a small stall in St. John’s Market with limited opening times to its own place on Cheapside, I was ecstatic—and not just because I could get world-shifting cannolis past 6 p.m. now. I was so happy for the owners for getting their own space and getting the success they deserved. Do I know them? Not really, but the feeling of pride and happiness remains.
Top Food-Centric Events in Liverpool Highlight Independent Restaurants
I have never lived somewhere that has quite so many independent foodie events as Liverpool. From Taste Liverpool to Restaurant Week to the annual January deals list to the Bold Street Festival, there are so many staples throughout the year directly shouting about the independent food scene.
Liverpool Restaurant Week saw 75 restaurants offering different deals in four price categories: £5, £15, £25, and £35. It was all about making independents accessible and offering something different and saw huge results, with Bold Street restaurants alone seeing a 19% rise in visitors.
According to Liverpool BID Company who organised the initiative, during this week, the website saw 13,800 individual downloads of deals and estimated that there were an extra 50,000 visitors across Liverpool city centre. Not only are the locals making the most of the city’s amazing independents, but people are starting to make the trip for a foodie experience.
Becky Todd from the restaurant and tea room, Leaf, said, “It was a brilliant way to showcase all of the delicious food and drink the city has to offer. We loved welcoming new faces and regulars into our venues to enjoy our deal and see what else we have to offer.”
One of the most anticipated foodie events, Celebrating Bold Street, happens in mid-August every year. Independent restaurants all along the iconic foodie street bring their tables outside onto the street for a party atmosphere with great food, music, competitions, and even hands-on workshops. It brings everyone together, united by a love of independent food and community vibes.
Liverpool’s Rich foodie culture and history
Honestly, it’s hard to ignore the impact that Liverpool’s maritime culture and history has had on the food scene. It’s one of the reasons that locals love to go out – the variety on offer is huge and you can get pretty much anything you want here.
Alison Lockett-Burke from the supper club event, Fig and Wild, says, “What I love about Liverpool is how diverse a city it is, and the brilliant food scene here reflects this. I love the no-nonsense and honest approach we have to food here – this city is full of very passionate humans who champion and celebrate great things and great food so what we as a food community offer reflects that too.”
You can find Indian small plates next to Turkish barbecue across from Neapolitan pizzas and freshly rolled sushi. This isn’t new either. Located next to the Chinatown gate, Yuet Ben has been a staple of the city’s independent scene since 1968. Casa Italia has been open since 1976 and has seen Paul McCartney and Kylie pass through its doors. Greek-Cypriot joint, Zorbas, has been on Hardman Street since 1974.
Liverpool may not be known as a foodie hotspot, but it should be. You can eat around the world on Bold Street. You can find world-shattering pastries at Lunko on Lark Lane. You can dine surrounded by history and culture on Hope Street. You can wander down the fantastical sidestreet of Queens Avenue and find a quintessentially French bistro next to a boutique wine shop.
Pamela Carroll, the Head of Marketing for Marketing Liverpool, has said, “The food culture in the Liverpool city region is one that is driven by stories and storytelling. Where food inspiration comes from, where an ingredient has grown, the person who created the dish; these are all stories that create the heart and humanity within our restaurants, cafes, and eateries, and it is these stories we want to celebrate.”
Scouse Love for Community & Food
So, to wrap up this ode to Liverpool’s independent foodie scene, it’s the powerful combination of community, storytelling, history, and grit that makes the city’s hospitality industry thrive, regardless of whether you’re new to the game or an old pro.
To sum up the Scouse love of community, a quote from former Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, “Liverpool stands for unity, Liverpool stands for ‘all together.”
If you are hungry for more global flavours, be sure to check out our Gastronomic Experiences page for additional recipes and culinary inspiration.
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Rebecca Crowe
Rebecca Crowe is a freelance writer who specialises in writing about travel, food, drink, and adventure. She also specialises in budget and adventure travel content and can usually be found climbing some rocks, eating some tacos, or waiting around at the nearest airport. Rebecca has been featured in Lonely Planet, The Independent, Stylist Magazine, and Time Out Travel, and is a ghostwriter for some of the most successful travel blogs and websites. She writes about her own adventures and shares budget-friendly, sustainable travel advice on her site, Wandering and Wine.