Places to visit on foodie break in Liverpool

Welcome to Liverpool! First up, check into The Halyard Liverpool – your base for tonight. Leave your bags in your room (or reception), and pause to gawp at its elegant, 18th-century warehouse-inspired aesthetic. Sip a welcome cup of sweet champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate) – just one of the hotel’s many signature experiences.

Work up an appetite by exploring one of the many museums at Royal Albert Dock, located right on the Liverpool waterfront. Explore the city’s toe-tapping heritage at the British Music Experience, or get to know the Fab Four at The Beatles Story – which is packed with memorabilia, photos and behind-the-scenes stories. Meanwhile, the Maritime Museum champions Liverpool’s sea-faring roots, and the Museum of Liverpool reveals its transformation from Industrial Revolution powerhouse to a vibrant musical metropolis.

The A Taste of Liverpool will whisk you right to the city’s most delectable stops – so skip lunch and book this tasty tour instead. This four-hour experience includes stops in five different venues, from street food stalls to award-winning restaurants. Most dietary requirements can be catered for too, and you’ll taste some of the best food in Liverpool – including scouse, a traditional slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew.

Next, raise a glass on a tasting tour of Liverpool Gin Distillery, which starts at 6.30pm. Served in all the best cocktail bars in Liverpool, its small-batch gins are made in its bespoke copper still and infused with Valencian orange, rose petals and quayside ingredients such as juniper berries and coriander. If you want to distil and blend your own unique bottle, upgrade to the two-hour Gin Lab Experience, which starts at 7pm.

Just a few minutes’ walk from your hotel, you’ll find Duke Street Market – a bustling dining destination with six kitchens, a wine kiosk, cafe and bistro-style restaurant. It serves some of the best food in Liverpool: from authentic Spanish tapas at Picar and juicy steaks at Bone & Block, to Barnacle’s feast of fresh fish and seafood dishes – all sourced from local suppliers.

Amid the architectural splendour of Liverpool Cathedral, The Welsford Bistro serves slap-up breakfasts and frothy coffees – and it’s your first port of call this morning. Tuck into the likes of smashed avocado on sourdough and full English fry-ups, while admiring the stained-     glass beauty and soaring nave of your hallowed surrounds.

All aboard the Mersey Ferry for a 50-minute River Explorer tour along the Liverpool waterfront. Cruises depart in the morning (check their website for the exact timings for each season) with an entertaining commentary about the history and heritage of the city: from notable (and notorious) locals to the city’s rich musical heritage. A fun, informal way to get under the skin of Liverpool and its famous river.

Gourmet comfort food, locally brewed beer and live music in Liverpool blend together at Baltic Market – one of the city’s liveliest lunchtime spots. Whether you’re craving stone-baked pizza, hefty handmade burgers or hot dogs with all the trimmings, you’ll find it right here. Dietary requirements are well catered for, and there are plenty of vegan options too.

From charcuterie to croissants, marmalade to masala, the city’s multicultural roots make it a foodie heaven – so don’t leave without hitting its delis. You’ll find authentic Italian bites at P&D Italian Quarter, a four-floor emporium packed with tiramisu, sun-dried tomatoes, tagliatelle and more. Lunya specialises in regional Spanish cuisine, while Delifonseca champions local and global nibbles: from chutneys and cheese to antipasti and pork pies. Stuff your bag with the best food in Liverpool.

Praised by the Michelin Guide for its ‘ambitious modern dishes’, The Art School by Paul Askew is one of Liverpool’s fine-dining stars. It offers a choice of three menus: Prix Fixe (ideal for budget-conscious diners), Excellence, and Tasting: an eight-course extravaganza with optional wine pairings. Highlights include line-caught wild sea bass from Liverpool Bay, and venison tenderloin with blackberry, port and pink peppercorn jus.