21 great Crosby & Waterloo eateries that prove village living is sweet

Foodies are flocking to L23.

Decades old family-run bakeries, coffee shops, Mexican grills, and popular pasta and pancakes places are putting Crosby and Waterloo on the map as a destination to dine in.

You really can have the world on your plate – and the busy St John’s Road alone is proof of that, with the west Merseyside version of Lark Lane boasting a whole street of independent retailers and restaurants lining up locally-sourced delicious food for every taste.

So if you’re visiting the area, don’t forget to take your appetite!

These are our 20 of the top Crosby & Waterloo eateries….

Spitroast – South Road, Waterloo

Spitroast serves up the most succulent free-range chicken, spit roasted freshly every day. You can dine in or take it home for an easy but wholesome lunch, tea or dinner and it’s not just chicken, there’s a whole menu filled with tasty starters and sides from salads and Buddha bowls to roasted vegetables and Spanish spicy brown rice. On Sundays you can even get a full roast dinner!

Find out more here.

La Parrilla Mexican Bar & Grill

Did someone say tequila? Another South Road eatery this time offering to spice up your life with wedges, tacos, burritos and more – and the best Havana Club cocktails.

Find out more here.

Crosby Coffee

What started as a small passion project has quickly grown into one of Liverpool’s most exciting independent coffee roasters with, now, four fabulous coffee shops serving the very best speciality brews, along with brilliant brekkies, and lunches with sandwiches, bagels, soups, seasonal specials, and delicious cakes and pastries. The flagship venue’s in Oxford Road, Waterloo.

Find out more here.

Caz’s Kitchen

Calling all cake connoisseurs! Caz’s Kitchen is an absolute must on your next visit to Waterloo because this sweet treats emporium in St John’s Road is filled with freshly baked cakes, biscuits, traybakes, cookies, meringues and more. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, it’s like all your Christmases have come at once.

Find out more here.

StoryHouse

Run by StoryHouse Church which meets every Sunday morning at Eshe Road URC, StoryHouse is a favourite among local foodies and their families. This community café on Liverpool Road bakes everything from scratch – specialities include its cinnamon buns and croissant loaves – and it holds regular events.

Find out more here.

The Patio Bar and Eatery

This great little bar in St John’s Road specialises in serving wines, beers, cocktails and spirits along with small plates and nibbles – and live music. It does a boss pizza and pulled pork nachos, and its milkshakes are mahoosive masterpieces.

Find out more here.

Hole in the Wall

Breakfast by day, burgers by night! This Crosby Road North eatery is a great place to enjoy brunch with your mates, a coffee with your mum or a sweet treat with the kids. The fluffy American pancakes are beyond gorge!

Find out more here.

Ellington’s

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When it comes to fine dining in a stylish, sophisticated restaurant, it has to be Ellingtons. This family-run Liverpool Road venue opened its doors in 2016 and has gained legions of fans thanks to its seasonal menu of great British classics and specialities like fresh fish and seafood, steaks and divine desserts. It’s open Friday to Sunday.

Find out more here.

So Salsa

The original of the family-run So Salsa restaurants – there are three now in Liverpool too – it serves up traditional Spanish tapas along with Asian and Mediterranean classics designed for sharing. There’s always a great atmosphere and brilliant dining deals (like three tapas for £21).

Find out more here.

Inside No.4

A fresh seasonal menu, cocktails, cakes and coffee, along with an amazing Sunday Roast – no wonder this Carnegie Avenue restaurant is always a favourite. It’s got a new beer lineup, a new wine and spirits list, and a new food menu including some pub classics and old favourites, and weekends are always ramped up with tunes from its DJ.

Find out more here.

Pioneer Bar and Brasserie

Crosby’s premier wine bar, Pioneer Bar and Brasserie, is the place to be for a glass of vino in style. With regular entertainment and a mouth-watering menu, this Liverpool Road venue is the life and soul of the party.

Find out more here.

Satterthwaites Bakehouse

The original Satterthwaites chain closed in 2012 after more than 100 years of baking, but Sarah and John Wills reopened the bakehouse in Coronation Road in April 2013, re-employing some former staff and using all the same recipes everyone knows and loves. It’s the home of freshly baked bread and pies, and SO many amazing cakes – and any food left at the end of the day is taken to the local soup kitchen for those in need.

Find out more here.

Bodega del Lobo

Girly gatherings, party nights and date nights … Bodega del Lobo in Waterloo’s South Road was made for all of these. Sister venue to Tapas Tapas, it’s a friendly Spanish-style bar serving great beers, sangria and cocktails.

Find out more here.

Tapas Tapas

We can’t mention one without the other, and Tapas Tapas serves all of the great drinks Bodega del Lobo does – its Blood Orange & Mango Mojito is a must – along with a fabulous menu of all your Spanish tapas favourites from Albóndigas to Croquetas Ibéricas, and the most amazing mini spicy chorizo sausages. And if you’re craving paella – this is your place.

Find out more here.

Saffron Restaurant

Combining Nepalese and Indian culinary traditions, Saffron offers a rich blend of Himalayan flavours and classic Indian dishes from hearty Momos and Dal Makhani to fiery curries and aromatic biryanis. Above all, the St John’s Road venue aims to please not just with the food, but with friendly and top-notch service.

Find out more here.

Sunrise Mediterranean Restaurant

A traditional family restaurant, it focuses on all those fabulous fresh flavours of the Med from dishes like its calamari, hummus and halloumi starters to stunning seafood recipes and speciality grills. House favourites include the Sunrise Wrap, a hot tortilla with flame-grilled chicken, vegetables and melted cheese.

Find out more here.

The Workshop

Set in a bright and cosy venue in Crosby Road North, The Workshop is a great meeting place, serving up a mouthwatering small plate and brunch menu and the most incredible Sunday roast. Lovely and lively with regular music events, it’s got a superb wine and cocktail list.

Find out more here.

The Lake House Waterloo

Looking for food with a view? Look no further than The Lake House. Whether it’s an intimate sunset dinner for two, a large family Sunday roast, breakfast before your morning walk or brunch afterwards, this place is serving up a whole range of different meals. In the Summer you can dine or drink on the lawn too!

Find out more here.

Il Capitano’s

The go-to Italian restaurant in Crosby Road North, Il Capitano’s has got a new home and a new look but still the same pasta and pizzas cooked to award-winning perfection. More than just a restaurant it’s a community hub, and its resident weekend DJ means fab disco nights.

Find out more here.

Medusa

You can wine, dine and dance in this St John’s Road Greek great, with live music, entertainment and DJ events adding to a vibrant, yet cosy atmosphere. It boasts a really varied menu with all your favourite dishes like souvlaki and moussaka, along with grills, seafood, street food classic gyros and more.

Find out more here.

The Copper Kettle Coffee Shop

If you want to treat your mum – or yourself – to a delicious afternoon tea, the super-cosy Copper Kettle in St John’s Road has to be on your list with a selection of sandwiches, scones and fresh cream cakes served with teas or coffees for just £14.99 per person. Cute and friendly.

Find out more here.

One to look out for! Moose Coffee

Moose Coffee’s College Road venue might be closed, but we’re already looking forward to its new Crosby venue in the historic Carnegie Library building. Work has already begun to restore it to its former glory before fitting it out for Moose’s new home and the return of a very popular brunch, coffee and pancake place. (And until then, you still have Moose in Liverpool!).

Find out more here.