The Labour Party Conference Liverpool: 12 places to eat and drink when you’re in the city

After a day of debate and all things party politics, even the most faithful Labour supporters, MPs and officials will need a little break.

And if food and drink are on the agenda on your visit to the Labour Party Conference, Liverpool’s never made a secret of its manifesto to create a city that’s a dining dream.

If you want a few ideas, our vote goes to these…

San Carlo

One of Liverpool’s favourite Italian restaurants is in the heart of Castle Street, so you’re guaranteed a brilliantly buzzing atmosphere as well as fabulous food, cocktails – and music. The award-winning, family-owned venue’s got a great new summer menu filled with incredible fish, seafood, pasta, pizza, and meat dishes – and a new outdoor terrace area for the mood of the Med.

More info here.

Hawksmoor

Hugely respected as one of the ‘World’s Best Steak Restaurants’, we’re lucky enough to have a Hawksmoor in Liverpool. You’ll find it in the Grade II-listed India Buildings and the restaurant is just as gorgeous and grand as its home, with lots of warm wood and brass. Renowned for its dry-aged cooked-to-perfection steaks (Porterhouse, rib-eye, T-bone and more) and sides, superb seafood and award-winning cocktails.

More info here.

Voyagers

This bar and grill is a relative newcomer to the city but it’s fast gaining ground as one of the most relaxed, cosy-yet-buzzy destinations for catching up with colleagues, friends, and family. Located in the Ropewalks district in Parr Street, it boasts the city’s maritime heritage as its inspiration for a mixed menu of globally-inspired dishes with a local twist (from Tandoori spiced monkfish cheeks and nduja scotch egg to classics like fish and chips).

More info here.

Duke Street Market

If you can’t decide – or agree – on what you fancy, Duke Street Market might be the one to head to. It’s home to six kitchens serving everything from Latin American and Mexican cuisine to Asian bowl food and steaks from morning till late. It’s also got a speciality coffee and wine kiosk serving a large selection of artisanal pastries and cakes.

More info here.

Bacaro

Offering small plates with meat, fish and veggie dishes, to little pizzas, breads and desserts, you’ll rarely see this restaurant anything other than full (so you might even want to book before you arrive!).

It’s another perfect place for any occasion from a lovely foodie night out with friends – and colleagues – to just a glass of wine or beer. The vibe’s always chilled and the staff super-friendly… so it’s perfect to unwind after a long day at the Labour Party Conference.

More info here.

Mowgli

Indian street food at its finest and with an ethos that’ll warm the hearts of Labour’s faithful, aiming to make people’s lives better. Founder Nisha Katona raises around £5,000 a year for a local charity where each of her restaurants is based and, for every full-time employee, Mowgli sponsors a child in need.

Back to the food and you’re promised tasty tiffin boxes, filled with meat, chicken, fish and veggie dishes oozing flavour and the most stunning spices. Yoghurt chat bombs, fenugreek kissed fries and mother butter chicken for us please!

More info here.

Maray Dockside

A very short walk from the Labour Party Conference venue at the Royal Albert Dock, it serves up small plates of mouth-watering Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, and food that’s guaranteed to tantalise the tastebuds. It showcases the best seasonal produce and is a huge favourite of vegetarians and vegans with its huge range of options – and its disco cauliflower is a must. Sit back and enjoy a Rose Spritz and beautiful views of the dock.

More info here.

The Quarter

The Quarter on the corner of Falkner Street and Hope Street’s got one of the prettiest pavement seating areas with fab floral decoration, and the best twinkly lights for when it starts to go dark. There’s a relaxed atmosphere which makes it perfect for brunching, lunching or late-night dining from the Italian-inspired menu. It’s also slap bang between the city’s two cathedrals so you can combine it with a spot of sight-seeing.

More info here.

Nord

Nord inside the Plaza building in St Paul’s Square was the only restaurant in the North West to make it into Conde Nast’s Top New UK Restaurants list, and was praised for its ‘exceptional service, an atmosphere you can truly unwind in, and food that opens up a little slice of the world for you’. It was launched by Liverpool chef Daniel Heffy (and Graffiti Spirits Group) who’s previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Sweden and he’s combining Scandi influences with top quality Northern produce and hospitality.

More info here.

Manifest

Manifest in the Baltic Triangle’s had nothing but praise since it opened just over two years ago with owners and partners Paul Durand and his wife Charlotte creating somewhere special that makes the most of a Michelin-star background in a way that never feels intimidating. It’s quite casual (no dress code, no airs and graces) but the food is fine-dining quality with stunning small or large plates, snacks and desserts.

More info here.

Cowshed

A very popular ‘house of beef’ steak restaurant on Seel Street, it offers all your favourite steaks cooked just as you like them as well as a regular choice of specials cooked by its ‘small but exceptional’ kitchen team. Cowshed’s maybe best-known for its great deals like The Greedy Cow which, for two people, includes three steaks on one plate with a choice of two sauces and two sides for £61 and, for three people, three sides and three sauces for £67. Perfect if you can’t decide.

More info here.

Gaucho

Last but so not least … another award-winning steak restaurant which has opened its doors in the city at No 7 Water Street. The company renovated its Grade II-listed building home to create an interior with a real wow factor which matches the superb service and supreme steak experience. It’s stunning and sophisticated but it’s its impeccably-sourced, carbon-neutral steaks that are the true stars of the show.

More info here.