What Food To Try in Liverpool and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Liverpool for 2024.
National currency: Pound Sterling, symbol — £ (international currency code GBP).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Liverpool cafes and restaurants
$19.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $12.71
$76.2
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $57.17
$7.6
Combo Meal
Starting from $7.62
What to Try in Liverpool
Must-try Dishes
Scouse - A hearty meat and vegetable stew, typically featuring lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Locals love to enjoy this classic dish on colder days, often accompanied by a chunk of bread for dipping.Breakfast Bap - Breakfast Bun (filling sandwich) - A soft bap filled with a generous helping of sausage, bacon, and egg, often slathered with brown sauce. You'll find these delicious breakfast buns in many cafes, perfect for a hangover cure or a quick on-the-go meal.
Cullen Skink - A creamy smoked haddock soup with potatoes and onions, thickened to perfection. This comforting dish is often served in pubs as a warming lunch option; people love to have it on rainy days in Liverpool.
Stottie Cake - Stottie Bread (local flatbread) - A dense, void-of-fluff flatbread typically served stuffed with meats or cheese, ideal for a filling lunch. Many locals enjoy it at picnics, appreciating its strength to hold generous fillings without falling apart.
Fish Finger Sandwich - Crispy fish fingers in soft bread, often garnished with tartar sauce or ketchup. It's a favorite street food option, particularly among families, who might grab them from food stalls during a seaside stroll.
Bridie - Meat Pastie (savory pastry) - A pastry filled with minced beef and onions, baked until golden. Great for a quick lunch or snack while taking a break from exploring the city, it's a common sight at local bakeries.
Pea Soup - A thick, bright green soup made from green peas, often flavored with mint or ham. Locals might enjoy it during the spring, as the ingredients are fresh and plentiful, and often served with warm bread.
Black Pudding - Blood Sausage (rich sausage) - Made from pig's blood, fat, and oatmeal, it's cooked until crispy on the outside. A breakfast staple in local cafes, locals often enjoy it but be careful—it might surprise first-timers with its flavor!
Desserts & Drinks
Scouse Coffee - Scouse Koffie (rich coffee blend) - A local twist on espresso, blended with condensed milk for a sweet, creamy finish. Best enjoyed at independent cafes, particularly on chilly mornings or during late brunch, while you discuss the latest footy match.Ginger Beer - Ingwerbier (spicy fermented drink) - A fizzy, non-alcoholic drink made from ginger, sugar, and sometimes a hint of lime. It's a favorite at summer festivals and street fairs, perfect for quenching your thirst after a day of exploring the city.
Liverpool Gin - Liverpool Gin (crafted spirit) - This small-batch gin is infused with local ingredients like Seville oranges and botanicals, offering a smooth and zesty flavor. Often served during evenings at pubs or cocktails bars, it's enjoyed straight or with tonic, especially in the warmer months.
Butter Pie - Butter Pudding (flaky pastry dessert) - A comforting pie filled with potatoes, onions, and butter, encased in a flaky pastry. It's typically enjoyed on Meatless Mondays or during Lent, offering a delightful yet unassuming experience that brings back childhood memories for many locals.
Snowball - Snowball (frozen coconut treat) - This dessert is a coconut ice that’s typically served at Christmas markets, combining ice, cream, and coconut flavor for a frosty delight. Locals indulge in Snowballs while enjoying festive lights and merriment, making it a seasonal must-have. By the way, kids love it too!
Food and Groceries in Liverpool
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.31 |
| Bananas | $1.3 |
| Oranges | $2.63 |
| Potatoes | $1.28 |
| Apples | $2.86 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $1.41 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $2.5 |
| Imported Beer | $2.46 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $8.89 |
| Milk 1L | $1.14 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $12.69 |
| Chicken | $7.53 |
| Cigarettes | $15.63 |
| Rice | $1.99 |
| Local Cheese | $8.62 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Liverpool's dining rhythm often revolves around peak meal times that might surprise first-time visitors. Locals typically eat lunch between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm, often opting for quick bites from cafes and food stalls, especially in bustling areas like Bold Street and the Albert Dock. Dinnertime generally starts around 6:00 pm and extends to 8:30 pm, with restaurants filling up quickly, so arriving later during the week can lead to a quieter atmosphere.
The price spectrum for dining can vary significantly across the city. You might pay around £7-£10 for a hearty lunch from street vendors in the Baltic Triangle, while a mid-range meal at a sit-down restaurant could set you back between £20-£30 per person. For instance, a quick meal like fish and chips is about £12 in the city center but can be found for roughly £8 in a casual eatery if you wander a bit further out.
Payment methods reflect local customs. Most places accept card payments, but cash is still appreciated, especially at smaller vendors. It’s become rare to encounter places that add service charges, so tipping is generally not obligatory, although rounding up or leaving small change is customary if the service has been particularly good. Oh, and it's worth noting that many locals are quite particular about how they approach dining—sharing dishes is a common practice in larger groups, making meal times a communal experience.
The evolving eating habits in the city, influenced by younger generations, have increased the trend for plant-based meals and diverse ethnic cuisines. However, tourists often make the mistake of sticking too closely to the well-trodden paths of the more commercial dining spots, missing out on local favorites just a block away. For those wishing to explore without the wait, booking a table is advisable, especially on weekends when popular venues quickly reach capacity.
With seasonal changes, a lot of dining also shifts. In summer, outdoor seating becomes prime real estate along waterfronts and park areas, while winter sees many flocking indoors to cozy pubs and restaurants. Overall, Liverpool’s dining scene, with its rich tapestry of food offerings, truly embodies the character of this vibrant city.
The price spectrum for dining can vary significantly across the city. You might pay around £7-£10 for a hearty lunch from street vendors in the Baltic Triangle, while a mid-range meal at a sit-down restaurant could set you back between £20-£30 per person. For instance, a quick meal like fish and chips is about £12 in the city center but can be found for roughly £8 in a casual eatery if you wander a bit further out.
Payment methods reflect local customs. Most places accept card payments, but cash is still appreciated, especially at smaller vendors. It’s become rare to encounter places that add service charges, so tipping is generally not obligatory, although rounding up or leaving small change is customary if the service has been particularly good. Oh, and it's worth noting that many locals are quite particular about how they approach dining—sharing dishes is a common practice in larger groups, making meal times a communal experience.
The evolving eating habits in the city, influenced by younger generations, have increased the trend for plant-based meals and diverse ethnic cuisines. However, tourists often make the mistake of sticking too closely to the well-trodden paths of the more commercial dining spots, missing out on local favorites just a block away. For those wishing to explore without the wait, booking a table is advisable, especially on weekends when popular venues quickly reach capacity.
With seasonal changes, a lot of dining also shifts. In summer, outdoor seating becomes prime real estate along waterfronts and park areas, while winter sees many flocking indoors to cozy pubs and restaurants. Overall, Liverpool’s dining scene, with its rich tapestry of food offerings, truly embodies the character of this vibrant city.