Aside from cultural attractions, a world-famous waterfront and the groundbreaking Fab Four, Liverpool also has its fair share of bars and restaurants. Whether you’re after an affordable lunch or romantic evening meal, you’ll always find somewhere to cater to your needs.
And when you can’t quite decide what you feel like, tasty tapas bites are usually the answer. Luckily, when it comes to searching for the best tapas in Liverpool we’ve got you covered.
From crispy patatas bravas and delicious meats and cheeses to mouthwatering churros, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Tapas Meaning: “to cover”, the Spanish/Portuguese verb.
The idea of tapas small plates dates back to earlier before the 19th century when European roads were in poor condition.
During this era, travelling from place to place was a very slow process, and people found it exhausting.
To make journeys more bearable, a multitude of inns were built along the roads, offering travellers a place to stop for an overnight room and bite to eat.
At the time, many innkeepers wouldn’t have been able to write while travellers wouldn’t have been able to read, so it made sense to serve up a sample of tasty dishes.
Innkeepers would bring out a selection of their available dishes at once, on a “tapa”. And of course, it’s safe to say that this tradition has stood the test of time.
Check out all the best places to pick up tapas in Liverpool, ideal for small bites, group meals and foodie loving date nights.
Where: Castle Street, Liverpool
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Nestled away on picturesque Castle Street, Salt House Bacaro is a must-visit for tapas enthusiasts.
Inspired by the bacaro’s of Venice, you can expect exquisite small plates served to perfection.
In Venice, a bacaro is a workingman’s pub. Italians gather for delicious cuisine served in small plates with an accompanying ombra of wine.
Bringing Venice to Liverpool’s scenic business district, Salt House Bacaro boasts an extensive menu of dishes, with something for everyone.
Choose from quality meat and winning bread and fish, as well as tasty vegetarian and salad dishes.
From traditional pancetta croquettes to deep-fried prawns, bruschetta and indulgent pizzettes, you’ll find yourself truly spoilt for choice.
Where: Hanover Street, Liverpool
Located in the heart of Liverpool city centre, why not stop off at Salt House Tapas for lunch after a busy day of shopping?
Surrounded by leading high street names and department store John Lewis, this is the perfect spot for a break from shopping in the city.
In the evening, Salt House Tapas is one of the most special places to wine and dine in style, with fantastic service and high-quality dishes.
For comfort food, we recommend trying the Potato tortilla served with aioli, Lamb and pistachio meatballs and triple-cooked chunky chips with bravas sauce.
Wash it all down with their refreshing sangria and top off your savoury dishes with churros, a delicious bitesize sweet treat! Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Where: 14 Back Colquitt St, Liverpool L1 4DE
The wonders of the White Aisle include more than just nightclubs, DJ’s and Hippy Retreats.
Ibiza’s Evissa is a haven for some of the best tapas restaurants in the world, all of which are nestled into the medieval streets of the mountain-shaped town.
La Finca Evissa has cleverly used the enchanting setting of Ibiza town as their inspiration for both a mouthwatering menu and mesmerising Balearic decor.
Enjoy delicious dishes such as Cauliflower Nachos, Tiger Fries, a personal Paella and Albondigas. Plus an extensive cocktail range that cannot be contained to one menu page and covers all but one of the walls int he bar.
Where: College Lane, Liverpool
This multi-award winning venue showcases a passion and flair for Catalan and Spanish food and drink.
Cultivating the culture of dining out in Spanish style Lunya brings a taste of the country’s eateries to Liverpool.
With a relaxed yet stylish feel, Lunya also features an atmospheric outdoor seating space, ideal for soaking up the city’s buzzing cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Choose from a vast array of cheese, meats, banquets, vegetable and fish tapas as well as their famous deli platters.
Lunya also serves a fantastic fresh Paella with only the best ingredients the perfect main meal to follow on from a host of tasty tapas while you wait?
Where: Smithdown Road, Liverpool
Neon Jamon is one of Liverpool’s best-loved tapas bars and restaurants.
Situated on Smithdown place, you can guarantee a lively atmosphere and a fantastic night out.
Their favourite tapas dishes include Fried Goats Cheese, Croquetas, Chorizo Rolls and mini Hamburguesa Con Peppercorn.
Neon Jamon is also renowned for its tempting dessert menu, including their Nutella Cheesecake and delectable Churros.
Just a short journey from Liverpool city centre, you’ll find bohemian hub Lark Lane.
The suburban street is perfect for a night of food, drink and mingling with Liverpool locals.
Monkey Grinder is one of the lane’s most popular neighbours and already a favourite for tasty tapas dishes and a great selection of drinks.
Whether you head there for an affordable lunch or a night out, you’ll be met with a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Traditional tapas and small plates include everything from toast with tomato and manchego cheese, to baby chorizo with red wine and honey.
With plenty of vegetarian options and an impressive range of cocktails, you’ll have plenty of dishes to pick from.
Where: North John Street, Liverpool
Situated just off Victoria Street, head to La Vina for a fantastic tapas experience.
Passionate about home-cooked Spanish cuisine, La Vina is ideal for a night out with friends, family or for celebrating special occasions.
With Liverpool nightlife just around the corner, why not stop off for a light bite to eat before hitting the town?
La Vina’s fantastic menu includes everything from succulent chicken breast strips and cured beef croquetas, to Catalan-style fish stew of prawns, white fish, mussels and clams.
We recommend leaving some room to try their delicious freshly cooked paella, cooked to order the Valencian way with bomba rice, sofrito tomato sauce, white wine and saffron.
Where: 84b Bold Street, Liverpool
El Pecado is the latest welcome arrival to Bold Street and has nestled nicely in with the global spectrum of restaurants that line the street’s pavements.
The belief at El Pecado is that sharing food and drink with friends should be enjoyed to the fullest. This is why the owners have cultivated a lengthy menu, filled with dishes from every corner of España. Their top tapas dishes include traditional homecooked specialities found on extensive research travels.
Make your way to Bold street’s latest arrival for breakfast, lunch or dinner style tapas and enjoy a taste of traditional Spain, in the heart of Liverpool.
Where: Seel Street, Liverpool
Alma de Cuba is one of Liverpool’s most exquisite bars and restaurants, located in the heart of the city’s nightlife.
The historic former church boasts extravagant decor and interior features, including stained glass windows and the original altar.
Choose from tapas favourites including their Flaked Cod Croquettes, Spiced Chicken Wings, Serrano Ham or Patatas Bravas.
Transforming into an atmospheric club as the night goes on, you’ll find yourself up on your feet in no time.
Where: Castle Street & Bold Street, Liverpool
Small dish tapas in Liverpool, but with a punch of Indian street food flavours, Mowgli brings something new to the tapas scene in the city.
Choose from a huge selection of exciting small plates including Himalayan Cheese on toast, Bang-bang Chicken and a Mowgli Chip Buttie or the must-taste experience the yummy Yoghurt Chat Bombs.
Every dish is inspired by traditional food served in the streets of India’s busiest districts and all are perfect for sharing with groups of friends and family.
Where: Beetham Plaza, 25, The Strand & Hope Street, Liverpool
Not all tapas dishes are inspired by Spanish cuisine, in fact, any small plate of tasty sharing food can be considered a tapas dish.
That’s exactly how the creators behind Silk Road have concocted their eclectic menu of worldly dishes, using inspiration from their global travels.
There’s a dish for every palette and something for every diet at Silk Road, plus some superb offers that will help you eat more for less at your meal.
Where: 91, Bold Street & Allerton Road, Liverpool
Some would say Maray is one of the best places for tapas in Liverpool, and who are we to argue?
Although again, not your traditional Spanish inspired delicacies, Maray serves superb small plates specially designed to share.
Choose from mouthwatering meat dishes like Lamb kofta and Flat iron steak, or the extensive vegan and veggie options, ranging from Roasted Cauliflower, to Aubergine on toast.
Maray is known as one of the top restaurants in Liverpool for its innovative flavoursome food and, since it is served on small plates you could order and try it all.
Where: 6, Castle Street Liverpool, L2 0NB
Crashing onto Castle Street, new restaurant and rum bar Black Barrel brings the city a wide selection of tasty tapas-style dishes with bags of fabulous flavour.
Serving up unique and exotic plates that are as pretty as they are tasty and catering to every diet, from vegans and veggies to pescatarians and the meat lovers left among us, Black Barrel has certainly made it onto our list of where to find the best tapas in Liverpool.
So whether you’re visiting the city or simply fancying trying somewhere new, why not treat yourself or someone special to tapas in Liverpool this summer?
For an amazing meal experience inspired by the relaxed dining culture of the med, choose to dine on tapas in Liverpool and enjoy worlds worth of food in one small plate meal.
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