Reviews in Liverpool City Centre

Some colleagues and I went to San Carlo on Granby Street for lunch at the beginning of the week. We often meet out for lunch (on expenses of course) but sometimes feel slightly rushed. San Carlo recognised our need to relax a little, as this is the reason we leave the office in the first place. The space was very comfortable and the waitress moved at our pace. I am hoping they will offer repeat bookings each week, as the menu really provoked some hard work from the staff!

MASTERCHEF Restaurant is the Best in Liverpool.I really love the food,when food gets out on the table its nice and sizzling hot, whilst eating i love it when i can taste the food texture in my mouth. staff are easy to get on with and polite. service is good. At the end of the meal you even get to try Vimto lollypop.dessert ice creams are yummy

Three generations of landlords began when Tess Riley (nee Makin) discovered her business brain while working on her mother Elizabeth’s second hand clothes stall at St John’s and Paddy’s markets. On non-market days Tess would travel over to the Wirral to collect her stock. She bartered with the affluent homeowners for the best price for their unwanted goods before selling them on at a handsome profit. Tess, born and raised in Scotland Road, took over the reigns and it was this experience that gave her the skills which made history in the Liverpool licensee industry. In 1947 Tess married Joe Riley. They had four children together – Joan, Billy, Frank and David. After raising her family, Tess retrained and in 1970 her new life in the pub and bar industry began. That same year she started working at The Pig and Whistle, followed by the Old Mona. She was manager at The Jester for five years before moving to The Beehive in Mount Pleasant, where she bought the free hold in 1978. This was the first of many of the family's pubs to be transformed from a quiet drinking hole to one of the best pubs in Liverpool. They installed a free juke box and played only 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s music. They introduced live bands at quiet times and on Sundays, which consequently became one of their busiest days. An organist called Mick Masters was a regular act. He always brought in crowds and when other pubs were quiet, The Beehive was bursting at the seams. People lined up outside to get in the door, in the days before people queued to get into pubs. Tess would often be seen getting up for a song or two of an evening, accompanied by the resident organist. Her voice was as well known as her pub. Always dressed in the most glamorous of outfits, which would later set her up for her retirement on board cruise ships sailing the world, Tess always looked the part. Tess passed on her publican skills to her children, who helped with the running of this pub and Riley’s, which they opened, on the same street, after Joe died. Eventually she would also help her eldest daughter Joan manage her very own pub. Joan Fay (nee Riley) met Denis Fay at the Locarno Ballroom and they married in 1968, having three children, Joseph, Vincent and Deniece. And so when the other Beehive across town became available in 1983, Tess helped her Joan to secure it. With her husband she became the landlord of the pub, in Paradise Street. They refurbished the tired building and it too became a favourite choice. They used Tess’s business template of a free juke box and live music to make it a success, a method still practised in the family pubs today. And like his father-in-law, Denis carried out the behind the scenes work, leaving his wife to do what she, like her mother before her, did best and entertain the punters. When the lease ran out, the family moved to The Stanley Arms, in Aughton. Joan’s touch made it another hot spot with the locals, but they missed city life. So in 1996 Joan and Denis bought a unit in the former Blacklers building in Great Charlotte Street, and opened, Tess Riley’s in memory of Tess, who had died a short time after her beloved husband. Today the pub is owned by Joan’s children following her death in 1998. Daughter Deniece said: “These two women were such an inspiration and their memory will live on in our pubs for years to come.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

after a long day of shopping , tess rileys was fantastic, food was gorgeous , staff so welcoming, service was great, after a long day shopping ,so relaxing .i recommend this pub .

This place gives a taste of the best Liverpool has to offer. Home made food, which is delicious and very reasonable, welcoming friendly staff and the entertainment is the icing on the cake. Ideal for days or night for all ages. I'll be going again and again!

As an artiste who performs at TESS RILEYS on a regular basis, I have to say city centre bars "generally" are frequented by some less desirable members of the general public, whereas TESS RILEYS, I am glad to say seem to have the same regulars who keep coming back again and again. I believe this is due to the great atmosphere, it is more like a club than a bar. A very strict No Drugs policy which keeps the less desirables out, thankfully.

food and service were excellent but have to agree with some of the other comments the tables are far too close to each other.

Been meaning to post this for a while, went to etsu at the end of May and had one of the best dining experiences I've ever had! I have lived in japan for 2 years, came back in August 2009. I had literally no experience of Japanese cuisine before I moved there, and since moving back I have tried Japanese restaurants in a fair few British cities - in terms of authenticity this restaurant is right on the money. The staff couldn't be friendlier, and the owner Dave is a thoroughly charming chap with a real passion for what he does. Atmosphere first class, and for the true Japanese dining experience I can heartily recommend ordering edamame (soy beans) and Asahi beer on tap. The House Sake is from Akita prefecture, an excellent region for Sake more suited to foreign palettes. Onto the food! Me and my girlfriend shared a fair few starters each - the gyoza and karage were perfect, but the highlight was the tempura, done in an exquisitely light, melt in the mouth batter. I opted for a sea bass main, my girlfriend went for fish of the day, marlin. Absolutely perfect, the waiter was also able to give us a good guide to which of the japanese sauces on offer would go best with which fish, excellent knowledge. As is acknowledged on the menu, japanese cuisine is not known for its desserts, however the Baileys Cheesecake to finish was absolutely sublime. I've just moved back to Liverpool, and will be frequenting etsu as much as my budget allows!

We went as a family to celebrate my sisters 63rd birthday. She was the oldest and the party was mixed ages with the youngest being only 6. It was a rare sunny day in August and we enjoyed the food, drink and the sunshine on the outside terrace. But Shaun our waiter made the day, he was helpful, cheerful and very entertaining. We would go back again but would hope that Shaun is on that shift.

Visited Piccolino on the Sunday during the Mathew st festival, food, service, and staff were all top class. We would certainly visit here again when in liverpool next year.

We ate here last week whilst on a three day break in Liverpool. It was one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in. The food was superb as was the service - just loved the slowly bakes mushrooms with Roquefort. Can't wait to go back.

This restaurant is fab!!! Some friends and i recently visited Cafe Porto for the evening tapas menu. The food was freshly cooked and delicious. It is very reasonably priced too and we took our own wine. There aren't many places where you can get a mountain of delicious food and wine in lovely surroundings for less than £20 a head! Although it is BYO, they do have Portuguese wines on the wine list, which are priced between £15-25 ish. We opted to take our own Portuguese wine and the guy that runs it brought a taster glass of their house wine to see how the wines contrasted and told us a little bit about the different wine growing areas of Portugal. The people who worked there were really friendly and made us feel very welcome. I really recommend Cafe Porto - its a hidden gem!

Excellent food and great service. Lovely restaurant in a great location.

My family and I visited Il Forno yesterday to celebrate my mums birthday. Everything about the experience was perfect. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

We visited Liverpool recently and have to say how impressed we were with Chaophraya Thai Restaurant in the Liverpool ONE park. The staff were lovely and really helped us with our choice of food. The decor is amazing and I am would definitely recommend the food which was delicious. We had drinks afterwards in the equally stunning Palm Sugar Lounge. This is the best place is Liverpool. We also spotted Joe Cole which was fantastic.

Liverpool's best kept secret. Stay away from the chain restaurants at Liverpool One and get yourself down to Deli Fonseca! Brilliant blackboard menu that changes depending on what they have in. Great selection of local bottled beers. Fantastic!

Quite simply the best. For what you are paying you receive excellent food with superb service and a lovely atmosphere. We have eaten here a number of times as a couple, with our children and with extended parties at all times of the day and night and have never had a bad experience. The only thing that makes Franc pip Pierre is that with the kids the stairs are a no-go! Would not hesitate in recommending the place to virtually anyone.

Stopped here one Saturday afternoon after it was recommended by a friend and on this website. To say we where not disappointed is an understatement. We just went off the set menu at £9.99 a head for two courses and the food was exceptional for what we paid. Not only that but the service was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. I would recommend this to virtually anyone who enjoys good food in a nice setting. Its position for most of the city is good too. We ate at one of the more 'exclusive' restaurants in Liverpool the weekend before at a much higher price and this beat it. Hands down. You will not be disappointed.