Places to eat in Southport

A short walk along Southport pier from our Southport Central Hotel, the Taj Mahal is one of the leading Indian restaurants in the region. The licensed restaurant is known for its range of Tandoori dishes, while they also cater to vegan and vegetarian options. And with a colourful restaurant, attentive service and late night opening until midnight, it’s a popular option whether you’re looking for an early dinner or a post-drinks meal.

Heading into the nearby Lord Street you’ll find a variety of options including Le Bistro Bar Med, one of our favourite Mediterranean restaurants. A Turkish and Greek mezze restaurant with a large range of Spanish tapas, they do a wide range of sharing plates and platters perfect for big groups and the really hungry.

Head down Eastbank Street away from the coast for a few blocks and you’ll come to The Forge Brasserie, a stylish seafood and steak restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily, with special fish and steak menus every Tuesday and Thursday. With exposed brick walls, smart wooden benches and booths and an open kitchen, the restaurant has a busy and buzzy feel to it, while the smart bar serves an impressive range of wine, Champagne, cocktails and more.

If you fancy some killer seafood, but you’re on a bit of a budget, Fylde Fish Bar in nearby Birkdale is the spot. Launched over a decade ago, they take their food very seriously – they only use fresh fish, locally grown potatoes and chips cooked in less than 1% trans fat oil, and they won’t let anyone else make their mushy peas. That dedication has won them legions of fans and a growing empire, with three outlets including one near Birkdale train station, one to the north of Southport and one in Ormskirk, a short drive from our Southport Ormskirk hotel.

Lastly, La Tabella might be out of the main Southport action to the north of the town centre in Churchtown, but this warm and welcoming Italian restaurant that opened in 2014 is well worth the trip. The pizzas are exceptional, the homemade pasta divine and many of the traditional Italian dishes have been given a neat twist. With friendly service, a range of set menu deals and a Sunday special where all pizza and pasta is just a fiver, you can’t go wrong.

Whether you’re sightseeing, shopping or just out for a stroll, Lord Street is a great place to go café-hopping. Starting at the roundabout at the top end is Lords Café Bar, a continental-style café and bar with plush sofas and some of the best coffee in town. The licensed outlet also does a wide range of food including their renowned breakfasts.

Heading down Lord Street towards The Atkinson is Lilibets Tearoom, an award-winning café featuring a dizzying array of homemade patisserie cakes and treats. Open daily from 10am-5pm, they also serve a range of light lunches, sandwiches and soups as well as their legendary hot chocolate.

If you’ve been shopping in The Wayfarers Arcade, there’s no excuse for not stopping off at Pudding and Pie. A stylish bistro opened in 2009 in the arcade, their food menu covers a lot more bases than the name indicates, with everything from salads, fish and chips, jacket potatoes, omelettes and paninis on the menu. That said, the pies and the cakes, scones, tray bakes and cupcakes are certainly the main highlight.

Nearby in the Cambridge Arcade is Le Boulevard, a family-run bistro that’s been at the heart of the café scene in Southport for over 20 years. Open daily from 10am-4pm, they serve breakfast, lunch, early dinner, snacks and drinks, with the vast menu covering everything from Mediterranean breakfasts to bangers and mash, burgers and more. The food is neatly presented and the hoards of local fans tells you all you need to know about this Southport favourite.

Close to the pier and a short walk from our Southport Central hotel is Kings Gardens Tea Room, one of the leading destinations for afternoon tea in Southport open every Saturday and Sunday. With a prime seaside location, stepping inside is like time-travelling back to the 30s or 40s with delicate china, bunting and gentle pastel colours everywhere. The food is just as nostalgic, with afternoon tea the highlight amongst breakfast and lunch options.