Deli Fonseca is one of the few places that makes me wish I was loaded…read more A fab independent deli in Liverpool's business district, it's packed floor to ceiling with all kinds of mouthwatering goodies. The gigantic counter displays a myriad of delicious cheeses, hams, olives, pates, anti-pasti and salads whilst the nearby baskets display fresh sticks and loaves of bread. To top it off, they have dozens of wooden shelves groaning with all kinds of lovely store cupboard treats from organic granola, cereals and cookies to oat cakes, chutneys, olive oils, vinegars, sauces and spices. Now, where did I put that darn lottery ticket?

This review is for the upstairs restaurant area - and sadly it is not a good one. One Saturday…read morelunchtime, I popped in for a light lunch. Nothing complicated - in the end, I ordered a Greek salad and a plate of Serrano ham rather than the pricier mains on the blackboards. I'm not sure how two really basic things could be so disappointing. I think it's because on the surface, this looks like a place that prides itself on sourcing and attention to detail. On the specials during my visit were such items as hand foraged local samphire, Cumbrian lamb and Pink's award winning sausages. So why was the Greek salad about 50% raw onion? Why did it feature those mealy crunchy supermarket basics tomatoes, cold from the fridge? Even the black olives mentioned on the menu were green. And they clearly did have black olives in the kitchen, because my four slices of Serrano ham (almost £6) came topped with a single olive. They boasted it was "20 month aged" - most of it had clearly been in their fridge, as it featured a faint tang of refrigerator and managed to be unpleasantly rubbery. Not sure how Serrano ham can even go rubbery but there you go. If you've boasting of excellent ingredients then it's unacceptable for the basics to fail so badly. I wouldn't bother returning.

Byron's is a lovely little deli situated on Eaton Road, opposite Alder Hey hospital. It offers a…read moremassive range of sandwiches, soup, toasties, quiche, salads, breakfasts and hot food. There is seating outside on the street, which although a bit noisy being on a busy main road , is a great place to sit whilst the staff prepare your food. The menu is extensive and it can be quite difficult to decide on an item to try because of this. There are also a huge range of cakes on sale which are very very difficult to resist. There are many different drinks available from fizzy drinks, fruit juices, teas and coffees The staff are helpful and happy to recommend something to try. The prices at Byron's are not cheap, particularly compared to the nearby Sayers. But the food is lovely and worth splashing out on every now and then.

Clarke's Richmond Deli is a really decent sandwich and salad take-away. They sell a wide range of…read moredifferent sandwiches from standard barms, panini's to baguettes. Their menu's offer delicious combinations of fillings so there is usually something that suits everyone's taste. The food is all of a healthy nature and even their burgers are great quality. I ordered a burger (freshly cooked in a couple of minutes) with raw onions and mayonnaise for just £2 which was served in a large plain white bun; that definitely filled me and I would go back again whenever I'm in need of a convenient lunch. Since they boast such a wide variety of ingredients such as various pre-cooked meats, sliced salads and other condiments, the choice is really yours. In addition, they sell jacket potatoes which sound mouth-watering and tempting (especially on a cold day)! Clarke's Richmond Deli is much better than your average sandwich bar. Plus, the lovely aromas that are emitted make you want to go even more.

Big. Big butties. Big potatoes. Just big pieces of meat and non of this namby pamby modern lark…read morejust big food so get it down yer neck! If that could be a motto or brand slogan for a deli - sorry butty shop! - then that might be a good one for Clarke's. It seems to denegrate them some what but this succint description of a fine sandwich emporium is meant entirely in the best possible way. There seems to be little mucking about with things like rocket - which I hate, it is horrible no matter how many chefs and foodies use it these days, it's a weed! - Clarke's serve good, some might say traditional sandwiches, in a straightforward manner like roast beef, ham - just ham nowt fancy done to it - and various chickens - coronation and tikka basically - and all at very cheap prices - usually below £3 - for a good size butty.

We had a wonderful dinner here last Thursday night. The COVID-19 measures were firmly in place and…read morethat made us feel very comfortable. The restaurant has a beautiful, relaxed vibe and is flooded with light at sunset. The food was excellent, as always, and the staff were warm, welcoming and efficient. Can't wait to go again. Thanks to Tom and his colleagues for making our family dinner -- our first meal out since lockdown -- a night to remember.

Gillions in Crosby is an odd sort of place. From the outside, it just looks like a glorified…read moreconvenience store, larger than usual and generally a bit more open. When you enter though, you realise that it's more like the Selfridges food court than the local One Stop. In here, they stock various different types of goods, including bread, freshly cut meats, drinks and other home essentials. The 'essentials' might not always be your usual kind (a bit more upmarket), but they're essential nonetheless. As it's an independent store, the prices are a bit steeper than if you went to your local supermarket, but by buying from there you are supporting a local business, something which Crosby is struggling to uphold currently. The staff in there are friendly enough and attentive, but I did find the layout of the shop a bit confusing when it comes to paying; the till by the door was unmanned and the only other staff were behind the deli counters, meaning I was unsure where to actually pay for my goods. One member did eventually come over however, crisis averted. They also do catering for events, which I have had the pleasure of sampling (though not paying for, thankfully).

With all the "SHOP LOCAL" propaganda of late, I will guiltily admit that I very rarely shop here,…read moremainly because I am not the main household shopper and anything I need house-wise is usually in the cupboard waiting for me! However. I was in need of a christmas gift for a dear grandmother of mine, rather desperately as I had left shoppng rather late, and just days before the big day, I popped to Gilleons delicattessen. Some months earlier I had purchased some unusual cheeses from a delicattessen in lake district and, as Granny had polished those off delightedly, I thought a nice cheese board would go down well over a game of Christmas scrabble or during Poirot. The cheeses were quite unusual, stilton and blueberry and camembert with something, nuts or raisins.. anyway it went down extremely well, Granny even thought I'd been back to the lakes for it, which shows the quality of the produce sold here! I must say I was surprised by the interior of the store, Gilleons has always appealed from the pavement with it's striped window canopies and chalk board it looks so quaint and inviting, inside however it's a little minimartish, it's clean and stocks a good deal of essentials and extras, but it lacks character. Also, the staff were suprisingly inattentive, the cheese deli server was decidedly miserable and the cashier continued a conversation over my head, barely acknowledging my presence or purchase: no bag and no 'thankyou'. A little rude.

I don't think I'm quite as big a fan of this place as other people, don't get me wrong, the food is…read moredelicious; it's very fresh, high quality food, cooked on site but it's so expensive! £1.60 for ONE SLICE of turkey, yes, it was very tasty turkey, but still... As well as this, the name delicatessen is somewhat incongruous with the butcher's environment of Hampers; there are chains hanging from the entrance door, huge glass counters and white tile walls: it's a butchers, and I don't like butchers, they make my stomch turn! Further, the service is a little brusque, I know the shop is popular and can get busy, but whenever I have called in the place is empty yet the staff still seem a little rushed and I feel something of an inconvenience. As I say, the food is good, and the establishment is clean, if a little uninviting, but I don't go out of my way to visit.

If you looked at this shop's sign quickly and then looked away again, I suppose you could be…read moreforgiven for thinking it was some kind of nappy shop. It's not, though. What it actually is however is a lovely little delicatessen in Crosby. Hampers sells a great selection of fresh cooked and uncooked meat that is all very tasty, putting their supermarket rivals to shame. As well as selling various deli meats, Hampers also sells a range of freshly made pies and, interestingly for a deli, fresh packaged bread (even if it is just Warburtons or another major brand, it's still a nice touch). Sometimes they even combine the two (bread and meat, who'd have though it) and sell barms stuffed with sausages or chicken if you so wish. The staff in Hampers are friendly if a little intimidating at first, but I always think butchers are a bit (maybe it's something to do with Fred Elliott off Corrie, or those massive meat cleavers they wield) and I always find they're more than happy to help with any request you have. A good place to go for all your delicatessen needs, and then some.

The Onion is a cute little deli/coffee shop/cafe based on Aigburth Road just near Lark Lane and 5…read moreminutes from the city centre. They serve really good food here and their menu differs from all the greasy spoons that litter Aigburth Road, so they're a healthy alternative for a takeout lunch or even a take home tea! Their specials are great, they do a great homemade chilli con carne, they have a gorgeous Moroccan spiced carrot soup and tender fresh roast ham for their sandwiches. They also do great cakes, I especially like their pear and ginger cake, but they also do a delicious homemade Victoria sponge. They stock a range of organic squashes, pastas, olives, oils and roasted vegetables in jars. This is standard in most delis, but they are a real friendly bunch and there is no snobbery like you get in some of these places!

Onion is a good quality deli and coffee shop which is a refreshing change to some of the cafes and…read moresandwich bars which inhabit the city of Liverpool. This place has a touch of sophistication and provides great food and service to the customers who walk through its doors. What I like here is that this place manages to keep it simple whilst still having a touch of class and hitting the spot every time. Onion is a great place to relax with a coffee and take some time out and this is due to the fantastic ambience. On the whole a good solid establishment which really punches well above its weight and with great results.

A really lovely little deli. The best place I've found in town to get lots of little knick knacks…read moreto try out at home. They sell all sorts of exotic foods and jars of jams and chutneys and pates and lots of other delights. There is also a cafe on site where you can sample their home made sandwiches and cakes which are absolutely delicious. The service is great and the people really know their stuff. Its a little pricey but no more than you would pay elsewhere and definitely worth it for the occasional splurge.