Really great tea room. Themed Alice in wonderland cafe with cups, decor and music to suit…read more Definitely worth a visit if you're into that sort of thing. Staff are polite and food is good quality.

Billed as 'Southport's premier seafood and steak restaurant', it would be easy to miss Forge…read moreBrasserie as it is rather hidden down a tiny side street off Eastbank Street. However, those brave enough to go down the pokey back road its on will find themselves rewarded with a lovely dining experience, complimented by helpful and friendly waiting staff as well as delicious cooking using locally grown ingredients. As I said, Forge advertise themselves primarily as a fish restaurant, so it's no surprise to find their menu dominated by fish and other seafood dishes. I'm not a big fan of seafood generally but I love fish and have found some of the dishes at Forge are both interesting and tasty, such as the halibut steak and the grilled Dover sole, which although expensive is worth the price. Aside from seafood and fish dishes, their meat menu is similarly impressive as it boasts a good variety of options including roast duck as well as a good range of different steaks. The restaurant may not be in the best location in Southport but it's worth putting that to one side and giving Forge a go, particularly if you're a seafood and fish fan.

A hidden gem in Southport's back streets, don't let the name fool you - it's the genuine article,…read moreno forgery to be found here. It's super duper excellent in fact. You'll get lovely traditional Brit food in here as well as a fantastic variety of very fresh seafood. In fact the catches of the day are available to view in an open fridge, and that ambience of openness continues right through to the open kitchen where you can see the dishes being created. The prices are really reasonable, especially if you take advantage of some of the special offers, and the service is lovely. But even though it's something of a concealed weapon be sure to book in advance. The place is nicely bustling even during the day and it's more than popular, so be careful!

You're homesick. You miss your mummy/daddykins/dog/significant other/catfish/weasel/antfarm. You…read moreneed some of that home cookin' to soothe your lonely soul, something traditional and warming and comforting. And while in this humid heatwave such thoughts might turn your stomach as much as they're turning mine, I'm thinking back to the cold winters of November when I visited Pudding and Pie in a chilly, wind-whipped Southport. It's worse on the coast, you know. Rumour has it that breeze is so sharp it can make your favourite jumper threadbare. True story. Look no further to solve those feelings than the very definition of stodge that is Pudding and Pie, a place where they do a mean fish finger sandwich (whether the fish were mean before they became fingers remains to be seen), a steak and ale pie that views your arteries as a personal challenge, Lancashire hot pot that could rival Betty's in the Rover's, soups designed to put hair on your chest when you're feeling infirm... all 100% home made. And if you've made the leap to the fat-is-flavour side of the river this far, you might as well finish yourself off with an equally cosy pud. Eccles cakes, or fly pies as my mother calls them (thanks, dear parent, for ruining a traditional north westerly baked treat), apple crumble so warm and juicy that Jim from American Pie would want to get a room with it, bread and butter pudding that ain't stingy on the bright yellow sticks of doom... it's all here, waiting to comfort you. The location is pretty delicious too; Wayfarers Arcade happens to be one of my favourite spots in Southport and the ornate architectural delight that it is blankets Pudding and Pie in even more loveliness. Plus it's super central, so once you've had your fill you can either walk off your heavy tummy by hitting the shops with aplomb or head straight to the beach for a lunch-burnin' sand hike. Either way, the staff are lovely and it makes a superb spot for a substantial lunch or naughty treat any time of the day... one I'd highly recommend.

A friend and I came here for Lunch. We got the Vegetarian Shepherd's pie and homestyle fish and…read morechips. The service was at Pudding and Pie is very good. The guy behind the counter was super nice and made a few jokes, the waitress was also very nice and accommodating. The food at Pudding and Pie was very filling and well priced. They even had free games and crayons to pass time. What a great place to just relax and have a good meal!

Despite not eating pizza or pasta, Italian restaurants are my favourite kind; if it's authentic…read moreenough, there's always a great atmosphere and the promise of something tasty and, quite simply, a wonderful evening. Gusto always appealed to me, the tinted windows always inspiring a voyeuristic stare and suggesting a restricted exclusivity. I wanted in. The classic Italian food is ideal for lunch or dinner and the restaurant itself, while sophisticated and quite refined is rather laid back and tere is a very informal feel here which is appealing. There is a mix of salad dishes, appetizers and specials available. Insalata dell'Orto e del Mare or Seafood Salad went down a treat; the ingredients were so fresh and tender and only £5. divine. I was really impressed. Forgot to mention- the desserts are AMAZING; Tuscan biscuit; apple tart; pancakes; sorbets there's so much to choose from!

We're in Southport again! I just can't keep away. And yes, it's another Italian! #And I can't fight…read morethis feeeeeling anymooooore#, I'm obviously obsessed with Italian food no matter how much I protest the reverse. This place is packed to the rafters on weekends, after all it's in a prime Southport location on Lord Street where all the very nice shops are and the lovely architecturally historic buildings and the beautiful branch of Waterstones set in an old bank and whatnot. So no doubt hoards descend upon it of an evening, thus you'd be wise to book in advance if you fancy a pizza or pasta here. It's classic rustic Italian fare with a sprinkling of creativity. The salads as starters wind up being absolutely ridiculously huge, and would easily do as a main course despite being only £5.95, and the pizza here is the stuff of legends. Everyone in Southport seems to rave about it and rightly so, it's crisp, fresh and exactly as you'd expect it in Italy with lovely simple thin toppings and doesn't leave you feeling like a doughball by the end of it. There are plenty of pastas to choose from too, and the one with artichokes and truffle oil is just divine. Meanwhile if you're catching lunch there the sandwiches can be made with foccacia. Could I be any more sold? The cheese platter with pears is a glorious way to finish off the meal with a sweet and savoury combo, but if you're in the mood for something far more indulgent there's the quintessential tiramisu, chocolate crepes, pistachio ice cream, apple tart or caramelised fruits with amaretto and marscapone which I really couldn't resist - try it and see what heaven really tastes like. All in all, reasonably priced with great service and a superb wine list in a gorgeous setting. Nothing to complain about here.

Jackson's is another in the wave of fish and chip shops in Southport that tries to entice you in on…read morea cold and wet Tuesday afternoon for some good, wholesome home cooking. Unlike many of its rivals however, Jackson's has the pedigree to boot too as it has recently been voted Best Chippy 2010 (although I'm not quite sure where). As you might expect with such a title, Jackson's offers very good fish and chips that is delicious and filling. Their fish is delightfully crispy and golden, whilst their chips are perfectly fluffy and just the right texture between dry and soggy. Their prices are fairly competitive for the area, meaning you can get fish, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter and a hot drink for less than four pounds, which is great value for money when you consider the quality of the food you're eating. If you're in the area definitely give them a try, whether you fancy a takeaway or a sit down meal.

Gorgeous chips and gravy! The fish is lovely to and big portions! i always make sure i visit here…read morewhen i come back home! Top notch!

I remember from my youth that this site used to be home to a little Chinese restaurant that always…read morelooked quite dark and dingy, even when it was open, as if there was something going on inside that they didn't want you to know about (maybe some Yakuza bosses were having a meeting inside, who knows). Thankfully, the Chinese there has now been replaced by a lovely little French restaurant called Bistrot Verite (who'd have thought bistro in French was bistrot, hey?) Named after it's owner (a highly reputable chef in the area, I'm told), this cosy little restaurant is placed not far from Birkdale station, making it perfect to hop off a train and venture in for a good meal and a bottle of wine or two before hopping on the last train back home. Their reliance on fresh local produce means the dishes change from time to time depending on what is in season but this makes for an excellent variety of food ranging from lamb to tuna steak and salmon and asparagus pasta. The staff there are friendly and engaging, contributing to the warm and pleasant atmosphere making for a great dining experience. C'est bon (GCSE French in practice, there).

Quite what the difference between a 'bistrot' and a bistro is I have no idea, but if anyone out…read morethere is far more cultured than me, answers on a postcard please. What we do know it does is successfully bring a taste of France to the wealthy suburbs of Birkdale, and what better to put these affluent types in the mood for their next jaunt to gay Paree? (I did phonetics there, I'm sorry. Oh, I mean... ferneticks.) With a reputable chef at the helm and a flair for innovation stamped all over the menu, you can't go wrong with this place, and its location in such a well-to-do area between Southport and Liverpool means that going wrong in the land of Birkdale isn't really an option, and the restaurants follow suit. The mussels are absolutely staggering; the French do throw them together very well and I was most impressed with the almost slurp-worthy white wine sauce. The seasonal dishes are cooked to perfection and presented very prettily, and the accompanying wine list is most impressive too. The service can't be faulted either, and for staff who must be starstruck on a daily basis by sporting heroes and actors, they're extremely down to earth and most of all, friendly, accommodating and helpfully informative with the menu, and to be honest, the prices aren't all that bad for the generous portions you get given Salut, as they say on the continent.

A superb fishmonger and game merchant, selling a wide variety of both fresh and frozen produce…read more The fish are all of a good size, none of the underweight, undersized rubbish in this shop and it is incredibly fresh. They also sell fresh boiled shrimps, poached salmon and baked herrings, ideal for a quick supper. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful and nothing is too much trouble. Prepare to buy more than you intended when you visit, you will not be able to resist.

The freshest fish on the northwest coast and a variety second to none…read more Lanigan's is run by the local game keeper so always has a good supply of in season game.

Nature's Remedies is a lovely little family-run shop in Southport that offers its customers a fine…read moreselection of health foods, vitamins and supplements that aims to provide natural solutions to any health problems customers may have. The staff there are highly knowledgeable and experienced, meaning they are able to offer advice on things like sports nutrition as well as testing for allergies. The range of different nutritional goods there is both extensive and varied, meaning you should be able to find whatever you are looking for. The shop itself does look quite small and cramped from the outside, but as you enter you find that it is quite spacious and you are able to feel quite comfortable browsing without being bothered too much by the staff there, who are both patient and approachable.

From the owner: We are an independent family and friends run health food, natural lifestyle, and holistic therapy…read morestore. We offer natural, nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedies, dietary and lifestyle advice, and lovely organic skin care products. Our visiting therapists offer a range of treatments from allergy testing, aromatherapy massage, hypnotherapy, reflexology and reiki.

Not far from Lord Street, you'll find the Pavilion Restaurant nestled within the Royal Clifton…read moreHotel. It's a mish-mash of your classic Brit dishes available alongside a bunch of Modern European and Continental kind of fare, and all the ingredients are locally sourced and flavoursome and wholesome. Go on, we're listening... Seasonal too! Blimey, Mr Ramsay would be proud. The chef's won awards so there are no scruples there, and with a wide veggie variety to choose from as well as some meaty traditional meals and specials which are added to the menu for something a little different, their availability based upon the local markets or the season. Fabulous stuff. Add to that an eclectic wine list with some really highbrow vintage offerings as well as enthusiastic staff who'll attend to your every whim with exceptional service, alongside a relaxing lounge for pre-dinner drinks and the option of regular live music and jazz with your meal, and you've got the recipe for a decent evening out methinks. I didn't expect to find something quite so tranquil in Southport, so it's certainly worth a look.

From the outside, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Pavilion restaurant was the large…read moreconservatory on the side of a very rich person's house. In reality, it is in fact the restaurant at the back of the popular Royal Clifton hotel on Southport's sea front. Its relationship with the Royal Clifton means that the restaurant itself is quite luxurious in its design, offering diners there a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy their meal. The menu offers a modest selection of classic English dishes as well as various chef specials and other interesting dishes, all of which change on a daily or weekly basis, so it's best to head there and check out the menu for yourself. The prices are a bit expensive generally, but the food is well-cooked, delicious and beautifully presented. The staff there are similarly pleasant as they are attentive and polite, ensuring your every need is met.

Great Italian restaurant. You MUST MUST MUST get the garlic bread (it's the thinest pizza ever and…read moreis perfect for two to share while waiting for your dinner) Staff are helpful and attentive. The food is consistently good. I enjoyed seafood risotto - awesome. Pizzas are great. All kinds of specials. The pannacotta with fresh raspberries is worth saving room for and I"m not a big dessert person! Just two minutes walk from Birkdale train station :) open through the day with interesting small plate options during the afternoon.

Fresh decor, friendly and efficient waiting staff. All dishes well presented, prawn starter…read moredelicious, needed a chunk of bread to dunk in the sauce. Slightly mixed comments on bruschetta as some liked focaccia and some found a little soft in texture but flavours great. Calamari fresh and great texture. Mains of lasagne, sucking pig, lamb and beef All flavoursome, absolutely loved the polenta mash and vegetables perfectly cooked. Puddings of pannecotta, zabaglione, and cappuccino ice cream and cake, all excellent. Bonus points for having Strega to accompany. Highly recommended