Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Runcorn

"Featuring sweeping views of the city and an equally mesmerising cocktail menu, 20 Stories’ serene sanctuary in the sky is the perfect place to unwind. Book a table on the rooftop garden terrace for 2 hours and expect a truly magical experience as you tuck into either the a la carte, brunch or terrace menu. If you’d like to visit for just drinks, seats are on a first come first served basis, with the door held once capacity has been met."

"For the ultimate swanky experience, dine high in the sky serenaded by electric violinists at 20 Stories. The restaurant is serving a special four-course menu for the occasion featuring Aberdeen Angus beef wellington and lemon tart with raspberry sorbet followed by truffles and fudge (£70). A vegan menu is also available."

"Not only does it hold the title as Manchester's highest restaurant, but 20 Stories has also garnered acclaim for its locally-sourced eats. Dishes such as truffle risotto and grilled halibut with a pistachio crust are paired with an impressive wine list to make for a memorable evening."

"One of Liverpool’s most popular restaurants and cocktail bars, Maray, is set to open its third site this summer at the iconic Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. The company’s expansion follows the success of its existing Middle Eastern-inspired restaurants, on Bold Street, Liverpool city centre and Allerton Road in the south of the city. The new Maray will join an exciting food and drink line-up currently taking shape at the Royal Albert Dock, which has seen a number of independent operators open over the past year."

"For small plates and spot-on cocktails, pay a visit to Maray on Bold Street. The buzzing vibe starts here in the afternoon and carries on well into the evening, as friends cosy up in the intimate restaurant digging into burrata, roasted cauliflower with pomegranate and lamb koftas. Arrive early for a seat at the bar and order the Whip Royale – a concoction of cucumber gin, prosecco and fragrant lavender, or keep it classic with a gin and tonic, each perfectly paired with a garnish."

"One of Liverpool’s best loved restaurants, Mowgli, always have their doors open for the entire family. With two sites in the city, the Indian Street Food establishment is a must when visiting the city with the kids. They’ve even put together a children’s menu with some recommended choices off the fantastic main menu."

"If you fancy a bit more heat in your menu than Mowgli may be the place to go. Offering an exciting array of authentic Indian street food there are plenty of interesting morsels on offer at Mowgli. We love there zingy Gun Powder Chicken and none of there great tasting treats will break the bank."

"Mowgli is all about bringing the Indian street food concept to the UK. They offer an amazing Vegan menu including dishes like Bhel Puri and Curry Tiffin. Based all around the UK, their new venue on Bold Street has become a popular one within Liverpool."

"This laid-back Piccadilly street food favourite has canteen and booth-style seating, and bespoke artwork nodding to Manchester’s industrial heritage. The informal menu is entirely vegetarian: think spiced okra fries, or bundo chaat, a delightful mixture of crunchy samosa pastry, chickpeas, tamarind chutney and turmeric noodles. An excellent beer list showcases local breweries."

"The home of Indian veggie burgers, paneer tikka and egg burjhis, Bundobust is all about good food. But drinks don't go unnoticed either, with a cracking selection of craft beer for all palates. We're talking cask ales, chai cider and rotational keg lines pouring different kinds of brews."

"You can eat for well under a tenner at Indian kitchen Bundobust. Located in the Northern Quarter, the restaurant is a veggie haven of spicy cooking; we recommend the masala dosa, a warming combination of soup and mini pancakes."

"Salopian Oracle; Titanic Plum Porter; three changing beers (sourced regionally). A first-rate place to eat and drink. The emphasis here is on dining but the excellent well-kept beer range is varied and interesting."

"Since opening their doors in November 2015, Hope Mill Theatre has become one of the most successful independent venues in England. Located in Ancoats, they produce full scale musicals from their Grade II listed former mill. The theatre will be reopening this summer, as well as hosting Hope Fest, an outdoor arts and culture festival."

"This wonderful independent venue, located out in New Islington, was one of the few theatres that managed to reopen last year after lockdown. It'll be back again with a reduced capacity and socially distanced seating for a Meet Me At Dawn, from HER Productions. You can get tickets at hopemilltheatre.co.uk."

"The first public events will return to the Stoller Hall from June 7. Shows will be socially-distanced with reduced capacities initially, but there are hopes that it will be back to near-full capacity by September. See more and book tickets at stollerhall.com/whats-on."

"The Stoller Hall is situated in the heart of Manchester and offers a personal live music experience that puts you closer to the music. The concert hall delivers a programme including classical, folk and jazz music, as well as spoken word and comedy."

"The May Blitz of 1941 saw St Luke’s church forever changed when a bomb landed right on top of it’s roof. Over time, the city has lovingly restored it back to life and it now plays host to everything from weddings, to gigs, to farmers markets and cinema screenings. The church itself and the gardens around it are a total treat for the eye."

"St Luke’s Church, or the Bombed Out Church to the locals, sits proudly at the top of Bold Street and is a great spot for a photograph, especially if you get to head inside. Known as the Bombed Out Church because it no longer has a roof, it makes for an interesting photo for the collection. View this post on Instagram"

"More commonly known as 'the bombed out church' St Luke’s was destroyed during the Blitz of World War II. With no ceiling, and plants now growing inside, it is a real place of tranquility in the centre of the city and serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the war."

"Zizzi is a go-to place for varied types of eaters that has common goals and that is to find a delicious treat that is made following their specific diet and requirements. Whether you are a veggie, vegan, non-gluten or meat eater, you would ceratinly be served the best menu that will fit your dietary specifications. They have a full menu that serves different starters, pizza, pasta, meat, salads, sides, non-gluten mains and desserts."

"Smithdown Road's much loved Craft Taproom recently launched its brand new menu - which is completely vegetarian and 90% vegan. The brand new menu features seitan burgers, cauliflower wings, vegan lasagne - and even a seitan philly cheesesteak sandwich. 174 Smithdown Road, Liverpool L15 3JR"

"A self professed dive bar that just recently opened on Smithdown Road, Craft Taproom has been extremely popular with the locals. Well, good beer at good prices with live music – what’s not to love?. We particularly like the Lovecraft inspired decor."

"Ginger’s is the perfect place to go for a Mancunian-made ice cream. An award winning real dairy ice cream business, this Affleck’s emporium offers a range of exciting flavours which even include vegan options. The flavours change quite regularly so there will always be something new to try on every visit; they recently served a vegan chocolate brownie flavour which went down very well!"

"You’ve probably seen the chic and trendy “ice cream van for the grown-ups. This dessert wagon is mainly to be found after dark, when the children are safe in bed, roaming the streets of south Manchester.”. And now luckily for us they have a permanent residence in the Northern Quarter, on the first floor Afflecks Palace."

"Products sourced from local producers, Ginger’s is on the first floor of Afflecks which means it’s already cool – and that’s before trying the ice cream. Like Gino’s, they have loads of stuff to suit your ice cream needs including dairy-free ice cream. Be sure to try the Chorlton Crack."