An influx of Mediterranean themed bars and resultants has each brought something unique to the scene
Zeus Taverna on Castle Street(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool has welcomed a vast number of vibrant new restaurants and bars in the past year. While they each bring something different to the city’s food and drink scene, a noticeable number have been inspired by the flavours of the Mediterranean.
We took a look at some of the most recent bars, restaurants and cafes that have opened in the last 12 months with a focus on serving Mediterranean flavours to customers. Many of the venues also boast a distinctly Mediterranean interior design scheme, which create the feeling of being on holiday without ever leaving Liverpool.
Elif is a popular Turkish restaurant in the city, and last July it opened a branch in the former NatWest Bank building on Castle Street, breathing life back into the stunning building which stood empty since the bank’s closure in 2017
Many of the original features, including a spectacular central stained-glass dome, have been retained. This hangs alongside intricate plasterwork on the ceiling, that has been carefully renovated and painted, as well as being furnished with dark wooden panelling.
Elif was one of the biggest openings in the hospitality industry’s calendar last year, thanks to its gorgeous setting appearance and traditionally Turkish menu. And since its opening in July, even more restaurants have opened in the city which offer diners the opportunity to pretend they’re on holiday for the duration of their meal. Here are some of the recent openings.
Zeus Taverna
Zeus Taverna, also located on Castle Street, certainly feels like stepping outside the UK and into a Greek taverna for the night.
Zeus Taverna on Castle Street(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Inspired by the island of Santorini, Zeus Taverna boasts textured whitewashed walls framed by turquoise blues creating the feel of a traditional Greek taverna.
The restaurant launched last month with a selection of traditional favourites, as well as dishes like octopus, prawns and mussels, as well as speciality salads.
Aron’s Place
February saw Aron’s Place Mediterranean restaurant opening on Allerton Road. The venue’s owner, Jonny, named the business after his son, Aron.
Inside Aron’s Place
Jonny said: “We have been looking for a site on Allerton Road for sometime, and this site is perfect for what we wanted in terms of location.
“Allerton Road has some amazing restaurants and bars and we are very happy to now be part of this well-known and loved road in the South of Liverpool.”
Kyma
The new Mediterranean restaurant and bar – Kyma
Another Mediterranean restaurant and bar, named Kyma, launched on South Road in Waterloo the same week, transforming an old pub into a cosy, modern venue with a £1.2million renovation.
Owner Natasha Moran hopes to recreate the ambiance of the Greek Islands with a relaxed atmosphere and a strong menu and offer something unique to the area.
She said: “I wanted to create a different offering in the area and bring together what I love about hospitality: great food and drinks, beautiful décor and unmatched ambiance.”
Bakchich
Back in the city centre, a long standing staple of Bold Street decided to revamp its image. Bakchich, a Lebanese restaurant, recently reopened following a facelift digging deep into its eastern Mediterranean roots.
Bakchich ditched its dark interiors in favour of indented white stone walls with ceramic ornaments and a chic Middle-Eastern aesthetic, leaving it completely unrecognisable from its former image.
Bakchich Lebanese Restaurant(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The hand crafted indents decorated with bright lights and clay sculptures is the thread tying the majority of Mediterranean venues together.
Ours
Elsewhere in the city centre Ours bar is the latest opening by the team behind Liverpool’s tapas restaurant chain So Salsa. The cocktail bar has moved into the Castle Street unit previously occupied by Hobs Reprographics, opting for with natural sandy tones throughout the venue.
The alcove bar acts as a centrepiece separating a bright and casual front room with floor to ceiling windows and a private back space draped with curtains.
Ours bar on Castle Street(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)Blackstock Market rooftop bar
The team behind the Blackstock Market food hall launched the rooftop space earlier this month to coincide with that rare week of good weather.
Blackstock Market Rooftop Garden(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
The Blackstock Roof Garden embraces nature, adorned with vibrant pink flowers, climbing plants, and lush greenery, complemented by trellises and Mediterranean colours and finishes. The seating area opts for charming Andalusian tiles and white washed walls offering a visual cool down from the saturated outdoors.
Liverpool’s Mediterranean boom hasn’t gone unnoticed but every new arrival has brought something unique to the hospitality scene. It seems you can’t have too much of a good thing.
Zaad
A new restaurant and café offering a “slice of the Mediterranean” is preparing to open in the city centre. The venue named Zaad hopes to recreate “a little corner of the Middle East” on Wolstenholme Square.
Zaad restaurant and cafe on Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool(Image: christopher megrath)
Signs on the front of the venue read: “A fresh new look at Mediterranean cuisine,” and “bringing the rich flavours of the Middle East and Mediterranean to the square.”
An additional post on the restaurant’s Instagram page reads: “Welcome to ZAAD. A little corner of the Middle East, opening soon in the heart of Liverpool.
“We’re creating a space full of flavour, warmth, and connection — just like home. Follow our journey, and stay tuned for opening day!”