Liverpool is full of treasures and attractions, some of which are hidden and others are just gems in their own right.
The city still has some secrets up its sleeves, including hidden bars and secret streets you may have never seen.
It’s so jam packed in fact, that it’s easy to wander past a hidden gem without even knowing it.
However, one of Liverpool’s most-loved locations is no secret at all - in fact, it’s hard to miss.
READ MORE: 30 fascinating places tucked away in Liverpool that you just need to visit
The Royal Albert Dock is home to a number of restaurants, bars, shops and attractions that are firm favourites across the city - never mind the stunning views it offers as you explore.
However, it's easy to get overwhelmed at the dock since there’s so much going on. Below, we’ve created an easy guide that will ensure you make the most of the experience.
To eat
Lerpwl
Co-founded by Ellis Barrie, who featured on Great British Menu, and his brother Liam, Lerpwl offers menus comprising seasonal ingredients of the finest quality with strong links between Liverpool's port and the rest of the British Isles and North Wales.
Pronounced ‘Ler-pool’, the restaurant aims to recognise the brothers’ links to Liverpool and North Wales, where they first started working at a quirky café on their parent’s caravan park. Lerpwl fittingly translates as the Welsh name for the city.
The restaurant seats 80 across two levels, with the main space downstairs wrapping around an open kitchen and a secluded cocktail bar named Margot’s - named after Liam’s daughter - towards the back.
You can find out more here .
Madre
From the team behind Liverpool restaurants Belzan and Volip, Madre opened at the Albert Dock in November 2019.
Madre serves lunch and dinner - and offers late night snacks at the weekend, with a range of Mexican dishes such as beef short rib birria and iberico pork al pastor.
It is known for serving some of the best tacos in Liverpool too, along with margaritas, craft beers, natural wines and a large outdoor courtyard seating area.
You can find out more here .
Maray
Founded by partners Thomas White, James Bates and Dominic Jones, Maray has racked up multiple culinary awards in its few years and the Albert Dock restaurant, which opened in 2019, is the company’s third site.
Maray Dockside has seating for up to 65 covers and a cocktail bar offering views across the Dock.
The menu on offer at the restaurant is an eclectic range of Middle-Eastern inspired small plates perfect for sharing with friends. There’s also a bold and creative cocktail menu on offer.
You can find out more here .
Rosa’s Thai Cafe
London restaurant Rosa’s Thai opened its first restaurant outside the capital at the Albert Dock back in 2019.
Rosa’s Thai Café is known for its flavoursome Thai food inspired by Saiphin’s family recipes, utilising the best in authentic Thai ingredients alongside locally-sourced British produce.
Housed within a Grade I listed former warehouse, Rosa’s Liverpool restaurant is split over two floors and is able to seat up to 88 customers.
The menu offers a range of authentic Thai dishes, bringing the fresh, zesty and delicate flavours of south-east Asian dishes to the dock.
You can find out more here .
Lunyalita
The second venue in the city from the husband and wife team, Peter and Elaine Kinsella, who also own Lunya on Hardman Street, Lunyalita is stocked with up to 400 carefully selected Spanish goodies.
Lunyalita is more intimate than sister-site Lunya and boasts a sun terrace, cafe, bar and deli.
The restaurant can be found next to the Beatles Story in a unit which has kept its originally arched ceilings, brickwork and flagstone floors from two centuries ago.
You can find out more here .
Gusto
An Albert Dock staple, Gusto is well known for its fresh, Italian-inspired fare and exotic cocktail menu.
A highlight of the venue is the warmth of its exposed bricks walls and low lighting - and its floor-to-ceiling windows.
You can find out more here .
Miller and Carter
Steaks take centre stage on the indulgent menu at Miller and Carter, with a variety of cuts, sauces and accompaniments.
You’ll find Miller and Carter next to The Beatles Story, and it’s perfect for a post Magical Mystery Tour meal.
You can find out more here .
Panam
Panam is a contemporary dining and function venue located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion at the Albert Dock.
The spacious Victorian dock warehouse provides a unique waterfront location and the perfect place for a casual dining experience.
The menu is varied and offers tastes and flavours of the Americas – with a few home favourites added in for good measure.
You can find out more here .
What’s Cooking
The longest-serving restaurant at the dock, What’s Cooking prepares dishes to order from the finest freshest ingredients provided by local suppliers with highlights including juicy burgers and succulent steaks.
House specialities include the hand crafted burgers, fall-off-the-bone barbecued ribs, and succulent grilled steaks.
You can find out more here .
Docklands Fish and Chips
According to TripAdvisor Docklands Fish & Chips is among the top fish and chip shops in the city.
The restaurant serves up a range of takeaway food, including kids’ meals, including a generous portion of freshly-cooked fish in light, crispy batter, mushy peas, homemade onion rings and crisp calamari.
You can find out more here .
Rough Hand Made
A family-run bakery, Rough Hand Made makes perfectly imperfect hand-crafted pastries, pittas, breads and sandwiches fresh each day to its own unique recipes.
Rough Hand Made is also famous around Liverpool for its pitta bread that customers are known to bagsy in advance to make sure they get their hands on the baked goodness.
The sweet and savoury pastries also fly out as soon as they leave the oven.
You can find out more here .
To drink
Revolucion de Cuba
A revolutionary rum bar and restaurant spread across two floors, Revolucion de Cuba offers cuban-inspired tapas and cocktails that transport you to the tropical streets of Havana.
Evenings at Revolucion de Cuba are a festival, with live music and a celebration of the spirit of Cuba.
You can find out more here .
The Smugglers Cove
Boasting more than 140 rums, unique cocktails, a hearty menu and more, The Smugglers Cove provides you with the perfect pirate experience.
You can find out more here .
Peaberry Coffee House & Kitchen
The family-led team at Peaberry Coffee House & Kitchen specialises in wholesome, freshly-prepared and locally-sourced food.
This means catering for everyone, from carnivores and pescatarians to vegetarians, or vegans and gluten free diners.
Peaberry’s best-sellers, including its grilled halloumi bagel, vegan club sandwich and fishfinger butty are on the menu, alongside a new evening menu of sharing platters and main meals.
Merseyside favourite The Little Macaron Shop provides its cakes, sweets and bread, giving local workers the choice of great quality, freshly-made rustic sandwiches on their lunch break.
You can find out more here .
Turncoat
Best-selling gin distiller Turncoat is among the latest additions to the Albert Dock family with a cosy basement bar boasting 15 craft beers on tap.
The independent venue offers up a variety of artisan spirits, bitters and craft beers to the dock along with freshly baked sourdough pizzas and a newly launched monthly comedy event.
You can find out more here .
Revolution
Revolution is the dock’s specialist vodka cocktail bar. It’s light, bright loft-inspired interior, and cosy back bar nestled under quirky brick arches, it’s a great spot for dining, drinks, and dancing.
Specialising in vodka-based cocktails, the loft-inspired bar is the superior spot for dining, drinks and dancing.
You can find out more here .
The One O'Clock Gun
From the team behind Liverpool’s Maray restaurants, The One O’Clock Gun is a must-visit.
Bringing together all that’s best about old-fashioned hospitality, a great drink offering and the perfect pub grub, it’s on a mission to be the most welcoming, vibrant and inclusive pub in Liverpool.
You can find out more here .
The Long Shot
Set over two levels with communal bench and table seating on the ground floor and an upper mezzanine floor, as well as outdoor space, The Long Shot shows all the must-see sports dates as they happen. There’s also pool and pinball for everyone who loves to play as well as watch.
The pub shows sporting events across 13 giant screens, offering cocktails and a menu of mouth-watering “monster” sandwiches.
There’s also pool and pinball for everyone who loves to play as well as watch.
You can find out more here .
To shop
Nature’s Treasure
This store offers an eye-catching selection of quality silver and fashion jewellery, along with an extensive range of beautiful crystals ensuring you’ll find the wonders of the natural world.
From geodes and petrified wood to intricate carvings, rare gemstones, birthstones and salt lamps, the store has a number of quirky collectables you don’t see every day.
You can find out more here .
The Nest
The Nest is an art and gift shop selling the work of local artists, designers and makers. The store aims to provide customers with a “unique opportunity to purchase something that is seen as ‘a little bit special’”, without having to be exclusive or expensive.
The Nest stocks a wide selection of handpicked artwork, crafts and gifts from local designs and makers.
You can find out more here .
Liverpool Pictures
A fixture on the Albert Dock for more than 25 years now, Liverpool Pictures is a gallery with the soul of the city at its centre.
Showcasing and selling a vast range of prints, pictures and photos of Liverpool’s most iconic destinations, past and present, Liverpool Pictures works with local artists and photographers to capture the best of our beautiful city.
You can find out more here .
Lost Soles
Known for its unique graphic prints, Lost Soles has built up a huge fan base and a following of celebrity customers, including Tony Bellew and Callum Smith.
The store stocks t-shirts and other items from its current men’s and kidswear collections, with a range of in-store exclusive designs and re-releases of sold-out favourites back by popular demand.
You can find out more here .
Pride of Liverpool
Whether you’re in Liverpool for the first or 101st time, you’re sure to find something new and novel here.
From birthday presents to Secret Santa gifts and holiday souvenirs, Pride of Liverpool is a gift shop in the classic end-of-the-pier tradition.
You can find out more here .
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With Love from Liverpool
A treasure trove featuring every souvenir, t-shirt and novelty you could possibly ever think of, With Love from Liverpool is your one-stop gift shop.
Stocking everything from Liverpool-centric gifts to collectibles from the best of music, TV and cinema, there is something for everyone at With Love from Liverpool.
You can find out more here .
Harbour Accessories
From scarves, hats, fascinators and jewellery to bags, brooches and belts, Harbour Accessories is the place to find anything you need.
Bursting with a rainbow array of accessories for every occasion, Harbour Accessories always promises great value for every gift.
You can find out more here .
Roly’s Fudge
Perfecting its recipe for more than 30 years, award-winning Roly’s Fudge has a selection of delectable flavours that are made using natural ingredients whenever possible, with the finest traditional methods.
Using an antique copper cauldron in the kitchen of their farmhouse cottage, Roly’s used an old family recipe for its first batch of fudge – and still uses traditional recipes to make fresh fudge in its shops every day.
Its fudge has won more than 45 awards in the last ten years, using natural ingredients whenever possible, with the finest traditional methods.
You can find out more here .
Quay Confectionery
A treasure trove of classic sweets, Quay Confectionery is an echo of our childhoods, offering more than 30 flavours of fudge, every colour of sherbet and US goodies.
With more treats than Willy Wonka in every colour of the sherbet rainbow this store is full of fairground favourites, and twice as colourful.
You can find out more here .
Museums and more
Tate Liverpool
Spread across four floors, Tate Liverpool is home to the National Collection of Modern Art in the north as well as offering a full events programme and one of the best views across the Mersey.
Tate Liverpool is one of the largest galleries of modern and contemporary art in the UK, outside London. Facilities include buggy parking, baby-changing and a Changing Places toilet.
You can find out more here .
Beatles Story
The Beatles Story is the world’s largest exhibition dedicated entirely to the Fab Four. It houses unique paraphernalia, instruments and stories of the four lads from Liverpool.
It brings the Beatles to life through an array of atmospheric exhibitions, including Abbey Road, the early days at the Casbah Coffee Club and a real Yellow Submarine.
You can find out more here.
Escape Hunt
Escape Hunt is the closest you’re likely to get to starring in a brilliantly plotted escape movie.
Sixty minutes, a series of clues and a group of friends, the immersive escape room provides an exhilarating adventure for the whole family.
You can find out more here .
Wild Shore
Complete with an inflatable water obstacle course, trampolines, rafts and more, Liverpool’s favourite Aqua Park is the city’s best and bounciest family attraction.
New activities include Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Pedalos, and Mini Port Boats. Anyone from the age of six is able to jump on to one of the activities, fully instructed by the friendly Wild Shore team, ensuring everyone leaves with huge smiles on their faces.
You can find out more here .
Merseyside Maritime Museum
You can submerge yourself in Liverpool’s historic seafaring past at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.
You can find out more here .
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