Chester: a food odyssey

Coming to Chester? Want to eat great food? Chester has a fast-growing independent food scene to sort all tastes and pockets. Here are some ideas:

Start off by breakfasting at the Jaunty Goat. Their scrambled eggs on sourdough with a bacon and/or avocado side, washed down by a steaming English Breakfast will set you up. They also have some delicious and original cakes like earl grey tea bread – buy one for later. If you are starting out a little later, then maybe a fluffy duo of pancakes with blueberry compote at Hanky Panky Pancakes might do the trick.

After a brisk walk around the walls or a climb up the cathedral tower you pop into Storyhouse the amazing arts centre cum library cum generally very sociable place for a stimulating coffee and a browse – they have an awesome selection of cookery books. You could linger there for a middle-eastern style lunch, however nearby some of the nicest lunch options are now to be found in Chester Market. The market has had a recent revival, being brightened up by new pop ups serving great home cooked food. Try Stile Napolitano for an authentic pizza and a Peroni that won’t break the bank or Thai by Thai where Sikorn’s spring rolls are addictive. Over the road the tapas at Porta are hard to beat. Next door Joseph Benjamin from the same team has a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for its value for money and quality. Another option for lunch is The Albion Inn, dating back to the late 1880’s and full of Great War artefacts and pictures, it's a quirky little pitstop.

Afternoon tea has been served at the Grosvenor Hotel since 1882 and is a grand and gorgeous affair with everything made in house. Mad Hatter’s Tearoom is a more alternative choice with an afternoon tea themed around Alice in Wonderland or the Red Queen.

Step in to Opera Grill for a pre-dinner cocktail. You might also want to stay for dinner on their terrace or in their live music lounge – primarily a meat and fish affair with a global twist. The big deal on the restaurant scene is The Chef’s Table – a continuous source of culinary creativity in a very small space that has everyone in awe. Don’t just rock up – you must book but it is easy and online. But if you can’t get in there, here are five others where you will be well looked after: Da Noi, Sticky Walnut, The Yard, the Grosvenor Brasserie and Atina Kitchen. If your budget is looking decisively end of the month, try La Fattoria, Mama Ks or take a walk down Brook Street where there are several great little places with great little prices.

Finally, at the end of a great foodie day, pop into Covino, a bar with handpicked wines from around the world and a great cheese board or Prohibition for a night cap – try the Corpse Reviver.

Find more places to eat in Chester here.