Castle Street, Liverpool: Where to Eat on the City’s Oldest Dining Street

Castle Street is one of the seven streets laid out when Liverpool was founded as a borough in 1207, and it still runs from the Town Hall towards the site of the medieval castle that gave it its name. Today it is one of the city centre’s most concentrated restaurant streets, lined with banking halls and Victorian commercial buildings that now house dining rooms, bars and cafés.

For anyone in Liverpool on business, Castle Street has a practical advantage: it sits between the commercial district around Water Street and Dale Street and the shopping streets of Liverpool ONE, so it works equally well for a working lunch or an evening meal.

Why Castle Street matters

The street’s architecture tells the story of Liverpool’s rise as a port. Many of the buildings were built as banks and insurance offices in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which is why so many restaurants here occupy high-ceilinged former banking halls. Old Town Liverpool’s Castle Street guide documents the history of the street building by building, from King John’s borough charter to the dining street it is today.

Where to eat on and around Castle Street

• Castle St Townhouse — a modern British restaurant and bar at 27 Castle Street, in a listed building. Old Town Liverpool has a dedicated venue page with the building’s background.
• San Carlo — the Italian group’s Liverpool restaurant, a long-standing Castle Street choice for groups and celebrations.
• Pho — Vietnamese street food in one of the street’s historic buildings, useful for a quicker lunch.
• Rudy’s — Neapolitan-style pizza, a casual option for informal meetings.
• Riva Blu — an Italian restaurant and cocktail bar at No. 1 Castle Street, at the top of the street near the Town Hall.

Within a few minutes’ walk you will also find Hawksmoor in India Buildings and Fogo de Chão at Exchange Flags, covered in our guide to business dining in Liverpool’s Financial Quarter.

Getting there

The nearest stations are Moorfields and James Street on Merseyrail. Castle Street is largely pedestrian-friendly, and the Town Hall at its northern end is a useful landmark for meeting people.

Planning a visit

Castle Street is busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings, so booking ahead is sensible for groups. For an up-to-date view of venues and what is on nearby, you can consult the Old Town Liverpool portal, which lists restaurants, pubs and cafés across the historic core alongside the documented history of each building.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called Castle Street?

The street led to Liverpool Castle, a medieval fortress that stood at the southern end of the street, near the site of today’s Queen Victoria Monument in Derby Square.

Is Castle Street good for business lunches?

Yes. It sits next to the commercial district around Water Street and Dale Street, and several restaurants offer set lunch menus suited to working meals.

Which stations are closest to Castle Street?

Moorfields and James Street on the Merseyrail network are both within a short walk.

More from Liverpool: Beacon Worth Liverpool — eat and drink, shows and nightlife, neighbourhoods, and business across the city.

Disclosure: Old Town Liverpool, referenced in this article, is a partner publication of Beacon Worth. Venue details change, so check opening times and bookings directly with each venue.