We are spoiled for choice with superb restaurant here in Southport! You can eat around the world with cuisine from dozens of different countries.
It’s been a tough year for our restaurants this year with the Coronavirus pandemic.
But they are building back thanks partly to the Eat out To Help Out scheme, which runs throughout August.
Read More: Eat Out to Help Out in Southport – full list of restaurants, cafes and pubs taking part
Please support our local independent restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels!
But while we have some great new places to enjoy – it also reminds us of some great places which we used to enjoy meals out in.
Did you fall in love with Italian food for the first time at Casa Italia on Lord Street or Tony’s on King Street? Did you enjoy a taste of Spain at the El Tonel in Bank Passage or enjoy part nights out at the Cafe Bar on Wright Street or Ronnie’s / Martin’s off Hoghton Street? Did you call into Stax, Valentino’s or the Swiss Cottage on Lord Street or Francisca’s on King Street? Did you eat out in The Kingsway Casino or nightclub?
In the villages, do you remember places like After Dark in Birkdale or Claude’s or the Botanic Bistro in Churchtown?
Take a look at these great places – and let us know which former restaurants you loved going to the most!
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
1. Ronnies
How many people enjoyed a great night out at Ronnie’s Bistro?
The restaurant, previously called Martin’s, was set down an alley just off Hoghton Street in Southport town centre.
Lively, fun, and great value.
Former owner Ronnie Garner now run Spiga restaurant on Bold Street in Southport – home of Italian food.
2. Casa Italia
Staff at Casa Italia restaurant on Lord Street in Southport celebrate the venue’s third birthday party in September, 1981. The Grossi family, which owned the restaurant for many years, were joined by cartoonist Bill Tidy (right) to cut the cake.
Casa Italia on the corner of Lord Street and Bold Street was an amazing place, where many people in Southport fell in love with home-cooked Italian food for the first time.
They were famous for their incredible pasta, their award-winning pizza, their fantastic fish – and the huge wheels of Parmesan they brought in fresh from Italy.
Casa Italia was a favourite with the stars too, with celebrities such as Bill Tidy, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, and many others popping in for lunch.
It was owned by the Grossi family for many years before being sold to new owners. The building currently lies empty, waiting for its next chapter.
3. Cloisters
Owned by the Scarisbrick Hotel, Cloisters was a stunning little restaurant situated in Bank Passage, just off Lord Street.
Top quality cooking and ingredients, always very busy, its creation was a labour of love for former Scarisbrick Hotel manager Tony Cafferkey.
Sadly, when Britannia Hotels acquired the Scarisbrick, Cloisters was soon gone.
4. The Warehouse
The Warehouse was an iconic Southport venue which habitually won places in the Michelin guide, earning Bib Gourmand status, for the high quality of its cooking at affordable prices.
Head chefs included the brilliant Marc Verite, who now runs Bistrot Verite in Birkdale Village, and Matt Worswick, who has recently competed on Great British Menu.
The building is now occupied by the brilliant The Firepit bar and grill.
5. Botanic Bistro
Botanic Bistro, on Botanic Road, was the place to go in Churchtown.
Classy, elegant, it offered superb, classic English and French cooking.
The building is now occupied by La Tabella, which serves tasty Italian food at great value.
6. Tony’s Restaurant and Pizzeria
Antonio “Tony” Sebastianelli at Ton’y Restaurant and Pizzeria on King Street in Southport
Tony’s which was the second Italian restaurant to open in Southport, was in business for four decades, but closed on Sunday, September 30, 2018, after owner Antonio “Tony” Sebastianelli decided to retire.
Close friend Martin Rowe said: “Tony will undoubtedly miss the restaurant and it will leave a lot of spare time for him.
“Tony would like to thank everyone he has met, served and catered for throughout the nearly 40 years of business here in King Street.
“I know he remembers in detail many generations of families he has served over the years. You only have to look at all the messages flooding in on the Facebook page from families that have eaten in Tony’s the whole time he’s been there, three generations and more of families have continued to return.”
7. Claude’s
Claude’s Patisserie and Cafe in Churchtown Village
French cooking and baking at its best. Claude Verite was a local legend in Churchtown Village, with his incredible bakery and pastry skills put to great use with this superb venue in Churchtown Village.
Claude was head of a very talented family of chefs, with son Marc now owner of the award-winning Bistrot Verite in Birkdale Village.
8. Little Gourmet Restaurant
Little Gourmet Restaurant on Leicester Street in SouthportThe Little Gourmet was hugely popular with Southport residents before its closure in December 2013, following the tragic death of restaurateur Dave Scutt, aged 62. Dave had run the business alongside wife Audrey and the duo had worked together for 26 years.
The restaurant was famous for Dave’s top quality cooking and warm, friendly atmosphere.
9. The Spaghetti House
The Spaghetti House ristorante was a popular venue on Avondale Road in Southport, which later changed its name to Mario & Roberto’s.
The two friends had worked together at nearby Casa Italia on Lord Street before leaving to set up their own business.
Very homely, great Italian food.
10. The Highlander
Southport has long enjoyed a great relationship with Scotland.
It was best represented by Bobby Linton’s The Highlander, on Coronation Walk in Southport, serving the best of Scottish food.
It had a great following among the many Scottish tourists who visit Southport each year.
11. Brass Pig
The Brass Pig restaurant on Bath Street in Southport
The Brass Pig barbecue cafe was famous for its home-made burgers, which often made national headlines!
The meat was smoked over 24 hours to produce the best burgers in Southport – an award they won at Southport Ambassador Awards.
They made national headlines when they created the legendary Feast on a Beast, which boasted a staggering 1,500 calories.
The £12 burger features a 9oz rump steak, 7oz of turkey, a sprout wrapped in bacon, a pig in blanket, a beer-battered onion ring, a gravy-filled Yorkshire pudding, and its own homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce and a dollop of gravy.
Owner Ed Weights is still producing the best burgers – this time as chef at Rueters Bar & Grill on Hoghton Street in Southport.
12. The Lal Qila
We have some great curry houses in Southport.
One of the best was The Lal Qila, on Eastbank Street in Southport.
Since replaced by Mini’s wine bar and eatery.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
