If you’re looking for a go-to spot in the heart of Liverpool’s shopping and leisure district, then I’ve got just the place! Loretta’s Parkside Tavern sits overlooking Chavasse Park, right at the top of Liverpool ONE – and it’s the perfect hideaway to start or end a busy day in town.
Vibes and Décor
First impressions from the outside – Loretta’s is an intriguingly shaped dark wood structure with floor to ceiling glass windows, leafy plants and an outside patio with comfy seating and umbrellas. Inside, the atmosphere is warm, relaxed and a little bit glam, with trees, vines and greenery everywhere you look, blocking the outside world out, giving a botanical haven vibe and encouraging you to really relax and get in the moment.
Atmosphere and Crowd
We popped in on a super windy weekend with our four year old, not really knowing what the vibe would be like or how welcome kids would be, but we noticed there was a really good mix of families with young kids, older guys having a few steins, and a group of girls having a few cocktails after shopping. It wasn’t so busy that you couldn’t get a table to fit everyone, but there was a nice steady hum of activity coming and going and no one was in a rush to leave.
Music and Entertainment
They had a great playlist on with a good mix of classics from The Police and bangers from the likes of Neyo. At weekends they have live entertainment in the evenings and I can well imagine that when the sun goes down and the table candles are on it’s a great vibe at Loretta’s – I spied a disco ball glinting above the dance area ready and waiting!
Food and Drink
Our waitress was really warm and full of recommendations, steering us towards the bread and oil followed by hummus with flatbread starters – they were so good we kept asking for more, which she happily brought us (what a star!).
For mains, I went with the cheese and ham toastie which truly deserves a special mention. It was without doubt the best toastie I’ve ever had: soft bread, thick-cut ham, and a sprinkling of spring onions. We were absolutely stuffed by the end so our lovely waitress boxed the rest up for our son to have later on, whilst we moved onto the star of the show – Loretta’s Signature Hot Chocolate.
Made with indulgent, rich Belgian chocolate and topped with whipped vanilla cream, it was super luxurious and delicious. You could taste the quality in every sip, and it was served beautifully in a tea cup and saucer. As the wind howled outside, it really felt like a little moment of comfort and relaxation. I would definitely recommend stopping for one after your Christmas shopping!
Not wanting to go home just yet (and our son was more than happy tucked inside a booth on his iPad with an apple juice) my husband went for an espresso martini, which he described as “sweet, smooth and super rich.” As a self proclaimed coffee connoisseur, his 5/5 rating is hard to get! I decided to go for a Loretta’s Lemonade, a house favourite that’s super refreshing and perfectly balanced thanks to the soda, not too strong so you can have a couple with lunch, and has a nice kick to it. The drink menu is fairly extensive covering everything from creative cocktails to wines and beers, so everyone’s catered for whether you’re here for brunch, date night or a family get-together.
Value for Money
Considering how chunky and filling the toastie was and that it comes with a generous side of Lancashire crisps, I think it was great value for £7.95. The hummus and flatbread was £5.50 and the bread and oil was £5 which is also pretty reasonable. Cocktails are all £12 each which is amazing value considering some places in town charge almost £20 for one cocktail these days. Even better, the cocktails are buy one get one half price whenever you order two of the same, no matter what time of day it is! Bottle-wise, a Peroni is £5.20, an Old Mout is £6.50 and a Guinness is £4.50 which are all pretty standard prices.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Loretta’s Parkside Tavern is that perfect balance of stylish but down-to-earth. Great food, incredible drinks, and a warm, cosy atmosphere that makes you want to linger long after the plates are cleared. Whether it’s for cocktails, comfort food or their signature hot chocolate that really does live up to the hype, Loretta’s is a Liverpool gem that deserves a spot on your must-visit list.
Claire is a Cheshire girl, mum to one and wife to one. She’s also creator of the blog KoKo & Cub which houses tried and tested how to’s (and some how not to’s) as well as general thoughts and musings on everything from OOTD’s to planning a last minute wedding.
