Hawksmoor Liverpool

Hawksmoor Liverpool is arguably one of the greatest marriages of concept and location pulled off by the chain so far, with the transatlantic roaring 20s vibe sitting perfectly in the Grade-II listed India Buildings. The scale and opulence of the establishment provides a sensory treat when entering the restaurant, with dark woods, jewel tones and an enveloping aroma of beef fat and butter luring you through this cavernous space to join a throng of merry diners tucking into butter-soft steaks.

After getting comfortable, you’d be wise to take a cocktail, as Hawskmoor always seems to ably riff off the classics while delivering something new. The ultimate martini lives up to its name, thanks largely to a super-chilled frozen glass, and a sour cherry negroni was as deep in flavour as it was the deepest of deep crimsons.

The most taxing element of any Hawksmoor visit is the steak selection, but on this occasion it felt rude to not take the porterhouse, cooked to medium-rare perfection and providing sirloin and fillet for side-by-side comparison so you may take your side on the marbled vs lean debate (marbled all the way). An extra order of bone marrow for scooping and spreading provided some excessive but oh so good beef-on-beef action, while God-tier triple-cooked chips, macaroni cheese and heavenly buttered greens completed the picture.

It’s almost impossible to visit Hawksmoor without having their sticky toffee pudding. This isn’t just any STP - it’s one of the greatest dishes in the country. Maybe it’s the flawless quenelle of ice cream. Maybe it’s a sauce that’s been refined and perfected over the years. But it perfectly sums up the Hawksmoor experience. On paper it sounds like another steak restaurant, but the care and precision that goes into the whole experience makes it a treat worth returning to again and again.

Hawksmoor has spread its wings to Liverpool where it occupies a rather jammy spot in the Grade II-listed India Buildings, on the corner of Brunswick Street and Fenwick Street. Known for its high-quality steaks from traditionally-reared British cattle, sustainably sourced seafood and carefully-selected wine and cocktail lists, these guys put a lot of time and attention into their menus, with a huge emphasis on using the most rigorously sourced ingredients. Brixham fishermen and One Water are just a couple of examples of it local suppliers, while Feeding Liverpool is the restaurant’s local charity partner.  

Founders Will Beckett and Huw Gott have grown the brand exponentially ever since they originally opened the first Hawksmoor restaurant in Spitalfields. Now, you can find over 10 sites up and down the country, including seven just in London as well as one over the pond in New York.  

The menu, like all its other sites, revolves largely around its signature steaks, with guests able to choose from a selection of smaller and larger cuts. Fillet, rib-eye, sirloin and rump are all on the menu, while chateaubriand, prime rib, porterhouse and T-bone are great for sharing. Its legendary sides and sauces are what makes Hawksmoor stand out from the crowd though, and you can order the likes of dripping fries, macaroni cheese, buttered greens, garlic mushrooms and its stichelton hollandaise to pair alongside. There are plenty of main dishes to choose from too, including its signature burger and Old Spot pork belly ribs with vinegar slaw to start.  

Drinks wise, a carefully selected wine list from across the globe Is geared largely towards reds, while the cocktail list is one to be rivalled, with a large range of classic and signature options.