In their heyday, these lost Liverpool businesses were among the loved restaurants in our city.
Attracting thousands of customers every week, many were the go to places to celebrate a special occasion, go on a first date or treat yourself on pay day. From long-established independents to famous chains, some are only remembered by certain generations.
Overtime, a number have closed completely - whereas others been rebranded or different restaurants now call the sites home. But that doesn't mean that we don't still reminisce about our favourites from the past.
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Here, we take a look back at 17 lost restaurants we loved in Liverpool - mainly the city centre - that are no longer around. These are sure to stir some memories, especially as we get closer to the festive period.
This list isn't intended to be exhaustive. But if you have any suggestions of lost Liverpool shops, department stores, chains and more, let us know in the comments section below.
17. Caesar's Palace
Located on Renshaw Street, Caesar's Palace was a popular Italian restaurant whose exterior made it literally look like a palace. Boasting neon blue lights and large fish tanks, customers could enjoy everything from pasta, pizza and burgers - with most main courses costing less than £10.
Many deemed the restaurant as a "special occasion place," only visiting for birthdays, anniversaries and work parties. But despite its success in the 1990s, Caesar's Palace sadly lost popularity and by 2008 it was no more.
16. Uncle Sam's
Uncle Sam's served the city for decades but the final bell rang for the restaurant in 2019 when it announced they had closed its doors for good - 38 years after it was opened by 'Uncle Sam' himself, Hamdi Bichara. The ECHO previously reported how Hamdi moved to Liverpool and began working at the Shakespeare Cabaret Club on Fraser Street.
Hamdi, who many would eventually refer to as 'Uncle Sam', worked his way up to becoming head waiter before opening the first Uncle Sam's on Renshaw Street. The restaurant later moved to Bold Street, where it spent its final six years.
15. The Golden Phoenix
The Golden Phoenix is said to have been the first Chinese restaurant to arrive in the city, opening its doors on Hanover Street during the 1960s. Located close to where the Premier Inn now sits on Hanover Street, the restaurant served traditional Chinese dishes and English dishes.
The restaurant was later demolished by Liverpool ONE developer Grosvenor in 2009 to make way for new leisure and retail space. In 2012, it was announced that Liverpool's "largest" restaurant, Tai Wu, was to open on what was the Golden Phoenix site.
14. Tower Restaurant
Before Radio City took over the top of St Johns Beacon in 2000, the site was once home to the revolving Tower Restaurant - situated nearly 400ft up in the air. Construction of the Liverpool skyline landmark tower began in 1965 and at one point, a sister venue called St John's Inn was on the ground level.
The Tower Restaurant itself opened at the top of St Johns Beacon in 1971 and ran for over 10-years. It reopened in 1980, however this was with a reduced capacity and now its been years since a meal was had at the popular restaurant.
13. Deep Pan Pizza
Once one of the largest pizza restaurant groups, in the 90s, Deep Pan Pizza had chains all over the UK. Many will remember its bold and bright red and yellow logos and décor, which consisted of American-style booths.
In Liverpool itself, many will remember chains at Edge Lane and on Stonedale Retail and Leisure Park off East Lancashire Road. In April 2005, the ECHO reported how Frankie & Benny's was opening its first Liverpool outlet on Edge Lane Retail Park in the former Deep Pan Pizza site.
12. Tso's
For years, many of us headed up the stairs of this Queen Square staple for a meal at Tso's. Serving buffet-style Oriental cuisine in from 1994, the restaurant had traditional Chinese décor and also an aquarium, Tso's.
The famous buffet once boasted more than 60 dishes and customers could also eat as much as they liked for a set price. However, in 2019, the ECHO reported how the restaurant had been shut by bailiffs.
11. Berni Inn
The brainchild of brothers Aldo and Frank Berni, the Berni Inn brand started life in Bristol before expanding its empire to London, Birmingham - as well as Liverpool, Southport, New Brighton and more. For years, the steakhouse chain served classics with prawn cocktail, scampi and chips and Black Forest gateau all on the menu.
Many will remember the famous Pier Head site, or a Berni Inn being their first restaurant expertience. The Pier Head site has also been River Rooms, Shanghai Palace and is now home to Matou.
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10. Bear's Paw
Established for well over a century, the Bear's Paw was once one of the oldest eating places in the city. It was located on Doran's Lane, between Lord Street and Harrington Street in the city centre and opened as a restaurant in 1883.
Through the years, The Bear’s Paw passed through the hands of a number of owners. Fast forward to the 70s and 80s, many will remember visiting the venue not only for meals and business lunches, but also for a drink or to enjoy the disco.
9. Est Est Est
Established by Derek and Edwina Lilley, Italian ristorante and pizzeria Est Est Est opened April 17, 1989 on Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock. It served everything from classic pizza and pasta dishes to meat and desserts from its popular sweet trolley.
In November 2005, the restaurant also underwent a complete transformation, including a new bar and the "who's who" of Liverpool came along to sample the authentic Italian food, from Hollyoaks stars to John Barnes, Sylvian Distiin and singer Liz McClarnon. But by 2007, the Liverpool ECHO reported how the Est Est Est restaurant chain was to change to a new "Gusto bar and restaurant" identity.
8. Blue Bar & Grill
In 1998, Blue Bar & Grill first opened and its success later gave way to Baby Blue, a members club situated in the basement of the restaurant. Occupying a large part of the Edward Pavilionk, the affectionately known ‘Blue’ was a staple for famous faces.
Baby Blue attracted big names, from local stars to international legends. By the late 2000s, Baby Blue made the full time switch to becoming a comedy venue, under its new guise of Liverpool Comedy Central.
7. Esteban
In 2018, Esteban closed its doors on Lark Lane after 17 years. The Mediterranean tapas restaurant welcomed many through its doors.
A statement released from the team at the time said: "We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to all our customers over the years and look forward to serving you wood-fired pizza and pasta in February." The site later became Nonno's and is now home to restaurant The Old School House.
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6. Mister M's Waterside Seafood
Situated on the Albert Dock, Mister M’s Waterside Seafood was popular in the late 1990s and early noughties. Set over two floors, it had simple brick walls and a classy spiral staircase in the middle of the room.
The menu consisted of “plenty of tempting and original dishes”. This included the likes of of Smoked Haddock Fillet classically served with a poached egg and a chive sauce and traditional Moules Marinere.
5. Pizzaland
Pizzaland was founded in London in 1970 and went on to have over 140 branches across the UK - including in Liverpool. Many will remember in the late 1980s when the company began the exciting "pizza for a penny" scheme, seeing discount coupons in newspapers for people to cut out and take to their local Pizzaland.
In November 1996, Whitbread bought the Pizzaland chain and turned many of the branches into Pizza Huts. Since the brand's demise, other restaurants that have nothing to do with the original chain have taken the Pizzaland (or Pizza Land) name, leading to the name being forgotten by many.
4. Don Pepe
In the 2000s, Spanish restaurant Don Pepe proudly stood on Liverpool's Victoria Street. The restaurant was loved for its traditional tapas dishes and atmosphere.
An old review previously said: "With its walls adorning rural Spain and its water features, Don Pepe is a Spanish Oasis in the heart of Liverpool. I can imagine when you have the holiday blues a night dining in here could be almost therapeutic."
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3. The Shanghai Palace, Pier Head
Now home to Matou, one Liverpool waterfront site was previously home to the River Rooms, Berni Inn - and then The Shanghai Palace. In 2001, the ECHO reported how the famous Mersey riverfront restaurant was set for a £400,000 makeover, with plans emerging for it to become a Chinese restaurant.
The plan was the brainchild of businessman Joe Farley. A popular choice for diners in Liverpool, it remained the Shanghai Palace Chinese restaurant, until that was bulldozed in 2007 as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Pier Head.
2. Jenny's Seafood Restaurant
In the 1990s, one city centre restaurant stood out from the rest and also had a visit from former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. Situated on the Old Ropery off Fenwick Street, Jenny’s Seafood Restaurant offered a variety of "classy-looking" dishes.
Customers had to book their tables in advance due to its popularity. And it was certainly one of the places to go for a special occasion.
1. Damon's
Located at the Old Airport, Speke, Damon's first opened back in 1992. Known for its American-themed menu, it served ribs, burgers, seafood dishes and more.
It was a popular place for Liverpool families to book a table to celebrate an occasion, with guests often spotting other customers with the likes of birthday banners or balloons when they walked in. But by 2017, the venue closed for good and later became The Chinese Buffet, which has since closed.
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