London Road is a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities, and that’s reflected in the restaurants, cafes and shops on offer in the area
There’s nowhere in Liverpool quite like London Road. It’s a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities, a fact which is reflected in the restaurants, cafes and shops on offer in the area.
Last year, the ECHO reported on how London Road ‘was left without its biggest draw’ following the closure of TJ Hughes. But I’d argue that, while the street has changed, it’s as exciting as ever – certainly from a food and drink perspective.
Take Taza supermarket for instance, which specialises in Turkish, Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European food, as well as Halal meat, this international food store truly sells everything – and at bargain prices. The shop bakes fresh bread, pastries, and cakes perfect for any occasion – I’ve used them for two birthdays this month.
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Its butcher offers top-quality meats, and there’s a vast selection of colourful fruits and vegetables to choose from – not to mention every spice you can possibly think of. During my visit with friends yesterday, I picked up a freshly baked cheese borek, a type of pastry found in the Balkans, Turkey, Armenia, the Levant, Northern Africa and Central Asia. The pastry surrounding the soft feta cheese was flaky and crisp – a significant step up from a Greggs cheese and onion bake in my opinion.
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Flaky pastry lovers, take note: Kurdish cafe Bekas might just be your new go-to for baklava. Our recent visit saw us indulging in four pieces of the flaky Turkish delight, paired impeccably with aromatic Arabic coffee that had just a hint of cardamom, and both presented with elegance. The baklava hit the perfect note of sweetness and texture.
Bekas is truly a social hub, frequented by everyone from students to neighbourhood locals, all finding comfort in a cuppa alongside their Kurdish breakfast spreads. A stone’s throw away, Happy Brother Canteen buzzes with energy; this small and lively Chinese restaurant is a lunchtime hotspot, particularly loved by members of the city’s Chinese community.
Non-native speakers, be forewarned: you’ll be navigating menus in Chinese. We threw caution to the wind and chose our dishes on a whim. Presenting our selection to the waitress prompted a surprising query: “Are you sure you can eat that? ” We confidently affirmed, still unaware of what we had ordered.
To our astonishment, the mystery dish revealed itself as duck wings accompanied by its heart and tongue – a far cry from your usual British Chinese takeaway offerings. Cooked in an exquisite sweet-salty sauce, they were a treat. Our other choice appealed to a more universal palate, featuring char siu pork, roasted duck, Chinese sausage, and chicken wings, all expertly spiced and cooked to perfection, served with a generous bowl of sticky rice for good measure.
Our next stop was Pshdar Kurdish Restaurant, another London Road favourite – this time for the Kurdish community – where I had one of the best kebabs I’ve ever tasted. The Kurdish kebab was spicy, juicy and perfectly charred from the grill. It came with fresh naan bread, salad and yoghurt, and you have the option to pair it with chips or rice – or simply enjoy it on its own. The sides of grilled halloumi and cheese pastries were fresh and satisfying – plus, they serve you complimentary soup as soon as you take a seat.
We ended our journey at Infinity Lounge, a chilled-out spot with fantastic Arabic tea. Even our non-smoker friend found it enjoyable.
