Five Food Experiences You Should Try in Southport
One of the questions we’re asked most often at Sunnyside is “Where should we eat?” It’s one of our favourite questions to answer because Southport has a good selection of places to eat, from traditional seaside food and cosy pubs to independent restaurants and international cuisine. If you’re visiting Southport from overseas, there are also a few things we think you really should try while you’re here. Some are traditional British favourites, some are very much part of the seaside experience, and one is a little closer to home. We should probably say at this point that we are slightly biased about one of the entries on the list. But then again, it is our blog!
Breakfast at Sunnyside for local produce and homemade treats
We might be biased, but we think breakfast at Sunnyside is a pretty good place to start the day. Breakfast is something we’ve always taken seriously and we want it to be more than simply something to eat before heading out for the day. You will find homemade jam, marmalade, honey from our own bees and local produce.
Breakfast at Sunnyside Guest House Southport
There’s a choice of cooked breakfasts as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and we’re always happy to make sure there’s something that suits you. For visitors from overseas, breakfast is also a chance to try some very British favourites, perhaps a traditional cooked breakfast, toast with homemade marmalade and, of course, a proper cup of tea.
Fish and chips at The Swan, the classic British seaside meal
If you’re visiting a British seaside town, fish and chips really should be on the list. There’s something wonderfully simple about sitting down with a portion of freshly cooked fish and chips, particularly when you’re beside the sea. Add a little salt and vinegar and you’ve got one of Britain’s most famous meals. The Swan is one of the places we recommend to guests looking for that traditional fish and chip experience. It’s the sort of meal that doesn’t need to be complicated – just good fish, crispy chips and perhaps a few peas on the side. And if you’ve never tried vinegar on your chips before, give it a go. You might discover your new favourite way to eat them.
A Sunday roast at The Windmill – a proper British tradition
If you’re staying over a Sunday, why not try one of Britain’s great food traditions? A Sunday roast is about much more than just the food. For many British families, Sunday lunch is a weekly ritual – getting together with family or friends over roast meat, crispy roast potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and, of course, plenty of gravy.
Roast Dinner at the Windmill
The Windmill is somewhere we recommend to guests wanting to experience a traditional Sunday roast, particularly if you’re looking for a relaxed pub atmosphere. If you’ve never had one before, this is your opportunity to find out what all the fuss is about. Just remember that the Yorkshire pudding isn’t a dessert, despite what the name might suggest!
Afternoon tea at Westminster Tea Rooms, a very British tradition
Afternoon tea is another experience we think international visitors should try while they’re in Southport. Westminster Tea Rooms on Lord Street is a lovely place to settle down with a pot of tea, sandwiches, cakes and, of course, scones with jam and cream. It’s wonderfully British and gives you an excuse to stop for a while rather than rushing from one attraction to the next. Take your time, enjoy the tea and perhaps have a chat about what you’ve seen during your visit. There is, however, one important question to settle when it comes to the scones: jam first or cream first? We’re not going to get involved in that argument. You’ll have to make your own mind up!
Bistrot Verite, for a special occasion
For those looking for somewhere a little more special, we recommend Bistrot Verite in Birkdale. Featured in the Michelin Guide, they serve French-inspired dishes using local produce wherever possible, making it a lovely choice for an evening when you fancy treating yourself to a really good meal. We’ve included it because Southport’s food scene is about much more than fish and chips and Sunday roasts. Birkdale is also well worth exploring in its own right, with its independent shops, cafés, bars and restaurants giving you a different perspective on Southport. It’s a good choice when you want to make an evening of it and experience another side of the area.
Food is part of discovering Southport
One of the things we enjoy most about welcoming visitors from overseas is introducing them to some of the little things that make a stay in Southport special. Of course, you’ll want to see the pier, walk along the seafront and explore Lord Street, but we think food should be part of the experience too. Try something you’ve never eaten before, sit in a traditional tea room, have a Sunday roast, enjoy fish and chips and, of course, start the morning with a good breakfast. These are often the things that become part of your memories of a place.
And if you’re staying at Sunnyside and can’t decide where to eat, just ask us. We’re locals, we’ve tried a lot of the places ourselves and we’re always happy to share our recommendations. We might suggest somewhere from this list, or somewhere completely different depending on what you fancy. Although, if you ask us about breakfast, we might be just a little bit biased.