I've lived in Southport my whole life. Forty-one years. I've eaten in most of the restaurants in this town — some of them multiple times a week when the kids were small and we were too tired to cook. So when I say this is the honest guide, I mean it. No paid placements, no favours. Just the places I'd send my parents to if they were visiting.
The ones that keep delivering
Hickory's Smokehouse on the waterfront is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. American BBQ, big portions, kids eat free on certain nights. It's always busy, but the kitchen handles it well. Book ahead — I've made the mistake of walking in on a Saturday and waiting an hour. Worth it, but book ahead.
The Swan Restaurant in Churchtown is where I take my parents when they visit. It's proper food, properly cooked. The setting alone — right on the edge of Churchtown village — makes it worth the detour. If you haven't been to Churchtown at all, go. It's the bit of Southport that surprises people.
Fine dining on Lord Street
Lord Street has a decent range of restaurants under its famous glass canopies. Volare is the Italian you'll hear locals mention — it's been there forever, and it's consistent. Not flash, but reliable pasta and good wine. Perfect if you want a proper sit-down meal without drama.
For something a bit more special, there are a handful of independent restaurants along the boulevard that change their menus seasonally. Worth checking what's on before you visit. Southport's dining scene is quietly improving — the kind of thing you only notice if you've been watching it for decades.
For families
Four kids means I know every family-friendly restaurant in this town intimately. The chains on Ocean Plaza do the job when you just need everyone fed without incident. But if you want something with more character, Hickory's handles kids better than most.
Southport Market on Market Street is worth knowing about — street food stalls under one roof, different cuisines, buzzy atmosphere. If the kids can't agree on what to eat (and mine never can), it's perfect. Someone gets pizza, someone gets a burger, everyone's happy.
Hidden gems worth the detour
Birkdale village has a handful of independent restaurants that visitors rarely find. It's a ten-minute drive from the town centre, but it feels worlds away. A quieter, more residential feel, with some genuinely good food. Worth exploring if you've already ticked off the Lord Street options.
📍Always check opening times before you go — Southport restaurants sometimes keep shorter winter hours. A quick phone call saves a wasted journey.
The honest takeaway
Southport's restaurant scene isn't London. We're not trying to be. But there's genuinely good food here — fresh fish close to the coast, solid pub food, some standout independents that deserve more recognition than they get. If you're visiting for The Open or MLEC, make time to eat properly. You won't regret it.
Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
