Cowshed Liverpool

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Restaurant · in Liverpool · ⭐ 9.7/10 · 2049 reviews

A house of beef inside a Georgian townhouse

Cowshed Liverpool is a small independent steakhouse in the Ropewalks that describes itself, plainly, as a house of beef. No grill theatre, no hundred-item card, no bar you can drop into for a pint — three dining rooms, a compact kitchen, a short list of chargrilled cuts. The narrowness is the point: this is where the city sends people when the steak has to be the reason for the evening.

The Concept · The Story

The restaurant is the project of Andrew McHale, who registered Cowshed Liverpool Limited in March 2016 and opened the year after, when local critics introduced it as the city's newest steak restaurant. The building was somebody's home long before it was a dining room: a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, converted rather than gutted, which is why the place runs across three rooms on two floors rather than one open space. Much of the team has been here since opening, and the general manager, James Jarman, worked his way up from food runner.

What to Order

Five chargrilled cuts carry the menu: flat iron from the shoulder blade and rump, both served sliced, plus ribeye, sirloin and fillet. The kitchen names the temperature it wants and holds the line — flat iron is not sent out past medium, because its structure will not survive it. For the indecisive there is The Greedy Cow, which puts flat iron, rump and ribeye on one plate for two or three. Order the sides properly: savoy cabbage and green beans in chorizo cream, or caramelised carrots with maple and rosemary butter. Start with salt and pepper panko tiger prawns, finish with a gold caramel blondie.

The Space

Expect domestic scale rather than steakhouse grandeur. The rooms are genuinely small — the bar is, by the restaurant's own admission, roughly the size of a living room — and tables sit close, which gives a busy night a warm, close-knit hum instead of a hard echo. The front parlour keeps its Georgian windows and daylight; booths can be requested when you reserve, on a first-asked basis. The tight footprint sets the house rules too: no dogs, no takeaway, and the largest single table seats ten.

Good to Know

Do I need to book? Yes — seats are few, and booking takes card details or a deposit.

Is it good with children? Yes, with half portions of flat iron or rump; the licence means they cannot stay for the later part of the evening.

Is there a Sunday roast? No — the kitchen is too compact to match the rest of the food, so Sunday is simply another steak day.

Is there anything for non-beef eaters? Yes, a spiced roasted cauliflower with coconut-tomato sauce and parsnip crisps.

Is it step-free? No — the listed building has steps at the door and down to the toilets, but a ground-floor room can be requested.

Opening hours

Visitor reviews

1. The food was so wonderful. Everything was cooked perfectly, and the sweet potato mash impressed everyone. Was at my girlfriend's birthday, and it didn't disappoint me. All the staff were friendly, welcoming and attentive…

2. A very cosy atmosphere and friendly, efficient staff. The prawns we ordered as a starter were just super, and the fillet steak was perfectly cooked. The side salad had a very tasty dressing. I didn't like the peppercorn…

3. My husband and I came here after watching Gary Eats' review of this place. We came on a Friday shortly after opening, and it was already busy; which is a good sign of a wonderful restaurant. Luckily, there was a spot for…

4. A high-quality steak restaurant. A nice cosy setting, skilled staff, good wine and not a terrible price. But the food is just stunning: in appearance, quantity and taste. The sharing plates are wonderful, the blue cheese…

5. Celebrated my boyfriend's 30th here, so glad I booked a table after a long search for somewhere to go. The staff were very friendly, our waitress Marta was very sweet and quick, explaining everything to us. Everything we…