The Monro

The Monro was one of the first Gastro pubs in Liverpool city centre, and continues to be one of the finest examples of it. Located on Duke Street, slightly away from the busy L1 and docks, and away from the crazy Slater Street/Concert Square bar and club vibe just over the road, The Monro provides a secluded hideaway if you are after some fancy pub grub and a quiet drink.

The Vibe

The idea behind the Monro has always been to focus on the quality of the food on offer, utilising the best in local, fresh ingredients that are suitable for all tastes. The vibe is comfortable country pub with a warm fire, fancy, dark wooden bar area, the tables and chairs you would expect to see in this type of pub near the front and then a designated dining area in the raised seating area at the back of the bar. There is even an outdoor courtyard that is small and quaint, but was one of the first of its kind in the city centre, and a great little space during the 2 weeks of the year when we have some warm weather. The pub is the perfect sanctuary to get warm, to eat some hearty homecooked food, and to disappear for a few hours.

The Food

Everything on the menu is bought from local producers, is in season, and is cooked fresh. The Monro believes in the ethical sourcing of all products, and takes animal welfare incredibly seriously, as well as things like the Sustainable Fish City. The menu offers a simple range of good pub grub, with starters including a range of homemade soups, dips and pitta, chicken liver pate, terrines, salads, calamari, and whitebait. Last time TiL visited we plumped for the whitebait and some pitta and hummus. The mains are everything luxurious and warming about gastro pub fare, we love the bangers and mash The Monro has on offer, as well as the fish and chips (which are usually massive in portion size!). There is also an extensive curry and burger section of the menu. The Monro has also added a different menu, offering diners a healthier option. This menu includes a range of special light omelettes, a lighter, 8-inch range of pizzas, herby chicken, sweet potato dishes, fish curries, and braised lamb (all utilising healthier cooking methods and oils).

The Price

For drinks you can expect the usual city centre pub prices for lager, beer, cider and spirits. The food menu is reasonable, with starters ranging from £5 to £7. The mains are usually between £12 to £15, and there has also been the addition of a lighter option for those looking to eat a bit healthier, with prices starting at £6.95.