Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cheshire

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Cheshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Shrub

4.9

4.9 (1334)

£26 to £40

British

Chester

About the restaurant

Welcome to Shrub.
Modern Cafe Culture in the heart of Chester.
Whether it's a coffee in the morning, a light lunch on the terrace with a glass of wine from our eclectic selection, to an intimate dinner for two in the restaurant, we aim to offer something for everyone at every time of the day.
If you're not hungry join us for drinks in our bar area where you can sample some of our delicious in house cocktails.
Whatever the time, whatever the occasion we look forward to seeing you.

Top review

Pete

Dined 6 days ago

The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The food was really great. Will definitely come back again

The Coast Prestbury

4.8

4.8 (884)

£25 and under

Italian

Macclesfield

About the restaurant

The Coast in Prestbury.

Reflecting our head chef’s love of Italy’s Amalfi coast, welcome to all the beauty and flavour of Europe’s most stunning coastline – in the heart of Cheshire.

Using only the finest ‘mare e monte’ or land and sea ingredients, our chefs create the best of both authentic and modern Italian cuisine in a glamorous contemporary setting.

The Coast has the perfect atmosphere for intimate meals, family parties, corporate events or to simply enjoy imaginative cocktails, wines and beers in our vibrant bar and lounge.

We look forward to seeing you at The Coast.

Top review

Larry

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

An enjoyable dining experience as always. Staff friendly and welcoming with good food and service

Giovanni's Knutsford

4.7

4.7 (1084)

£25 and under

Italian

Knutsford

About the restaurant

Giovanni’s is an absolute must for connoisseur’s of Italian food. Our staff have worked in the finest restaurants across Italy; so you’re truly guaranteed an unforgettable Italian dining experience, in both food & service.
Our restaurant is housed in the beautiful Grade II listed building formerly known as the Old Post Office, on King Street in Knutsford. Richard Harding Watt influenced the town’s architecture by delivering a little piece of Italy for everyone to appreciate, up and down King Street, notably in the design of the memorial tower overlooking Giovanni’s.

Top review

Gordon

Dined on May 31, 2025

wonderful food, fast service and a great atmosphere! highly recommend

Riva Cocktail Bar and Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (791)

£26 to £40

British

Hale

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO RIVA LOUNGE BAR AND RESTAURANT IN HALE VILLAGE

Great quality, serious but unpretentious food, with a friendly and personal service. All wrapped up in a relaxed, casual, comfortable setting.

Serving everything from Bar Snacks to a full A La Carte and Sunday Lunch, great cocktails alongside an extensive wine list.

Top review

Steve

Dined 6 days ago

We have been coming here for many years and it has had its ups and downs with the quality of the food. We went yesterday for Sunday lunch and it was excellent. New Chef and new owners. Great for the village. A really nice spot and a good alternative to other food in the area.

Piccolino - Knutsford

4.7

4.7 (219)

£26 to £40

Italian

Knutsford

About the restaurant

Situated in the heart of Cheshire and boasting the stunning Tatton Park on it’s doorstep, historic Knutsford is undisputedly one of Cheshire’s prettiest villages. Knutsford’s is an intriguing mix of past and present: think cutting-edge businesses housed within listed buildings, and high-end interior designers next to cosy tearooms. Knutsford is a town of contrasts, which is why it’s the ideal location for Piccolino. Piccolino’s ethos has always been to mix classic with contemporary to create something that truly is the best of both- that’s why Piccolino’s menu offers an array of Italian classics with a distinctly modern twist.
Piccolino, an authentic Italian Restaurant, is a proud fixture of the Knutsford dining scene. Ideally situated in a central village location on High Street, Piccolino in Knutsford boasts an open kitchen, second floor bar area and a substantial rooftop terrace featuring a fully retractable roof, for the ultimate alfresco experience rain or shine!

Top review

Geraint

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

We had a superb dining experience at the Knutsford restaurant. The food and service could not be faulted.

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4.6

4.6 (445)

£26 to £40

Italian

Wilmslow

About the restaurant

A gem in the Cheshire countryside, this glittering new restaurant is the latest and greatest in the Piccolino Collection. The open-plan design brings theatre to the table as you sit back and watch the chefs create exceptional dishes found only at Piccolino.

Dine indoors in the elegant oak, marble brass and mirrored interiors or on the winterised Tuscan terrace. There's no finer place to enjoy a taste of Italian cuisine and Italian living.
Come for a coffee, for drinks, for an outstanding meal or to party in style. Piccolino Wilmslow serves moments of signature luxury every visit.

Top review

Stuart

Dined on May 28, 2025

Thank you to all had a great evening on wine Wednesday , great service from super friendly staff , best king prawns and seafood pasta 😎

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Opera Grill - Chester

4.5

4.5 (473)

£26 to £40

Grill

Chester

About the restaurant

Standing out from the crowd, our 400-seater restaurant is housed in a grand Grade II listed building featuring a distinct neoclassical Greek façade and mixes an industrial look with a touch of opulence inside. Opera Grill brings theatre on a grand scale to Chester. At the heart of our menu is the theatre charcoal grill and wood-burning ovens, inspired by revered chefs and restaurants from around the world. The entertainment continues in a first-floor Music Gallery featuring a stage set for live acts every Friday, and a mix of soulful classics performed by our gospel choir every Sunday.
The distinctive spaces in Opera Grill are all available for hire for meetings, conferences and special events with bespoke menus and entertainment packages.

We have limited disabled access, the 1st floor and terrace is not wheelchair accessible.

Top review

Katie

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Gorgeous as always. Steak is the best so tasty. Really great vibe. Brilliant service

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Complimentary Glass of Wine with a Sunday Roast

BEAR Northwich

4.5

4.5 (28)

£25 and under

Café

Northwich

About the restaurant

Taking prime spot in Barons Quay, BEAR Northwich is situated in a bright, South-East facing corner unit overlooking the beautiful River Weaver. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around two of the outer walls, flooding the store with natural light and showing off some incredible views; the ideal accompaniment to go with with your morning coffee and brunch OR a date night pizza and a couple of cocktails! Plus our expansive outdoor seating area is the only place you’ll want to be on a sunny day, iced coffee in-hand. Trust us.

Top review

Neil

Dined on May 24, 2025

Food great, service great, only improvement needed is to speed up the food coming out from point of ordering. Owners - take note: One extra chef and one extra waitress would transform the place.

Cibo Wilmslow

4.5

4.5 (289)

£26 to £40

Italian

Wilmslow

About the restaurant

Perched in the heart of Wilmslow, Cheshire, Cibo Wilmslow beckons with a promise of genuine Italian finesse. Much like its sibling in Hale, this establishment reflects a unique blend of design and style, offering guests a space that feels both familiar and fresh.

Surrounded by an aura of relaxation reminiscent of a warm Italian home, every diner is ensconced in an ambience of elegance and ease. Every dish tells a story, crafted with the freshest ingredients and age-old recipes, guaranteeing a dining experience that's truly memorable. Here, we don't just serve meals; we create moments. Join us and relish in authentic Italian cuisine that captivates the palate and warms the soul.

Top review

Nicola

Dined today

Always great food and atmosphere whatever time of day with super attentive friendly staff

The Rams Head

4.4

4.4 (58)

£26 to £40

Pub

Warrington

About the restaurant

A majestic village pub nestled in the heart of Grappenhall on the picturesque border of Grappenhall Wood. Our historic pub dating back to the 11th century, offers a fresh, seasonal menu coupled with local cask, world lagers and an extensive wine list. Discover a new favourite whilst enjoying our modern take on rustic country dining.

Top review

Paula

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Great place to eat,table service by friendly and efficient staff. Delicious food, sensibly priced - Granddaughters birthday lunch- she LOVED it. Well done!

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