The Smugglers Cove

Part of The New World Trading Company stable of eateries and drinkeries, and appropriately sited in the Albert Dock’s foodie heart of Britannia Pavilion, this darkly lit, wood-panelled, pirate-friendly hideaway has a room just for rum, arggh, and, they say, “food fit for feasting”.

“Properly seasoned” chips come with everything from the Korean chicken burger (kimchi is involved) to the hanging kebabs, famous with the chain behind The Smugglers Cove. These consist of skewers dangling off a special stand with a bowl of sauce at the top that drip-drips down the shaft and into a bowl of fries below (flatbread is also available as a side, along with zhoug and garlic mayo), catching the sticky dribbles from the sweet chilli-glazed crispy halloumi or marinated meats – think garlicky chicken (or chicken and chorizo), bang bang salt and pepper pork belly, and spicy harissa-coated lamb kofta. Lamb also features in Mrs Redcap’s Scouse as well as the meat pie, individually made with mint, and served with champ and mushy pies. Mushy peas also join the fish and chips with tartare sauce, although it’s not quite a classic dish, coming, as it does, with curry sauce. That curry sauce crops up again alongside the plant-based coconut sweet potato pie with sweet potato mash, and there’s also a vegan Caribbean curry with rice and peas; the latter also on the plate with pan-fried sea bass and mango salsa. Nibbles-wise, you’re looking at the likes of wings (chicken and cauli); sides-wise, think variations on spud and cabbage dishes.

From a limited choice (think ice creams and brownies), desserts still hit the sweet spot with a classic lemon tart or a dairy-free raspberry and almond frangipane, which is really pushing the boat out.

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