Liverpool’s celebrated father-and-son duo, Paul and Harry Askew, have ushered in an exciting new chapter for the city’s dining scene with the full opening of Barnacle Restaurant and Bar — now operating as a standalone venue in the heart of the historic Georgian Quarter.
Located on Hardman Street within a beautifully restored Grade II-listed building, Barnacle’s new home blends the city’s maritime heritage with modern culinary artistry. For the Askews, it’s a deeply personal project that pays homage to Liverpool’s past while championing its vibrant food future.
A New Home for a Liverpool Favourite
Originally launched in 2021, Barnacle began as an intimate dining concept celebrating the region’s rich gastronomic story. Now, with its own dedicated venue, the restaurant and bar are poised to become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s dining landscape.
The bar welcomes guests Tuesday to Sunday, offering an inviting space for cocktails, wine and bar snacks, while the main restaurant serves dinner Thursday to Sunday, including a signature Sunday roast service.
“After months of planning and preparation, we’re absolutely thrilled to be fully open,” said Harry Askew, Barnacle’s Restaurant Director. “We’ve poured our hearts into creating a space that truly represents Liverpool’s culinary spirit — from the building’s history to the ingredients on each plate. The interest we’ve already seen has been phenomenal, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Guests can expect a relaxed yet refined setting, with a softly lit lobby leading to the bar, snug, and terrace areas. Each corner has been designed for comfort and conversation — whether enjoying a perfectly mixed cocktail or settling in for a seasonal meal that tells a story.
A Menu Rooted in Liverpool’s Heritage
Barnacle’s philosophy centres around sustainability, seasonality, and storytelling. Dishes are created using organic and free-range ingredients, sourced from local artisans, farmers, and producers across Merseyside. The menu evolves with the seasons, featuring vibrant meat, fish and vegan options that highlight the best of British produce.
Each Sunday, diners can look forward to a hand-written menu — a nod to old-world hospitality — reflecting what’s freshest and most inspiring that day. From hearty roasts with all the trimmings to delicate plant-based creations, every dish captures the essence of “field to fork.”
“We’re incredibly lucky to have access to such outstanding produce right here in the Liverpool City Region,” said Harry. “Working with local suppliers allows us to celebrate the people and places that make our city’s food culture so unique — and to do so sustainably.”
The Spirit of the Sea Lives On
For Paul Askew, one of Liverpool’s most respected chefs and Chef Patron of The Art School, Barnacle’s story is deeply intertwined with his family’s maritime legacy.
“My father was Captain Barnacle Bill Askew,” Paul explained. “He sailed the world on the Blue Star Line, and his travels were a huge source of inspiration for me. The name ‘Barnacle’ is a tribute to him — and to Liverpool’s history as a port city where flavours and ideas from around the world have always come ashore.”
That heritage flows through every element of the restaurant. The menu, the design, even the name itself all pay homage to the ships that once connected Liverpool to far-flung corners of the globe. “I often think about the barnacles that clung to those great ships,” Paul added. “They remind me of how knowledge, flavour and experience have built up over generations here — shaping who we are as a culinary community.”
A Toast to the Future
As Barnacle settles into its new home, the team is already looking ahead to the festive season and beyond. Plans are underway for special events, collaborations, and seasonal tasting menus that will continue to celebrate Liverpool’s evolving food culture.
For diners, it’s a chance to experience something that feels both new and familiar — a restaurant that embraces the soul of Liverpool while looking confidently to the future.
“Barnacle has always been about more than just great food,” said Paul. “It’s about storytelling — about the people, the produce, and the journeys that connect them. In our new home, we have the perfect setting to share that story with everyone who walks through our doors.”
With its combination of heartfelt history, impeccable craft, and a deep-rooted sense of place, Barnacle Restaurant and Bar stands poised to become one of Liverpool’s most distinctive dining destinations — a love letter to the city’s past, and a celebration of its future.
