360
17%
5
25
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Market Overview
360 cafes operate within Liverpool's city boundaries, making it one of the more densely packed food and drink markets in the North West. Coffee shops account for the largest share at 115 — roughly one in three cafes — followed by sandwich shops (8), breakfast-focused spots (6), and a handful of ice cream, bubble tea, and cake businesses. The remaining 200-plus cafes cover 25 distinct cuisine types, from Italian to dessert-led concepts.
Competition extends well beyond other cafes. Liverpool has 420 restaurants, 514 fast food outlets, 180 bars, and 508 pubs all vying for the same customer spend. That's nearly 2,000 food and drink businesses operating in a single city of half a million people.
Perhaps the most striking figure is the website adoption rate: only 62 of Liverpool's 360 cafes — 17% — have an online presence. Notable independents like The Egg Cafe, The Baltic Roastery, and Ryde have established websites alongside national chains such as Starbucks and Caffè Nero, but the vast majority of the city's cafe scene remains largely invisible to anyone searching online.
The market is crowded but far from evenly covered. With 115 coffee shops and very few operators in categories like Italian (2), cake (3), and bubble tea (5), there are clear niches that remain under-served.
Top Types in Liverpool
What Customers in Liverpool Care About
Coffee that justifies the price
With 115 coffee shops competing across Liverpool and national chains like Starbucks and Caffè Nero well established, customers actively compare quality between visits and will happily walk further for a better cup.
A proper breakfast, not just pastries
Breakfast ranks as the third most common cafe type in Liverpool, and customers here expect full cooked options alongside their morning coffee rather than a single pastry under glass.
Independent over corporate
Liverpool has a strong track record of backing local businesses, and spots like The Egg Cafe, The Baltic Roastery, and Ryde attract loyal regulars because they feel like they belong to the neighbourhood rather than a national chain.
Something different on the menu
With 25 cuisine types spread across 360 cafes, Liverpool customers have real choice — and they actively seek out places offering bubble tea, proper cakes, or Italian-style coffee over another generic menu.
A reason to stay and sit down
With 514 fast food outlets competing for quick-service spend across Liverpool, the city's cafes draw customers by offering a comfortable place to sit, work, or catch up — something grab-and-go simply cannot match.
Cafes operating in Liverpool
A sample of real cafes in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Muzzy's Breakfast House | Cafe |
| Chompers Cafe | Cafe |
| Zara's Hub | Cafe |
| Simply Coffee | Cafe |
| Neighbourhood | Cafe |
| Ryde | Coffee Shop |
| The Egg Cafe | Cafe |
| Moi Bakeshop | Cafe |
| Costa | Coffee Shop |
| Kimos | Arab |
| Tea Rooms | Cafe |
| The Corner Room | Cafe |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Cafes Owners in Liverpool
Get your website sorted
Only 17% of Liverpool's 360 cafes have a website, yet most customers search online before deciding where to go. A basic site with your menu, opening hours, and address costs very little to set up and immediately puts you ahead of the 300 or so competitors who have nothing at all.
Find your niche, not just your postcode
Coffee shops already account for 115 of Liverpool's 360 cafes, making it the most crowded category by a wide margin. Meanwhile, Italian (2 cafes), cake (3), and bubble tea (5) remain drastically under-served. Positioning yourself in a less competitive cuisine type gives you a far stronger claim to a specific audience.
Compete on experience, not speed
Liverpool has over 500 fast food outlets offering quick, cheap meals. Your cafe cannot win on speed alone. Focus on what fast food cannot offer — a comfortable space, properly made food, and a reason for customers to sit down and spend more time, and money, with you.
Competition Snapshot
Liverpool's cafe market is intense. With 360 cafes, 420 restaurants, and over 500 fast food outlets, businesses face competition from every direction — chains, independents, and quick-service outlets all chasing the same spend. Coffee shops dominate at 115, making it the single most saturated category. Niches like Italian, cake, and bubble tea are significantly under-served, offering clearer paths to market for new entrants. The real separator is visibility: with only 17% of cafes having any website at all, the businesses that invest in a basic online presence gain an outsized advantage in a crowded field.
Cafes by Suburb
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Other Industries in Liverpool
Cafes in Other Cities
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