A Walking Food Tours UK Year in Review
As another year draws to a close, we always take a moment to pause, reflect and – quite literally – look back at what we’ve been eating.
2025 has been a big year for Walking Food Tours UK. We’ve continued to grow into new locations and we’re now proudly hosting food and drink experiences in Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Shrewsbury and Wrexham. With that growth came new flavours, new venues, new stories – and plenty of memorable moments shared around tables, tasting boards and glasses raised.
When the time came for our annual roundup, it gave us the chance to step back and look at the bigger picture. Not just individual dishes, but the patterns, surprises and standout moments that defined eating well across the region this year.
What were our guides talking about at the end of a tour? What surprised guests most? And which flavours stayed with us long after the plates were cleared?
Here are a few highlights from a year spent eating our way across the North West and Wales.
Mezze Moments at Pars Kahve, Chester
One of the most talked-about stops of the year was Pars Kahve, deservedly crowned Chester’s Restaurant of the Year. For many guests on our Chester experience, this is where expectations are quietly exceeded.
The mezze selection is always a showstopper. A generous spread lands on the table – colourful, fragrant and full of variety—and instantly sets the tone. Think grilled halloumi, sucuk (Turkish beef sausage), hummus, borek pastry, potato salad, olives, mucver (courgette fritters), grilled aubergine and warm bread… and that’s before anyone’s even asked “what should I try first?”
What we love most is watching people realise how comforting and satisfying this style of sharing food can be. It’s not rushed. It’s not formal. It’s just great flavours enjoyed together.
And then there’s the Menengiç (pistachio) coffee. A firm favourite in 2025, it proved popular with non-alcoholic drinkers and coffee lovers alike. Nutty, smooth and completely different to what many expect from a coffee, it became one of those “I’ve never had anything like this before” moments we live for on our tours.
Rethinking Cheshire Cheese (and Falling in Love with Mead)
If there’s one thing 2025 taught us, it’s that local produce still has the power to surprise.
Cheshire cheese became a big talking point across our tours this year – especially when paired with mead. Many guests arrived with a “cheese is cheese” expectation: crumbly, sharp, perhaps a little traditional.
What followed was something very different.
Cheeses sampled from Bournes, Burt’s Cheese and Crabtree changed perceptions again and again. Richer, creamier and more complex than expected, they won over countless new fans. Paired with mead, the combination felt both historic and refreshingly modern – a reminder that regional food traditions can still feel exciting when presented thoughtfully.
It’s these moments of gentle surprise that make food tours so special. Seeing someone reassess something they thought they knew well is always a joy.
A Rioja That Kept Coming Up, Liverpool
Across our Liverpool tours, Vallemayor Rioja served at Lunya quietly became one of the year’s most consistently loved pours.
It’s easy-drinking, balanced and seriously food-friendly – the kind of wine that appeals just as much to seasoned wine drinkers as it does to people who simply enjoy a great glass with great food. Time and again, guests commented on how approachable it was… and how perfectly it paired with what was on the table.
Sometimes it’s not about the most complex bottle. It’s about the one that brings people together effortlessly. This Rioja did exactly that.
The Real Highlight? The Shared Moments
A lot of the best parts of 2025 weren’t just about the food itself.
They were the small moments that happen around it:
the “wow” reaction when a table-sized board arrives
the first sip that changes someone’s mind about a drink
the stories behind the venue that make a dish taste even better
the laughter as strangers become a group within 10 minutes
If 2025 reminded us of anything, it’s that eating well isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about people, stories, and those unexpected moments that linger long after the tour ends.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move into the new year, we’re excited about what lies ahead – new venues, evolving menus, returning guests and first-time tasters discovering the region through food and drink.
Here’s to continuing to eat our way through the region – one bite, sip and story at a time.
If you’re planning a visit, celebrating something special, or just fancy doing something different this winter, take a look at our tours in Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Shrewsbury and Wrexham (and if you’re buying for someone else, gift cards are always a winner).
