The Bull & Stirrup Hotel Wetherspoon

Inspired by the steakhouses of New York, Upstairs at the Grill has a chic yet cosy atmosphere, courtesy of its mix of modern and retro elements. Prime quality steaks include porterhouse and bone-in fillet or rib-eye; the 5-week dry-aged cuts are from premium Welsh beef, and various rare breeds are sourced from around the world.

One of several eateries run by chef-restaurateur Andrew Sheridan, this Chester operation was inspired by the fact Sheridan’s first job in a professional kitchen was right here in this historic city. Just six tables make up Noted’s intimate dining room, where the menu is designed for sharing and focuses on British produce mixed with a range of international flavours, be that prawn toast bao bun or crab arancino. On Sundays, the kitchen looks back to the 1980s for inspiration and serves a sharing-style roast dinner.

Sitting a short walk from the city centre, this 1850s-era pub blends in with Chester’s historic architecture thanks to its red-brick and mock-Tudor exterior. It’s received a top-to-toe refurbishment in recent years, with a proper pubby feel remaining in the downstairs bar thanks to its wood panelling, flagged floors and open fires – plus regularly changing ales on tap of course. The first-floor dining rooms are the place to go for wholesome British dishes with a few nods to the Mediterranean. For dessert, look out for the soda bread treacle tart.