A Mini Break in Chester – Activities, Experiences and Things To Do in Chester
There’s definitely something special about Chester. It has character, it’s almost more like a village than a city. It used to be for the charm and mystery of the Roman walls, unique Rows and cobbled streets that tourists came flooding in. But now the city also has a food scene that’s starting to punch above its weight. A long weekend in Chester is goign to be an enchanting one. The city is well worth discovering, voted the World’s Most Beautiful City (true fact!).
To make sure your mini break full of local flavour, here’s the ultimate guide to the best restaurants, pubs and cafes to eat in Chester, as well as where to stay and how to enjoy your time in the city!
Where to Stay in during a Long Weekend in Chester
There are plenty of independent hotels and B&Bs that will help make a long weekend in Chester a comfortable one:
- The Pied Bull – A cosy pub stay with great food and a friendly buzz, plus micro brewery. The Pied Bull boasts the oldest continuous alcohol licence in the city along with a few ghosts!
- The Boathouse & River Rooms– Treated to riverside views, wooden interiors and fun, outdoor igloos in the winter months means this lovely old hotel and pub feels like you’re gaining your own mini-escape within a city.
- The Chester Townhouse – Elegant, newly refurbed and a friendly team. For a short stay the Townhouse is ideally placed in the city centre.
- The Garden Rooms – A superb Airbnb only 5 minutes walk outside the city centre. Lots of Chester character and very clean with excellent reviews.
Friday – Find Your Feet Then The Food
Brunch / Lunch
Begin your long weekend at The Flower Cup, where they have out of this world French toast, a great variety of breakfast to suit all and lots of superb vegan optiona. Surrounded by greenery in the botanical cafe on the Rows, start people watching and enjoy breakfast in tranquility.
Afternoon
Walk the Roman walls and do a full circuit of the city which takes just over an hour (depending how speedy you are), then stop off at Covino — a small but perfectly formed natural wine bar serving creative small plates and local cheeses. If you fancy something lighter, head to Planeterra. Pure class! The homemade bagels are incredible! Feeling adventurerous and fancy an activity? Near the Chester racecourse you’ll find Axt Haux for a bit of light Axe throwing, or there’s always Breakout. I’m rubbish at this but it’s fun.
Dinner
Book yoursef in at Noted. This is the newest restaurant in Chester and is a small, intimate place a modern vibe, whose chef Patron is the renowned chef Andrew Sheridan. The food is innovative and fusion. The prawn toast bao is a revelation! I took my other half here and we had to roll him out. You could opt for a quick bite at vegan reataurant Shrub. Yes, it may be vegan, but the lebanese style food here will not disappoint, and more importantly they whip up some of the best cocktails in Chester!
Drinks
Head to Paysan and take your pick – a swanky winebar sits downstairs and they serve some of the best wines in Chester. Always full of chattering regulars. However, up the staircase you find the Cavern of the Curious Gnome. Very much worth a look if you’re into quirk and love a Belgian beer! Nevertheless, if it’s a after a fancy tipple tyou’re after there’s always Craft and Co. Ask for ‘The Caretaker’…
Saturday – Chester on a Plate Foodie Day Out
Morning
Grab a coffee at the Jaunty Goat or The Little Yellow Pig before joining a Chester Food Tour — Food tours are up and coming and hand on heart, I believe it is the best way to explore a city – try new places, sightsee, hear quirky stories and meet new people. This will have you full to the rafters until Dinner! Wear big pants and comfy shoes. I want to show you Chester in all its glory, whilst stopping at 7 venues for a real taste of Chester,
Afternoon
Wander around the New Chester Market, which opened its doors in 2022. It is home to independent traders, has live music and is a street food haven — from pasta to pastries. After this explore the 900 year old Chester Cathedral and it’s goregous gardens, maybe head past Krum and try authentic gelato. If want to give your legs a stretch and find yourself down by the Groves, you’ll have see the iconic Chester Boat. I would highly recommend a cruise along the Dee, you’ll hear tales of the historic riverside, pop a prosecco and see some of the most stunning houses in Chester, built by the Victorians. Not to mention the Duke of Westminster’s Cheshire pad – Eaton Hall. Twenty-eight and the richest man in the UK. Can’t be bad!
Dinner
Book The Chef’s Table which has been a Chester favourite, setting high standards for years. their seasonal cooking celebrates local ingredients and the wine list stunning. There is also Twenty Eight, an award-winning, field to fork restaurant that won Best Newcomer in Conde Nast magazine. Feeling more like some spice? Give the wonderful Dabba a whirl. Hidden up a small sidestreet, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret.
After Dinner
If you fancy top class cocktails there’s Parmar, a classy bar at the bottom of Watergate street, or tbc, winner of the Taste Cheshire’s Best New Bar Award. If you fancy something more relaxed, head to Beer Heroes for incredible craft ales, a great atmosphere and some stunning subterranean architecture.
Sunday – Take it easy
Brunch
Give some time to Bread and Butter. As one of the newest breakfast spots in Chester it’s an exciting independent with a wonderful team. Excellent food and service and a more alternative quarter in Chester. If you just fancy a pick me up, there’s also High Coffee. a Ukrainian run coffee house which lets you relax above the hustle and bustle.
Afternoon
Enjoy a riverside walk and make your way to Pickles, a wonderful wine bar in an incredibly interesting suburb of Chester. Pickles is known for its excellent wine, cheese boards, and friendly team. Afterwards perhaps wander along the river to your right and see some of Chester’s most incredible Victorian built houses! Or to your left for a look at Edgars Park and Minerva’s Shrine.
If you’re still exploring and have the time, a great place for a Sunday Roast at the Ship Inn at Handbrideg, one of Chester’s oldest pubs, is always a win, plus what a view if you’re seated upstairs. It’s another independent gem for a Sunday pint in a truly beautiful and historic location. Rather than getting desset, maybe head up the hill to ABBA Cakes. This exceptional cake shop has recently moved to Chester and won Britain’s Best Cake 2025. Got to be worth a go.
Dinner (if you’re staying an extra night)
Round off your long weekend in Chester at Pars Kahve, a Turkish restaurant with atmosphere and charm that’ll blow you away! A great place to end a fantastic stay. If it’s only a bite you’re after Chester boasts two of the best pizzerias in Cheshire. The mighty Stile Napoletano is family run and from the island of Ischia, whereas Augusto prides itself on serving Turin pizza which is where the owners Fabrizio and Valentina hail from. Always ask for a chat with Fabrizio, he loves to talk Italy!
Insider Tip
Chester’s vibrancy lies in its independent businesses. Each café, bar and restaurant has a story to tell. Supporting places run by creative and passionate chefs and owners is going to make your long weekend in Chester more memorable (and tastier).
And if you don’t have a full day for Chester’s Half-day Chester Food Tour, take a look at the Chester On a Plate Food Tour pages to see if any of our other tours we offer might fit in better with your mini break.
