HULL: TOP TEN BARS & RESTAURANTS

Forget everything you've ever heard about Hull. I called this city home for just over two years and can advocate for the fantastic bars and eateries based here. Unlike other big cities in Yorkshire, Hull doesn't rely on chain restaurants with generic menus and predictable vibes. It hosts a range of fantastic small independent businesses that are totally unique, meaning your experience of eating or drinking out here is going to be unmatched! It can be daunting trying a new place out if you're not familiar with it though... So I'm here to help you make the best decision for your next date night, family tea or brunch with the girls. Let's count down the Top Ten Restaurants and Bars in Hull!

10. Dexter's Bar

Fit to rival any Slug & Lettuce, Dexter's is an independent bar situated in Hull's Old Town. With outdoor seating underneath the trees, you can enjoy a chilled glass of wine while taking in the view of the beautiful Minster. The relaxed al-fresco dining area provides a contrast from the party atmosphere inside where many customers take advantage of the different bottomless brunch menus. Available throughout the afternoon from 1pm - 5pm is a brunch menu serving breakfast and light lunches options whereas the after hours menu allows you to pair your 90 minutes of unlimited drinks with more evening-appropriate cuisine.

A large glass of wine will set you back £6.50, making it an affordable venue for those of us on a budget. Check our their website for more information so you can be ready to head down on a sunny day and give them a try!

9. Bert's Pizzaria

Located on Queen Street, Bert's Pizzaria is situated beside the River Humber, close to Hull's quaint Old Town.

This stylish, spacious restaurant provides the perfect setting for a lunch date with friends, family or that special someone. The simple but effective menu offers up a range of delicious pizzas which are freshly cooked on-site, with the option to choose one or two scoops of ice-cream from their gelato bar for pudding if you have the room.

Bert's is a family owned business and family really is at the heart of what they do. Children are more than welcome at the restaurant and can make a choice from the Little Berties menu where a meal deal is provided to help keep tummies full but costs down! Have a look at their menu and see what you'll pick when you pay them a visit.

8. Bert's Pasta Bar

Another offering from the Bert's franchise is their Pasta Bar situated at Hull's up and coming Fruit Market! At the very end of Humber Street (which is my FAVOURITE street in the city) you will find Bert's Pasta Bar which offers up a range of traditional Italian small plates meaning you can try an array of authentic dishes with friends. It's a cute, cosy restaurant that holds no more than about thirty people so an ideal spot for an intimate date night. However, if you visit during the summer months, you can take advantage of the outdoor seating and look out over the marina instead. I've tried a lot of the dishes on offer here and have never come across one that I don't like! It's time to post their menu in the group chat so you can start negotiating just how many dishes you want to order to try.

7. Ponto Lounge

Are you familiar with Cosy Club? Well Lounge is their sister chain who offer the same top quality food and drinks but in a more laid back, relaxed environment. When I lived in Hull I was practically on a first name basis with some of the staff at Lounge... They definitely recognised me every time I walked through the door! I took ALL of my friends and family there when they came to visit me, went after work most Fridays, and could be found there for breakfast, lunch or tea most weekends...

The cocktails are to die for, food menu extensive, and vibes ON POINT. Ponto welcomes everybody, I went with my parents, my boyfriend, my co-workers, the girls before a night out... And I never felt out of place! I cannot recommend this cool and quirky eatery enough.

6. Nibble

Arguably Hull's BEST breakfast spot.

Nibble offers unique twists on classic breakfast, brunch and lunch items with an ever-changing specials board, making it the perfect place to visit if you're sick and tired of the same old options.

Choosing an outdoor seat allows you to stay for as long as you want and really take the time to catch up with friends.

Nibble is renowned for their coffee, supplied by a local roasting company, which is absolutely delicious. You can see for yourself just how good their food is by checking out the video created by viral Youtuber Rate My Takeaway. He approved and so will you!

Be aware that the cafe closes at 3pm through the week and 4pm on a weekend, so you need to arrange a trip in the daytime if you want to give them a try!

5. Taphouse

We're into the top five now! Let's kick off with the region's largest brewery, Taphouse.

Offering up an extensive range of craft beers that have been created on site, Taphouse is a firm favourite with the locals for a night out. Visit on an evening and you might struggle to find a seat, but fear not, in the summer months you can head round the back and take a pew in their beer garden. I'm not a beer drinker myself so instead opt for a cider or a nice glass of wine when I visit. Prices are typical of The Fruit Market as you do need to a pay a little more for this fantastic location - but this is Hull, not York or Leeds, so you're not going to blow the bank.

The establishment has recently opened The Boardroom; a hub of entertainment where friends can meet for a game of virtual darts or shuffleboard. I have been twice for a date with my boyfriend and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we hope to return soon with a bigger group of friends!

If you're after a bite to eat, you can tuck into a dish from their Asian Street Food menu. I would recommend one of the burgers for sure. Check them out!

4. Mancia

Moving away from The Fruit Market (only briefly) and taking a trip to Newland Ave will help you find my fourth favourite restaurant in Hull; Mancia.

This Sicilian restaurant is the home of authentic Italian food made by Mama herself. Don't let the casual decor and relaxed atmosphere fool you, the food here is some of the best that the city has to offer. Just look at that pasta!

You will be treated like one of the family here and can tuck into as much food as you please - I would recommend the arancini to start, it melts in the mouth and cannot be beaten.

The owners have recently expanded the business and opened up a pizzaria which I am DYING to try. You really do need to plan a visit.

3. Stretch Pizza

When I first moved to Hull I went out wandering and stumbled across Paragon Arcade. What a fantastic find that was! This Victorian shopping arcade is now home to some of the city's spots for food and drink. I'll admit that I haven't tried as many of the eateries here as I would like, but somewhere I did often frequent while living in Hull was Stretch.

Famous for their Neopolitan style pizzas, Stretch started life offering catering from a van before the owners rented this spot in the centre of the arcade.

Their pizzas are made fresh and carry so much flavour. I would always order too much and over-face myself (and any guests that I insisted try their food) but that just meant pizza for breakfast the following day - what's not to love? They are still a fairly small business and it feels good to support them rather than some of the larger chain take aways whose food can lack the fresh feel that Stretch ingredients allow for. They have recently launched a new menu for Spring which can be found on their website. I can't wait to give one of the new items a go!

2. Butler Whites

Coming in at a VERY close second, and back on gorgeous Humber Street, is Butler Whites.

Once a fruit merchants (where my own grandparents, who are farmers, traded) this spacious warehouse is now an elegant restaurant which serves up the BEST Sunday roast you will have EVER eaten.

Stylish and sophisticated, the venue has a taste of class without being intimidatingly prim and proper. You can visit simply for drinks, to test out their experimental evening menu, or on a Sunday to sample that succulent roast beef.

Service is always fast and efficient but friendly, leaving nothing to complain about. However, the reason it's ranked so high on my list is the food. Every element of the roast is seasoned to perfection, the portions are plentiful and the ingredients both local and seasonal. I take my mum for every special occasion because she is just as big of a fan as I am! Please make sure you book to secure your seat this Sunday!

Number One: Cuban Pete's

Well done, you've arrived at the end of the post and now can read all about the creme de la creme; Cuban Pete's!

Okay, let's talk cocktails first. As a young woman in her mid (to late...) twenties, I am OVER the days of clubbing. I could not think of anything worse than standing in a sweltering hot room with a group of strangers, necking back drinks from washing-machine-warm glasses while music rattles the walls. No. I am a day drinkers and day drinks do not get much better than at Cuban Pete's.

This Cuban and Mexican inspired bar offers an EXCELLENT bottomless brunch menu on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday for just £37.50 per person. You can select a main, a side and sample as many cocktails, spirits, glasses of wine or pints of beer as you can manage in an hour and a half. The cocktails are unique but reminiscent of classics, so you'll be certain to find a few favourites. I ALWAYS start off with the Mango Spritz which tastes like a Solero ice lolly and is IDEAL for a hot summer day.

Service during the bottomless is excellent, the staff are both friendly and attentive and work hard to ensure you get your money's worth.

Now, the food. I have never sampled such a brilliant bottomless food menu in my life - and I've done a few bottomless brunches. Not only are the dishes tasty but the portion sizes are HUGE, meaning you can properly line your stomach!

You can just pop in for lunch and resist the drinks, the food is so good that you really do need to take every opportunity to work your way through the menu. I would recommend the Cuban Chicken Legend - a succulent sandwich on fresh ciabatta bread. DELICIOUS.

Though the perfect setting for couples and friends, children are more than welcome during the day-time, making this a versatile option full of eclectic groups.

PLEASE go and give them a try!

Well, there you have it. My top ten bars and restaurants in Hull. Which will you head to first!? When you do decide to nip in, please be sure to tag me so I can see what you opt for. I hope this has been helpful!

Thank you for reading x