A number of celebrities have payed a visit to try Maggie May’s Scouse
10:15, 26 Dec 2025Updated 10:30, 26 Dec 2025
Maggie May’s shut for the last time on Christmas Eve(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Maggie May’s closed its doors on Christmas Eve [Wednesday, December 24] and with it came to an end one of the best servings of Scouse you can get in Liverpool. I had to ask for a bowl as I was never going to get another chance.
After opening their doors in May 1995, Maggie May’s has become one of Bold Street’s longest-running restaurants after husband and wife duo John and Susan Lea decided to take the leap and open the café on 90 Bold Street.
Since then they have become known for their homely British classics including a steak pie and chips, full-English breakfasts and chili con carne, but it is their Scouse that has attracted celebrities including Michael Portillo and American-rapper Action Bronson.
On what was their final day in business, I ventured down to the Bold Street café to try the dish for myself and see if it really does live up to the reputation that it has developed down the years.
This was one of the final bowls of Scouse to be served in the city centre café(Image: Danny Gutmann/Liverpool Echo)
While I’ve enjoyed the beef and potato stew from various other Liverpool restaurants and cafés before, one thing that stood out about Maggie May’s version of the dish is how succulent the chunks of beef were.
Another thing that struck me was how big the portion size was, something that was probably a blessing and a curse as I was unable to finish it.
Additionally, they also served the dish with ample amounts of bread and butter, which is something I have seen less and less of when I have tried Scouse in other restaurants across the city.
The family that runs Maggie May’s have been serving customers for the last 30 years (Image: Liverpool Echo)
While the stew has received acclaim from several locals and celebrities in recent times, c-owner Andy Lea explained why it has always been so important that they get it right.
He told the ECHO: “It’s brought tourists from all around the globe. In Liverpool, we’re all known as Scousers and that’s because of Scouse, that’s what we eat and that’s who we are.”
However, offering a touch of humour, Andy said that there are standards that it will never meet. He said: “We will never ever ever beat anyone else’s nans scouse, but we’ll do our best.”
Maggie May’s was first opened by John and Susan Lea in 1995(Image: Liverpool Echo)
As Carly, Andy and the staff wound down on their final day in business, the final bowls of Scouse were made by the person who first brought them to the Bold Street venue.
Andy said: “We’re going to have my mum and dad coming down, we want them to take part in making the last few meals. My mum obviously sent the first meal out and we want her to send the last one. I think that’ll be emotional, it’ll be huge. I’m lost for words.”