‘Flavourful and filling’: Chamber 36, Berry Street, reviewed

Sandwiched right between the Ropewalks and Georgian Quarter sits Berry Street and, right on the corner of Berry Street, next to Europe’s oldest ChinaTown, sits Chamber 36 Restaurant & Bar - a contemporary Pan-Asian restaurant serving East Asian favourites in a modern tapas style designed for sharing. 

It’s a venue that has, on more than one occasion, secured one of the top spots in our Hot 20 Restaurants in Liverpool list, as voted by you, our valued readers. Paired with its impressive 4.5-star Google review rating, this high praise from locals and beyond had me itching to go and experience it for myself. 

Before I’d even crossed the road, from near Petit Cafe Du Coin I could smell those spicy, sweet and sticky flavours wafting through the air, all melding together and becoming one, so good you can almost taste it - a tell-tale sign of a great Pan Asian restaurant.

Stepping inside, those angelic scents were only amplified. 

Taking its name from the point of inner harmony and peace discovered by a Shaolin monk, Chamber 36 encourages diners to 'find their unity' and relax on one of the contemporary booths or banquettes. 

Decorated in a serene, rich green colour scheme, with a few traditional elements paying homage to traditional East Asian culture throughout, it’s a modern, calm and inviting space which would make all diners feel at ease. In fact, I was dining solo this evening and still felt comfortable, not awkwardly perched on one of those ‘tables for one’ out of the way near the toilets like some restaurants will occasionally seat you at.

I was dining alone, or so I thought until I looked up and saw two beady red eyes glaring back at me. 

Looking around, I noticed that there's a few of these dragon fellas knocking about on the walls. I like to think they have secret parties at night when the lights are turned off and last orders are just a memory. But that's probably just my childish imagination...

The double-sided menu is split into dim sum and mains, consisting of steamed baos and small plates like Vietnamese spring rolls and king prawn vermicelli wraps on one side and classics, stir fry noodles and curries on the other. There's plenty of choice, but it's not overly complex or so overwhelming that you're having to pick a few dishes at random and gamble on what you're getting. 

As well as a comprehensive Pan-Asian menu, Chamber 36 also offers an extensive range of carefully crafted cocktails, popular and craft beers, and an impressive list of spirits and wines. 

I spotted that there's also a decent selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from, too, which was music to my ears as most places are yet to catch up on alcohol-free offerings, leaving you with the options of sipping on half a pint of coke or bottle of Heineken Zero. Neither of which quite hit the spot like a cheeky mocktail. 

I chose the alcohol free 'PawnStar' Martini which came with its own adorable little shot of 0% Prosecco. Well balanced, not too tart, and not just tasting like a few fruit juices had been mixed together and called a 'mocktail', I thoroughly enjoyed each sip, savouring them slowly to ensure I had some left to experience with my meal.

To eat, I ordered the salt and pepper chicken pieces from the small plates section (because if anywhere is going to take pride in salt and pepper chicken, its here in the heart of Liverpool) and couldn't decide what to have from the main menu, so asked my lovely server for recommendations. 

"The Malaysian curry," she said without missing a beat, describing it as "not spicy, more aromatic."

I was sold. Malaysian curry with beef it was. 

"Chopsticks or a knife and fork?" she asked.

"Knife and fork, please," I replied. I was heading back off to a fancy shindig afterwards so didn't want to risk dropping anything down me. 

"Not brave enough, eh?" she joked with a smile before dashing off to file my order with the chef. 

Both dishes arrived swiftly and were served on rectangular plates adorned with pretty patterns. 

I started with the salt and pepper pieces; deep fried hunks of chicken lightly dusted with that kind of salt and pepper seasoning that hits you at the back of the throat and nostrils, topped with a few pieces of roughly-diced onion and pepper for good measure. Divine. 

They certainly know how to make Liverpool proud when it comes to this city-favourite dish.

Served with fried rice, the Malaysian curry was presented in a matching bowl with high sides to stop the rich, golden sauce sloshing over the top, with courgette, white onion, broccoli and slithers of beef perched on the surface.

The server was right. 'Aromatic' was definitely the word for this dish. You can tell the curry had been bubbling away all day, gradually gaining more and more flavour as the hours go by. 

Melded with the fried rice the flavours were muted slightly, but only slightly, you still get that punch tickling your tastebuds each time you get a mouthful of the curry sauce. The beef was incredibly tender after simmering away for a while and practically melted on contact.

I dipped a piece of my salt and pepper chicken in the curry sauce and audibly mmm'ed. - something I don't do lightly, or ever to be honest, perhaps I'd gotten a little too comfortable in my own company. Sod it - this combo was mmm-worthy anyway. 

It's clear to me why Chamber 36 regularly takes a pew at the top of the Hot 20. It's a place that takes pride in what they're serving and does it well. 

From the ambient music and cosy banquettes, to the carefully crafted cocktails and thoughtfully selected wines, the cohesive and well-considered menu and, of course, the stellar service from friendly and welcoming staff, it's no wonder the people of Liverpool love this spot so. 

This is an affordably-priced place that deserves to be shouted about, and I'm sure its sister site on Smithdown Road is deserving of the same. 

Chamber 36, 45-49 Berry Street, Liverpool L1 9DF

Follow Harley Young on X @Harley__Young

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