Rise. — Restaurant in Liverpool

I’ve been to Rise in Liverpool twice now, both times for business lunches, and both times I left feeling completely bewildered as to what has just happened, unwelcome and uncomfortable.

First visit:

I arrived a little early to meet a colleague (I hadn’t booked a table – I’m not even sure if you can). When I arrived, staff were about to seat me, assuming it was a table for one. I explained that I was meeting someone else, and they then told me they couldn’t seat me until my colleague arrived. I have never experienced this anywhere before. It was incredibly awkward - I had to just stand there in the middle of the café while other “complete” parties were being shown to their tables. I felt like I was constantly in the way, taking up space and being an inconvenience just by waiting. Strangely, the staff started questioning what we would be doing when my colleague arrives. I explained it was for work — we’d be ordering coffees and food — and was immediately told that we wouldn’t be allowed to get our laptops out – they stated “you shouldn’t really be discussing work.” I honestly couldn’t believe it. To make matters even more absurd, they then suggested that if we really wanted to discuss work matters, we could do so only after we’d finished eating, but they would have to move us to another area for that conversation! The whole thing was so overly controlled and officious that it completely killed the relaxed café atmosphere.

When my colleague eventually arrived, the situation was embarrassing. From their perspective, it looked as though I’d just been awkwardly loitering by the counter waiting for them, rather than sitting comfortably at a table like a normal person. It emphasised the fact that they were late, which didn’t bother me at all, but it created an unnecessary tension - I even had to explain that it wasn’t them I was waiting on, it was the café refusing to seat me! The felt like I was telling them an implausible story. The whole thing was unnecessarily strict, creating an atmosphere that was awkward before we’d even sat down.

Second visit:

Against my better judgement, I decided to give Rise another chance. I came again for a business lunch at 12:30pm with a different colleague. We were seated fine this time and ordered lunch and coffees around 12:40pm. The food and coffee were genuinely nice, but the experience quickly turned sour. The moment my colleague took his last bite, his plate was whisked away immediately, which made me feel rushed. As soon as I set down my cutlery, less than five minutes later - with food still on my plate - my plate was taken too, without being asked if I’d finished. We still had drinks left, but within minutes we were told we needed to leave because they “needed the table back.” I asked, “Can we have say five or ten minutes?” and was told, “More like one minute - would you like a disposable cup for your drink?” I was honestly stunned. We’d spent over £50 on two meals and coffees and were being ushered out at 1:10pm, barely 30 minutes after ordering. We hadn’t even had the chance to start our discussion that we had met up to have. When I expressed how disappointing it was, the staff member simply repeated, in a robotic tone, “It’s our policy that you have to leave as soon as you have finished.” If that’s genuinely their policy, it should be made clear before you sit down - but honestly, it’s such an unwelcoming rule that I’d never have chosen to eat there at all.

I’ve never been made to feel so uncomfortable in a café before. Rise presents itself as a relaxed, friendly spot - but in practice, it feels rigid, awkward, and inhospitable. I won’t...

Me and my friend found Rise Liverpool on TikTok and thought it looked great, and honestly, it was even better in person! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the most enthusiastic and friendly guy who sat us down and gave us all the info we needed. He had such good energy and made us feel super welcome right from the start. Our server Neveah was absolutely lovely – constantly smiling, really chatty and just had such a positive vibe. She checked in on us regularly and made sure we had everything we needed, even stopping for a laugh and a bit of a chat which made the whole experience even better. There was actually quite a mardy couple sat near us, but the way the staff handled it was honestly impressive – the waitress who was dealing with them stayed so calm and professional, handled the situation with an elegance that is unheard of these days. Now the food – SO good. Everything we had was delicious, freshly made, and the prices were totally fair for the quality. All round, a brilliant experience. Great food, lovely staff, and a really good atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back soon and would 100% recommend to anyone...

Rise has recently opened here in Liverpool, and it’s quickly become one of my go-to spots.

One thing I love is that they open early on weekdays (from 7:30 AM) — which is rare around here. If you're an early riser looking for a good breakfast, Rise is definitely one of the best options.

Whether you're coming solo to enjoy a peaceful meal or catching up with friends over brunch, the space works for both. For me, the açaí bowl here hits different — maybe that’s why I keep coming back. Other dishes I’ve tried are also great (still trying through the menu 😅).

If you're into coffee or matcha, you won't be disappointed. I usually go for an iced latte or flat white, depending on the weather — both are solid.

The staff are super friendly and helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have allergies or dietary preferences — they’re happy to help.

If you're looking for a quiet place to read or work, mornings tend to be quite peaceful, and the warm, cozy decor makes it even better.

Hope you enjoy Rise as...