What it's like
The Moorings is a daytime riverside cafe and eatery at 23 The Groves, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks, cakes and terrace food by the River Dee.
The Moorings is mainly about location. It sits right on The Groves, which makes it useful for river walks, boat trips, families, visitors, Grosvenor Park, Queen's Park Bridge and Handbridge plans.
The food offer is familiar rather than showy: breakfast dishes, eggs, scones, cakes, panini-style lunches, fish and chips, loaded fries, hot drinks and bottles. That is fine if the point is a pleasant daytime stop by the river.
Worth knowing
The Moorings is not the city's sharpest food recommendation, but it is one of the easier riverside daytime ones. On a dry day with a visitor who wants the Dee, coffee and something simple to eat, that is often enough.
Plan your visit
- Address
- 23 The Groves, Chester CH1 1SD.
- Hours
- Current listed hours are Monday-Friday 09:30-17:00 and Saturday-Sunday 09:00-17:30. Check direct before travelling for the end of service.
- Food
- Breakfast, brunch, lunch, cakes, scones, light meals and terrace drinks.
- What to order
- Eggs Benedict or Royale, a full breakfast, scones, cake, panini, fish and chips, loaded fries, coffee, cider or a simple riverside drink.
- Outdoor seating
- Yes. The outside seating and river position are the main reason to choose it.
- Dogs
- Dog-friendly.
- Kids
- Family-friendly, with children's menu information listed.
- Dietaries
- Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are signposted on menus, but ask on the day for allergens and availability.
- Access
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and restroom are listed. Check direct for the best table if access is important.
- Price feel
- ££. You are paying partly for the riverside position.
How to use it
- Use it during the day, especially around The Groves, boat trips and river walks.
- Sit outside when weather allows; that is the strongest version of the venue.
- Check closing and kitchen times before planning a late-afternoon meal.
- For a more food-focused dinner, use The Moorings as the daytime stop and go elsewhere later.
What's on and practical notes
Race days, sunny weekends and river events can make The Groves much busier. Book or call if timing matters.
No checked TTDC event listings for this place right now. Check its own listings before building a visit around an event.
Nearby plan
Nearby pubs and bars
Nearby food
Nearby attractions
FAQ
Is The Moorings on the River Dee?
Yes. It is on The Groves, right by the river.
Does The Moorings do breakfast?
Yes. Breakfast and brunch are key parts of the daytime offer.
Does The Moorings have outdoor seating?
Yes. Outdoor riverside seating is one of the main reasons to go.
Is The Moorings dog-friendly?
Yes. It is listed as dog-friendly.
Is The Moorings open in the evening?
Usually treat it as a daytime venue. Check direct for any special evening use or race-day changes.
Nearby alternatives and add-ons.
The Boathouse & Riverside Rooms The Boathouse sits on the River Dee at The Groves, with one of Chester's most obvious pint-with-a-view setups: terrace tables, the floating beer garden, boats drifting past, and the city walls just up the slope. It is a JW Lees pub and restaurant with rooms, so use it for riverside drinks, lunch, a Sunday roast, or a handy overnight stop rather than a tucked-away independent boozer. On a good day, the setting does most of the work. 
Grosvenor Park Grosvenor Park is Chester's main city-centre park, useful for kids, picnics, quiet pauses and a free break from the streets. 
Queens Park Bridge Queens Park Bridge is the footbridge over the Dee to Handbridge, useful for a walk, photos and a free riverside link from The Groves.