Meltdown Chester in Cheshire West and Chester

Laura's effervescent charisma has been a huge loss to Handbridge since Meltdown's closure, but will no doubt be a giant gain to whatever comes next for the (former) Toastie Queen. I say former, as there's one final chance to taste her magic creations before the apron is hung up for good at fellow Chester indie scene star That Beer Place on Foregate St tomorrow, which I wouldn't miss for all the cheese in Cheshire...

Fantastic concept without being one of those concept kinda places. Simply placed menu and just love it for a weekend morning to chill, would suit solo, couples or a little group. Intimate space but good enough to travel across to the other side of the city centre - keep up the good work. Breakfast and the Mac and cheese with blue cheese are mega tasty. And seats outside for the sunshine win! Owner and the dog, and don’t forget the waiter - keep doing what you do 😋

On the outskirts of Chester is this gem. Specialising in grilled cheese sandwiches, with a strong community feel and even a dog, "Kitty". There is an inventive specials board every day and depending on your luck, you might get sandwiches with haggis (made locally), mac n cheese (yes, in a grilled sandwich), or whatever took the owners fancy that day. The coffee is excellent and it's licensed if you fancy a beer. If you are visiting Chester and want a good value local treat, this is for you.

Best cheese toasties in town, made a special trip to get a take out and our toasties didn’t disappoint. Lots to choose from, great drinks menu and lovely manager.

Great de cafe oat based latte, super setting just 1 min walk off handbridge high street and great service. Going back for some fantastic toasties with family tomorrow. Thanks for all the restaurants advice for dinner too.

Proper little community cafe, knocking out excellent food. Melted cheese toasted sandwiches, with a long and imaginative menu. Owner is excellent fun and a proper chef making the food. Great food for very reasonable money and an entertaining experience.

Visited last week whilst out in Chester as I had seen it on Tripadvisor. Well worth the 5minute walk down to Handbridge, not your everyday toasty, great combinations made with lots of imagination. Excellent customer service along with friendly chat that makes it personal and who can’t love Kitty the spaniel. I had the breakfast toastie, my brother had a special pulled pork, broccoli, fried egg and siracha and my sister in law has the house Mac, all were amazing. So good I had to go back today with my wife, this time I had a special, smoked cheese, ham and chilli jam. I m addicted. Keep persevering @Toastie Queen.

First visit........ fabulous lunch....... we'll be bacwe had house Mac and a cheese chorizo and chilli jam sandwich 👍😊

Upon entering, the place was 4/5 full and obviously busy, but Laura (the owner/host/chef) was professional and efficient in seating us and explaining there could be a slight delay for our food as she was almost at full capacity. She seated us, gave us menus, and took our drinks order and disappeared to continue cooking other orders for the other customers. Whilst we were still choosing our food our drinks appeared a lot quicker than I was expecting as it was so busy and it appeared she was the only person running the entire operation , (which as it turned out, she was!). She then took our order and again explained she’d catch up after she’d completed other orders, we were happy to sit and have our drinks and get some fuss in with the resident pooch who was quite happy to receive our fuss!! Our food arrived a lot quicker than I would’ve expected considering there were also others in and ordering etc, and when it did arrive I was in absolute heaven- it was everything I was hoping for. The taste of what was created was simply sublime. Most people think a grilled cheese sandwich is just bread and cheese- Laura somehow manages to create an entire meal in one sandwich. Try this place!! It’s ace!!

Lovely service from owner very friendly and quick service topped by great food. Will be visiting again tomorrow

If you’re in Chester and need a hearty breakfast with a difference get yourselves down to this place. Lovely owner, very welcoming and interesting chat. I hope to be back one day.

Great atmosphere . Great service . Great music… and a tasty grilled cheese🧀🥪! Highly recommended….🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🥪🥪🥪☕️

Just been for a toastie here with a couple of friends for the first time and the toasties were belters! Very tasty indeed, will definitely be coming back with the family next time. Nice little friendly place and their dog kitty loves getting some attention too! It may be a little bit outside the city centre, but definitely worth it.

Popped in at lunchtime and picked up a three cheese grilled sandwich. A bit of chutney. Very tasty. Does the job well on a chilly day.

We had such a lovely visit for breakfast on a Sunday morning! Visited because if a Tripadvisor review and will definitely be back. An incredibly warm welcome, delicious food and the best oat milk latte. Would highly recommend!

What a treat to enjoy a delicious toasted cheese with chilli jam and a cappuccino and a latte after our freezing cold walk on the Dee Meadows. The warm welcome and friendly chat added to our enjoyment and I’m pleased to say, the quality of our fare was just as good as on our first visit. Looking forward to returning again soon.

Absolutely loved our visit! Lush food, lovely staff, an adorable dog to pet and a top notch musical playlist. Definitely will make the trip from Manchester to visit again 😃

Always a lively fun atmosphere. It’s the best comfort food around. The toasties are so good and the coffee is the best in Chester. 5 star banging!!

December 2022 - The listing is clearly an error from Tripadvisor. Meltdown is very much open and still serving amazing meals. The Christmas special was surely the fourth gift the wise men forgot. It is that good.

I had earmarked Meltdown as somewhere to visit but wasn’t sure if we would make it to that side of the river. The weekend we were in Chester was very busy though, so we decided that it was worth the short walk. The grilled cheese...

This place makes me wish I was one of those people that could eat anything without putting a pound on. If I could eat here every day, I absolutely would. The owner and her pooch are wonderful, the macaroni cheese toastie is to die for...

Love this place.Best Toastie place! Highly recommended and the owner (and her dog) are so awesome!!! Best place and so delicious.

Planned this trip for 2 years … should have made it earlier … welcome, atmosphere and food it just WOW. Food is that good we went for a second round 🤤

There are a lot of very touristy places in Chester. This isn't, because it's on the "wrong" side of the river. But it's only about a 5-10 minute walk from the Roman Gardens, and it's a lovely walk, across the river. We were on that...

Had been thinking of this place for the past 2 days since googling for things to eat in Chester. The pictures looked so good that I know I must go during my trip. This place is across the river from the attractions, nearer to the...

We found this place on Trip Adviser and was not disappointed. For all lovers of cheese this place is well worth the walk from the city centre. Amazing toasties and friendly service. Love the decor too.

Simply amazing, amazing toasties, great staff, accommodating, relaxing and my favourite place in Chester.... Can't recommend it enough

Amazing food and owners!!! Make sure you try this amazing place!! We had to order 3 meals for the 2 of us because we couldn’t decide it all looked so good!

Been here a couple of times with friends. First time I had the Mac and cheese, the second time the breakfast. Both pretty good, staff really good! Thanks!

Just amazing. Had the special of the day. Haggis, Fried Egg, Bacon and hot sauce Toastie. Everything about this place is exceptional. Great friendly staff and well worth the wander over the river. We will be back.

Learnt about this place on Tripadvisor and so glad we went! Unique and fun little place that served incredible food, would defo recommend!

Great food and great service. Will be back again. Staff are very friendly and looks after you. Good value for money. See you soon

Wonderful menu full of melted cheesy goodness. Great atmosphere and lovely staff. Can really recommend. Also looking forward to when they are back for Sunday's at The Helsby Tap. Cheese toasties to die for!! 😋😋😋

Another great visit to Meltdown. Good service, laughs and decadent and superb creations! I'll keep coming back.... :-)

Best Mac and cheese I have ever had! Great place, friendly staff, great music, dog friendly and most of all great food!

Visited here last weekend. My fella was hanging after a heavy night and over dramatically claimed nothing would cure it. Told him to get over it or I’ll take the dog. Forced him and dog to Meltdown for much needed cheese carbs. He ordered the...

If you haven’t been- you must try!!! If you think ‘oh well I can do a toaster at home’, you have obviously not visited here! The toastie’s are to die for- crammed chock a block full of cheesy goodness! Fantastic choice and can takeaway. Cannot...

We went for a meal with my father who was visiting from London, we all thought it was excellent, really enjoyed our experience.

Went to Meltdown last week with a friend. It just happened to be a Wednesday so the toasties were 2 for 1. The food was fabulous, so delicious and the presentation was excellent. Very friendly staff, very helpful too. I would recommend this to everyone....

Great atmosphere, really friendly staff and delicious food. What more could you ask for! We will be definitely be back.

Who would think of putting haggis and duck inside a cheese toastie ?¿ well meltdown did and it was incredible. Thankyou to the team for a wonderful and tasty experience. My words cant do proper justice to the overall experience, thoroughly recommend this place to...

Wow!!! The service was amazing here, and the food was even better! I loved how you could see the kitchen cooking your food for you, and the #payitforward idea is amazing. Could not recommend this place enough!

Absolutely delicious food enjoyed by my husband, daughter & me. Really friendly staff and a quirky little set up. Loved it.

Absolutely fantastic toasties! So yummy! The service was great. The man who served us was very friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend. Loved the books and games on the side.

Read on Tripadvisor about the cafe , thought we would give it a go. Was well worth the visit. We called in for a late lunch and we had the best cheese toasted sandwiches, I had goats cheese spinach and bacon it was well cooked...

Enjoyed my meal here. Will be back. Funky little cafe. Good value for money. Not from the area but the staff were friendly good customer service

I come here with everyone, visitors to our fair city, with my boyfriend, I bring my 5yr old... Everyone loves it and these toasties have saved me from near death hangovers many a time (athough the very average banter is enough to put you back...

Delicious food, friendly staff. A really chill place to go. They have a lovely peaceful garden area you can sit in. Food is top notch.

Friendly and great customer service. The food was ready when I went to pick it up for collection. The barbecue chicken & coleslaw cheese toastie was delicious and cooked to perfection. The ham Mac n cheese to bake at home tasted great and so easy...

It’s just a sandwich shop! Said no one ever about the Meltdown. This place is next level, top quality ingredients, inspired flavour combinations and real quality coffee. Seriously, once you’ve popped some meltdown deliciousness you won’t stop. I’m completely addicted to Mac and cheese and...

Woow Food was absolutely amazing me an my partner were over the moon to find this sandwich shop. Staff are amazing too. Highly recommended are new go to sandwich shop

We went here for lunch, after a nice walk around the city and over the river bridge. I had Chorizo and my partner had Swiss, both amazing. I couldn’t finish mine. Great little side dishes as well,we had Halloumi lollipops with a dip. A small...

Visited these premises after reading great reviews and being taken in by sumptuous photographs that they'd put on Facebook. Expectations were high. The place was OK. Quirky certainly. Small, certainly. Staff were pleasant and welcoming. I particularly liked the bottle of water placed on the...

My go to Chester indie restaurant for sure! Laura and Rob are always lovely, welcoming and upbeat. Food is out of this world and it's always difficult deciding what to have because they're all SO GOOD. Popped in this week and as always it was...

We recently moved to Handbridge and honestly, Meltdown was a BIG draw. This food is creative, beautiful and moreish. It's the perfect cure for a hangover and the shop itself is cozy, eclectic and fun. Rob and Laura (the chef and owner) are brilliant and...

This cafe is worth the walk amazing macaroni cheese with frankfurter jalapenos and schiracha the toastie with cheese bacon and black pudding also amazing friendly staff we will definitely return

Good food and good service. Definitely will be back. The children and the family had an amazing afternoon and a lovely atmosphere all around. 5/5

This was quite possibly the greatest cheese toastie I've ever had, plus the staff were super friendly , I will be returning the next time I have a trip out to Chester.

We love it here! We love Laura. We love Rob. We love the food. We love the drink. We love the atmosphere. It's good, honest, ethical food served in a chilled out, quirky environment by happy, friendly, lovely people, who KNOW how to cook and...

Just perfection on every level. The most delicious toasties - great vegetarian options and the loveliest people who are passionate about what they do. A definite 5 out of 5 ! I look forward to being able to dine in.

I ordered the cheesus Christ it was a very tasty the staff here are absolutely incredible people and are very friendly and helpful this a a great place I also had the dessert toasty it was the best

Been working in Chester for 2 month now and been to Meltdown 3 times. If you like mac and cheese look no further. Hammy mac and cheese is top notch. Gutted that your shop is hidden out the way a bit as you definitely deserve a prime location! Worth the hunt though! And the replies on the negative comments perfectly match the personalities i see when i get warmly greeted at the door! love it

Fantastic options of food and well informed on allergens. Lovely service from the young man who worked there, would definitely go again as it was so reasonably priced too

Firstly the staff were INCREDIBLE! You could tell they loved their jobs and really cared if customers enjoyed their food. The toasties were great and the choice was amazing! We can't wait to go back. (Got too excited when the food arrived to take a pic)

The life changing fishfinger sandwich of dreams promised a lot, raised my expectations and didn’t disappoint A side of halloumi lollipops weren’t needed but were delicious too. I’ve been meaning to try this place since it opened and can’t believe it’s taken me this long....I’ll be back

Had a scrumptious BBC (bacon, bree, cranberry) and goats cheese-Peppers-Chili jam toasties today (went halves with the wife...though should have order both for myself!). Also exceptionally friendly and courteous owner. Will definitely be revisiting very soon.

A huge array of grilled cheese options available, and all can be tailored so you can really have whatever you fancy.Made fresh and really tasty.Service was very friendly, I was even chased down the road when I accidentally left my umbrella behind - thank you!It's not a big spot, so would recommend booking to be sure to secure a table.

My partner and I are regular visitors here, and there’s a reason we keep going back....fabulous food and lovely people. If you love cheese toasties then there’s an almost infinite range of additional fillings to suit anyone. My favourite is their blend of three cheeses with onions and baked beans on white bread.....delicious

Visited during a day out in Chester and loved it. It has a lovely garden at the back and the sandwiches were really tasty. I had the goats cheese and pepper, which was perfect, and my partner ordered the burger melt which he really enjoyed. We had the option to choose white or brown bread which I really appreciated. I’d definitely recommend this place!

We've been here several times before and it is always excellent. Lovely coffees and top notch food. This time we both had the chicken quesadillas with ghost chilli sauce as recommended by the owner. Outstanding! We will be back.

Quirky cafe in Handbridge Chester. As per the name the cafe's menu is based on melted cheese. Both our toasties were very nice as was the coffee and brownie all freshly made. Very friendly and efficient staff. Would recommend and would revisit.

Visited Meltdown while staying in Chester and we are so glad we did. We had seen good reviews and even though this was slightly out of the town centre it was well worth goingThe restaurant is very cute with a lovely vibe, staff are extremely friendly and very attentive. Ordered the ham and cheese sandwich and the chorizo, spinach and egg one - both come highly recommended! The food was just the right amount and tasted so so good! I really wish this was closer to where I live so I could visit more often!

Was on our way to Wales so decided to stop off for lunch in Chester to break the journey up. We couldn’t have picked a better Cafe to stop off at. Relaxed & friendly vibes, staff were lovely. You could tell the owner really loved what she did, was making suggestions of ingredients to add to people’s orders. We both opted for the Ultimate MAC & Cheese grilled sandwich with Pulled Pork. It was SO good!! Our only regret is that we didn’t both opt for different choices so we could sample something else off the menu. Added bonus free parking outside, it was a Sunday so maybe check this applies to other days of the week.

I and my friends had breakfast and we liked so much. Waiters so polite and friendly. They took care of our special requests.

Have always loved this place and recently had my first post-lockdown toastie, we went to collect it which is a little different to normal but honestly they were insane! Really well packaged to keep them hot and tasted amazing!

Had 2 sandwichs across me and my girlfriend, both excellent. The cheese is so tasty and the sandwich grilled perfectly. I'd advise a simple cheese and ham to get the flavours but the chorizo one is something special! Brilliant, freindly service too. Great independent resturant!

Amazing toasties to die for. 100% worth finding this little gem in Handbridge just outside Chester. Mega friendly staff too and nice choices of beers!

Brilliant little place with fantastic food. Very relaxed with reasonably priced food. Can't wait for my next visit.

After having the fantastic mac and cheese on several occasions during lockdown, finally got round to having grilled cheese sandwiches. They did not disappoint, cheesy goodness with lots of flavour. The staff were really welcoming and service was spot on. Will be going back soon

I’ve been telling my boyfriend about this place for months - as he is a massive cheese lover, so right up his street!Managed to swing by yesterday afternoon to cure his hangover. We ordered a mac and cheese with bacon and the kimchi and fried egg. Both of them were absolutely delicious and really filling. Quick service, really friendly and helpful staff. Already looking forward to our next visit

If you’re a melted cheese fan this hidden gem is worth seeking out. Yummy toasties for all tastes. Some truly carbtastic options on the menu if you’re feeling hungry. Cute little courtyard at the back and take away available.

I first went to Meltdown earlier on in the year and it became a Friday tradition for me. The range of toasties is excellent, always hot and the coffee from another local business is the one. Laura and Rob always go out of their way to make a toastie with enough heat to satisfy our love of spice- we really enjoyed the homemade spicy b*stard sauce. The Death By Tacos lasagnes became a regular thing for us during lockdown and gave us something to forward to and became a highlight of most weeks!

Wonderful place nowhere else like it I know of. I have moved home recently and much nearer which means I have to make an excuse to go rather that when I would bike there.

Currently working my way through the menu. Excellent sandwiches and friendly staff. Just need an excuse to get a raclette. Might even attempt one solo!

Visited here several times and it's always been amazing. Just difficult choosing what to have! The pulled pork and jalapenos is my fave, but the ham one and breakfast one are equally good. The little plates nights are also fab for trying several dishes if you're indecisive like me. Laura and co. have always been so friendly and helpful - my partner is in a wheelchair and when we realised we couldn't get in the front door they made so much effort in opening up the back gate for us so we could sit outside. Made us feel really welcome and not at all an inconvenience like we've experienced at other places.

Cracking place. Friendly staff, great food. Service really good too. Love the atmosphere here and happily recommend.

Visited Meltdown for the first time today, had the House with Chilli Jam toastie which was delicious. Friendly service, fresh produce, lots of choice; highly recommended!

I've visited Meltdown regularly with my husband and daughter since it opened and enjoyed the takeaway service during lockdown. The food is always amazing, the menu is updated regularly with fantastic flavour combinations.Laura and the team always offer a warm welcome, thoughtful and attentive service - thank you!

Forget about getting the Breville toasted sandwich maker out, just get over to Meltdown. Toasted sandwiches made with care, love and thought. No cutting corners with cheap ingredients, whatever your favourite, from a good old ham and cheese (home baked ham, none of your thinly sliced processed ham here) to wonderfully adventurous combinations, too many to mention, there is something for everyone. Laura and her team will look after you and tend to your every need. If you like melted cheese this is the place for you. The coffee is great too!!

We only live up the road and visit a Meltdown frequently! Before lockdown we went most Sundays with our running club and now get a takeaway every few weeks. I am a vegetarian so would recommend the veggie breakfast especially and Laura does Some great bespoke toasties too just check the menu! Unlike me my husband is a meat eater and especially loved the roastie toastie! We have also enjoyed the ready meals such as the mac and cheese and lasagne (meat and veggie!) The theme nights which aren’t currently taking place for obvious reasons are also a great laugh so once these are able to run again I recommend going! Laura, Rob and all the staff there are always welcoming, friendly and give great service- have never left disappointed and will continue to visit!

Ate in pre-COVID, and now enjoying the pre-order by phone and takeaway option while I'm working in Handbridge each week, highly recommended.

Since lockdown I have ordered from Meltdown every few weeks and it is one of the best indie takeaways in Chester. I have never been disappointed by the food and the owner seems lovely on social media. It’s so nice being able to interact with the owner and see who creates the amazing food. If you are looking for something delicious to eat in Chester then Meltdown is the place to go.

Amazing little place.. food was delicious and service was friendly and good, so happy I came across Meltdown Chester when I was out for a walk recently. Would highly recommend.

Meltdown make, hands down, the best toasties I've ever had. Life changing and hangover curing. The staff are always super friendly and welcoming. The bistro nights are a great night out too and the food is excellent.

Have built in weekly visits for takeaway toasties over the last couple of months as lockdown treats and each and every time they have been fantastic. Love the weekly specials which go to demonstrate the passion of the Toastie Queen about her business. Absolutely love this place!!!

I was surprised to discover it has been 3 years since I left a review of Meltdown, following my visit when it first opened. In the intervening three years, it's become something of a regular haunt for me. I pop in every couple of months for weekday lunches on days when I can afford to skive off for an hour: if Meltdown was on the same side of the city that I live and work, I'd be in every week!The menu is constantly improving, with new additions and specials being added regularly, and bake-at-home oven dishes to take-away. The coffee is superb, and Laura who runs the place is genuinely fun to hangout with while you eat your sandwich.One of my favourite places in Chester. Recommended unconditionally.

I was in Chester for a forthcoming episode of Jedward: Let loose, in charge of catering, and Meltdown was the only business able to cater for John and Edward cheese based keto diet. We ordered lasagna, including the delicious pulled pork option, and the vegetarian goat cheese one, and a selection of 'melts' with various amount of chili but all as good as the other.Service was top notch, the owner was very keen on pleasing everyone, and her gorgeous, tall, dark cook, (nicknamed Hairy Emily?!? ) went above and beyond to have everything ready on time for collection.Truly a pair of angels.If I ever actually get that job for Jedward I'll make sure to drive them to Meltdown personally. As things stand the restraining order means I can't, but just wait!!!

Laura and her team have worked tirelessly throughout lock down to keep the local people of chester in cheesy delights.On top of all this Laura and her team donate meals every week to a local homeless charity Soul Kitchen, they have done this for some time and continued to do so through 2020 to support this excellent charity.We will continue to support and recommend this fabulous independent business in Handbridge, Chester.

Love this place. Delicious toasties and coffee and the place is run by lovely people. You can keeo your McDs. Lovely meals to have at home also which we have made use of during lockdown. Also dog friendly which is handy. Highly recommended.

You would think that the concept of a cheese toasty restaurant would be one that would quickly run out of steam. However the range of both toasties as well as other offerings means that there is always something different to chose from.From the simple house toasty to the full blown offerings, we have never had a bad meal from here.The owner also does takeaway full meals like lasagne and also pairs up with other Chester food shops to make interesting cook at home meals.The breakfast melt is one i can totally recommend.Fully COVID secure, the owner has worked all through the pandemic and has been a total star for keeping us all going.Hopefully we will soon be able to dine in again and enjoy one of the beer offerings with another delicious toasty.