There's something about international football tournaments – they make people want to get out and about.

Those people may be looking to avoid the football altogether, or they may be looking to revel in it.

But whatever their reason, you can be sure the bars and restaurants around Chester will be busy this summer while Euro 2016 is on.

There are 24 nations competing in France, with the first game taking place on Friday (June 10), and many of those nations are represented by venues within our city.

So in the spirit of Euro 2016 and the feast of football which awaits us, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of some of the places where you can sample the international cuisine of the countries vying to win that all important trophy.

France

Chez Jules in Chester

Chez Jules

71-73 Northgate St, Chester, CH1 2HQ

Phone : 01244 400014

Sample the produce of the tournament's host nation at this charming French bistro on Northgate Street

As one of the longest standing independent restaurants in Chester, Chez Jules pride themselves on bringing unbeatable French dining and a hint of Parisian chic to the city.

Their menu changes daily and it's also reasonably priced. Choose from the Prix Fine, the Plats de Maison or go for a good old steak.

Restaurant review: Chez Jules

La P'tite France

63 Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1NG

Phone: 01244 401635

Offering classic and traditional French cuisine, La P'tite France always select the best and freshest ingredients to execute their dishes with locally-sourced produce.

Enjoy your meal in a nice and warm atmosphere accompanied with French music and discover a wide range of French wine carefully selected by Fred to accommodate your 'gastronomique' journey.

Cafe Rouge

29 Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1NG

Phone: 01244 315626

With its Parisian-inspired interior, Cafe Rouge's menu takes on the classics and dishes inspired by different regions of France, and they say there's something to suit everyone.

They recreate core French classics such as Steak Frites, Poulet Breton, Moules and Confit de Canard.

Italy

La Fattoria in Lower Bridge Street
La Fattoria in Lower Bridge Street

La Fattoria

25 Lower Bridge St, Chester CH1 1RS

Phone: 01244 317330

By far one of the most popular Italian eateries in the city, La Fattoria never fails to deliver with authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices. The service is always excellent too. You would be hard pressed to find a bad review of this place.

Pacino's

1 St Anne St, Chester, CH1 3HE

Phone: 01244 372252

Pacino's has built up an excellent reputation with locals over the years for its consistently fine food and friendly service. The extensive a la Carte menu includes Italian and Mediterranean food but is also highly renowned for its steaks and meats.

Restaurant review: Pacino's

The Yard

26 City Rd, Chester CH1 3AE

Phone: 01244 325199

There have been excellent reviews of this family-run establishment since it opened in 2015.

The Sciarrillo family who own The Yard pride themselves on producing traditional Italian food and drink favourites and giving them a modern twist by creating a new and inventive dining experience.

Turkey

Istanbul BBQ, Brook Street, Chester.
Istanbul BBQ, Brook Street, Chester.

Istanbul BBQ

85 Brook St, Chester CH1 3DX

Phone: 01244 326222

This hidden gem is hugely popular with locals. 'Beautiful food and lovely service' is the gist of most Trip Advisor reviews.

Serving a wide range of authentic Turkish cuisine and Turkish beer, there is guaranteed to be something here to tickle your tastebuds.

Restaurant review: Istanbul BBQ

Portugal

Nando's

61 Bridge St, Chester, CH1 1NG

Phone: 01244 311582

It may not be the most obvious choice but there's no better place than Nando's for your flame-grilled spatchcock peri-peri chicken.

The chain originated in South Africa, but their food has a Mozambican and Portuguese theme... so they just about qualify for our list!

Their fresh chicken is marinated for 24 hours in their specialist Portguese peri-peri sauce and flame-grilled in your choice of spice from the PERi-ometer.

Spain

Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle's digital editor has chosen Porta tapas bar in Northgate Street. "A little bit of Spain nestling below the ancient city walls in Chester. The food is made freshly every day in the tiniest of kitchen spaces and is delicious. Love that you can't book so can just turn up and sip a nice Rioja while you wait for a space. Still waiting for them to stock Daura gluten free beer though.."

Porta

134-140 Northgate St, Chester, CH1 2HT

Phone: 01244 344295

Tapas bar Porta isn't strictly just Spanish (it nods towards all things Iberian) but the head chef hails from Madrid and their tapas is exceptionally popular.

Dishes include croquetas and bravas sauce to chorizo and lentil stew, tapas dishes, and the beer and wine selection isn't bad either.

England

The Brewery Tap in Chester
The Brewery Tap in Chester

The Brewery Tap

52-54 Lower Bridge St, Chester CH1 1RU

Phone: 01244 340999

There's a wonderful range of real ale and hearty, honest English pub grub here.

The ale is fresh from Waverton brewery Spitting Feathers and the meat from Dave Joinson Butchers at Chester Market. Some of the traditional English dishes on the menu include beer battered haddock with fat chips and homemade tartare sauce, and boiled ox tongue with mashed potatoes and pickled walnuts.

Blackstocks chippy

33 Northgate St, Chester CH1 2HQ

Phone: 01244 325822

What better English fare is there than fish and chips? Blackstocks pride themselves on serving fresher, tastier and healthier fish and chips. They say their fish is never frozen; their frying oil is never too old; their chips are never soggy and their secret-recipe batter is so crispy you can actually hear it.

Wales

Hawarden Estate Farm Shop

Chester Rd, Hawarden, Flintshire CH5 3FB

Phone: 01244 533442

You'll have to stray just over the border for this one.

Wales have made it to an international tournament for the first time since 1958 and what better way to celebrate than by indulging in some traditional Welsh produce?

The farm shop in Hawarden is brimming with all kinds of delicious, locally sourced food, including fresh meats, freshly handmade cakes and chocolate, chutneys, relishes, jams, cheese, bread and juices made from estate-grown fruit.

Belgium

Off the Waffle

4 Rufus Court, Chester CH1 2JW

Phone: 01244 297534

While it's not strictly Belgian, there's probably no other place in Chester you can get a traditional waffle quite like this. But that's not all you can get, and whether you favour savoury or sweet, the menu is full of tasty options.

Have we missed any nations out? Of course we have! Finding an Albanian restaurant was a struggle, and we're not aware of any Icelandic bars in the area. But this will do for starters... and if you can suggest any suitable venues which we might have missed, let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ChesterChron. We can add them in.