Restaurants in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Outside of England’s capital city, you’d be hard-pressed to find a city containing a better range of restaurants than Manchester. From the repurposed cotton mills of the Northern Quarter to fine dining restaurants in the city’s new cultural district, we’ve got the lot – and all within walking distance of each other (or a £6 Uber, for the lazy).

These are just some of the highlights of Manchester’s ever-growing food scene, boasting everything from hearty British cuisine, to fiery Indian food to delicately prepared sushi. Try them all, Pokemon-style.

Our top picks

Erst

Erst, 9 Murray St, Manchester, M4 5BN - Visit now

Erst utilise locally-sourced ingredients in such a way that the end result is effortlessly cutting edge, without resorting to gimmicks and elaborate laboratory equipment. While many up-and-coming restaurants are a mish-mash of ideas from all over the world, Erst is a truly Northern restaurant – full of dazzling ideas and the finest quality ingredients.

Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse, Ground Floor, Warehouse, Ducie St,, Manchester, M1 2TP - Visit now

When it comes to big spaces for food, drink and entertainment in Manchester, it’s hard to beat Ducie Street Warehouse.

The Alan

The Alan, 18 Princess St, Manchester, M1 4LG - Visit now

Raved about by acclaimed food critics and city-dwellers alike, a trip to The Alan is always a treat. But the last few months have seen some major changes – can the new head chef and his (almost) all-new menu, live up to its reputation?

Hong Kong Choi

Hong Kong Choi, Unit 4C, 175 Broughton Lane, Salford, M7 1US - Visit now

When it comes to hidden gems, it doesn’t get better than Hong Kong Choi. Tucked away out in Salford, a few minutes walk from Bury New Road, this family-run Asian restaurant is quietly putting out some of the most awe-inspiring and original food in the North.

Hong Kong Choi

Peru Perdu

Peru Perdu, The Cotton Factory, 74 Princess St, Manchester, M1 6JD, Manchester, M1 6JD - Visit now

Peru Perdu has always been something special, and whether you opt for their new private dining experience or a table in the beautiful main restaurant space, you’re guaranteed an endlessly fascinating and always-delicious evening at one of Manchester’s most magnificent venues.

The Edinburgh Castle Pub

The Edinburgh Castle Pub, Henry St &, Blossom St, Manchester, M4 5AW - Visit now

One of our favourite destinations in Ancoats, The Edinburgh Castle is everything this area needs. A modern pub with an authentic feel, it eschews the chrome and whistles of many of its near neighbours, offering a welcoming and traditional drinking area downstairs and a timeless, elegant dining space upstairs.

Black Friar

Black Friar, Blackfriars Rd, Salford, M3 7DH - Visit now

Black Friar pub is a rediscovered Salford treasure. It was left unused after a fire 15 years ago but has returned bigger and better, spearheaded by Ben Chaplin, previously of the excellent 20 Stories.

Station South

Station South, 975-977 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3NP - Visit now

In a city fast becoming dominated by beady-eyed offshore property developers, the story of Levy’s Station South is a heartening one, and possibly a sign that the true spirit of Manchester is still out there.

Delhi House Cafe

Delhi House Cafe, Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, Manchester, M4 3TR - Visit now

Delhi House Cafe proved to be the best addition to Manchester’s food scene in 2020 and remains so now. If you want authentic Indian food that always impresses, book now.

Gaucho Manchester

Gaucho Manchester, 2a St Mary’s Street, Manchester, M3 2LB - Visit now

Based in a converted Methodist church, Gaucho is one of the best-looking restaurants in Manchester, with a steak-heavy menu to match.

Platzki

Platzki, Deansgate Mews, Great Northern, 255 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

Polish restaurant Platzki is one of Manchester’s most inspiring dining destinations, dancing between fine dining and home-cooking.

Scene Manchester

Scene Manchester, 4a Left Bank, Manchester, M3 3AN - Visit now

Not only is Scene easily one of the best-looking restaurants in Spinningfields, full of elegant light fixtures and exotic trinkets inspired by the Indian sub-continent, but long-term residents of Manchester should note they have the head chef of the much-missed Shimla Pinks, one of the city’s all-time greats when it comes to Indian food. Thankfully, the food at Scene is just as good, if not better. All the dishes are delicious and wonderfully uncomplicated. And that could be said about practically everything on the menu – each dish has been finessed into the best version of itself, never overpowered by spices, only enhanced. This is Indian food at its best.

Bundobust Manchester

Bundobust Manchester, 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AG - Visit now

Since opening their restaurant on the edge of Piccadilly, the team behind Bundobust have built one hell of a buzz around Manchester. For the unaware, this underground restaurant serves up tapas-style small plates of vegetarian and vegan Indian food, along with an exhaustive – and somewhat exhausting – list of beers and craft ales. The food is exceptional, and pushes boundaries all over the place – expect to find mushy peas in there somewhere, alongside an Indo-Chinese sticky sauce you’ve always dreamed of.

Bundobust Manchester

10 Tib Lane

10 Tib Lane, 10 Tib Lane, Manchester , M2 4JB - Visit now

A meal at 10 Tib Lane is something special. At a time when many city-centre restaurants are fighting to be the loudest and most ostentatious, this elegant destination is all about sophisticated dining. No gimmicks here, it’s all about the food, the drinks and the ambience.

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester
Restaurant
Soap Street Pizza

Based at Nordie in Levenshulme, Soap Street Pizza put out the perfect pie: crispy base and inspired toppings.

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Winsome
Manchester
Restaurant
Winsome

Winsome delivers modern British food, cooked beautifully by chef-owner Shaun Moffat and his team.

Manchester
Restaurant
Renae

A music-led bar and creative hub in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Chakalaka
Manchester
Restaurant
Chakalaka

The very best of South African cuisine in an intimate, friendly space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The Daisy
Manchester
Restaurant
The Daisy

The Daisy is one of Manchester’s more in-demand basement bars, offering an underground Paris-inspired night out.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

Hinterland bar and cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Hinterland

Alcohol-free bar and cafe in the heart of Northern Quarter. Serving mocktails, 0% beer and all your alcohol free favourites.

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