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Food and Drink in Manchester

Creative Tourist

Outside of London, you’d be hard-pressed to find a city containing a better range of food and drink choices 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. These are just some of the highlights of the food and drink in Manchester. An ever-growing food scene, boasting everything from hearty British cuisine, to fiery Indian food to delicately prepared sushi.

Our top picks

Randall & Aubin Manchester

Randall & Aubin Manchester, 64 Bridge St, Manchester, M3 3BN - Visit now

Manchester’s only high-end seafood restaurant and oyster bar. The follow-up to the hugely successful original Soho venture.
Enjoy some of their finest dishes at a bargain price (just £12.50 for a meal and drink from 12 noon to 7 pm). The courses on offer change on a daily basis, taking in everything from roast pork belly to chicken kiev, with a marvellous fish stew available on Fridays. It’s hard to think of a better deal in the city when it comes to quality and price.

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Randall And Aubin Manchester

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.

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Gaucho Manchester

The Rivals Bar & Restaurant

The Rivals Bar & Restaurant, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, Manchester, M2 7DH - Visit now

High-quality food and wine in the in-house restaurant for the Royal Exchange Theatre on St Anne’s Square

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The Rivals cheese board, crackers, grapes, house chutney

20 Stories

20 Stories, No. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB - Visit now

High-end restaurant and cocktail bar, with stunning views of the Manchester skyline.

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Bundobust Manchester

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

Fantastic and endlessly original Indian street food, all vegetarian (and often vegan).

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Bundobust Manchester

Mackie Mayor

Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester, M4 5BU

A Grade II listed market building in the Northern Quarter, reopened after a huge refurbishment.

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Adam Reid at The French

Adam Reid at The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 2DS - Visit now

The French is one of Manchester’s most highly regarded restaurants. Head chef Adam Reid has a real grasp on what makes Manchester tick. A less fussy, more relaxed, and, at times, gloriously silly restaurant.

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The French - One of Manchester's finest restaurants - Creative Tourist
Chocolates

Tattu

Tattu, Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3EB - Visit now

Tattu is a high end Chinese restaurant in Spinningfields, Manchester.

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Tattu Chinese restaurant Manchester

The Refuge

The Refuge, Oxford Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7HA - Visit now

The Refuge is a restaurant and bar based at The Principal Manchester (formerly The Palace Hotel).

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The glass atrium inside The Refuge
The Refuge by Volta. Photo: Gareth Lowe.

El Gato Negro Tapas

El Gato Negro Tapas, 52 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4LY - Visit now

El Gato Negro Tapas upped sticks from the Pennine village of Ripponden in December 2014, bringing its awards and accolades to Manchester city centre.

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Where to go in Manchester

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.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

Manchester Factory international Festival - People enjoying Festival Square in the city centre
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Factory Square

Factory Square is a huge beer garden, on the banks of the River Irwell, with top-quality drinks and street food selections.

Manchester
Shop
House of Books & Friends

Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Sett

Sett is an art café in West Didsbury, one of the areas many thriving independent businesses.

Stretford Foodhall
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Stretford Foodhall

A one-stop-shop, Stretford Foodhall is a place for those who like to eat, drink and shop with a guilt-free conscience. Whether you fancy visiting to sample some delicious street food or to top up your refillable containers, Stretford Foodhall is well worth a visit.

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