Date Places in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Date places are important. Few things are more nerve-wracking than a first date. So many things can go wrong – a bad hair day, a spot on the end of your nose, a fabricated Tinder picture. Well, there’s little we can do about those but we can guide you towards Manchester’s best places to take those first tentative steps into a new relationship – or simply a one-off night of fun and frolicking, whatever takes your fancy.

And it’s not just the footloose and fancy-free who’ll benefit, nothing spices up a steady relationship than date-night. We’ve scoured the city for the best venues, whether you’re looking for a quick lunch break or a full-blown evening of sensual romance. That’s one responsibility out of the way, the rest is up to you.

For more date places, check our latest food and drink recommendations as well as our pick of the best gigs, theatre shows and exhibitions in Manchester and the North.

Our top picks

Pot Kettle Black

Pot Kettle Black, Unit 14, Barton Arcade Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2BW - Visit now

Pot Kettle Black is based in one of Manchester’s more attractive shopping arcades, the Victorian Barton Arcade – an immaculate mosaic of cast-iron and glass. It’s ideal for those oh-so casual lunchtime meet-ups, craftily giving the perfect opportunity to see how you feel about this person in the cold light of day. And if it’s a no, don’t fret, Pot Kettle Black have an excellent menu for daytime dining. The eggs benedict comes highly recommended.

Pot Kettle Black cafe in Manchester.
Pot Kettle Black - courtesy of venue

Adam Reid at The French

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

Certainly not first date material, unless you’re really showing off, The French is top of the pile when it comes to romantic high-end restaurants in Manchester. Subdued lighting, wonderful food and cheerful friendly staff combine to make this a guaranteed fuzzy-feeling big night out. Sure, it doesn’t come cheap, but who’d put a price on love?

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

Teppanyaki Chinatown

Teppanyaki Chinatown, 58-60 George St, Manchester, M1 4HF - Visit now

Struggle with that all-important first date patter? Let Teppanyaki Chinatown take the strain. Part-theatre, part-incredible food, there’s enough going here on to ensure there won’t be any awkward silences. And if it isn’t working out, you’ll likely be sharing a table with some other people so you can simply flirt with them instead. Don’t judge, life’s short enough as it is.

Seafood Combo

The Whitworth

The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 6ER - Visit now

One of Manchester’s most awe-inspiring buildings, and 2015 museum of the year, The Whitworth is a must for lovers of modern art and moreso for potential modern lovers. Is your paramour a tortured Bacon or a humdrum Lowry? Find out here. Our up-to-the-minute exhibitions guide will help to show you the way.

The Whitworth
The Whitworth. Photo: Alan Williams.

Gorilla

Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5WW - Visit now

Prefer your nights out a bit more wild and boozey? Gorilla is your one-stop-shop for all your food and drink needs. A favourite with the city’s students and twentysomethings, the atmosphere is always upbeat and just on the right side of rowdy.

Gorilla, Whitworth street Manchester

HOME Manchester

HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4FN - Visit now

Of course, a date can be about more than filling your face. And this is where HOME comes in. A superpowered replacement for the much-loved Cornerhouse cinema and cafe, this multi-layered arts venue boasts two theatres, five cinema screens, a large gallery, bar, cafe bar and bookshop. What better way of assessing your date than by their reaction to the latest arthouse film or theatre production? If their knowledge of Wes Anderson and Chekhov passes the test celebrate by nipping upstairs for a bite to eat.

HOME Manchester

Flok

Flok, 5 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN - Visit now

Laid back and sophisticated – but not too sophisticated – Flok is a good casual option for date-night, boasting a relaxed atmosphere and wide range of quality drinks. Plus it’s fairly new and undiscovered – perfect if you’re all about earning brownie points.

Cheese and Meat Board

The Refuge

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

The Refuge is a restaurant and bar based at The Principal hotel in Manchester. It’s an excellent choice for either grabbing a couple of drinks or a dinner date.

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

Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor Brasserie

Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor Brasserie, 21 Cathedral Street, M1 1AD, Manchester, Manchester, M1 1AD - Visit now

Bringing a touch of class to the dating scene, Harvey Nichols is the number one choice for those who like the finer things in life, but don’t want to come across as trying too hard. However, if you first met your date at the Pig & Whistle in Wigan, you might want to think again.

Harvey Nichols

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Bruco

Bruco is a new restaurant in Ancoats, serving up stylish Italian small plates.

Samsi
Manchester
Restaurant
Samsi

Long-standing Japanese restaurant on Whitworth Street in Manchester with a pleasingly affordable menu.

Chorlton
Restaurant
Yane

Friendly neighbourhood restaurant in Chorlton, specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine such as donburi, katsu kare and traditional pickles, made in-house.

Stables Tavern
City Centre
Restaurant
Stables Tavern

The Stables Tavern is an olde style pub in the St John’s neighbourhood of Manchester, where the Rovers Return once stood.

Manchester
Restaurant
Ban Di Bul

Ban Di Bul is a longstanding Korean restaurant in the very centre of Manchester.

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UNITOM bookshop
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SB_BreweryTour- Distillery Two
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Image by Jonathan Schofield.
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Take me there

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Detail of an abstract sculpture, with burned materials and rusty chicken wire at the centre, with rusted metal bars bent around it.
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