Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

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.

Find out more
Randall And Aubin Manchester
Ian Jones

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.

Find out more
Gaucho Manchester
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

Find out more

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.

Find out more

Bundobust Manchester

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

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

Find out more
Bundobust Manchester
Ian Jones

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.

Find out more
Mackie Mayor

Umezushi

Umezushi, Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 1PJ - Visit now

This small but perfectly-formed sushi restaurant could well be one of Manchester’s best restaurants. Whatever you do, try the freshwater eel.

Find out more

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.

Find out more
The French - One of Manchester's finest restaurants - Creative Tourist
Photos by author

Tattu

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

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

Find out more

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).

Find out more
Ian Jones

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.

Find out more
El Gato Negro Tapas
Image courtesy of Marketing Manchester

Where to go in Manchester

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.

Haunt MCR
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Haunt MCR

Haunt MCR is a speciality coffee shop and wine bar located on Manchester’s bustling Peter Street.

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Now back open with a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Hatch
Manchester
Event venue
Hatch

We check out the new festive changes to Hatch, Manchester’s favourite collection of small independents.

Popup Bikes
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Popup Bikes

Independently-run coffee shop and bike repair shop on the edge of the Green Quarter in Manchester.

See all places

Manchester Visitor Guides

Blossom on trees in Manchester
Parks and Gardens in Manchester

There are more green spaces in Manchester than you might think. We've picked out some of the best parks and gardens in and around the city.

UNITOM bookshop
Bookshops in Manchester

Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.

Aubergine dish at Bistro 1847
Vegetarian Food in Manchester

We’ve gathered together a handpicked list of some of our favourite vegetarian places in Manchester – meaning you need never suffer a stuffed pepper ever again.

20 Stories eat outside in Manchester
Places To Eat Outside in Manchester

Looking for somewhere to eat outside in Manchester in these hot summer months? Here's our guide to the restaurants in Manchester with the best areas for al fresco dining.

Restaurants in Manchester

The very best restaurants in Manchester's city centre, including ones you know, and future favourites.

Manchester District Guides

Northern Quarter, Manchester
Northern Quarter, Manchester

Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens. Here are the places you need to check out.
The cafe in the trees at the Whitworth
Oxford Road, Manchester

We cherrypick our favourite spots on Oxford Road, taking in unique theatres, characterful gig venues and fascinating museums.
Salford museum and art gallery exterior
Salford, Greater Manchester

Cross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.
The Quays, Greater Manchester

The Quays is home to MediaCityUK (the largest media hub in Europe) and studios purpose-built for the BBC’s move up North in 2011.
chinatown, manchester in sun by ben williams
Chinatown, Manchester

Chinatown is a network of back streets dotted with Chinese restaurants – go to Ho’s Bakery for perfect honey buns, Hunan for spice and Middle Kingdom for a very affordable menu.
Ancoats, Manchester
Ancoats & New Islington

Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city’s most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.
Canal Street, Manchester

Manchester’s picturesque Canal Street and its surroundings constitute what is reputedly the oldest gay village in the country.
Father John Misty and Friends at The Piece Hall
Spotlight on

Things to do in West Yorkshire

Our guide to the best things to do in culture-packed West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield.

Take me there

Destination Guides

Culture Guides

Music in Manchester and the North

From post punk legends to the leading lights of modern shoegaze, read about the most exciting artists playing in Manchester and the North this autumn.