Steak Restaurants in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Looking for the best steaks in Manchester? Of course you are. Nothing says luxury (and climate change) like a big slab of meat, cooked medium rare. And Manchester has a whole host of top-class steakhouses in which to blow your hard-earned pay packet. This guide focuses mostly on those restaurants that make steak the headline act of their menu, but we’ve included a few wider-ranging destinations that have superb steak dishes on the menu too.

So, whether you prefer your steak rare, medium or well-done – in fact, no, if you’re eating steak well done you’re barely eating steak at all, begone with you – we have expert recommendations for all the most barnstorming beef-based bistros, brasseries and, er, buffets in town. This one’s for the Desperate Dans amongst us.

Our top picks

Gaucho Manchester

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

The steak scene in Manchester has hit fever pitch in recent years, with countless newcomers trying to make their mark. But where some places can have a slightly off-putting atmosphere, Gaucho takes a more elegant approach – nothing too pompous or macho, just top-quality produce prepared beautifully, with countless subtle touches that most competitors couldn’t even imagine.

Hawksmoor

Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3WB

A night dining at Hawksmoor doesn’t come cheap. But then, quality rarely does. The steaks are arguably the finest in the city, and the starters aren’t far off. If price is no object, Hawksmoor stands tall among Manchester’s finest restaurants.

James Martin Manchester

James Martin Manchester, 2 Watson St, Manchester, M3 4LP - Visit now

James Martin’s Manchester restaurant delivers a solid high-quality experience. It’s certainly not one for vegetarians, as the most visually impressive and tastiest dishes are all geared around hefty chunks of meat, but it’s a top-drawer option for those of the carnivorous persuasion.

Alston Bar & Beef

Alston Bar & Beef, Cathedral Street, Manchester, M4 3TR - Visit now

Alston places itself carefully towards the top end steakhouse – making the bold assertion it’s bringing the best steak to Manchester. Originally set up in Glasgow, they use only the finest Scottish beef, each animal and cut chosen specifically for its quality and flavour by their expert butcher.

Alston Bar & Beef
Alston Bar & Beef

The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel

The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH - Visit now

The Beef Wellington is raved about, and the best is exactly what is delivered – unsurprisingly, considering this is the chef’s favourite dish.

Store Street Exchange

Store Street Exchange, 1 Auburn St, Manchester, M1 3DG - Visit now

The slices of steak at Store Street Exchange are second to none, cooked beautifully pink in the middle and topped with a rich buttery sauce.

Tariff & Dale

Tariff & Dale, 2 Tariff Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 2FN - Visit now

The bone marrow steak burger here is as good as it sounds, with a dill pickle, two slices of brie and all the crispy veg on a sweet brioche bun above a huge patty.

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

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.

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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.

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