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.

erst.

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.

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?

The Alan

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
Ian Jones

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.

Peru Perdu

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.

Edinburgh Castle

Nam Manchester

Nam Manchester, Unit 2, 33 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6AJ - Visit now

Whether you’re interested in grabbing a satisfying bite to eat or experiencing some pitch-perfect sounds curated by Manchester’s best DJs in the forward-thinking downstairs space, Nam does the lot, and does it very, very well.

Nam

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.

Ian Jones

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.

Ian Jones

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.

Delhi House Cafe
Delhi House Cafe

Wood Manchester

Wood Manchester, Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, M15 4RA - Visit now

Wood claim to be ‘unintimidating high end dining’ and this is precisely what you get – from location to decor, right down to the menu. With Masterchef winner Simon Wood at the helm, the food is exciting, forward-thinking but never over-complicated. Despite only opening a few months back, it already feels like part of the city’s furniture, with a steely-eyed focus on dishing out exciting plates that look and taste exquisite, all thanks to a team that are constantly coming up with fresh exciting ideas.

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.

Gaucho Manchester
Gaucho Manchester

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.

Ian Jones

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.

Scene

Randall & Aubin Manchester

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

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.

Randall And Aubin Manchester
Ian Jones

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
Ian Jones

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.

Ian Jones

Cottonopolis

Cottonopolis, 16 Newton Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 2AE - Visit now

The Northern Quarter has long had a reputation as the go-to place for late-night quick and trashy food, but things are changing. The whole area is developing at high-speed suggesting its restaurant scene will follow suit. Cottonopolis provides the first shot across the boughs, with its classy decor and high-quality Japanese food. The menu is divided into four different elements based on the cooking method for each item: ice, fire, steam and oil. It’s a gimmick but an inventive one, catering for a variety of palates whether they be healthy eaters, grazers or plain old gluttons.

Ian Jones

Where to go in Manchester

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Restaurant
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New to Stevenson’s Square, Public is the Northern Quarter’s new local, from the team behind Evelyn’s.

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Restaurant
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Wonderful Japanese street food vendor, often found at Grub and other street food events in and around Manchester and the North.

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Restaurant
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A new gastro pub in Didsbury Village, specialising in hearty meals and high-quality drinks. 

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Restaurant
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The Refuge is a restaurant and bar based at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, specialising in bright, exciting small plates.

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Restaurant
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97 is a smart new cocktail bar from the team behind Tariff & Dale and The Lead Station, based on Beech Road in Chorlton.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
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Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

Manchester
Restaurant
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