The Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurants in Manchester
If you’re a foodie looking for the best places to eat in Manchester, you’re in luck. This vibrant city in Northern England is home to a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and bistros, serving up everything from traditional British fare to international cuisine.
Manchester is home to a thriving food scene, with new restaurants, bars, gastropubs, microbreweries, and cafes opening up every week. From fine dining to casual eats, there’s a restaurant in Manchester for everyone.
I will take you on a culinary tour of the best restaurants in Manchester. From fine dining establishments to hidden gems, I will cover everything you need to know about where to eat in Manchester.
Manchester’s Best Restaurants:
Manchester is establishing itself as one of the UK’s most exciting foodie destinations. The city’s food scene has exploded over the past few years, and it shows no sign of slowing down. From Indian to fine dining, street food to burgers, Manchester has it all. Whether you’re looking for a trendy foodie destination or a cozy pub, you’ll find it all in Manchester.
Manchester City Centre’s Best Restaurants
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Manchester city centre, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are just a few of our favourites:
- The French
For fine dining at its best, head to The French. It is one of the best places to eat in Manchester. This restaurant is located in the Midland Hotel, and it’s renowned for its exquisite tasting menu. The dishes here are innovative and beautifully presented, and the service is impeccable. The French is definitely a restaurant for a special occasion, but it’s worth every penny.
- The Refuge by Volta
The Refuge by Volta is a must-visit for anyone in Manchester. This restaurant serves an eclectic range of small and large plates designed for sharing. The food here is imaginative and delicious, and the setting is stunning. This is definitely one of the coolest places to eat in Manchester.
- Tattu
Tattu is one of the most visually stunning restaurants in Manchester. This Chinese-inspired restaurant has a dark, moody vibe that’s perfect for a romantic dinner. The food here is equally impressive, with a creative menu that includes dishes like Wagyu beef dumplings and black cod with miso.
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- Hawksmoor
If you’re a meat lover, you’ll want to check out Hawksmoor. This steakhouse is located in a stunning Art Deco building, and the food here is top-notch. The steaks are cooked to perfection, and the sides are just as delicious. This is definitely one of the best places to eat in Manchester.
- The Ivy
For a touch of glamour, head to The Ivy. This restaurant is located in the heart of Manchester, and it’s the perfect spot for a special occasion. The menu here is classic British with a modern twist, and the cocktails are some of the best in the city.
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My Favourite Fine Dining Restaurants in Manchester
If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, Manchester has plenty of fine dining options to choose from. Here are some of the best:
Mana
Mana is a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant’s menu features innovative dishes that use under-celebrated British ingredients and produce. The open kitchen allows guests to watch as the chefs prepare their meals, adding to the overall experience. With its avant-garde approach to fine dining, Mana is a must-visit for foodies in Manchester.
Where The Light Gets In
Located in the suburb of Stockport, Where The Light Gets In is a modern, airy dining room that serves meat-focused small plates. The restaurant has earned its Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. Many of the ingredients used at Where The Light Gets In are sourced from the restaurant’s nearby farm, ensuring that the food is always fresh and of the highest quality.
The French at the Midland
The French at the Midland is a classic fine dining restaurant that has been around for decades. The restaurant’s menu features intricate, ingenious dishes that are assembled from the simplest of parts. The Midland Hotel has recently undergone a £14 million refurbishment, and The French now boasts a stunning setting that is deserving of its reputation.
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Where to Eat in Manchester: Suburbs and Surrounding Areas
If you’re willing to venture outside of Manchester city centre, here are some of the best Manchester restaurants that you should try.
- Where the Light Gets In, Stockport
Where the Light Gets In is located in Stockport, just a short train ride from Manchester city centre. This restaurant has a unique concept, with a set menu that changes daily based on what’s fresh and in season. The food here is creative and delicious, and the setting is intimate and cozy.
- The Allotment Vegan Eatery, Stockport
For the best vegan food in Manchester, head to The Allotment Vegan Eatery. This restaurant is located in Stockport, and it serves up some of the most innovative and delicious vegan food you’ll ever try. The menu here is creative and varied, with dishes like jackfruit tacos and beetroot risotto.
- The Creameries, Chorlton
The Creameries is located in Chorlton, a trendy suburb of Manchester. This restaurant is all about using locally sourced ingredients to create delicious, seasonal dishes. The menu here changes frequently, but you can always expect fresh, inventive food that’s bursting with flavour.
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- Hispi, Didsbury
Hispi is located in Didsbury, just a short drive from Manchester city centre. This restaurant serves up modern British cuisine with a twist, and the menu is always changing to reflect what’s in season. The food here is creative and delicious, and the setting is cozy and welcoming.
- Sugo, Altrincham
For the best Italian food in Manchester, head to Sugo in Altrincham. This restaurant serves up some of the most delicious pasta dishes you’ll ever try, with fresh, homemade pasta and rich, flavourful sauces. The setting is casual and cozy, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed meal.
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Manchester’s Coolest Restaurants
If you’re looking for the coolest places to eat in Manchester, look no further than these restaurants:
- Bunny Jackson’s Juke Joint
Bunny Jackson’s Juke Joint is a New Orleans-style bar that serves up some of the best chicken wings in Manchester. This place has a fun, laid-back vibe, with live music and plenty of bourbon to go around.
- Crazy Pedro’s
For the best pizza in Manchester, head to Crazy Pedro’s. This place serves up some seriously delicious pies, with creative toppings like mac and cheese and hot dogs. The setting is funky and fun, with a retro vibe that’s perfect for a night out.
- The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot is a Manchester institution, and it’s been serving up delicious breakfasts and brunches since the 1980s. The food here is simple but delicious, with classic dishes like full English breakfasts and eggs benedict. The setting is cozy and inviting, with a retro vibe that’s hard to resist.
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- Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza
Rudy’s is another contender for the best pizza in Manchester. This restaurant serves up authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, with a thin, crispy crust and fresh, flavourful toppings. The setting is casual and laid-back, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed meal.
- The Pilcrow Pub
The Pilcrow Pub is a contemporary pub located in Sadler’s Yard. This place serves up delicious food and drink in a cozy, welcoming setting. The food here is simple but delicious, with classic pub dishes like fish and chips and burgers.
Hidden Gems in Manchester Restaurant Scene
While Manchester is home to plenty of well-known restaurants, there are also plenty of hidden gems to discover. Here are some of the best under-the-radar restaurants in Manchester:
The Sparrows
The Sparrows is a cosy restaurant that serves a variety of hand-made European dumpling and spätzle dishes. The staff is lovely, the setting is warm, and the food is delicious. If you’re unfamiliar with spätzle, it’s a type of egg noodle that is common in South Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Alsace. The Sparrows’ version is a must-try.
Greens
Greens is the oldest and best vegetarian restaurant in Manchester. It was set up by celebrity chef Simon Rimmer back when he was all chef, no celebrity. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Greens is a fantastic restaurant, fully deserving of its many awards.
Habesha
Habesha is a traditional Ethiopian restaurant that is hidden away in a corner of Manchester’s city centre. The restaurant serves affordable prices, accomplished flavour combinations, and an epic menu of more than 100 dishes. Be sure to try their Rescoldo wood-fired grill, which imparts a smoky, chargrilled flavour to huge cuts of meat and whole fish.
My Favourite Trendy Restaurant in Manchester
If you’re looking for a trendy place to hang out with friends, Manchester has plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the trendiest restaurants in Manchester:
Kala
Kala brings classic, down-to-earth dining to King Street, right in the middle of Manchester’s city centre. Dive into ox heart kebab, crispy smoked haddock, and perfectly cooked truffle and parmesan chips.
Affordable Restaurants in Manchester
If you’re on a budget, Manchester has plenty of affordable restaurants to choose from. Here are some you should try.
This & That
This & That is a canteen-style Indian restaurant that serves rice ‘n’ curry combos for under a fiver. The family-run restaurant has been around since 1984 and is still going strong. Expect no-frills dining and big portions.
Bundobust
Bundobust is a casual and hip Indian street food and craft beer restaurant. The menu is vegetarian, but even the most hard-headed meat-eater wouldn’t have beef (sorry) with eating here. Long communal dining tables groan under the weight of dishes that fuse northern produce with Gujarati street food.
Honest Crust Pizza
Honest Crust Pizza is a market trader in the acclaimed food hall Mackie Mayor. The Neapolitan-style pizza base is light, chewy, and dotted with charred bubbles like a leopard’s spots. Toppings are always top quality – think San Marzano tomatoes and locally made fennel sausage.
Conclusion
Manchester is home to some of the best restaurants in the UK, and this guide has only scratched the surface. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or casual eats, vegan food or steak, you’ll find it all in Manchester. So next time you’re in the city, be sure to check out some of these amazing restaurants.
