Best Restaurants Manchester

Looking for somewhere brilliant to eat in Manchester? This city’s dining scene has absolutely exploded in recent years, and there’s so much more to discover than just your standard Northern grub.

What I love most about Manchester’s food scene is how it balances the traditional with the experimental. One minute you’re tucking into handmade pasta under a railway arch, the next you’re watching chefs with tweezers carefully arrange tiny edible flowers on a plate that costs more than your electricity bill.

I’ve put together my absolute favourite list of Manchester restaurants – the ones I genuinely visit regularly myself because they’re so good, or are at least desperately want to return to. Some are perfect for that someone special, others are ideal for a laid-back Sunday lunch, and I’ve thrown in some budget-friendly spots for when payday feels miles away.

So, hungry to discover your new favourite Manchester restaurant? Let’s tuck in…

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Fine Dining & Special Occasions

Mana

I finally managed to eat at Manchester’s only Michelin-starred restaurant last month for a birthday – had to book nearly three months ahead! The whole experience was just incredible. We opted for the full tasting menu with paired drinks and honestly, I’ve never had food quite like it.

There was this one dish with aerated yeast that sounds bizarre but tasted absolutely phenomenal. What really struck me was how the chefs personally bring each dish to your table and explain everything without being pretentious about it.

Yes, it’s expensive – our bill came to about £400 for two with the drinks pairing – but for a special occasion, it’s an experience you won’t forget. Just don’t make the mistake I did and book an early train the next morning. You’ll want to savour every moment!

Location: 42 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF

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Adam Reid at The French

Had my parents’ anniversary dinner here last year and it was fabulous. The restaurant is inside the grand old Midland Hotel (one of Manchester’s best hotels), but they’ve modernised the space beautifully.

The standout for me was their Chateaubriand – absolutely cooked to perfection. And the wine pairing is 100% worth splashing out on – their sommelier really knows her stuff and introduced us to some bottles I’d never have chosen myself.

What makes The French special is how they make fine dining feel relaxed. The staff chat to you like normal human beings rather than robots, and they’re happy to explain dishes without making you feel daft for not knowing what ’emulsion’ means.

Location: The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS

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Skof

This place only opened in January and it’s already the talk of the town! Managed to snag a table last month after hearing rave reviews.

The food is ridiculously good – everything is sourced locally where possible, and the chef really knows how to make humble ingredients sing. There was this carrot dish that sounds boring but was genuinely one of the best things I’ve eaten this year.

The atmosphere is quite calm and grown-up, so not one for rowdy catch-ups, but perfect for a date night or celebration where you actually want to hear each other speak. Book early though – they’re already getting booked up weeks in advance.

Location: 18 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BZ

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High-End Casual for Foodie Vibes

Not quite ready to remortgage your house for dinner? These places hit that sweet spot of amazing food without the white tablecloth formality.

Higher Ground

Popped in here on a whim last Friday after work and absolutely fell in love with the place. The chefs have trained at some seriously impressive restaurants (including Noma!) and it really shows.

I had the most incredible sourdough with cultured butter to start – sounds simple but it was simply perfect. Then moved onto these roasted carrots with a fermented honey that I’m still thinking about two weeks later. Plus this gorgeous meal shown. Just divine.

The place has a really relaxed atmosphere, again avoiding stuffiness we all hate. The staff clearly love working there and are happy to chat about the menu. At around £60 per person including a couple of glasses of wine, it’s not cheap-cheap but definitely reasonable for the quality.

Location: 98 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 2QH

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Climat

Went here for a catch-up with the girls last month and bagged a window table with the most amazing view of the city. If you can, try to time your visit for sunset – absolutely gorgeous!

The food is served as small plates, so we ordered loads to share. The beef tartare was incredible, and they do this butter-poached cod that just melts in your mouth. Only slight niggle was that service was a bit slow between courses, but the view more than made up for it.

It’s on the pricier side of casual dining (we spent about £70 each including a bottle of wine between us), but for a special night out with amazing views, it’s worth it.

Location: Blackfriars House, Manchester M3 2JA

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Another Hand

This little spot is a real hidden gem – tucked away on Deansgate Mews where you’d never stumble across it by accident. We were so impressed with everything about it!

The menu changes all the time based on what’s in season, but there’s always a good balance of meat and veggie options. I had this incredible mushroom dish with truffle and egg yolk that was absolutely stunning – and I’m not even vegetarian!

The space is quite small and intimate, so it’s perfect for date night or catching up with a close friend. Not one for big groups though – you’ll be practically sitting in each other’s laps.

Location: Deansgate Mews, Great Northern, Manchester M3 4EN

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Authentic Places & Flavours

These smaller, independent places might not look much from the outside, but trust me – they’re serving some of the most exciting food in the city.

The Sparrows

I actually stumbled across this place on a rainy Sunday afternoon when my original lunch plans fell through – talk about a happy accident! It’s in this cool converted railway arch space that feels miles away from the city centre hustle.

Their speciality is spätzle (these gorgeous little German pasta dumplings) and they do this cheese version that’s basically the poshest mac and cheese you’ve ever had. I practically licked the bowl clean! They also do incredible Eastern European dumplings filled with all sorts of delicious things.

The place is run by a lovely couple who clearly put their heart and soul into it. It’s the kind of spot where you can tell they’re cooking the food they love, not just what they think will sell.

Location: 16 Red Bank, Manchester M4 4HF

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Street Urchin

I absolutely love seafood and was blown away by the dishes at Street Urchin. It’s a husband and wife team running the place – he cooks, she handles front of house – and they’re absolutely lovely.

The menu changes daily depending on what fish they can get their hands on, which I love. I had the most incredible halibut with a brown shrimp butter that was cooked absolutely perfectly. My partner had a crab linguine that I was very jealous of (though I still managed to steal quite a bit!).

The service deserves a special mention – really attentive without being overbearing. They’re happy to recommend wines to go with your food and clearly know their stuff.

Location: 72 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5BG

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Habesha

This place is such a find! Went with a group of friends last month after someone recommended it, and none of us had tried Ethiopian food before.

The whole experience is so different – food is served on this huge sourdough flatbread called injera, and you eat with your hands, tearing off pieces of the bread to scoop up delicious stews and vegetables. We ordered a sharing platter that had a bit of everything, and it was a perfect introduction.

The staff are super friendly and happy to explain how everything works if you’re a newbie like I was. And it’s really good value – we had plenty of food and a couple of drinks each for about £30 per person.

Location: 29 Shudehill, Manchester M4 2AF

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Tapas, Italian, and Asian Favourites

Sometimes you want something reliable but still special. These spots consistently deliver great food without any fuss.

Bar San Juan

This tiny little tapas bar in Chorlton is an absolute institution. It’s very popular though, and thank goodness I booked in advance after someone recommended it. Make sure you do the same!

The food is proper authentic Spanish tapas – none of that watered-down chain restaurant stuff. Their patatas bravas are the best I’ve had outside of Spain, and the garlic prawns are to die for. The portions are generous too, so don’t over-order like we did (though the leftovers made an amazing lunch the next day).

The place is absolutely tiny though – you’ll be practically rubbing elbows with the next table. But that just adds to the buzzing atmosphere.

Location: 56 Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9EG

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Sugo

Now I absolutely love pasta dishes – though I don’t often opt for them when I’m dining out. Too basic. Not here!! This place specialises in pasta from Southern Italy and they really know their stuff.

Their signature dish is ‘House Sugo’ – this amazing slow-cooked beef shin ragu with fresh orecchiette pasta. It’s hearty, comforting food but done to a really high standard. I actually had the seafood pasta though, which was packed with prawns, mussels and squid in a light tomato sauce – absolutely gorgeous.

The only slight downside is that service can be a bit hit and miss when they’re busy. We waited quite a while for our main courses, but the food was so good when it arrived that we quickly forgot about it!

Location: 46 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF

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Lily’s Indian

This place is a bit of a trek from the city centre (it’s in Ashton), but honestly, it’s worth the journey! I first went about a year ago after hearing so many people rave about it, and I’ve been back at least five times since.

The food is all vegetarian South Indian, and even as a committed carnivore, I never miss the meat here. Their dosas (these huge crispy pancake things filled with spiced potatoes) are absolutely incredible – they hang off the edge of the plate!

The staff are lovely and will help you navigate the menu if you’re not familiar with South Indian food. And it’s really good value – you can have a feast for about £25 per person.

Location: 85 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DY

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Budget-Friendly Bites and Late-Night Spots

Who says good food has to break the bank? These places prove you can eat well in Manchester without emptying your wallet.

Bundobust

Popped into the Oxford Road branch for a quick lunch last week and ended up staying for three hours! This place does amazing vegetarian Indian street food and craft beer, and it’s such good value.

The okra fries are absolutely addictive – crispy, spicy and I could easily eat three portions. Their bhel puri (a crunchy, tangy street food snack) is another must-try. The best approach is to order a bunch of small plates to share – about 3-4 dishes per person is plenty.

The Oxford Road branch can get a bit crowded and the bench seating isn’t the most comfortable for long stays, but the Piccadilly one is a bit more spacious. Either way, the food more than makes up for it, especially if you’re a vegan who is a little tired of all the ‘best restaurants’ involving meat.

Location: 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AG & 228 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9NG

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Rusholme Chippy

This is my absolute go-to spot after a night out! Rusholme Chippy does the most incredible kobeda kebabs I’ve ever tasted – perfectly spiced, juicy and absolutely massive.

I usually go for the mixed grill which comes with different types of kebab, naan bread and salad. It’s enough to feed two people easily, though I’ve been known to demolish one by myself after a few too many drinks (blame the bottomless brunch)! Their slow-cooked lamb is also amazing – properly fall-apart tender.

It’s not a fancy place by any means – bright lights and plastic tables – but that’s not why you go. You go for possibly the best late-night food in Manchester at prices that won’t make you wince when you check your bank account the next day.

Location: 196 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 6JR

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To Finish

So that’s my personal guide to eating out in Manchester, whatever your budget or occasion. New places are opening all the time (Skof is my current obsession), and established restaurants keep upping their game to stay competitive.

Just remember that the really popular spots like Mana, The French and Bar San Juan book up weeks or even months in advance, so don’t leave it to the last minute if you’ve got your heart set on somewhere special.

If you’re visiting from out of town, the tram makes it easy to venture a bit further for gems like Lily’s in Ashton. And don’t be afraid to explore beyond the city centre – some of the best food is hiding in the suburbs!