Updated on 11 December 2023
Manchester is one of the largest, busiest and most visited cities in the UK and the reason for its popularity depends on who you ask. Maybe it’s because the city is home to two internationally renowned football teams, with many high-profile footie stars owning homes in the ‘Golden Triangle’ at the city’s edge. Or perhaps the attraction of Manchester is its plethora of shopping opportunities, ranging from high-end fashion boutiques to multi-floor high street chains? If you ask us though, there is only one real reason to head to Manc - because of the city’s dynamic and varied food scene. Nowadays, there are hundreds of restaurants in Manchester which span every possible cuisine, style and budget.
Whether you are a long-time resident of Manchester looking for the best restaurants in the Northern Quarter, or you find yourself here on a city break and want to try one of the Michelin star restaurants in Manchester, you'll be glad to know that there is almost certainly a restaurant out there to suit your taste. We're covering a fairly wide geographical area here too - plenty of this list could be counted among the best restaurants in Manchester city centre, but there are some options as far afield as Stockport and Prestwich.
We’ve picked the best places to eat in Manchester and compiled them all in the handy list to make it easier for you to choose one (or two, or ten) to try. Click on the name of each restaurant to read more and book online.
No 1 Spinningfields, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3EB
Sky high 20 Stories is the first Manchester project from D&D London. The glamorous restaurant and casual grill offer distinct menus, alongside a cocktail bar and roof terrace boasting 360-degree views of the city.
20 Church Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1PN
Coffee lovers know that 63 degrees is the perfect temperature at which to serve it, but chef-proprietor Eric Moreau applies the rule to poultry and cake as well. Don’t miss the set weekday lunch either.
18 Princess Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4LG
The restaurant in The Alan hotel is a little cracker, serving a flexible menu of snacks and small plates which are easily shared amongst a group. Case in point, a dish of barbecue mushrooms, yeast and black garlic that provides a serious umami punch.
Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4RA
Opened by former MasterChef winner Simon Wood, this is a large, welcoming venue. Whether you opt for the fine-dining a la carte, good-value set lunch or tasting menu, the kitchen allows fresh ingredients to shine.
3 Soap Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1EW
Despite a little price hike (from six to eight quid), This & That remains astonishingly good value for a proper curry. This legendary spot has been going since 1984 now, and though it doesn’t grab the headlines, it remains an important part of Manchester’s culinary fabric.
52 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4LY
At this stylish tapas bar, you are treated to top-flight charcuterie, cheeses and a cavalcade of flawless plates. Make sure to visit the Black Cat upstairs too, a beautiful cocktail bar with a retractable roof.
10 Tib Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4JB
This unfussy yet elegant restaurant located in a Grade II listed building in Central Manchester serves up elevated classics alongside a standout drinks menu. Be sure to head down on a Sunday for the raved-about roast.
132 Bury New Road, Prestwich, Greater Manchester, M25 0AA
OSMA is the brainchild of Sophie Stoermann-Naess and Danielle Heron, the latter of whom has worked at the likes of two Michelin-starred L’Enclume and three star Maaemo in Oslo. This small plates restaurant is eager to feed from breakfast through to dinner, and offers some top tier cocktails too.
61 Piccadilly, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 2AQ
Indian street-food specialists Bundobust have ventured across The Pennines to open this spacious Piccadilly branch. Inside, seating is canteen-style with the enticing menu of snacks and sharing plates being equally informal, and entirely vegetarian too.
184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3WB
You know the Hawksmoor drill: great steaks, banging cocktails, friendly staff and the epic dessert that must not be called a giant Ferrero Rocher. This Manchester outpost also boasts a separate bar for pre-prandial sips.
15 Lower Hillgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, SK1 1JQ
This offshoot of renowned Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In is a triple-threat of bakery, deli and pottery. In the evenings, Yellowhammer switches gears to become a pizzeria, pairing pizzas with natural wines and live music on vinyl.
253 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4EN
Another Hand is an intimate 24 cover restaurant that focuses on a veg-led menu, with natural wines and hand crafted cocktails. This hidden gem is worth keeping an eye out for when heading into the city centre.
7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK1 1JY
Ex-L’Enclume chef Sam Buckley’s curiously named gaff is a loft-style space with views across the rooftops. Diners eat small plates inspired by what has been foraged, fermented and butchered by the team - thrilling combinations abound.
41 Blackfriars Road, Salford, Greater Manchester, M3 7DB
With its striking black and white tiled flooring, and equally bold plates, The Black Friar is certainly one to remember. More than just an old school boozer, you can expect proper pub grub, as well as carefully curated beer snacks and even something a little more refined in the main dining room.
Blackfriars House, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2JA
If you’re looking to enjoy food with a view, few places do it better than Climat. Head out on to the terrace at this wine-led restaurant and tuck into a glass of something special whilst working your way through the Parisian inspired menu.
The Midland Hotel, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 2DS
Adam Reid has kept The French at the top of Manchester’s restaurant tree for many years, and while the grand dining room is opulent, the vibe feels less formal and the food continues to impress.
16 Red Bank, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 4HF
This beloved modern continental spot has a burgeoning reputation for fantastic dumplings and pasta. This is not the pasta you’re used to, though - The Sparrows serves spätzle, and traditional Central and Eastern European dishes like pierogi, Russian pelmeni, and, yes, the occasional ravioli too.
30 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M14 5TQ
Street-inspired comfort food is the order of the day at this popular Indian. Snacks such as pau bhaji are the warm-up act for mains like dum biryani and dhal makhni that promise intense flavours.
New York Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4DY
Higher Ground is a buzzy restaurant and bar that originated as a pop up and is now firmly amongst the best restaurants in the city. Serving seasonal small plates alongside excellent wines, this is not one to be missed.
1c School Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 6RD
The Didsbury bistro of barnstorming chef Gary Usher has a relaxed, homely feel. It’s a convivial place for sampling the confident and concise menu of European fare. Superb-value lunch and early-evening offers also attract locals.
20-22 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 6AG
You’ll be hard pushed to find anywhere that does Spanish food quite like Tast. Paco Perez, the Spanish chef who has five Michelin stars across his restaurants in Europe, knows a thing or two about Tapas and Catalonian cuisine, and judging by the cocktail and wine menu he’s a dab hand with drinks too.
1 Eagle Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5BU
This street food marketplace is so jam-packed with food merchants you’ll struggle to choose just one. It’s housed within Smithfield’s grand Grade II-listed Victorian market - grab a seat, pick a stall and get stuck in.
55 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4LQ
Part of Gary Usher’s mini empire, homely yet high-end Kala is found on King Street and offers up superb fairly priced modern European cuisine, along with a wine list that includes plenty of by-the-glass options.
1 Piccadilly, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1RG
Shoryu Manchester is the first venture outside the capital for this ramen bar, serving up everything from a classic tonkotsu to sides like chicken karaage and yakitori. We love this for a laid back dinner that still feels like a treat.
9 Murray Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 6HS
This chic restaurant focuses on seasonal food, natural wines and craft beers. The pared-down menu relies on bold flavour combinations to deliver superb dishes such as salt cod with blood orange, olives, capers and oregano.
Gartside Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3EB
Instagram-friendly interiors are bolstered by a delectable menu of dim sum and Asian-inspired small plates at this ever popular restaurant and cocktail bar. Don’t forget to snap a pic underneath the pink cherry blossom tree.
City Tower, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4HN
Conveniently located, Namii brings authentic Vietnamese food like summer rolls, pho and bun cha to Manchester city centre - and the cocktail selection is pretty special too. This is a great spot for a night out with friends that’s full of fun and full of flavour.
42 Blossom Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 6BF
The lofty title of Manchester’s only Michelin star restaurant is reason enough to visit Mana, but the accolade is backed up by a stunning menu which showcases only the best of produce from the British Isles.
Did you know there are a ton of great vegan restaurants in Manchester these days? It’s not just London that's hot on the trend for plant-based dining, and you can now find a wealth of really good vegan spots, from fast food to healthy cafes.
The city is also famous for its Curry Mile, so it makes sense that Manchester's best Indian restaurants are some of the best in the country. Here, you'll find everything from hole-in-the-wall curry houses and street food, to refined fine-dining establishments.
Heading out this weekend? Discover our pick of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, where the bubbles, beers and cocktails flow freely.
Collect points, worth at least £1, every time you book online and dine at a participating restaurant.
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