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Best restaurants in Salford Quays

Originally opened in 1894 by Queen Victoria, Salford Docks (as it was then known) was once the third busiest port in Britain. Over the last 120 years or so, the waterside area has undergone some major changes, rebranding as the Salford Quays development for which it's known today. The area is now home to a wealth of famous galleries and museums, shopping centres, housing, offices and major landmarks - not to mention a diverse range of places to eat and drink. Whatever your reason for visiting this thriving part of Manchester, make sure to plan in a pitstop at one of the best restaurants in Salford Quays.

Updated on 21 October 2024

All set within a mile radius, this bustling part of town packs in a wealth of things to see and do. Whether you fancy mooching around the Imperial War Museum North on a rainy day, scouring the many shops at the Quayside Mall, or catching a game at Manchester United F.C, you can do all of the above (and more) at Salford Quays.

Some of the area’s most famous cultural landmarks also offer some fantastic places to eat and drink. The Lowry, for example, a modern building home to two theatres, galleries and a studio, also boasts a fantastic fine dining restaurant – Pier Eight at The Lowry – which is well worth a visit if you’re in town.

Equally, if you’re in the market for something more casual, perhaps to tie you over during a day of shopping, The Quays boasts a wealth of familiar chains, family-friendly spots and low-key cafes. Many of these can be found at MediaCityUK, a huge, purpose-built destination for the creative and digital industries including the BBC, ITV and the University of Salford.

With so many brilliant restaurants in Salford Quays opening up all the time, we've compiled the best of the bunch into one complete list. Discover tasty street food, cool cafes, casual chains and fancier spots amongst Salford Quays’ best restaurants below.

The Botanist Salford

The Botanist Salford

Orange Building, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 2HE

Tucked away in MediaCityUK, The Botanist brings botanical cocktails, brunch classics, a Sunday roast, live music and so much more to Salford Quays. Try something new from its signature drinks list, from a Thai Chilli Crush to a Lemon Jasmine Collins.

£30 - £49
Bars
International
Chapati Café

Chapati Café

Unit 4, Salford , Greater Manchester, M50 2TG

Discover authentic, home-cooked Indian food with a Gujurati influence at Chapati Cafe. The menu changes daily, and features a huge range of veggie and vegan options, from chana palek to chilli paneer and chicken jalfrezi. It also runs great-value deals for less than a tenner throughout the week!

Under £30
Indian
Turtle Bay Salford

Turtle Bay Salford

Unit 39 Quayside,, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, M50 3AH

Whether you’re hungry for vibrant Caribbean food, searching for a killer happy hour deal or on the hunt for somewhere to head for bottomless brunch, Turtle Bay comes up trumps every time. Good vibes and great cocktails are guaranteed at this colourful Caribbean-inspired spot.

£30 - £49
Caribbean
Marco’s New York Italian Salford

Marco’s New York Italian Salford

Holiday Inn, Salford , Greater Manchester, M50 2EQ

Marco Pierre White puts his name to this casual and comfortable Italian in MediaCityUK. Studded leather booths and whacky light fittings create a laid-back aesthetic, while a please-all menu of Italian classics spans pizza, pasta, burgers and steak. Kids menus, afternoon tea and set offerings are all available too.

£30 - £49
Afternoon tea
Italian
Wagamama Salford

Wagamama Salford

Unit 2 Orange Tower, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 2EQ

You can’t go wrong with Wagamama’s famous chicken Katsu curry, or a comforting bowl of Yaki Soba noodles. For accessible Pan-Asian plates in a laid-back setting, this popular Japanese chain ticks all the boxes.

£30 - £49
Japanese
Kargo MKT

Kargo MKT

32 The Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 3AG

With 20 street food vendors and counting, there's something for everyone at Kargo MKT and the standards are high at this market, which seems to go from strength to strength. There's loads of space to sit too, and the atmosphere really gets going in the evenings when the place is packed. 

Under £30
International
Lime Salford Quays

Lime Salford Quays

Unit G1, The Quays, Greater Manchester, M50 3AH

An independent bar and restaurant in the heart of The Quays, Lime serves a relaxed all-day menu alongside continental lagers, local ales and classic cocktails. In the summer, its heated terrace is a popular spot to soak up views of the water and Lowry Theatre.

£30 - £49
International
The Alchemist Salford

The Alchemist Salford

The Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 3AB

Serving futuristic cocktails and global sharing plates with views of the water, The Alchemist is the place to head for everything from early evening drinks to a late-night party. At the weekend, you'll also find a DJ on the decks playing killer house tunes all night. 

£30 - £49
British
Bars
The Dockyard

The Dockyard

DockHouse, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 2EQ

This buzzy ale house has been serving craft ales, beers and ciders from across the globe since it opened in 2003. Crowd-pleasing menus cater to every sort of dietary requirement, while weekly quizzes and live music acts ensure there’s always a fun and friendly vibe here.

Under £30
British
Bars
Grindsmith Coffee

Grindsmith Coffee

Unit 5&6, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 2EQ

Grindsmith serves breakfast, brunch and coffee in a contemporary setting, with bespoke chandeliers, a stunning stained-glass window and a cosy mezzanine overlooking the main café. Tuck into salmon and cream cheese bagels, brioche French toast and breakfast baps.

Under £30
British
Pier Eight at The Lowry

Pier Eight at The Lowry

The Lowry, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, M50 3AZ

Serving modern British cuisine on the ground floor of The Lowry, Pier Eight is perfect for casual lunches, pre-theatre dining or elegant cocktails in its smart bar. Set menus are reasonably priced and feature the likes of chorizo tart with pumpkin seed pesto, and lamb rump with mixed beans, sweet potato and a jus.

£30 - £49
British

Hungry for more? Head back into the main city to discover the best restaurants in Manchester, from Michelin-starred spots to hip and trendy eateries and buzzy cocktail bars. But that's not all - we've got plenty more food and drink guides to get stuck into. Have a scroll through our round-up of Manchester's best bottomless brunches if you're heading out for a celebration this weekend. Of course, a trip to Manchester wouldn't be complete without visiting its famous 'Curry Mile', a one-mile stretch that's home to some of Manchester's greatest Indian restaurants. Explore all this foodie city has to offer and get booking!

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