The 25 Best Manchester Restaurants for 2024
There has never been a better time to try out Manchester’s finest restaurants. From Chanel’s first ever fashion show in Manchester to the Michelin Star Ceremony being held in Manchester in 2024, the food and culture scene is helping the growth of Manchester restaurants. Manchester cuisine is varied from Spanish to Italian, Indian and modern British influences. There is a lot of choice.
The unique Manchester food, areas to dine in and ways to eat in the city make selecting a restaurant a difficult task. So what Manchester restaurants should you dine at? We have curated a list of the very best 25 Manchester restaurants. Whether you are searching for somewhere to have lunch, dinner or a Sunday roast, we have you covered.
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25 Best Manchester Restaurants
1. The Spärrows
Specialising in European pasta and spätzle, The Spärrows is one of many Manchester restaurants, but is certainly one of a few to be highly acclaimed, shown by its presence in the Michelin Guide.
The Vibe
A cosy and warm restaurant with modern minimalist décor that brings you to the Swiss Alps.
What to Order
Their spãtzle is a must-try, especially the käse option that comes with Emmentaler cheese and braised onion. If you fancy something other than spãtzle, their Swiss fondue and dumplings are worth trying.
The Sparrows | 16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, UK M4 4HF | $$
2. The Street Urchin
A Manchester restaurant known for its delightful seafood restaurants, The Street Urchin is known for its use of seasonal and local ingredients. Situated in the post-industrial area of Ancoats, this eatery changes its menu every week.
The Vibe
A warm and cosy restaurant that is perfect for intimate meals.
What to Order
As the menu changes every week, it is hard to recommend a dish as it might not be available. But keep an eye out for their fresh mussels, crab thermidor and roasted monkfish.
The Street Urchin | 72 Great Ancoats St., Manchester, UK M4 5BG | $$
3. La Bandera
This elegant Spanish restaurant tucked on a corner in the centre is one of the best restaurants in Manchester to eat paella. Listed as one of The Sunday Times’ Top 3 Best Tapas Restaurants’, it is clear to see why La Bandera is a favourite of Spanish people.
The Vibe
The yellow and red colour theme, alongside the Spanish cuisine knowledge of the waiting staff makes this a very authentic Spanish restaurant.
What to Order
The fresh squid, king prawns and squid ink paella is a must-try. The tapas plates are just as divine, a favourite being the Canarian grilled white cheese with honey.
La Bandera | 2 Ridgefield, Manchester, UK M2 6EQ | $$
4. Bar San Juan
Bar San Juan is a small part of Spain on Beech Road in Chorlton, a Manchester restaurant secret hot spot. Known for its sangria, tapas and Spanish beer, this family-owned, independent Manchester restaurant was awarded a Traveller’s Choice for 2023.
The Vibe
Feels like you are on holiday in Spain — the building is decorated with beautiful red and yellow decorations.
What to Order
All the small plates are worth trying, but the Galician octopus legs, Manchego cheese with quince jelly (Membrillo) and papas bravas are very popular.
Bar San Juan | 56 Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester, UK M21 9EG| $$
5. TNQ
Short for The Northern Quarter restaurant, this is one of many restaurants in the hip Northern Quarter. Yet, TNQ stands out amongst other Manchester restaurants for its modern British cuisine. Anthony Fielden, a highly acclaimed chef, designed the TNQ menu with high-quality British seasonal ingredients.
The Vibe
Relaxed, contemporary and modern room with exposed wooden floor and large windows in a historic area. It also happens to be one of the finest affordable Manchester restaurants, making it great for a date idea that will impress without breaking the bank.
What to Order
From the Winter menu, the spinach, roast tomato and goat’s cheese rotolo is very popular. From the Autumn menu, lamb cannon with root vegetables and sheep curd's sauce is a divine option. Their Sunday British roasts and fish and chips with tartar sauce are must-try modern classics.
TNQ | 108 High St., Manchester, UK M4 1HQ | $$
6. Higher Ground
A trendy and hip Manchester restaurant, Higher Ground was recently created by three friends who met in New York working under Chef Dan Barber. Many Manchester restaurants wish to deliver high-quality hospitality and food, but none do it better than Higher Ground.
The Vibe
A Michelin Guide restaurant that serves carefully curated dishes within a laid-back space.
What to Order
Crisp pea fritters with Quicke’s Cheddar and coal-roasted scallops in the shell are must-try plates.
Higher Ground | Faulkner House, New York St., Manchester, UK M1 4DY | $$
7. Hispi
Hispi is Didsbury’s premier neighbourhood bar and bistro, helping to make this area a leader in culinary excellence and the place for Manchester restaurants to become known. The bistro has a wide range of cocktails, craft beers, red and white wines to be enjoyed with their dishes.
The Vibe
A humble, warm and woodsy bistro that serves high-quality modern British food in a relaxed and intimate setting.
What to Order
Their selection of meats is varied, including the highly recommended confit chicken leg served with shawarma butter, apricot, pickled chilli, toasted almonds and white cabbage salad.
Hispi | 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, UK M20 6RD | $$
8. Another Hand
Owners of Another Hand include Max Yorke, previously of Edinburgh Castle and Hispi, Julian Pizer of 3Hands Deli and Danny Foggo of Holy Grain. This formidable trio brings to Deansgate, one of the best Manchester restaurants that specialises in sharing plates and responsibly farmed and locally sourced ingredients.
The Vibe
Immersive and intimate small plates restaurant.
What to Order
The food at this Manchester restaurant is seasonal, but some amazing dishes they do regularly include hay-roasted hasselback potatoes and the squid Bolognese.
Another Hand | 253 Deansgate, Great Northern Unit F, Manchester, UK M3 4EN| $$$
9. Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza
This pizzeria chain has quickly become one of the local’s favourite Manchester restaurants. Delivering a fresh take on Neapolitan pizza-making, Rudy’s focuses on providing a relaxing and affordable dining experience. From Sale to Didsbury, Chorlton and the city centre, Rudy’s has many Manchester restaurants becoming the number one pizzeria of the city.
The Vibe
Perfect for families, this contemporary neighbourhood pizzeria brings delightful pizza to many different corners of Manchester.
What to Order
The Parmesan, rocket and prosciutto Romagno is a wonderful tomato-based pizza. In terms of white pizzas, the Porchetta is a classic and is served with roast porchetta, sage-roasted potatoes and caramelised white onions. In the mood for a classic? You can't beat the Margherita.
Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza | Multiple Locations | $
10. El Gato Negro
Established in 2016 by famous Chef Patron Simon Shaw, El Gato Negro, meaning ‘the black cat’, is a leader in Spanish tapas among other Manchester restaurants. The dishes are designed and created using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients combined with traditional and modern Spanish culinary techniques. This helped the Manchester restaurant gain a Bib Gourmand from Michelin in 2019.
The Vibe
A relaxed and refined dining experience spread across three floors of a converted town hall with beautiful traditional Spanish design, including a terrace.
What to Order
In the fish and shellfish tapas section, the chargrilled octopus with new potatoes is a must-have. The vegetable paella arancini and the Monte Enebro goat’s cheese are highly recommended plates at this elegant Manchester restaurant.
El Gato Negro | 52 King St., Manchester, UK M2 4LY | $$
11. Mana
Awarded a Michelin star, Mana is showing the world Manchester’s restaurants’ potential to lead the U.K. in culinary reinvention. Head Chef Simon Martin has helped Mana get the recognition it deserves. Mana specialises in avant-garde and locally sourced dishes.
The Vibe
A high-end, minimalist, reservation-only restaurant that cares deeply about its presentation, artistry and customer service.
What to Order
The beef tartare is currently in its fifth version and is better than ever. Meanwhile, Earth's best langoustine is a signature dish of Mana and represents what this Manchester restaurant is about.
Mana | 42 Blossom St., Ancoats, Manchester, UK M4 6BF | $$$
12. Bundobust Brewery
Bundobust Brewery is located in the grand and historic hundred-year-old St James Building on Oxford Road. It is both an independent brewery and a kitchen. They provide the very best vegan gujarati street food out of all Manchester restaurants, with independently brewed beers.
The Vibe
A large and open room with wooden tables, surrounded by brewing equipment. This is perfect for large gatherings.
What to Order
Bundobust serves a wide range of small plates, including okra fries, mung bean chapata and smacked khakri.
Bundobust Brewery | 61-69 Oxford St., St James's Blvd., Manchester, UK M1 6EQ | $
13. Pastan
The owners of Pastan have strived to find plant-based pasta that does not compromise on flavour. They’ve found the answer by opening Pastan and creating a first amongst Manchester restaurants, a wonderful plant-based and vegan-oriented pasta menu.
The Vibe
A cosy and relaxed, down-to-earth vegan restaurant that delivers brilliant flavours and tastes.
What to Order
The Catalonia is a must-try cheese, tomato, ‘chorizo’, harissa and rosemary dish inspired by Barcelona. The Biscoff mini doughnuts are some of the finest doughnuts Manchester’s restaurants offer.
Pastan | 18 Cross St., Manchester, UK M2 7AE | $$
14. Canto
Head Chef Simon Shaw brings another Manchester restaurant focused on small plates. Canto brings Mediterranean-style small plates to Manchester. Located in the booming Ancoats area, Simon Shaw created this restaurant with Porto-born Head Chef Carlos Gomes.
The Vibe
A friendly and modern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that serves fast-paced and thrilling tapas.
What to Order
The meatballs in a fritada tomato sauce and the braised ox cheek with parsnip purée are must-haves at this Manchester restaurant. Their crispy fried squid, roasted beetroot salad and their delicious classic Italian tiramisu are highly acclaimed too.
Canto | 16 Blossom St., Manchester, UK M4 5DH | $$
15. Trof
Out of all of Manchester’s restaurants in the booming Northern Quarter, Trof is one of the most beloved establishments. Trof serves British pub food classics with culinary twists.
The Vibe
Spanning three floors and designed with a wooden floor and open brick walls, this is a cosy restaurant situated in a historic building.
What to Order
Trof’s beer-battered fish and chips with curry sauce is a delight whether it’s lunch or dinner. Their pies and other sweets are also some of the best you can get in Manchester.
Trof | 8 Thomas St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1EU | $
16. Exhibition Mcr
This establishment brings three award-winning Manchester restaurants together under one roof. The Exhibition Mcr’s three kitchens include Michelin Guide OSMA, an award-winning restaurant that puts a Mancunian twist on food from Oslo. Joining this venue is Ramsbottom’s very own Baraxturi, specialising in Basque-fired cookery. Lastly, there is SUD, masters of Southern Italian pasta dishes.
The Vibe
Hip and casual dining in an open-planned room with large windows, where excellent culinary skills are showcased.
What to Order
From OSMA, the tuna sashimi is delectable. The Orecchiette House Sugo of SUD and the deep fried calamari from Baraxturi are small plates that you cannot ignore.
Exhibition Mcr | 56 Peter St., St George's House, Manchester, UK M2 3NQ | $$
17. Where the Light Gets In
Located in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Where the Light Gets In is a Michelin Guide Manchester restaurant that boasts a large reputation. Head Chef Sam Buckley and his team work with farmers and fishermen to create a menu fit for each season.
The Vibe
An intimate and personal experience in a modern attic with wooden beams and large windows, perfect for those who adore artistic food.
What to Order
You will be served around nine to 11 courses of seasonal dishes. But some favourites include the Carlingford oyster, lobster crumpet and burnt apple sorbet with artichoke vodka.
Where the Light Gets In | 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK SK1 1JY | $$$
18. The Stretford Cantine
Located in an area not known for fine dining, The Stretford Cantine, a family-owned restaurant, brings French inspired bistro to Stretford at a reasonable price. Out of all Manchester restaurants, no establishment is as important to its local community.
The Vibe
A fun yet classy dining experience in a bright and intimate setting.
What to Order
The oyster mushrooms with vermouth, tarragon and potato pavé shows how they have mastered the mix between fine dining and homemade food.
The Stretford Cantine | 118 Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH England | $$
19. The Edinburgh Castle
This pub and restaurant has existed since 1811 and has always made a lasting impression on visitors. The Edinburgh Castle’s Head Chef Shaun Moffat has designed their menu.
The Vibe
A bustling atmosphere in a building rich with history.
What to Order
Their menu changes with the seasons, but if these dishes are available, then you cannot go wrong with the Shetland mussels, Colchester oysters and rhubarb mignonette.
The Edinburgh Castle | 17 Blossom St., Manchester M4 5AN England | $$
20. Elnecot
A neighbourhood bar situated in the highly popular Ancoats area, Elnecot serves modern British small plates, some of the best amongst Manchester’s restaurants. This is a fantastic place to dine out with friends.
The Vibe
Designed with exposed pipes and brick in a post-industrial style, this restaurant welcomes all in a friendly manner.
What to Order
The ox cheek croquettes and Disco Cabbage top their list of small plates. If you fancy a burger, the Welsh wagyu cheeseburger with umami glaze is a great choice.
Elnecot | 41 Blossom St., Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, Manchester, UK M4 6AJ | $$
21. Refuge
Refuge do brunch, lunch and Sunday roasts, making this Manchester restaurant one of the most versatile. Football table and pool are also available to be played here with friends.
The Vibe
Full of elegance and grandeur, this is a large hotel dining room with an atrium ceiling.
What to Order
The lamb kofta, Korean chicken wings and crispy polypore black mushrooms are delightful small plates.
Refuge | Oxford St., Manchester, UK M60 7HA | $$
22. Lucky Mama’s
Lucky Mama’s are experts in pizza and pasta making. The owners have combined their Senegalese, Chilean and Spanish routes to make amazing square pizzas, pasta boxes and dough balls. Those who know Manchester restaurants, know this is a hidden gem.
The Vibe
A tucked-away pizza shop decorated brightfully, nestled in the heart of Chorlton.
What to Order
We recommend the Capra, which comes with goat’s cheese, caramelised onions, small drop red peppers and the Rasta, which has red onions, roasted peppers and jerk chicken infused with spices.
Lucky Mama’s | 565 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, UK M21 8AE | $
23. Volta
A neighbourhood bar tucked on the bustling Burton Road in Didsbury, this place provides small plates in a bistro style. Volta is a wonderful Manchester restaurant that specialises in small plates and has a terrific terrace that is great for the Summer months.
The Vibe
Lively and cheerful with a bistro-style ambiance.
What to Order
The deep-fried Driftwood goat’s cheese served with pickled beetroot is mouthwatering. Their lamb shawarma, yoghurt and harissa is just as excellent.
Volta | 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, UK M20 2LN | $$
24. My Lahore
My Lahore is a Manchester restaurant famous for its Pakistani cuisine mixed with Yorkshire and Australian twists on the Curry Mile. There are not many better Manchester restaurants for families.
The Vibe
Busy and friendly restaurant that welcomes families and groups of friends with open arms.
What to Order
The malai tikka, which is chicken thigh with cream, cheese, green chilies and many herbs and spices, is a favourite of the locals.
My Lahore | 14-18 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, UK M14 5TQ | $
25. The Little Yeti
Bringing warm Nepalese food to Chorlton, this tiny restaurant with a big heart has quickly become a local favourite. The Little Yeti is not only one of the best Himalayan Manchester restaurants but amongst the best restaurants in the city.
The Vibe
A restaurant with an intimate atmosphere, decorated with beautiful colours surrounded by open brick walls.
What to Order
Their roti wraps, such as the butter chicken, are a treat. However, you must have the momos, steamed and filled dumplings. They’re The Little Yeti’s speciality.
The Little Yeti | 495 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, UK M21 8AG | $
Try Cooking Mancunian Foods
Going to the best restaurants in Manchester is a fun way to explore the best food, but cooking classes in Manchester can show you the secrets to making the foods which have made Manchester’s restaurants famous. Just as Manchester’s restaurants have, learn authentic techniques to make fresh and healthy meals from Manchester’s many different cuisines, including Chinese, Indian, Italian and modern British.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Manchester restaurants are varied in the type of foods they make and the ambiance, but the quality is always high. Manchester restaurants pride themselves on being unique and providing the very best hospitality, so you remember the occasion for years to come.
Our list of the best 25 Manchester restaurants shows the quality and amount of choice of places to eat in the city. This list is not exhaustive as there are dozens of authentic and delightful Manchester restaurants. Visit these restaurants yourself to decide which have the best Manchester food! For even more ways to explore Manchester, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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