The culinary scene in Manchester is vibrant and ever-changing, with well-established hotspots and brand-new restaurants on every corner. Some of the best restaurants Manchester has to offer are right in the heart of the city centre but there are also hidden gems waiting to be discovered on the outskirts.
From award-winning bistros and MICHELIN-standard chefs to cosy hotspots for a casual lunch, you’re sure to find something that will fit the bill in Manchester. Classic British, modern French, pan-Asian, Japanese and more can all be found within the jewel of the north. Whether you’re looking for an intimate venue for date night or somewhere to take the kids, you’ll find what you’re looking for all around the city.
Book your seat at one of the best restaurants in Manchester on OpenTable today and start planning your next great meal out.
The best restaurants in Manchester for top-notch food and vibes
For outstanding sushi platters and robata grills – head to KITTEN in Manchester
Visit KITTEN for freshly prepared Japanese dishes ranging from raw to cooked over an open flame. While sushi takes centre stage, you’ll find something to suit every palate. Sushi platters are a great way to sample a range of flavours, including salmon nigiri, tuna sashimi, and cuttle and seabass, all from the freshest cuts of fish and seafood. If you prefer something a little less raw, opt for yakitori skewers with chizu pancetta, or melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu with black garlic and bone marrow gravy. The cocktail menu at KITTEN is equally as extensive and well thought out as the food menu. You’ll need several visits to sample them all. Showstoppers include the Tokyo iced tea with Midori, vodka, gin, rum and lime, and the signature bloody mary made with Tío Pepe sherry.
For a must-visit award-winning bistro – book a table at Hispi in Didsbury
Hispi bills itself as Didsbury’s neighbourhood bistro with a relaxed atmosphere and great home cooking. But there’s more to this friendly restaurant than meets the eye. This Manchester hotspot holds a 2-rosette award for culinary excellence. A local favourite, it’s the ideal spot for celebrating a major event, with group bookings and parties a specialty. Or simply for a cosy and intimate night out where you know both the food and the service will be excellent. As one of the best restaurants in Manchester, Hispi’s menus reflect the very best of local produce cooked to perfection. Menus change seasonally, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets all catered for, alongside a carefully curated children’s menu, weekend breakfasts and Sunday lunch. You might try fluffy rosemary and thyme focaccia, or crispy spinach and lemon empanadas. Don’t forget to add a side of signature truffle and parmesan chips to your order.
For one of the best steak restaurants in Manchester – pull up a chair at Hawksmoor Manchester on Deansgate
Hawksmoor Manchester has a strong focus on creating something special, both for the guests who eat there every day and for the wider community and environment. As a certified B Corp, Hawksmoor works to generate a positive impact on society, supporting multiple charities and striving to work with sustainable farmers and growers. Sit back and enjoy the stylish interior made from reclaimed materials as you peruse the menu. The aim is to deliver the best steaks in Manchester, but there’s plenty more on offer as well. Perhaps start with Salcombe crab on toast or fillet carpaccio with pickled chestnut mushrooms. For the main, try South Coast monkfish, which has been grilled to perfection over charcoal, or a tender chateaubriand to share. For groups of eight or more, consider opting for a two or three-course sharing menu with prime cuts selected by the chefs.
For one of the best wine bars in Manchester that’s perfect for date night – take a trip to ERST in Ancoats
ERST serves up small plates designed for sharing based on the availability of the best seasonal, local produce. The ever-changing menu lets you and your friends sample a variety of unique and well-presented dishes, creating talking points as well as filling your stomachs. As a natural wine bar, you can also expect plenty of choices when it comes to drinking. This neighbourhood gem may be casual, but that doesn’t mean it’s not special – in fact, it’s one of the best casual restaurants in Manchester. Great for fine wines and special occasions, where you can treat yourself and others to a plethora of hand-crafted dishes for the table. While the menu changes regularly, examples include cavatelli served with juicy local courgettes, wild garlic and judion beans, skate with a scallop roe butter and pink firs, or tender chicken poached with cotechino and a green sauce.
For the best burger restaurants in Manchester – visit Almost Famous in Great Northern and Northern Quarter
With two Manchester locations in the Great Northern and the Northern Quarter, Almost Famous has developed a well-deserved reputation for serving the best burgers, just the way they should be: huge, no-nonsense and dripping with juices. Prime cuts of beef are topped with gooey melted cheese and your choice of tangy and delicious sauces, nestled within a pillowy soft charred bread bun. Just a few of the irresistible fillings include shoestring onions, bacon rain, spicy chorizo and wonderdusted waffle fries. On the side, enjoy crispy fried chicken with pickles and slaw, or fries with a variety of toppings. On Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes, you can enjoy bottomless famous – a 90-minute experience with your choice of epic burger alongside chicken wings, bacon fries, and unlimited booze. Get yourself in the mood for the weekend with the ultimate Famous experience. Warning – you might need a forklift to help you leave.
📍 Great Northern — Check availability
📍 Northern Quarter — Check availability
For a stellar meal at a new MICHELIN Bib Gourmand – book at Higher Ground in Manchester
Higher Ground began life in 2020 as a pop-up. Fast forward just a few short years and this hotspot is rated as Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide in 2024. It uses top-quality ingredients, many of which are sourced from the team’s own market garden in the verdant Cheshire countryside. Choose from the a la carte selection or, for larger groups, opt for the seasonal sharing menu, showcasing the best dishes of the season. The emphasis here is on sharing, and you’lll definitely want to try as many dishes as possible. While the menu changes regularly, highlights may include Scottish pollock with oyster cream served with celeriac and purple broccoli, pan-fried fritters with yellow pea, spring garlic and Isle of Mull cheddar, or coal-roasted spring greens with goat curd and fresh watercress.
For one of the best Spanish restaurants in Manchester – book a table at Bar San Juan in Chorlton
The Spanish know how to enjoy life, not by rushing here, there and everywhere, but by taking the time to appreciate the small pleasures life has to offer. At Bar San Juan, you can embrace this philosophy without leaving Manchester. In the heart of the cosy suburb of Chorlton, Bar San Juan is a little oasis of Spain. Kick back, relax and enjoy yourself Spanish style. True tapas are designed for sharing, so you can soak up as many flavours as possible. There’s no rush – feel free to order a few dishes to start and add more to your order as the evening progresses. Perhaps start with some classic Manzanilla olives and rustic tomato bread baked fresh in-house. Then move on to try some Majorcan chorizo with truffle oil and fried quail eggs, hot and spicy gambas pil-pil, or padron peppers pan-fried and sprinkled with Maldon sea salt.
For one of the best French restaurants in the Northern Quarter of Manchester – visit 63 Degrees in Manchester
63 Degrees is not only the name of one of the best restaurants in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, it’s also the temperature of chef Eric Moreau’s unique poultry cooking technique, which delivers the juiciest, tenderest chicken you’ll ever experience. This same love and care goes into every dish on the French-inspired menu. Try escargot cooked to perfection with a garlic and herb dressing, monkfish fillet with veal juice and confit shallots, or the house special, 63º chicken with truffle sauce. Each dish is lovingly crafted from the finest locally sourced ingredients and can be enjoyed in a uniquely designed interior with a relaxed and welcoming ambience. For an extra special day out, try the cook’in French cuisine cooking class on a Sunday morning. Spend two hours learning the best modern French cookery techniques and then enjoy the fruits of your labour over a glass or two of wine at lunch.
For modern British classics on a rooftop garden – head to The Ivy Brasserie in Spinningfields
The Ivy Brasserie in Spinningfields caters to your every heart’s desire. Enjoy the modern British classics The Ivy chain is known for in the main dining area. Bask in the sunshine in The Ivy Roof Garden and enjoy cocktails, meals and small plates, or relax around a roaring firepit in the cooler months. Or for something completely different, visit Ivy Asia, where you can sample Asian-inspired sharing plates and cocktails, with resident DJs in the evenings. From the roof garden menu, try the light and crispy salt and pepper squid tempura. In the main brasserie, the 21-day Himalayan salt wall aged, grass-fed rib-eye on the bone is a must-try. In Ivy Asia, sample avocado crispy tofu or freshly prepared sashimi and sushi with a cocktail. Wherever you dine, the timber-framed interiors and lush greenery will make you forget you’re in the middle of a busy city.
For one of the best restaurants in the Manchester area for a Sunday lunch – try The Cherry Tree in Bolton
Head out of Manchester for a leafy atmosphere at The Cherry Tree in Bolton. Just a short drive from Manchester, this delightful family-owned, independent restaurant is warm and welcoming, with a variety of menus to choose from. From Sunday lunch to afternoon tea, vegan to gluten-free, a la carte and something special for the kids, The Cherry Tree has you covered. The charming interior, with indoor trees and a verdant leafy theme throughout, will start you off on just the right relaxed foot for a pleasant meal with the family. At lunchtime, you can choose two courses from the market menu, including pea and ham soup with crispy ham hock and warm smoked salmon with pasta salad. In the evening, try the surf and turf sharing platter for two, with fillet steak and juicy garlic king prawns. For the kids, there are halloumi goujons in crispy batter and stone-baked pizzas.
With so many options to choose from, you’ll find yourself having to eat out more often when you start looking for the best restaurants in Manchester. From casual dining to the highest standards of French cuisine and everything in between, there will always be something you fancy when you dine out in Manchester.
Book yourself a table now at one of the best restaurants in Manchester on OpenTable and guarantee your next night out.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, these guides may help you discover more about the Manchester restaurant scene.
- The 10 best date restaurants in Manchester for a romantic dinner to remember
- The 10 best Indian restaurants in Manchester for a special night out
- The 5 best vegan restaurants in Manchester to try right now
- The best bottomless brunch restaurants in Manchester to know about
- The best Chinese restaurants in Manchester to try now
- The best brunch restaurants in Manchester to book ASAP
