Best Restaurants In Manchester

As our top pick of the best Michelin star restaurants in Manchester (well, it is the only one), it's safe to say that Mana should be on everyone's foodie bucket list. Chef Simon Martin has used his experience at world-famous Noma to create a seasonal avant-garde British tasting menu, which promises diners some of the finest cooking the city can offer. Located on Ancoats' Blossom Street, this chic spot creates exceptional plates of delicacies, like roasted hogget with white miso sabayon, that are filled with complex flavours. They also take pride in their fermentation practices, making miso, garum, lacto-ferments, kombucha, and vinegar in-house. To experience the restaurant's magic, be ready to shell out either £175 for dinner or £95 for a condensed menu. Don't worry, though – it's worth every penny.

Polished concrete floors, an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows give Ancoats' Elnecot a lively, communal and industrial feel - something which extends to its menu. Watch the chefs sizzle away in the kitchen, knocking up a delicious range of sharing plates and main dishes like Lancashire beignets made with miso and jalapeno crème fraiche, crispy Yorkshire pork belly served with coral lentil dahl, double ferment soy and furikake as well as cinderwood squash mochi. Plus, this airy hotspot also does a delish Sunday roast with goodies like slow-cooked shoulder of Yorkshire lamb along with lemon, thyme, and butter roasted chicken on offer.

A buzzing brasserie in the heart of Manchester, Winsome is proud of its industrial past. Think stripped backed interiors, exposed brick and a large open kitchen. With chef Shaun Moffat at the helm, dishes are beautifully British with a focus on generous, gutsy flavours.

The menu is packed with standouts, from the mixed mushrooms pease pudding to the Dexter beef and Tamworth pork belly. Over on the drinks list, there's top notch old-world wines and classic cocktails.

Erst has made a name for itself on the city's dining scene for exquisite grilled small plates served with only the finest natural wines featuring vintage bottles sourced from small producers and made using organic processes. This contemporary, industrial-style joint in Murrays' Mill sports concrete floors, abstract art and dangling lights. Whether you go for the ox heart, seabream crudo or more of a charcuterie offering, you're bound to leave feeling satisfied.

Higher Ground stands out as one of Manchester's best restaurants, blending modern British cuisine with a commitment to sustainability and exceptional sourcing.

Located in Chinatown, this stylish bistro offers an immersive dining experience at its open kitchen island, where you can enjoy thoughtful, seasonal dishes crafted by chef Joseph Otway. Praised for its creativity and impeccable quality, Higher Ground is a must-visit for food lovers seeking top-tier dining in the city.

Hidden beneath a railway arch in Manchester's Green Quarter, The Spärrows is a fantastic restaurant that has earned both a Bib Gourmand and a place in the MICHELIN Guide. The interiors feature a mix of rustic and alpine furnishings, with warm lighting and a buzzing atmosphere.

They celebrate the cuisines of Central and Eastern Europe, specialising in pierogi and other dumplings. Dishes range from chorizo gnocchi to smoked fish boards, with a delicious pineapple carpaccio for dessert.

Tucked away in a Victorian warehouse just outside Manchester in Stockport, Where The Light Gets In is a restaurant that challenges expectations and redefines what dining out can be. Helmed by acclaimed chef Sam Buckley, this Green Michelin Star spot delivers a constantly evolving tasting menu that puts seasonal British produce, foraged ingredients, and sustainable practices at its core. The space itself is effortlessly atmospheric - think exposed brick, soaring ceilings, and an open kitchen that invites diners into the heart of the action.

Another Hand is a standout among Manchester's best restaurants, offering an intimate and immersive dining experience in a sleek, 24-seat bistro. Located in Deansgate Mews, it features a minimalist, modern interior with an open kitchen that puts diners at the heart of the action.

Founded by chefs Max Yorke and Julian Pizer, Another Hand champions vegetable-led, seasonal small plates made from ethically sourced local produce. Recognised in the 2025 Michelin Guide, it's celebrated for its bold flavours, sustainability focus, and vibrant atmosphere - perfect for food lovers seeking thoughtful, unpretentious dining.

Once an abandoned Victorian boozer that first came onto the scene in 1811, Edinburgh Castle is a 19th-century pub packed with tons of history. Not only that, but the first floor dining room offers a restaurant feel with classic gastro grub to match made using only the finest locally sourced ingredients supervised by executive chef Shaun Moffat and is decked out in tan leather seating, parquet floors, and massive windows. The dining room's ever-changing menu includes mains like Harewood House estate venison sausage, Wenigbar farm pig's head and gold rush apple as well as bay leaf custard.

For the perfect, floppy Neapolitan pizza that's slathered in toppings and boasts a pillowy crust? Rudy's is your mainstay. With rotating specials, Italian cocktails to match and local beers on tap, this hub isn't short of delish options. We'd recommend ordering the porchetta white pizza topped with fior de latte, sage roasted potatoes, smoked mozzarella and caramelised onions along with a side of caprese piccola and chilli honey dip.

Looking for the best restaurants in Manchester's Northern Quarter? Thanks to their bottomless brunches, juicy burgers and pizzas fronting a variety of toppings, from carbonara to 'nduja, Foundry Project should be on the top of your list. Head over for a spot of 'beer food' AKA delish small plates like pulled chilli beef tacos, sesame chicken wings, katsu halloumi fries, and hash brown nachos. Better yet, their affordable cocktails are perfect for washing down all that grub. We'd recommend guzzling flavoursome cocktails like the Juniper Bloom mixed with Bombay sapphire gin, peach liqueur, cranberry, apple and lime.

Arguably one of the best Manchester restaurants for Chinese food, Tattu is famous across the UK for its lush interiors like the signature purple blossom cherry tree, dim-lighting and a seductive colour scheme of charcoal greys and dark wood. Settle down among the blossoms and swish interiors, where you'll enjoy an indulgent meal washed down by their unique list of handcrafted cocktails. The highlights of the Pan-Asian-inspired menu includes sharing plates such as sesame roasted scallops with Chinese sausage and crushed edamame, as well as main dishes like Japanese black wagyu ribeye with green beans and truffle sesame soy.

Looking for one of the best dining spots in Manchester? Fenix offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the city's St John's district. This Greek-Mediterranean restaurant delivers a modern twist on classic flavours, overseen by Executive Head Chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis.

The two-storey venue impresses with dramatic interiors, including a moody bar called The Nest, complete with flickering candlelight and a glowing back bar. Upstairs, the dining area exudes contemporary Aegean charm with travertine tables and sculptural banquettes. The menu features delicious small plates, like sea bass ceviche, and mains such as slow-roasted lamb shank, making it a standout choice for food lovers in Manchester.

The first of acclaimed chef Nico Simeone's English restaurants, Six By Nico's Manchester outpost can be found in Spring Gardens. This unique culinary experience promises a new menu every six weeks, each with its own quirky theme.

Past themes have included Italian road trips, the chippie and fairgrounds, transformed into a delicious six-course tasting menu. Prices start from £46 per person, with the option to add on cocktail or wine pairings.

One of the best restaurants in Manchester for 2025, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay is a delicious pan-Asian venue from the Scottish Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur himself. Located in a gorgeous Art Deco building at the top of King Street, the restaurant spans three floors and is designed by Russell Sage Studio. Not only is there a sultry look inspired by Tokyo's 1930s drinking dens, but also bao, sushi, robata-grilled dishes and more to match. Get ready for a gastronomic adventure like no other featuring lip-smacking delights like Korean spiced black cod, sirloin weeping tiger and the famous Lucky Cat bonito fried duck leg bao cooked up by culinary wizards Gordon Ramsay and executive head chef Andre Camilo.

The Northern counterpart to the swanky London restaurant, Sexy Fish Manchester is a stylish space that attracts the rich and famous. Expect ornate interiors that feature colourful murals, high ceilings and even a tropical aquarium, with a striking central bar.

Their luxurious menu features scrumptious sushi platters, lobster tempura, wagyu beef and more, with omakase menus on offer as well. For something more affordable, their set lunch offering starts from £21.

Big, bold, flamboyant and fun, Circolo Popolare is the Big Mamma Group's Italian celebration in the heart of the city. In the brand's signature style, this place is a maximalist's dream. Think gold accents, falling foliage and ultra lavish interiors. 

While the menu focuses on comfort cooking, the dishes are equally theatrical. Tuck into everything from homemade pastas and pizzas to truffle-soaked classics, slow-cooked cuts of meat and indulgently over-the-top desserts.

Located in the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, The Refuge is a really popular and elegant place to eat and is inspired by the global DJing trips of Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey. Housed in a stunning late-Victorian building, this 139-seat restaurant boasts an open kitchen, a gorgeous granite bar, and an atrium ceiling. Their globe-trotting menu includes a number of tapas-style plates such as spiced lamb flatbreads served with pomegranate and mint, cured salmon with rose fennel and lemon, as well as chimichurri pork chops with grilled pineapple, tikka octopus and daal, all ready to be wolfed down across their opulent space. Plus, their original West Didsbury destination, Volta, is worth a visit too.

A swanky rooftop bar, pan-Asian restaurant and British brasserie all-in-one, The Ivy Spinningfields is a hot three-in-one dining destination located within the Pavilion. From its opulent interiors with botanical detailing to the tasty traditional English fare on offer, this swish spot is delivering the goods for Instagram and your taste buds. The menu features goodies like chicken Milanese, lobster linguine, Mexican-style flat-iron chicken and seasonal monthly specials such as tempura nobashi prawn poke bowls and roasted guinea fowl ballotine.

Rooftop restaurant 20 Stories is an absolute beauty and well deserving of a place in our guide. Whether you fancy boozy afternoon teas, dinner with live music or just to stare out across the city while you eat, this Hardman Square venue has you covered with the best. A sky-high destination perched atop the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields, this glamorous joint offers sweeping views of the city. The menu features delicacies like seared halibut loin served with squash, barley and tarragon butter, as well as chocolate torta caprese and raspberry sorbet.

Housed in a former Victorian courthouse, Hawksmoor is a truly stunning place to eat. The swanky Deansgate destination has received national praise for its massive Sunday roast sharing boards, though dinner is just as delicious, with plenty of meaty cuts to choose from. If you're feeling particularly hungry (and fancy), opt for the 1kg chateaubriand with a side of beef dripping fries and Tunworth mash. But if you're looking for something a bit more modest, go for a delish rib-eye steak or a juicy Hawksmoor hamburger served with Ogleshield or Stichelton cheese. Split into different sections, the restaurant also has a separate bar where you can sip luxe cocktails, like the Clear Carré with gin and pisco, Cocchi Americano or the Golden Hour mixed with jasmine, late harvest wine and sparkling moscato.

Beautifully tucked away inside a townhouse near Albert Square, 10 Tib Lane packs in all kinds of fun and games across its three floors. Start at ground level in the amber lighting and deep wood tones of the cocktail bar before working your way up to the compact dining room and top floor snug that feels like a private hideaway.

Wherever you pull up a pew, expect to be wowed by classic cocktails, natural wine seasonal sharing plates. Some of its many standout dishes include fresh oysters (just £1 during happy hour), monkfish or sea bream crudo, mustardy steak tartare and bigger cuts like ex‑dairy ribeye or pork chop.

Bringing South American flavours to the heart of Manchester, Gaucho is an internationally acclaimed steakhouse serving the finest cuts of prime, grass-fed beef in a lavish setting decked out with cowhide decor and designer furnishings across a renovated church. This split-level Deansgate hotspot offers meaty well-aged cuts like ancho, lomo, cuadril and churrasco served with an array of marinades, sauces and sides to satisfy all your carnivorous desires. Revel in the swanky Art Deco-inspired space sporting glittering chandeliers as you watch the chefs showcase their expertise in the open-kitchen and take in all the beefy fragrances heading your way.

With several independent kitchens in one spot, grazing is actively encouraged at Exhibition. Take your pick from Chinese small plates, Thai dishes or hearty pastas.

Think shaokao skewers to start, followed by a creamy cacio e pepe, with a sea bream tom kha for good measure. Whatever plates you pick your way through, partner them with a classic hand-crafted cocktail.

It's not just the gorgeous vaulted ceiling and opulent chandeliers that make Grand Pacific one of the best restaurants in Manchester city centre, they also serve up a variety of sushi, main meals and more, including a unique twist on afternoon tea. Combining the magnificence of colonial Raffles with the best of Victorian architecture, Grand Pacific is located in the former Grade II-listed Manchester Reform Club building. Perfect for a romantic date out with your beau, the menu is a blend of beautifully presented Pan-Asian plates, with goodies like tempura Szechuan sea bass, lamb massaman roti and tuna tataki with mango sambal on offer.

Winner of the Great British Menu 2019 and with experience in various Michelin-starred kitchens, Adam Reid dishes out a tasting menu that pays homage to his Northern roots at stunning The French. A gorgeous gastronomic experience that's far from stuffy, this fancy-schmancy restaurant serves goodies like seared scallop with trout roe as well as salt-aged duck topped with beetroot and elderberries in opulent surroundings.

Found in Spinningfields, Sticks'n'Sushi brings a unique vibe to the area with its sleek Scandinavian interiors and warm Japanese hospitality. You'll find two floors of stylish, minimal decor, as well as an open kitchen cooking up inventive Japanese dishes.

The menu features beautifully presented dishes to suit all tastes, made with the finest, sustainably sourced ingredients. Options range from salmon sashimi to roasted pepper and avocado rolls, as well as a selection of meat and veggie skewers.

Peter Street Kitchen is a stunning restaurant that fuses elegant Japanese dishes with bold Mediterranean flavours. Set in the grand Grade II-listed, 19th-century Free Trade Hall, its interiors are as gorgeous as the food, sporting a mix of white furnishings, lanterns and big stone pillars. This award-winning eatery boasts a beautifully presented and balanced menu filled with goodies like grilled lobster, yellowfin tuna sashimi ribbons and sliced ribeye served with truffle and wasabi butter. Feeling fancy? Try out the curated omakase, a six-course tasting menu crafted on the day by their talented chefs.

Run by Michelin-starred chef Paco Perez and part-owned by Pep Guardiola, Tast Catala is a chic three-story restaurant renowned for serving high-end Spanish eats. There's a stunning Catalonian menu packed with sumptuous tapas, offering delicacies like 'boquerones' white anchovies, butifarra sausage with beans and caramelised Catalan-style rice of the day cooked in a charcoal oven.

Looking for fancy restaurants in Manchester? Named in The Sunday Times' Top 100 Restaurants, award-winning James Martin Restaurant in Deansgate combines expertly crafted British fare with plush interiors. Expect a beautifully designed historic dining room boasting industrial touches, a vintage feel and a varied menu crafted using fresh produce or local ingredients. Make your way to this stunning venue and indulge in goodies like slow-roast rump of beef served with red wine gravy and Thai spice Cornish crab risotto.

As well as its many awards, Hungamaa has ranked among Manchester's top Indian dining destinations on for four consecutive years - with a 4.9-star TripAdvisor rating and 4.7 on Google.

This stunning spot in the heart of Chorlton serves up bold, authentic Indian cuisine and Indo-Chinese fusion. We're talking fragrant Railway Lamb, smoky tandoori grills, crispy chilli paneer, south Indian masala dosa and indulgent prawn biryani.

If you're after Manchester restaurants with halal food, then the Irani café-inspired interiors and Indian cuisine of Dishoom should fit the bill. Housed in a stunning 1920s Grade II-listed building originally used as a Freemasons' Hall, the interiors of this restaurant showcase glass windows, grand portraits and colourful leather banquettes. As for the menu, they'll be able to provide you with an extensive list of options for breakfast, curries and more serving up goodies like nalli nihari biryani, mutton pepper fry, prawn koliwada and chicken ruby.

From that roof terrace through to its Catalan influences and a Michelin Guide mention, El Gato Negro is one of the coolest places to eat in town for all sorts of reasons. While the brand has now rolled out across the North, its first home is still a favourite of top restaurants in Manchester for dinner or lunch, with tapas and fresh seafood galore. Dive into chef Simon Shaw's flavorful creations ranging from harissa spiced chicken with sobrasada sauce to jamón Ibérico croquetas and vegetable paella arancini, as you sip on a variety of cocktails and eclectic wines from Spain.

Long been a student favourite and even had Ed Sheeran visit, Rusholme's Mughli is the go-to for chargrilled cuisine and is perhaps the best Indian restaurant in Manchester. Established in 1991, this spicy spot has stood firm while many others have come and gone. Based on the country's tiffin box culture, it serves affordable meals inspired by the royal Mughlai tradition, with dishes including the likes of daal tarka, slow-cooked lamb staff balti and Goan fish kari. They also have a delicious live tandoor section serving lip-smacking charcoal chicken thighs, sizzling lamb chops, and spicy scorpion prawns - the whole nine yards. 

You've heard about it on podcasts, from celebrities and now our list, so it's high time you pay Bar San Juan a very overdue visit. Bringing a piece of Spain to Manchester, this cosy Chorlton tapas spot is one of the best in the business, thanks to authentic sharing plates washed down with plenty of Spanish vino. Not only a real head-turner with a bright yellow and red timber front, their menu features modern twists on old-school dishes like the almejas salsa verde (clams in garlic and parsley sauce) and morcilla de burgos (Wagyu black pudding with Burgos rice, apple compote and roasted peppers). Plus, they also have a wide variety of Spanish beers on tap, along with a carefully curated wine list boasting some of the best bottles Iberia has to offer.

Delicious food? Check. Great atmosphere? Check. Wallet-friendly? Double check. Split between a cosy bar and a bustling dining area, Thaikhun Street Buffet located in The Trafford Centre is a 'tycoon' of taste, boasting street food-inspired soups and grilled delights straight out of Bangkok's playbook; we're talking goodies like chicken tamarind, creamy massaman curry and crispy pork belly. Munch on an unlimited supply of dishes, whether you're in the mood for a full feast or just a nibble of everything. Win, win.

With 35 years under its belt, Don Giovanni is surely one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester. This sleek Oxford Street stalwart offers a fine dining experience, dishing up exquisite plates of pasta, beautiful steaks and artisan booze. Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook St Peter's Square and a stunning open kitchen, it gives you the chance to watch the chefs whip up fresh, quality ingredients into mouthwatering dishes like ravioli aragosta in a lobster sauce and filleti di branzino. Having earned multiple accolades, it's no wonder why their commitment to authentic Italian flavours is so impressive. 

La Bandera is a vibrant award-winning venue right in the heart of Spinningfields, bringing a Canarian-Spanish experience of paella, tapas and more to Manchester. Think marinated pepper cod cheeks, tantalizing king prawns, plenty of chorizo and more, all washed down by fine wines. It doesn't get better than this.

As amazingly delicious as it is affordable, Mowgli serves up out-of-this-world Indian street food. The Corn Exchange hideaway is a mecca of curries and cocktails that guarantees a filling, flavourful meal, with plenty of bang for your buck.

A snug space filled with cool canteen-style bench booths, swinging seats and plenty of fairy lights, this restaurant is just a stone's throw from Selfridges and a short hop to the AO Arena. Whatever brings you here, be sure to fill up on tapas-style treats, like gunpowder chicken, tea steeped chickpeas and Goan fish curry, all served in trendy tiffins.

Bundobust might be more on the casual side, but it's the flavourful dishes and the price that draw us to this place. Expect aromatic, vegetarian street food from across India, served up alongside craft beer in a 150-seat taproom and eatery on Oxford Street. We're talking delish small plates of bhaji sandwiches, paneer tikka and raghda pethies served alongside rotational beers like Peela pale ale, Python premium lager and Ekla single hop IPA.

Piccolino in Didsbury and the city centre have all your favourite Italian meals waiting for you to devour. Venture over to this contemporary space for upscale meals, including classics ranging from grilled seafood to pizza, pasta and steak prepared in an open kitchen. As it's the perfect place for a weekend lunch with friends, the menu at this airy Lapwing Lane joint features delicacies like tagliolini al tartufo, bistecca alla fiortentina and beef ragù lasagne.

Situated on Chorlton Street, Madre is an authentic Mexican restaurant that has been around since 2019. The colourful, contemporary space features trendy booth seating, pretty plants and patterned cushions, with a pastel pink and lime green colour scheme.

There's plenty to choose from on their menu, which is inspired by the owners' travels around Mexico City, Guadalajara and Oaxaca. Think crispy Baja fish tacos, barbecue hispi cabbage, watermelon tostada and much more, washed down with agave-based cocktails.

Scouse chef Gary Usher gained fame thanks to reviews and crowdfunding campaigns, so it's worth checking out just what his culinary offering brings. Hipsi in Didsbury is a top choice when it comes to city centre restaurants, serving delightful bistro food in a homely venue. Housed in an understated, exposed-brick setting, the restaurant is airy and comfortable, dishing out modern European fare such as cured cod loin with smoked cod's roe, radish, and vermouth dressing as well as Paris-Brest with baked cheese mousse, chocolate ice cream and chestnuts.

Since opening in 2023, Restaurant Örme has fast become one of Greater Manchester's most exciting dining destinations. Nestled in Urmston, this understated gem brings Nordic elegance and boundary-pushing flavour to a peaceful residential street. Run by a talented trio with serious culinary credentials, Örme offers a seasonal tasting menu built around sustainability, nose-to-tail cooking, and local ingredients.

With just ten tables, a Michelin Guide nod, and a cosy, gallery-like interior, it's one of those rare restaurants that manages to be both groundbreaking and genuinely welcoming.

Situated within the historic Hanover building in the NOMA district, Skof is a Michelin star restaurant by celebrated chef Tom Barnes. The open kitchen is surrounded by a mixture of modern and industrial interiors, from black girders to exposed red brick and minimalist designs.

They serve delicious tasting menus of carefully curated international dishes, as well as a set lunch menu. Think spiced chalk stream trout, lightly set miso custard, Orkney scallops and much more.

A TikTok-famous restaurant on the corner of Melbourne Street, Cafe Continental is  popular spot for small plates, natural wine and cocktails. This is a Parisian-inspired bistro filled with rustic, traditional decor and low lighting, with black and white photos lining the walls.

Their menu focuses on both comfort food and open-fire cooking, with dishes ranging from cacio e pepe to giant Atlantic tiger prawns in garlic butter and sumptuous Sunday roasts.

A super-cool spot on the ground floor of the Treehouse Hotel, Pip is one of Manchester's best-loved British restaurants. Its dishes are packed with local flavour, from the retired dairy cow ribeye to the much-praised Lancashire hot pot.

Whether you're popping in for brunch or settling down for a long and leisurely dinner, you're sure of some serious pedigree from the kitchen. As well as rave reviews from The Telegraph, this place has a much-coveted place in the Michelin Guide.

With a Michelin Bib Gourmand among its accolades, Cantaloupe raises the bar on Manchester's already incredible dining scene. There's some serious pedigree in the kitchen, with chefs and co-owners Joshua Reed‑Cooper and Mike Thomas having worked in highly-respected northern kitchens like Where The Light Gets In, Mana, The French and Hawksmoor. 

Tucked away in Stockport's historic old town, this place gives you all the relaxed charm of a wine bar with its seriously impressive European dishes. Expect unfussy, flavour-packed plates, from whole fish dressed with citrus to rich duck‑fat crisps and tender peri‑peri octopus.