Best Christmas Day Dinner In Manchester 2026

• Location: Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, M2 5GP
• Price: £155 for five courses
• Why we recommend: this sophisticated restaurant puts a modern twist on festive dining with unique dishes that you're unlikely to find anywhere else

For a contemporary festive dining experience, Peter Street Kitchen is the place to be this Christmas. Housed in the iconic Free Trade Hall, this award-winning Manchester spot exudes modern charm with its high ceilings, pendant lighting, and sleek wooden accents, setting the scene for a cosy, yet sophisticated meal.

It's a luxurious backdrop for enjoying the limited-edition Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Red or Rosé Impérial Pink, perfect for toasting family and friends. With playful Parisian touches like lipstick notes on mirrors, a Champagne tower, and live piano music on select days, Christmas Day here is an elevated, celebratory affair that combines tradition with theatrical indulgence.

• Location: 139 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, M20 2DY
• Price: £90 for five courses
• Why we recommend: this quintessential British pub brings a cosy vibe to your Christmas, thanks to the welcoming setting and the classic festive menu

For a cosy pub to spend your Christmas Day in, check out The Woodstock Arms in Didsbury. This is a traditional British boozer that's always welcoming, promising warm, inviting interiors and friendly staff bringing you a five-course feast.

Nibble smoked salmon rillettes and truffled mushroom crostini, before getting stuck into a hand-carved turkey breast or root vegetable Wellington, complete with all the trimmings. And for dessert? Apple and spiced rhubarb crumble, or classic Christmas puddings.

• Location: No 1 Spinningfields, M3 3EB
• Price: £160 for five courses
• Why we recommend: we can't get enough of the views at this rooftop restaurant, and their luxurious menu is the perfect example of the classics done right - from the turkey to the mince pies
  

If you're wondering what's open on Christmas Day in Manchester, then we suggest you prepare to celebrate the 25th December in style at 20 Stories, where the festive spirit is the only thing higher than the view. For £160 per person, sit back and let the pros handle the cooking with a luxurious five-course meal.

Kick things off with a melt-in-your-mouth beef carpaccio, followed by a showstopping roast Cheshire turkey breast topped with truffle pomme purée and all the trimmings. And because it's Christmas, save room for the classics – mince pies and a boozy pudding drenched in brandy sauce.

• Location: 2 Lapwing Lane, Didsbury, M20 2WS
• Price: £95 for four courses (and a separate kids menu for £50) 
• Why we recommend: this charming boozer has a countryside feel while still being close to the city, and they've got countless unique options alongside the classics - perfect for a large group with different tastes

Where tradition and cosy vibes make for the ideal festive setting, The Metropolitan pub in Didsbury is taking over the Christmas cooking this year with a set menu that will make 25th December 2026 a day to remember. 

For £95 each, diners will receive four delicious courses with an array of choices from camembert and cheddar soufflé to ribeye steak, a turkey roast with all the trimmings and a selection of desserts. They'll also throw in a glass of prosecco or bottle of beer each for no other reason other than... it's Christmas! 

• Location: 1 York Street, M2 2AW
• Price: £100 for five courses
• Why we recommend: this beautiful brasserie is a treat at any time of year, but they rally pull out all the stops at Christmas, from the indulgent turkey dinner to Champagne-infused desserts

Looking for the best Christmas Day in Manchester restaurants? Browns Manchester is pulling out all the stops with a festive feast to remember. For £100 per head, you'll get to dive into three courses plus hors d'oeuvres and mince pies to finish, with the option to add on a cheese board for £6 extra.

Treat yourself to dishes like turkey with cranberry stuffing and red wine jus, seared beef Wellington and portobello mushroom Wellington. And for dessert? There's Champagne sabayon, complete with Moët & Chandon custard. As for the venue itself, expect high ceilings and large windows, with opulent golden decor throughout.

• Location: The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, M60 2DS
• Price: £155 for four courses
• Why we recommend: one of the most elegant Christmas Day restaurants in Manchester for 2025, The Midland promises all the style of a grand hotel, alongside a mouthwatering menu filled with local produce

The Midland Hotel is a striking Peter Street venue that's going big this Christmas, from festive afternoon teas to sit-down dinners. And on the 25th, they're cooking up a dreamy four-course menu, to be enjoyed in their stylish, dark restaurant filled with warm lighting.

Devour plates of suckling pig terrine and salt-baked beetroot to start, followed by roasted Cheshire turkey breast or fillet of beef with truffled potatoes. They'll even throw in tea, coffee and mince pies to finish, with plenty of great wines available too.

• Location: 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, M3 5LH
• Price: £170 for five courses
• Why we recommend: if you're after a true sense of luxury this Christmas, head to this stunning spot within a five-star hotel. We love the indulgence of their menu, and it's a great choice for families thanks to its kids menu too

After a fantastic Manchester Christmas Day dinner? Nestled within the five-star Lowry Hotel you'll find The River Restaurant, an elegant place to dine, especially at Christmas. It features contemporary and classic designs, as well as a pretty terrace ideal for sightseeing and enjoying a post-meal tipple. 

Lunch on the 25th starts from £170 per person (or £49 for kids) and comes with a sourdough basket to start. What else is on the menu? turkey ballotine with duck fat potatoes, celeriac and potato gratin, goat's cheese mousse and so much more.

• Location: 100 King Street, M2 4WU
• Price: varies (a la carte)
• Why we recommend: for something totally different on Christmas Day, Lucky Cat's pan-Asian offering really spices things up, and it's one of the most stylish restaurants in the city too

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay is a Michelin Guide-recommended Asian restaurant that can be found on King Street, sporting cool decor, inspired by 1930s Tokyo. Gather you friends or family and head on over for a non-traditional meal on Christmas Day and thank us later. 

On the menu, you'll find snacks like Padron peppers and baby squid, wagyu or vegetable maki from the raw bar, and fish like Korean spiced black cod or grilled miso salmon.

• Location: 40 King Street West, M3 2WY
• Price: £94.50 for three courses
• Why we recommend: if you're not such a fan of the classic British dishes, this indulgent Italian feast is just the thing for you, and we particularly enjoy their homemade pasta

Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Manchester city centre, you ask? San Carlo is offering Mancunians the ultimate festive escape this Christmas Day with a delightful Italian twist. Their three-course menu is packed with authentic treats, from aubergine parmigiana to pan-fried lemon sole and handmade cheese ravioli.

Pair your meal with a glass (or two) of their handpicked wines, bubbles, or beers, and you've got a feast the whole famiglia will love. It's the perfect way to ditch the turkey and go full Italian for the holidays.

• Location: Unit 5, Chester Street, M1 5QS
• Price: £79.95 for five courses
• Why we recommend: this feasting menu perfectly blends British and Indian cuisines, designed to be shared between friends and family for that community feeling at Christmas

Zouk on Oxford Road has got Christmas in the bag with its stellar menu. The Indian restaurant not only whips up delightful, fragrant dishes but also looks the part, with its foliage-adorned walls and modern decor split across three levels. 

On the big day, visit for a five-course spicy lunch or dinner featuring turkey tikka masala and its signature lamb raan, served with Yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes. To finish? An epic snowberry pavlova, followed by coffee and mints.

• Location: 2a St Mary's Street, M3 2LB
• Price: £95 for five courses
• Why we recommend: the sustainable Argentinian steaks here are second to none, and we love the glamourous but sophisticated decor

A top choice of Manchester Christmas Day restaurants, Gaucho is a stylish Argentinian eatery in the Deansgate area. The cool interiors feature cow print seats, dark furniture and high ceilings decorated with glittering chandeliers, with a private dining room available too.

Their sumptuous five-course menu kicks off with cheese and truffle croquettes, before you get stuck into the likes of turkey ballotine, seared sea bass and caramelised red onion tarte tatin - as well as plenty of their signature sustainable beef. There's also a separate kids menu, offering three courses for £40.