This season is a time for eating, drinking, and munching some more. From themed menus to stunningly decorated spaces, the city's best bars, pubs and restaurants pull out all the stops to tempt you in from the cold throughout December. So, whether you're looking for somewhere to eat with friends or you're arranging a full party, check out our guide to Christmas dinner in Manchester.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 4th January 2024
While a sports bar at heart, The Director's Box is still a fab choice for your Crimbo feast. From festive burgers to cranberry sauce-laden pork hot dogs and pigs in blankets-topped mac 'n' cheese, there's all kinds of twists on your favourite festive flavours here.
For Christmas day lunch in Manchester for 2024, look to the 20 Stories menu. This sky-high restaurant is serving a five-course set menu, which delves out the likes of goats cheese mousse and Cheshire turkey, all with wine pairings to boot.
Whether you're looking to dine on a Omakase experience this December or enjoy a five-course traditional lunch on the 25th, Peter Street Kitchen is delivering the goods. This swish Spinningfields spot will be the highlight of your celebrations.
Pre-Theatre Menu | 2 course £23.95 | 3 course £27.95 and 2 other offers
Big fan of Italian food? Don Giovanni brings flavour and freshness to their menu, with seafood pasta, bruschetta or calamari, alongside being a place for a wonderful halal Christmas dinner in Manchester. And afterwards? Indulge in sticky toffee pudding or a traditional panettone to round it all off nicely.
From drinks packages and set menus to a festive spread that'll keep the whole party happy, The Oast House can cater for any kind of Christmas do. Take your pick from turkey kebabs, loaded pies, baked salmon, gingerbread cake and more, all while settled down in that glorious heated teepee.
From festive buffets of sticky BBQ pigs in blankets and breaded brie with cranberry sauce, to two or three courses of the set Christmas menu, there's all the classics and twists at Turing Tap Manchester. You'll be rolling out the door in no time.
Grand Pacific makes a great choice for a quirky Christmas dinner in Manchester this 2024. Explore menus that features a choice of festive high tea, seasonal sips or the main event - promising tiger prawn cocktail, duck gyoza and, of course, roast turkey with all the trimmings.
Book your Christmas dinner at The Old Wellington, a beautiful pub that's bringing all the traditional feels this festive season. And what to expect from the food? Piled-high plates of the classics, served with all the trimmings, of course.
One of the best Christmas dinner restaurants in Spinningfields, Australasia is a great pick whether you're after a chilled out team dinner or evening with your favourite pals. There's winter cocktails, a dedicated lunch menu, dinner options and a wide choice of vegan dishes.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Impossible, where staff are on-hand and ready to cater to all of your Christmas party needs. The menu includes mouthwatering morsels, such as spiced tomato arancini, stuffed turkey and sticky toffee pudding, with live actors to add to the theatrics.
Included as one of The Sunday Times' top 100 restaurants, James Martin Restaurant within the Manchester235 Casino is a top choice if you're after something a bit razzle-dazzle. The TV chef's venue is sure to impress on quality.
Brasserie Abode has become famed for their sumptuous Sunday roasts, so a festive meal here guarantees a high standard of cooking. Enjoy somewhere vowing for the title of best Christmas dinner in Manchester, as this Piccadilly gem is ideal for munching through seasonal specials.
Slug and Lettuce are bringing the big guns out this December with an indulgent three-course menu. Tuck into king prawn lobster seafood salad, slow-cooked rib of beef and a cherry brownie cheesecake, all while sipping on glasses of fizz.
The Anthologist has a three-course cheap Christmas dinner in Manchester that's totally unmissable. From chestnut hummus and a plant-based Wellington for your vegan Christmas dinner in Manchester to roasted goose breast and chocolate opera cake, there's plenty on offer for all palates here.
Looking for a yummy Christmas dinners in Manchester? Foundry Project's festive menu includes a choice of beef Wellington burger or the brie, cranberry and bacon pizza, accompanied by mulled wine and themed cocktails.
From the city centre to Hale, Piccolino has the very best restaurants to enjoy your Christmas lunch at. Think three courses spanning everything from chicken liver pâté with burnt apple purée to turkey served alongside chestnut mash and mushroom sauce. Sister spot Piccolo in Manchester Arndale is also a great shout for more Italian twists on festive favourites.
Classic boozer The Bank is a great choice for your yuletide feast, thanks to buffet menus and drinks packages accompanying three-course sit-down dinners. Here, you can munch on everything from slow-cooked pork belly to ribeye steak or nut roast.
Not only is Brown's opening their York Street doors for a variety of special menus this season, but they're even doing it throughout Christmas Day in Manchester for 2024 and Boxing Day too. Your festive feasting has no bounds here.
From mince pie Manhattans through to gingerbread sours, Gaucho's Christmas menu is one to remember this December. The restaurant is seriously stylish, including signature cowhide decor, huge chandeliers and trees too, so you can trust that the festive offering is similarly swanky.
Banyan is all about the cool and casual, something that's slipped over to their menus this year. Before you spend all night dancing and drinking at this little number, tuck into either a two or three-course meal; we've already spied ham hock terrine in the starters.
In need of a restaurant Christmas party menu in Manchester? LGBTQ+ bar Via Manchester know a thing or two when it comes to yuletide meals with entertainment after - think affordable set menus of braised beef and plant-based Christmas burgers.
After Christmas dinner in Manchester city centre? Not your average pub, The Bay Horse is a modern take on the old school boozer. Delving out wholesome bites in laid-back surroundings, there's a buffet-style menu alongside set courses, like apricot pork belly, nut roast and baked turkey, making for a winning meal.
While it may be closed on Christmas Day itself, Trof is giving you plenty of time to lap up their delicious multi-course festive menus and party buffets. Scoff on the likes of Cheshire-raised turkey and beef bourguignon in casual surrounds at this Northern Quarter staple.
Head on over to The Dakota Grill for their mouthwatering festive menu, which champions seasonal and high-quality ingredients. The feast includes all the classics, such as turkey with trimmings alongside Christmas pud and brandy custard.
