In a city filled with gorgeous dining spots, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat. However, if you're looking to go the extra mile come mealtimes, these rooftop and riverside beauties have got you covered, thanks to stunning vistas accompanying your tasty grub. Take a look at our pick of restaurants in Manchester with a view and get ready to upgrade your dining game.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 9th July 2025
Found next to Rochdale Canal, Dukes 92 is a stunning place to eat with knockout views and tasty plates. Grab a table inside (we'd recommend the top floor with its balcony) or out on its riverside terrace and tuck into a range of dishes by the waterside.
As title-holder of the highest restaurant in Manchester, 20 Stories is perfect for dinner in the sky. It dishes out meals like truffle risotto or grilled halibut with a pistachio crust, which are complemented by an impressive wine list and cocktails to make a memorable evening.
One of our top restaurants with a view in the North West, The Alchemist's MediaCity location boasts unrivalled waterfront views. Here, you can chow down on the likes of cheeseburger bao buns and Korean fried chicken burgers, all washed down by those famous theatrical cocktails.
Get your fix of meaty mouthfuls whilst gazing out from Manchester Hall at Honest Burgers' rooftop terrace. While the patty pros aren't offering gawp-worthy backdrops from inside, upstairs tells a different story, touting a very pretty location for your alfresco dining.
El Gato Negro is one of our favourite rooftop restaurants in Manchester, dishing up award-winning tapas and sun-soaked meals on King Street. Take to the highest floor here during the summer months and make the most of their retractable roof, getting a tan while peeking at the scenery.
Perched above the city, Sora Sky Bar is Malmaison Deansgate's answer to rooftop dining with flair. The menu is a journey through Asia, featuring bold dishes like miso-glazed aubergine, sushi, robatayaki, Korean lamb, bao buns and more, while the drinks list is packed with inventive twists on the classics.
DJs, live guest musicians and city views seal the deal, alongside cocktails with Japanese-inspired flavours like the cherry blossom negroni and umeshu sour.
Not just the ultimate pick for lovers of craft beer, Doghouse Manchester is the pooch-friendly location where there's a rooftop terrace to boot. Take in the area's historical buildings while munching through the outdoor space's taco menu.
A cosy canalside pub, The Wharf is upgrading your weekday pint with its serene vistas. Whether you fancy an after-work tipple, some heartwarming grub or a hefty Sunday roast, this boozer's got you sorted when it comes to gorgeous outdoor drinking and dining.
When it comes down to the best restaurants in Manchester with a view, The River Restaurant at the 5* Lowry Hotel has to be right up there. Boasting the longest terrace of our city, this place's outdoor space overlooks the water, while the interiors and huge windows are just as impressive.
Not only does Pier Eight have the ideal skyline look-out point, but the kitchen is also cooking up an exquisite menu. Head to the Salford Quays riverside spot for an impressive meal, or tuck into a pre-theatre dish before catching a play at Lyric & Quays Theatre.
Mediterranean vibes, authentic Italian dishes and a pretty outdoor terrace; Tre Ciccio is a no-brainer when it comes to romantic restaurants in Manchester with a view. Grab a table at the Altrincham eatery to settle down for a feast of favourites.
From the gorgeous interiors to the authentic Italian fare, San Carlo Bottega is a great shout the next time you're looking for the fancy restaurants in Manchester with a view. Treat your other half to a classy meal of lobster tail tempura, lamb cutlets and truffle ravioli, all while enjoying gazing out the window.
Sitting away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre is The Con Club, an Altrincham destination serving up fresh seafood, sushi and signature cocktails. It also has its own on-site microbrewery for the beer lovers among you and a rooftop tipi from which you can see across the market area.
After restaurants in Manchester city centre with a view? The Ivy Spinningfields has plenty to boast of inside and out, thanks to its roof garden fronting gorgeous decor, including indoor trees, huge windows and a retractable roof.
