The Botanist, Media City
The Botanist is a MediaCity outdoor restaurant fronting a gorgeous terrace for you to settle down on. Aside from the waterfront space, the interiors bring the outside in, thanks to floral decor and other lush greenery.
Come rain or shine, this city is the place to be. Boasting sky-high rooftop spots, dreamy flower-adorned terraces and huge beer gardens, our home sure knows a thing or two about alfresco dining. Whether you're on the hunt for a bottomless brunch, somewhere for a romantic date night or a relaxed venue to chow down on burgers, we're bringing you Manchester's finest outdoor restaurants.
Last updated on 6th April 2023
The Botanist is a MediaCity outdoor restaurant fronting a gorgeous terrace for you to settle down on. Aside from the waterfront space, the interiors bring the outside in, thanks to floral decor and other lush greenery.
When you need places to eat outside in Manchester, DogHouse's rooftop has your back. Expect the usual lineup of craft beer and other top drinks up here, alongside a taco menu to tuck into under the fairy lights.
Banyan's south-facing terrace at the Corn Exchange is perfect for catching any glimpses of sunshine Manchester has to offer. Better yet, there's everything from sparkling cocktail trees and bottomless brunch to Thai curry and bangers n' mash on the menu.
This restaurant with outdoor seating in Manchester is brought to our city by Gino D'Acampo, dishing out Italian favourites across a terrace and grassy streetside tables. Delve into Italian classics like pasta, risotto and more while soaking up any sun.
If you want to grab a bite on a roof terrace or beer garden, cool venue YES is giving you just that in their converted auction house on Charles Street. Topping it off? There's Pepperoni Playboy pizza and vegan doner kebabs being served from their pop-up kitchens.
The Lawn Club is one of the best restaurants in Manchester for eating outside. Expect a stellar lineup of cocktails and other boozy concoctions, alongside private igloos, bookable greenhouses and a mouthwatering menu for when you get peckish.
Perched in Castlefield, the beer garden and canalside booths at Dukes 92 are a spectacle to behold. Designed with lazy summer days in mind, this vast space is the perfect place to get stuck into one of the many delicious pizza sharing boards and hearty plates on offer.
Get your fix of heated outdoor seating in Manchester at Dive NQ, where you'll get to chomp across a quirky setting. This spot features a sprawling terrace to enjoy Asian street food, all washed down with beer and cocktails; perfect for dining come chill or shine.
In leafy West Didsbury you'll uncover The Woodstock Arms, a popular drinking den thanks to its sprawling beer garden and pub menu. But that's not all... There's bottomless brunch and Sunday roasts to chow down on too. What's not to like?
Head to Spinningfields to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of The Oast House, one of the best outdoor restaurants in Manchester. Thanks to its famous cosy tipi in winter and sun-soaked beer garden come the summertime, it's a prime spot all year long.
Home to a secret terrace that's perfect for some feasting, Honest Burgers is one of the best outdoor restaurants in Manchester city centre. Make your way through their menu of juicy burgers, rosemary fries and top-quality craft brews at this hidden gem.
Searching for restaurants with outdoor seating in Manchester? The Alchemist's MediaCity venue offers a waterside space for sipping signature mixes that fizz, bubble and smoke. That's not all though, as their menu of globally-inspired eats is sure to satisfy any craving.
Affectionately known as The Welly by locals, this traditional boozer is nestled near Printworks and Manchester Cathedral. The charming hidden gem has a lovely little terrace to boot, where you can enjoy hearty pub grub like toad in the hole and macaroni cheese.
Also known as the official First Dates restaurant from the Channel 4 show, you already know that The Anthologist is all kinds of lovely. But that's not all, as there's outside space for soaking up the sun while you tuck into gastro favourites.
One of the city's most Instagrammable venues, Sunset By Australasia is an interior lover's dream. Serving up a contemporary menu of pan-Asian cuisine, this place is also home to a gorgeous terrace - easily recognised by its glowing lights and lush foliage - that makes its one of the top Manchester restaurants with outdoor seating.
After alfresco dining in Manchester? Thaikhun boasts a cool terrace at its Spinningfields perch. Featuring hanging lights and quirky touches like old bikes for decor, this is a great space for making the most of the Thai food on offer.
Cool shipping container destination Hatch Manchester brings you all kinds of options for outdoor drinking and dining. The Oxford Road den has traders delving out steak, Brazilian-Mexican street food and loaded parms, to name just a few.
Fancy jetting off to Spain, but not so keen on the airfare? Cue El Gato Negro, the Manchester city centre eatery with an unmissable rooftop terrace. Mosey up for dinner; think authentic tapas, swish surrounds and fine wine. Swoon.
If outdoor Italian restaurants in Manchester would fit the bill, then head to Altrincham to find family-run Tre Ciccio serving up all manner of authentic plates. You can enjoy a relaxed lunch in the day, or a romantic rendezvous once the night falls, all topped off by some gorgeous terrace seating.
The Laundrette is a Chorlton gem with a stunning terrace space for all of your dining needs. Head over to the trendy restaurant bar for the chance to scoff signature pizza slices, stacked burgers and plenty of playful cocktails, all in Instagrammable surrounds.
One of Manchester's best-loved boozers, The Wharf is situated on the edge of Bridgewater Canal. The huge waterfront beer garden here is packed out in summer months, offering guests the perfect place to enjoy classic pub grub and refreshing glasses of Pimm's.
This Chorlton eatery is a favourite for its authentic tapas dishes and top-notch collection of drinks. Head here on a sunny day to top up your vitamin D levels or enjoy the cosy covers on the streetside tables come wintertime, all while catching up with mates over sharing plates.
Outdoor dining in Manchester is perfect for this 'winter garden', which is just as glorious come the summer months. Check out The Refuge's courtyard space, where handcrafted cocktails, flavoursome international dishes and a regular roster of unmissable music are at the forefront.
20 Stories is a gorgeous garden paradise come the summer and a cosy blanket-laden retreat in winter, with incredible views of the city at all times of year. Whether you want to cuddle up in an igloo or enjoy a luscious green terrace in the sun, you're in for a treat.
Looking for hearty grub and beers by the water? Head to Rain Bar, the award-winning boozer with one of the city's best outdoor spaces. Dangle your toes over the canal (if you dare) while munching on delicious British dishes with thirst-quenching tipples.
The Ape & Apple's rooftop is an ideal pitstop after a long day of exploring the city. With friendly locals, monthly-changing ales and the secret terrace out back to settle down in, this place ticks all of our boxes.
A pretty restaurant perfect for whiling away the hours, Albert's is a Didsbury neighbourhood gem serving classic British dishes with an international twist. The stunning terrace area is packed with gorgeous botanicals and bright accents, so it's the perfect place to settle down for a meal.
Decked out with quirky vintage furniture, old gymnasium flooring and exposed brick walls, Terrace NQ is one of Manchester's best rooftop restaurants. A true hidden gem, this laidback spot serves plenty of homemade pizzas and local craft beers to keep hunger pangs at bay.
One of the best outside restaurants in Manchester city centre, Zouk has a stunning terrace space to settle down across. Expect twists on your Sunday roast and plenty of aromatic favourites, alongside cookery classes too.
A firm favourite amongst Manchester's celebs, The Ivy Spinningfields boasts some of the city's most swoon-worthy interiors. For the perfect alfresco brunch? There's courtyard tables on the ground floor, or you can venture to the top floor garden with a retractable roof.