Rustic to the core, Dive NQ is something of a jack-of-all-trades, showing all the latest live sporting actions and serving a range of alcoholic cocktails. But it's the venue's food menu that's really got us excited. Dipping into the culinary history of the American South, the chefs plate up dishes that are certain to make you smile. Think beer can chicken, a variety of different burgers and all the deep-fried nibbles your stomach (and heart) can handle.
Cool Places To Eat in Manchester
Manchester might be known for its major sporting achievements and great music history, but the city's culinary side not too far off the mark. With some of Britain's best chefs and a number of lively restaurants, Mancunians can sample the very best recipes and cultures in the world without leaving their fair city. With exotic seasonings, spices, fine cuts and ingredients, the city's army of chefs have started doing some truly weird, yet wonderful, meals. And of course, being a cosmopolitan city, the thirst for all things quirky has led to a spike in quirky restaurants. Things can get confusing, so to help guide you through it all, we've built a list of cool places to eat in Manchester.
Last updated on 14th March 2022
Spread across two floors and having made a name for itself by serving amazing bourbon-based cocktails, the downstairs 'Ribs Joint' dining area means that Cain and Grain easily makes it onto our list of cool places to eat in Manchester. With a selection of quirky food, including bacon flavoured popcorn, the venue specialises in smokey ribs and barbecued treats. Expect to leave this cool restaurant in Manchester with a huge sauce-stained smile.
What's that? You've wanted to couple bowling with breakfast? Well luckily for you, Dog Bowl offers just that. As one of the quirkiest restaurants in Manchester, guests can take on all their friends at a few rounds of bowling before tucking into all their favourite comfort food treats. The menu features stacked pancakes covered in cream and berries, full English breakfasts, hearty burgers and a range of smoked dishes, fresh from the venue's barbecue. This has to be up there as one of the coolest restaurants in Manchester.
The menu at BAB is made up of kebabs, but like you've never seen 'em before. With dishes such as lamb adana, swordfish souvlaki and chip shop halloumi on the menu, this is casual dining at its very best. Head here for a long lunch or laid back dinner before finishing your trip in the basement cocktail bar.
@ Trafford Centre on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September 2022
If you're looking for cool places to eat be sure to head to Manchester Wing Fest at Trafford Centre. Be prepared to take part in some awesome axe throwing events, masterclasses and to tuck into some delicious meaty bites with friends.
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn is a cool restaurant in Manchester that hopes to recreate the heat and spice of Mexico and South America in the heart of Manchester with its fiery menu of food. Owned by the same foodies behind Almost Famous and Home Sweet Home, guests can expect to enjoy the likes of chilli chicken wings, guacamole-heavy burritos and messy burgers covered in rich cheese.
Of course, no guide to 'cool restaurants in Manchester' would be complete without a mention of tapas; and any discussion of tapas in Manchester is not complete without a mention of Sandinista. Fusing South American cocktails with the freshest Spanish tapas recipes, guests can enjoy dishes such as house-made beef meat balls, squid-ink infused rice dishes and freshly made paella.
Combining the fun vibes of a local pub with the service of a fine dining restaurant, Mr Thomas's Chop House specialises in all things traditional. Serving all your favourite British dishes, guests can enjoy roasted dinners, succulent cuts of grilled meat, fresh catch-of-the-day dishes and a few belly-warming soups thanks to the talented team of chefs at this cool place to eat in Manchester. If that doesn't appeal, the vintage wall hanging, tiled walls and simple furniture is charming enough to win any diner over.