Celebrities' Favourite Manchester Restaurants

The home of Man United, Man City, and a major hub for BBC, Channel 4, and ITV, Manchester is no stranger to celeb sightings. There’s a thrill when you see a famous familiar face in the wild, plus a pretty good recommendation if it’s at a restaurant or venue. Not to mention almost certainly an Instagrammable venue, celebrity or not.

If you fancy a bit of celeb spotting or want to take your next date to a restaurant of the elite, this is the list for you. Here, we run down the top celeb haunts in Manchester for food and drink.

From the top, which restaurants in Manchester have the celebrity stamp of approval? Here are some places celebs have been spotted out and about enjoying the food and drink Manchester has to offer. If they’re celeb-endorsed, there’s a good chance they’re some of the best restaurants in Manchester.

Vermilion

We regularly have celebrity visitors here at Vermilion, whether it be professional footballers, social media influencers or well known celebs tasting our food menu.

Don't be surprised if you visit Vermilion in Manchester and bump into a celebrity on your visit.

San Carlo

San Carlo is probably one of the most historically celeb-favoured spots in all of Manchester; it’s almost a right of passage that stars have their photo on the iconic white steps of this award-winning Italian restaurant.

San Carlo has had so many VIP sightings the Manchester Evening News published a whole article on its best celebrity visits in the last ten years. Big names in the selection include Michael Buble, Liam and Noel Gallagher, and Hulk Hogan.

Dishoom

Dishoom has risen to fame since opening its doors in 2018 for its superb “Bombay comfort food” and luscious interiors set in a once-freemason’s lodge on Bridge Street. Dishoom is no stranger to people queuing out the door to get a coveted seat, but a visit from Ed Sheeran took it’s popularity to other levels.

Pop singer Ed Sheeran chose Dishoom as the conclusive, celebratory spot to mark the end of his run of Manchester stadium shows.

Rosso

Rio Ferdinand-owned Rosso is no stranger to a celebrity visit—in its early days, hosting multiple Manchester United parties. This glamorous restaurant has also drawn the attention of the famous thanks to its VIP status and luxury aesthetic.

Recently, Rosso has seen visits from Floyd Mayweather Jr, Ryan Thomas of Celebrity Big Brother, and several of the cats of Love Island.

The Alchemist at MediaCity

A stone’s throw from Trafford Wharf Studios, The Alchemist in MediaCity is always a hot spot for cast members of Coronation Street. Names include Millie Gibson and Kel Allen. So close to BBC and ITV studios, too, there’s no shortage of stars nearby.

The Alchemist's range of theatrical cocktails is something to be marvelled at, and food is self-described as "classic dishes with an Alchemist twist".

Menagerie

Co-owned by Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Stacey Forsey and Seema Malhotra, Menagerie is not unfamiliar with VIP sightings. The latest of which being Tyson Fury, Justin Timberlake, and Kevin Hart.

Menagerie’s industrial-chic, fashionable interiors and its internationally-inspired menu of canapes and cocktails make it an obvious choice for the rich and famous looking for a good night out in Manchester—not to mention the central entertainment catwalk!

Manchester is home to a collection of luxury restaurants owned by celebrities. From star chefs to footballers, visiting a celebrity-owned venue is a surefire way to impress that special person.

First Street Bar and Kitchen

This gem is owned by Gino D'Acampo, Italian celebrity chef and TV personality featured on shows like ITV’s This Morning. First Street Bar and Kitchen can be found in hotel INNSiDE on vibrant First Street. This restaurant has a light, airy, and open feel to it, complete with a terrace that looks out over HOME.

Guests at First Street can soak up a sophisticated atmosphere with a dynamic menu and a huge choice of fine dining options. This restaurant's welcoming, relaxed vibe makes you feel at ease.

Cuisine
Authentic, fine-dining Italian food with a wide selection of options spanning from prawn, clam, mussel, and calamari spaghetti to wild mushroom risotto. Speciality gins and other spirits feature on an extensive menu of cocktails and other drinks.

Interior
A light, open, sun-kissed terrace leads on from an open-plan restaurant with bright shades and high ceilings.

First Street Bar and Kitchen, First St, Innside M15 4RP

Rosso

Owned by Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, Rosso is an opulent Italian restaurant in Spring Gardens in central Manchester. Thanks to its origins, luxe interior, and Grade II listed building location, Rosso has been host to many Manchester United parties and other famous guest visits. We recommend Rosso as a perfect romantic Manchester restaurant for a date, but you can also find other stylish and upmarket restaurants like this.

Underneath its celeb status, Rosso doesn’t fail to deliver fabulous food and drink. In a review by I Love Manchester, Dianne Bourne commented, “the latest additions to the menu show a kitchen at the top of its game. And while the starry guests may have grabbed the headlines in recent years, it really is the food that’s doing all the talking.”

Cuisine
Meaning ‘red’ in Italian, Rosso is “inspired by the traditions of Southern Italy”. The restaurant is known for its exquisite take on classic and contemporary Italian dishes paired with fine wines and glamorous cocktails.

Interior
A glitz and glam interior with marble, gold, and opulent finishes. Smooth live Jazz sets a luxurious atmosphere.

Rosso, 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BG

The Rivals

The Rivals isn’t the only restaurant Coronation Street star Rupert Hill is responsible for starting, having already established The Eagle Inn in Salford, The Parlour in Chorlton, and NQ-based Castle Hotel and Gullivers. Tucked away in the Royal Exchange Theatre, The Rivals is next door neighbour to Annies, owned by fellow Corrie star Jennie McAlpine.

The Rivals gives off a classy vibe which is perfect for getting you in the mood for the theatre.

Cuisine
Pre-theatre cuisine, including traditional gastropub English favourites and curries.

Interior
Traditional and cosy, with dark wood and dark colours. The restaurant has interior seating as well as sprawling exterior seating in the main space of the Exchange Theatre building.

The Rivals, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH

Tast Catala

Joint investors Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, chairman Ferran Soriano, and director of football Txiki Begiristain are where Tast Catala began. Guests at the Spanish restaurant can enjoy a sumptuous menu crafted by Michelin Star chef Paco Perez.

The restaurant has earned some impressive feedback from critics, including The Guardian’s Grace Dent, the Telegraph’s Michael Deacon, and Giles Coren from The Times, who said of Tast Catala’s signature ‘Duck’in Donuts’ (chilled white chocolate with foie gras mousse filling and tangy raspberry-flavoured powder dusting) “I’m not really a one for sweeties, especially at the start of a meal when I crave something salty to set off my first drink, but these were cleverly done and will no doubt impress”.

Cuisine
Tapas, a la carte, and Spanish cuisine. A contemporary, fresh taste of Barcelona brought to Manchester.

Interior
Modern, minimal, and understated throughout, allowing the food to take centre stage. Tast Catala is split into three floors: a bar, a casual restaurant, and a fine dining space.

Tast Catala, 20-22 King Street, Manchester, M2 6AG