The Best Restaurants in Manchester
From glowing dining halls under the iconic red brick arches of Deansgate to hidden doorways leading to cavernous underground establishments in The Northern Quarter, there are so many options for those on the hunt for an amazing night out. Drink and dine in style in any of these 20 incredible restaurants in the city.
Vermilion
What is it? A fusion-Asain restaurant, cocktail bar, and function venue with six unique spaces for events like weddings and parties.
Why should you go?
Opulent, unique interior design inspired by the far East designed by Miguel Cancio Martins.
A menu of creative delights spanning Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Korean cuisines.
Beautiful private dining options.
Theatrical specialist cocktails in the cosy Cinnabar.
Price: ££
Address: Lord N St, Hulme Hall Lane, Manchester, M40 8AD
Read Vermilion’s menu.
Osma
What is it? The name of this amazing restaurant is a marriage between ‘Oslo’ and ‘Manchester’ to celebrate the marriage of two cuisines: Swedish and English.
Why should you go?
Visit for anything from morning coffee and breakfast to candlelit dinner and everything in between, including Sunday roast.
Come for the frequently changing ‘food bar’ offering sharing plates four nights a week.
Find seasonal ingredients from local sources.
Price: ££
Address: 132 Bury New Rd, Prestwich, Manchester M25 0AA
Read OSMA’s menu.
The Sparrows
Image source: thesparrows.me
What is it? Continental pasta, dumplings, and speciality spätzle dishes in a cosy setting.
Why should you go?
It’s a 2023 favourite of the Michelin guide inspectors.
Enjoy freshly baked bread made on the day.
Choose from an impressive drinks menu, including Swiss craft beer, Japanese sake, and organic wines.
Find virtually every type of dumpling in this establishment.
Price:
Address: 16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF.
Read The Sparrows menu.
The River Restaurant
What is it? A bright and airy restaurant in the foundations of the five-star Lowry hotel offering a contemporary a la carte menu and afternoon tea.
Why should you go?
Soak in a gorgeous riverside setting with a welcoming atmosphere and cute cosy tables and booths.
Sample honey made in the hotel’s own bee hives.
Dine on high tea in style.
Book the private dining room and get exclusive use of the lounge or terrace for special events.
Price: £
Address: The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford M3 5LH
View The River Restaurant’s menu.
Maray
Image source: maray.co.uk
What is it? A casual, easy-going venue with uncomplicated food celebrating Middle Eastern flavours and tastes from the Le Marias district of Paris.
Why should you go?
Enjoy guilt-free food from ethical and sustainable sources. Maray is also certified carbon neutral.
Feel cosy inside or sit in sprawling terrace seating on Albert Square.
Fantastic vegan options.
Price: £
Address: 14 Brazennose St, Manchester M2 6LW
View Maray’s menu.
James Martin Manchester
What is it? A celebrity restaurant in Manchester owned by BBC TV's Saturday Kitchen’s chef James Martin.
Why should you go?
Finish your dining experience off with a trip to Manchester’s 360 Casino, where this restaurant is located.
A menu that is British and Yorkshire through and through.
This is a multiple award-winning establishments for it’s menu and afternoon tea experience.
Price: ££
Address: 2 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP
View James Martin Manchester’s menu.
The Black Friar
Image source: www.theblackfriarsalford.co.uk
What is it? A Salford-based gastro pub serving classing pub grub and divine Sunday roasts in a richly decorated interior.
Why should you go?
Touted as a romantic Manchester restaurant perfect for a date, with dark wood, upholstery, and roaring fires.
Dishes put together by chef Ben Chaplin of luxury 20 Stories fame.
Exciting British tastes, including wild boar, smoked eel, and an array of favourite childhood puddings, are available.
Price: £
Address: 41-43 Blackfriars Rd, Manchester M3 7DB.
View The Black Friar’s menu.
Asha’s Manchester
Image source: ashasmanchester.co.uk
What is it? A super high-end Indian restaurant designed to the tune of £2 million with lush, extravagant interiors.
Why should you go?
The concept of Bollywood cook and singer Asha Bhosle. The restaurant uses spices ground to her traditional family recipe.
Experience award-winning service and food from arguably Manchester’s more premium Indian restaurant.
Classic traditional curries and creative new dishes in an opulent interior.
Price: £££
Address: 47 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NG
View Asha’s menu.
La Bandera
Image source: labandera.co.uk
What is it? A contemporary family-run Spanish restaurant serving up exciting and dynamic Iberian tapa, traditional rice dishes, and specialities from Spain and the Canary Islands.
Why should you go?
It is considered one of the best Spanish restaurants in the UK, having won awards from Tripadvisor, Open Table, and The Sunday Times.
Impressive variety of ingredients and creative dishes inspired by international cuisines and seasonal produce.
Vibrant interiors are reminiscent of lively Spanish culture.
Price: £££
Address: 2 Ridgefield, Manchester M2 6EQ
View La Bandera’s menu.
Kala
What is it? Sister restaurant to Hispi hidden away in Didsbury. Kala serves up humble bistro food in a gorgeous dark wood and forest green interior.
Why should you go?
Instagrammable backdrops for your brunch, lunch, or dinner date.
A wide-ranging menu to suit all tastes, from kebab to truffle and spectacular Sunday roasts.
Takeaway options to enjoy your email in comfort at home.
Price: ££
Address: 55 King St, Manchester M2 4LQ
View Kala’s menu.
Edinburgh Castle
What is it? 19th-century pub in the heart of Ancoats offering contemporary pub classics alongside an impressive whiskey menu, wine list, and beers.
Why should you go?
Enjoy the atmosphere with live folk music weekly.
A stylish Manchester restaurant recently completely refurbished in 2019 with candlelight and victorian vibes.
Choose from traditional pub dishes, all made with a unique creative twist.
Price: ££
Address: 17 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5EP
View Edinburgh Castle’s menu.
Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
What is it? Further abreast in Ashton-Under-Lyne, unpretentious Lily’s has offered affordable vegetarian Indian dishes with authentic flavours since 1972.
Why should you go?
A vast menu awaits, with over 100 options created by chefs from Mumbai and Gujarat.
Superb recipes are handed down through the generations of the family-run business to always offer the very best.
Selected in the Good Food Guide for five years running and winner of multiple awards, including Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Greater Manchester, awarded by MEN.
Price: £
Address: 85 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
View Lily’s menu.
Indique
What is it? Award winning Indian classics and street food in West Didsbury in a vivacious setting with natural elements.
Why should you go?
A stylish and exciting restaurant interior surrounds you with Indian cultural aspects, lots of greenery, and accents of gold.
Winner of Best Restaurant in the North West at the 2018 British Curry Awards. Indique also has glittering reviews from customers.
Find it in the Good Food Guide and Harden’s Guide.
Price: ££
Address: 110-112 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LP
View Indique’s menu.
Baratxuri
What is it? Genuine Andalusian tapas served in a dramatic
Why should you go?
Hearty steak dishes, sumptuous seafood inspired by the Spanish coast, and nourishing veg options.
A vivacious basque fire restaurant from the successor Levanter in the foothills of rural Ramsbottom.
Experience the exposed kitchen and watch the magic happen while sipping choice wines.
Price: ££
Address: 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
View Baratxuri’s menu.
Where to Get the Best Steak in Manchester
Masons
Image source: masonsrestaurantbar.co.uk
What is it? A luxury central Manchester restaurant described as “a perfect combination of glamour and comfort” serving fine foods a la carte.
Why should you go?
A surefire way to spot a celeb dining out in Manchester.
Creative, stylish art deco food presentation for a fine dining experience.
Dine in the captivating grounds of the Manchester Hall, a former Freemasons hall, and have an illuminating experience.
Price: £££
Address: Ground Floor, Manchester Hall, 36 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT
View Mason’s menu.
Yuzu
What is it? A remarkable fusion: Japanese tapas in a sophisticated and fun little venue in Chinatown.
Why should you go?
High-quality food cooked from scratch with fresh ingredients every time.
A well-kept secret until Jay Rayner’s Guardian review. Now bookings are highly south after.
Featured in Michelin Restaurant Guide 2014 to 2018 and the Good Food Guide 2014 to 2020.
Price: ££
Address: City Centre, 39 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4EE
View Yuzu’s menu.
This and That
Image source: thisandthatcafe.co.uk
What is it? The beginning, middle, or end to your best night out in Manchester. Dishes for under a fiver in a traditional canteen-style Indian setting.
Why should you go?
A family-run business wowing customers since 1984.
Get a slap-up meal for next-to-nothing: rice and curry combos made to traditional recipes here.
Enjoy fresh whole spices and aromatics in a setting that feels virtually secret, hidden away on Soap Street in NQ.
Price: £
Address: Soap St, Manchester, M4 1EW
View This & That’s menu.
Honest Crust
What is it? Seasonal sourdough pizza in the heart of the legendary Macky Mayor food hall in Ancoats.
Why should you go?
Authentic wood-fired neapolitan pizza with locally-sources toppings and creative combinations.
Chow down in the incredible surroundings of the bustling 1858 Grade II-listed building, one of the most fashionable food spots in Manchester.
Price: £
Address: Smithfield Market Hall, 1 Eagle St, Manchester M4 5BU
