Manchester is buzzing with a vibrant dining scene. It stands out as a top food destination in the UK. It offers a variety of tastes and budgets, from fancy tasting menus to new culinary treats. This city is famed for its wide and true food choices. It ranks highly for its food, blending luxury with affordable eats.
We’ll show you the best places to eat in Manchester, from new finds like Skof to award-winners like Where The Light Gets In. If you’re looking for great food or the best places to eat, our list points to Manchester’s top spots.
Globe Lane is a hit for dining in Manchester. It’s popular with locals and praised widely, showing its appeal. The Black Friar in Salford was beautifully restored for £1.4 million. It shows how great food and building history boost Manchester’s food scene.
Skof
Skof restaurant is now a top spot for innovative dining in Manchester. Led by Tom Barnes, a chef with potential for a Michelin star, it stands out. He has worked with Simon Rogan for over ten years. Skof brings the chef’s Cumbrian roots into its dishes. It’s known for unique dishes and some of the best tasting menus in the city.
Skof combines fine dining with a casual feel. Its signature dishes, like miso custard with hen of the woods, showcase this balance. The steamed West Coast cod is another dish that highlights its innovative approach.
Skof’s popularity is soaring, thanks to glowing reviews from food lovers and critics. Booking in advance is a must to enjoy its prestigious dishes.
Rogan’s UMBEL group supports Skof, ensuring high-quality dining. Chef Tom Barnes uses his experience from L’Enclume to enhance Skof. The team includes experts like Conor Dalton, Edwin Kuk, and Ben Meir. Their skills bring a high level of expertise to the restaurant.
Skof offers menus for all tastes and occasions. There are two tasting menus, with one being longer and pricier. They also plan a fifty-quid lunch menu for an affordable luxury experience. Their wine flights pair beautifully with the meals, adding to the enjoyment.
Manchester boasts top tasting menus, and Skof shines among them. It merges innovative food, a relaxed setting, and a talented team. For a standout dining experience in the city’s heart, Skof is the place to go.
Where The Light Gets In
Tucked away in an old Victorian coffee warehouse in Stockport, *Where The Light Gets In* shines as a top dining spot in Manchester. This Michelin Star restaurant is famous for its unforgettable meat-focused tasting menu. It’s celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, boasting almost no waste and using wild food.
This place is known for its fixed menus, offering a journey of flavours with locally grown food. By doing so, it not only promises top-notch quality but also uplifts the local economy.
The mix of new ideas with old traditions makes this restaurant truly special. It has rightfully earned a Michelin Green Star, placing it among the best *Michelin Star restaurants Manchester*. Its dedication to sustainable and ethical dining choices sets it apart for eco-conscious food lovers.
- Price Range: Menu from £75
- Specialty: Meat-focused tasting menus
- Location: Stockport, Manchester
For a dining experience like no other, *Where The Light Gets In* is the place to be. It remains a highlight in Manchester, known for one of the region’s best meat-focused tasting menus.
Erst
In the lively area of Ancoats, Erst restaurant is known as a top choice for natural wine bars in Manchester. It’s not just for wine lovers. Erst is also celebrated for its fresh, innovative seasonal dining in Manchester.
The restaurant has a sleek, minimalist look that creates a sophisticated yet comfortable setting. Guests can sit by the large windows and enjoy various dishes. Choices include the earthy beetroot priced at £12, and the rich lamb belly skewer at £15. The menu also offers small plates that cost between £6 and £18.
Erst is famous for its outstanding natural wine selection. These wines, priced from £6 to £11.50 per glass, complement the menu’s diverse flavours, making them great for evenings out. They offer unique wines, like the skin-contact Georgian orange wine and Riesling Auslese.
The open-flame grill at Erst highlights the best of local produce. This approach results in tasty and eye-catching dishes. For example, the skate dish at £21 comes in a rich lemony butter sauce. And there’s an asparagus dish at £18, known for its bold taste but has had mixed feedback on its texture.
- Location: 9 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
- Menu: 10 savoury items including small plates
- Wine Prices: From £6 to £11.50 per glass
- Seasonal Dining: Menu prices between £5 and £18
Originally part of the Trove bakeries family, Erst continues a tradition of quality and creativity. Its mix of understated, tasty dishes and a wide range of natural wines makes it standout in Manchester’s seasonal dining and natural wine bars scene. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a regular, Erst promises an unforgettable experience.
Higher Ground
Higher Ground restaurant quickly became a standout in Manchester, known for its strong focus on sustainable dining Manchester. The team here is all about sustainability. They use everything from whole animals to organically grown veggies. They also get their supplies from local farms and run the Cinderwood Market Garden.
The chefs at Higher Ground are true experts, with background in top spots like Noma and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. They bring exciting, changing menus to the table. Their dishes, always fresh and seasonal, surprise and satisfy guests every time.
Higher Ground isn’t just talked about in Manchester; it’s also winning awards. Recently, it scored 18 out of 20 in a review, with dishes like Oysters Natural and Oysters Chilli getting perfect scores. The Pigs Head dish wasn’t far behind, scoring 9.5.
| Dish | Rating |
|---|---|
| Oysters Natural | 10 |
| Oysters Chilli | 10 |
| Pigs Head | 9.5 |
| Celeriac | 6.75 |
Visitors also love the vibe of Higher Ground, giving it a 4.25 out of 5. The service shines too, with a 4.75 rating. Customers feel truly looked after.
In short, Higher Ground is a gem in Manchester. It leads with its commitment to the environment, culinary excellence, and friendly service. If you’re after a meal that’s innovative and conscientious, Higher Ground is your go-to.
10 Tib Lane
Situated near Manchester’s town hall, 10 Tib Lane restaurant brings French inspired dining to the area. Spread across three floors, this cosy spot is perfect for locals and travellers alike.
At 10 Tib Lane restaurant, the menu is all about sharing. Small plates let diners enjoy a variety of tastes together. Using seasonal ingredients, the dishes change often, showcasing the best of what’s fresh. Main dishes are affordable, mostly around £10 to £20.
Desserts are a real treat here, priced at £7 each. To go with your meal, wines start from £24. This selection is designed to match the French theme of the plates.
If you’re eating with a group, don’t worry. The restaurant has a set of nine dishes for six people. This way, every palate is pleased. 10 Tib Lane restaurant mixes French dining and a cosy ambience. It’s a go-to for special meals in Manchester.
The Sparrows
The Sparrows restaurant at 16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester M4 4HF, specialises in ‘Mittel-European carbs’. It offers gnocchi, pasta, pierogi, pelmeni, and spätzle. Nestled inside a railway arch, it leads to Cheetham Hill’s industrial units.
The interior features a dome-shaped room with neutral colours, diverse textures, and art works. It’s perfect for enjoying tasty European dumplings. This makes it cosy and inviting for everyone.
Menu favourites include pappardelle with chanterelles and spätzle käse. Also, pierogi with cottage cheese and potato, plus sauerkraut with sunflower seeds. Grilled Hungarian plums add a unique tangy and sweet flavour.
A standout wine list complements the food. It focuses on Central and Eastern European wines, ensuring a memorable meal.
Here’s why The Sparrows is unique:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester M4 4HF |
| Specialty | Mittel-European carbs |
| Ambiance | Neutral tones, curated artworks, dome-shaped room |
| Signature Dishes | Pappardelle with chanterelles, spätzle käse, pierogi with cottage cheese and potato filling |
| Wine Selection | Central and Eastern European wines |
The Sparrows stands out in Manchester for its dining experience. Its service is confident and efficient, captivating guests. If you’re after authentic European dumplings, this is a place you’ll keep coming back to.
Another Hand
Another Hand restaurant is hidden away on Deansgate Mews. It’s a place where modern cooking in Manchester really shines. The chefs, Julian Pizer and Max Yorke, mix creativity with comfort. They provide an artistic and heartfelt dining experience.
This gem in Manchester has earned praise for its creative dishes. It even made it onto Michelin’s list of notable venues in Manchester city centre. This highlights its world-class food and unique vibe.
The menu features items like BBQ squid and lamb rump with anchovy sauce vierge. These dishes highlight the inventiveness and skill of Manchester’s modern cooking scene. Some guests mention slow service and room temperature. But, the overall character and service quality get good reviews.
Here’s a quick look at what makes Another Hand restaurant stand out:
| Key Attributes | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Michelin Listed Venues (Manchester city centre) | 7 |
| Total Cost of Dining (inc. 10% tip) | £168 |
| Service Duration | 3 hours |
| Average Drinks per Person | 3.5 |
Another Hand continues to be a key player in Manchester’s culinary scene. It highlights the rich variety of modern cooking the city’s diners enjoy. As it gains more fans from its Deansgate Mews spot, exploring its unique tastes and surprises is a must.
Best Restaurants Manchester
Manchester is a hotspot for diverse and vibrant food experiences. It offers everything from traditional British food to exotic dishes. Our Manchester dining guide shows you the best places that showcase the city’s food culture.
Mana, located in Ancoats, earned Manchester’s first Michelin star in over 40 years. It serves unique dishes like Roe and smoked eel. In Stockport, Where The Light Gets In also boasts a Michelin star. Their menu changes daily, featuring seasonal ingredients.
If you love Italian food, Salvi’s, Riva Blu, and Pizza Express are perfect. The Real Greek offers delicious traditional Greek meals. For Indian cuisine enthusiasts, Delhi House Cafe and Mowgli bring flavoursome dishes to the table.
For East Asian tastes, Pho serves amazing Vietnamese dishes. Tampopo provides a wide selection from the Far East. Modern dining spots like The Cosy Club and Banyan Bar & Kitchen showcase Manchester’s creative food scene.
If you crave steaks and burgers, visit Garten Bar, Grill and Cocktails, and Sixes. For a mix of American and Parisian dishes, try Medlock Canteen. Don’t miss out on Pollen Bakery’s cruffin or Siop Shop’s tasty doughnuts.
- Erst – Ancoats: Features around 15 seasonal sharing dishes.
- Bundobust – Offers affordable Gujarati street food.
- Nell’s New York Pizza & Bar – Known for their 22-inch New York-style pizza.
- Climat – A rooftop wine bar with unique dishes like lamb keema vol-au-vent.
- Kala – A bistro offering specialities such as pan-roasted pork ribeye.
- El Gato Negro – Serves Spanish-influenced tapas.
Places like The Sparrows in the Green Quarter and Another Hand in Deansgate Mews highlight Manchester as a top food destination. The city prides itself on a variety from pub food to luxury dining. Discover and enjoy the unique flavours Manchester offers.
Adam Reid at The French
Nestled in the historic Midland Hotel, Adam Reid at The French is a peak of luxury dining in Manchester. It’s known for its carefully crafted tasting menu, costing £130, with an extra £65 for drink pairings. This makes it a sought-after yet pricey experience in the city. For a Michelin star dining experience Manchester-style, Adam Reid at The French provides an unforgettable journey.
The menu features a range of expertly made dishes. Highlights include Fish pie, Cheese cracker, Trotter croquette, and others, all scoring 9 to 10. This precision in taste and presentation gives the food a rating of 19 out of 20. The impeccable service also scores perfectly, 5 out of 5, making guests feel special and pampered.
Walking into the elegant atmosphere, the blend of sophistication and comfort was clear. The choice of background music, with artists like Happy Mondays, adds to the vibe. The generous Pollen sourdough and beef-flavored butter showcase the warm Northern hospitality Adam Reid at The French is known for.
The cheese course, with Stichelton served with armagnac-soaked prunes and more, balances flavours beautifully. Matched drinks, like English sparkling wine and Argentinian red wine, enhance the meal. For those looking for top-notch luxury dining in Manchester, Adam Reid at The French is key.