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The 10 Best British Restaurants in Manchester for Smashing Food Fit for a King or Queen!
There’s a stereotype that British food isn’t the best. Somehow, people think we only eat beans and toast—not that we don’t, but it doesn’t represent our local cuisine.
British food is diverse, featuring classic dishes that date back to a time when pictures were black and white, along with comforting meals that evoke the warmth of a home-cooked meal.
Taste the best of the best from our favourite British restaurants in Manchester, including traditional pubs and posh spots, where you can get a hearty full English breakfast or classic fish and chips. Time to wolf down the most delicious British food!
Fine Dining Establishments in Manchester
Adam Reid at The French
Media credit: thefrenchmcr
Address: The Midland – 16 Peter St
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Pricing: £££
Tucked away in the stunningly elegant The Midland Hotel, Adam Reid at The French offers exquisite modern British cuisine that will elevate what you think fine dining is. Think: opulence, refined wine pairings, and a symphony of flavours with every bite.
The flavours are simple yet outstanding, as the ingredients are fresh from local and international sources. The tasting menu is carefully created to showcase British food with a North Western flair, composed of a diverse selection that ends with a sweet treat.
The ambience? Magnificently grand. The Midland offers classically British extravagance, where crystal chandeliers cast soft lights from above, the walls are adorned with intricate accents, and the tables provide an intimate setting.
| Pro Tip: When booking, let the staff know of any dietary restrictions to give them time to accommodate these. |
James Martin
Media credit: jamesmartinmcr
Address: Great Northern – 2 Watson St
Contact: 0161 828 0345
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Friday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 12:30 pm – 3 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: £££
One of our best British restaurants is James Martin, hidden inside the Manchester235 Casino, which doesn’t sound like fine dining at all. But hey, they managed to pull it off!
You won’t even feel like you’re inside a casino once you’re sat at the table. The lavish ambience screams vintage industrial chic, with old-fashioned wallpapers, brick ceiling, and steel beams.
The menu is equally opulent, serving creatively crafted British classics and seasonal dishes. Sunday lunch is especially luscious, a multi-course meal that may include the timeless slow-roast rump of beef!
A must try is their popular afternoon tea, a Saturday offering that serves a mix of sweet and savoury bites, like scones and sandwiches, and special tea blends.
| Pro Tip: If you fancy a quieter dining experience, stick to weekend lunches or early dinners on weekdays. |
Traditional British Pubs in Manchester
Sam’s Chop House
Media credit: samschophouse
Address: Back Pool Fold
Contact: 0161 834 3210
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: £
Fancy dining in a British pub that’s considered an institution in Manchester? Sam’s Chop House has a history dating back to the Industrial Revolution, and it famously has a bronze statue of English artist L.S. Lowry at the bar, who used to be a regular.
Another thing they’re popular for? Their 10-day Corned Beef Hash is a quintessentially British dish, crowned with bacon and a soft-poached egg. For dessert, the decadent Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding is a yummy end to your meal.
The wine list is extensive, making it perfect for celebrations. And with an ambience that’s quintessentially British, old-fashioned, dimly-lit, cosy nooks, and of course, the statue sitting at the bar, you’ll most likely stick around for a while (not that that’s a bad thing).
| Pro Tip: It can get really busy here. Avoid peak pub hours if you want to admire the decor and atmosphere. |
The Edinburgh Castle Pub
Media credit: ec_ancoats
Address: 17 Blossom St, Ancoats
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 5 pm – 11 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: ££
Ancoats is home to The Edinburgh Castle Pub, located in a 19th-century building that serves delicious British food. It’s your traditional watering hole, ageless and refined, with a cosy atmosphere for a tipple with your mates.
The menu isn’t your typical pub, given its more sophisticated flair. Sunday lunch is worth going for, as it’s hearty, flavourful, and perfectly roasted.
The seasonal menu highlights fresh ingredients and local produce in the UK, so expect something different every couple of months. They never miss a beat, though, as they serve diverse options.
| Pro Tip: It gets busy, especially after a football match (it’s fairly close to the Etihad Stadium). So if the pub’s full and you’re feeling peckish, head upstairs to Bangkok Diners Club. |
The Marble Arch
Media credit: themarblearchmcr
Address: 73 Rochdale Rd
Contact: 0161 832 5914, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: £
Sat on the corner of Gould Street and Rochdale Road, The Marble Arch is a humble pub in a historic building. It’s also the home of the original The Marble Brewery, and serves British classics, seasonal plates, and innovative beers.
It’s eclectic yet traditional, with Victorian architecture made of stunning tiled ceilings, intricate accents, and mosaic flooring. And with an overall homely vibe, it’s spot on for catching up with mates or when you need a pick-me-up.
The menu is so-very-British, with exceptional Sunday roasts, beer-battered fish and chips, and black pudding with sausage meat patties. Our favourite is the Sunday roast, particularly the Drunken Slow Roast Beef Rump for its overflowing gravy!
Of course, dining here isn’t complete without a nice cold glass of the popular Manchester Bitter! It has a pleasant bitter taste, with a tinge of lemon and a floral aroma.
| Pro Tip: This Manchester pub is usually busy, so avoid weekend visits if you want to have a sit-down. |
Mr. Thomas’s Chop House
Media credit: tomschophouse
Address: James Binney House – 52 Cross St
Contact: 0161 832 2245
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: £
Nothing grabs a Brit’s attention quite like a traditional pub. That’s precisely what Mr. Thomas’s Cho House is, with its Victorian architecture that has loads of character—imagine tiled walls and draperies that scream historic building.
Home-cooked British cuisine is the focus here, like Sausage and Mash, Corned Beef Hash, Fish and Chips, and Mushroom Wellington (a vegan version of beef Wellington). Our fave? The Corned Beef Hash, which comes from their secret recipe.
Fun fact: the original owner was the brother of the owner of Sam’s Chop House. They’re equally good and offer some of the same dishes.
Modern British Restaurants in Manchester
Higher Ground
Media credit: highergroundmcr
Address: Faulkner House – New York St
Contact: 0161 470 9821, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12:30 pm – 4 pm & 5:30 pm – 12 am
Pricing: ££
This modern bistro and bar hidden in Faulkner House celebrates British produce, as it offers a seasonal menu that serves ingredients from the UK harvested at their peak. The Higher Ground takes British food to the next level.
Its servings are meant for sharing, perfect for having a natter. Each plate is teeming with flavours, especially the tasting menu, our personal favourite, even when the dishes are a surprise.
A la carte options are also available if you prefer to know what you’re eating. The oysters with rhubarb hot sauce add a spicy kick to the otherwise salty and ocean-fresh flavours. The Maldon oysters, albeit the priciest, have a nice, sweet aftertaste.
| Pro Tip: It’s highly recommended to book a reservation in advance, especially if you’re checking out weekend dates. |
TNQ – The Northern Quarter Restaurant & Bar
Media credit: tnqrestaurantandbar
Address: 108 High St
Contact: 0161 832 7115, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 7 pm
Pricing: ££
One of our favourite modern British restaurants in the Northern Quarter is the TNQ, serving British cuisine using the freshest ingredients found on the British Isles. Guests can expect a gourmet yet laid-back experience in a contemporary style setting.
With ever-changing menus (every three months), you can anticipate enticing dishes made of the finest ingredients. During our visit, we had the ribeye steak, a melt-in-your-mouth experience with rich flavours.
The best days to visit? Mondays and Thursdays for their unlimited wine and 3-course meals. End your visit with the delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding, a sweet and decadent dessert that perfectly wraps up your meal.
| Pro Tip: If you want to taste the TNQ’s take on international cuisine, book a reservation for their Gourmet Events for multi-course treats! |
Unique British Dining Experiences
The Pearl
Media credit: thepearlmanchester
Address: 425 Bury New Rd, Prestwich
Contact: 0161 526 3667, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday – Friday: 5 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 9 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm
Pricing: ££
The Pearl is a beloved British restaurant in its own charming way. It offers a relaxed space with muted colours and decor that doesn’t go over the top, perfect for quick catching up and low-key date nights.
But the menu is a tad more elevated than that. It serves seasonal British cuisine, showcasing fresh-from-the-season ingredients, from starter to dessert.
No Brit is going to say no to their Sunday lunch offerings, a 2- or 3-course meal that’s overall very tasty. We always go for the Isle of Wight Tomatoes with English burrata for a healthy start, and the Littlewoods British Rump with Yorkshire pudding.
| Pro Tip: Visit on Thursday during Steak Night for a £25 steak and frites! |
The Tea Room at The Midland
Media credit: themidlandmanchester
Address: The Midland Hotel – Peter St
Contact: 0161 235 4782, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Sunday: 12 pm – 4:30 pm
Pricing: ££
Fancy something fancy? The Tea Room at The Midland Hotel is the definition of posh, and it’s unique because this is the only place you’ll see a room dedicated entirely to afternoon tea in a Manchester hotel.
Just because it only serves afternoon tea doesn’t mean you won’t have a variety of options. There are different kinds prepared by their pastry chefs, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan, as well as an assortment of teas.
Our pick? The Midland Afternoon Tea with Earl Grey is composed of freshly baked scones, cakes, and sandwiches. If you’re bringing the little munchkins, there’s Children’s Afternoon Tea that comes with fresh juice.
| Pro Tip: Dress appropriately for The Tea Room’s sophisticated setting. Pastel colours will look good in pictures. |
