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Manchester’s 10 Best Caesar Salads
We believe that a great Mancunian restaurant excels not only in the most elaborate of dishes but also in the simplest ones. Doing so shows that it cares about every level of its process—even the top fish and chips shops, right?
Which is why we did something new: checking out the best restaurants that excel in a basic dish like the Caesar salad. We’re glad we did because we found out places great for those who like it simple, complicated, or everything in between.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the best restaurants for Caesar salad in Manchester!
The Bay Horse Tavern
Media from The Bay Horse Tavern
Address: 35-37 Thomas Street
Contact details: 0161 669 5799, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
For one of the tastiest salads in the city, going to a posh restaurant isn’t really necessary. Find the plate of greens that might change the way you look at a salad at the Bay Horse Tavern—a modern pub, in the middle of the Northern Quarter.
What’s special about its salads? There are only two in the menu: Cauliflower for those who like things light and veg-friendly, and the aforementioned Caesar for everyone else.
The Caesar just slaps with the house’s own take on the sour dressing, mixed with chicken breast, bacon, and crouton pieces. Everything is also topped with a generous cloud of Parmesan—it’s a salad that’s so pretty!
Pro tip:
Hungry but craving the sour taste of Caesar dressing? Drop by the Bay Horse Tavern before 5:00 PM daily, and grab the chopped Caesar salad sandwich—same ingredients, but with a lot more bread and protein for more fuel throughout the day.
The Black Friar
Media from The Black Friar Salford
Address: 41-43 Blackfriars Rd, Salford
Contact details: 0161 667 9555, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Black Friar is a classic Salford pub that’s been around since the late Victorian era (although it was missing in action for some 15 years until 2021). It’s easy to spot, since its quirky structure comprises the OG brick building and a modern extension.
This pub has a vast menu full of delicious plates for mains and sharing—the drinks, of course, differ as well.
However, it has an unusual pub grub offering that’s equal parts tasty and fun to look at, called the chicken Caesar schnitzel. It’s basically a juicy slab of battered chicken fillet topped with lettuce, eggs, Caesar dressing, anchovies, and Grana Padano cheese.
See, we told you it’s fun.
Pro tip:
While you’re at it, grab the Black Friar’s famous pie. There’s a different flavour available each day, but if you catch the chicken one, then we’re pretty confident you’ll have a dead good time.
The Con Club
Media from THE CON CLUB RESTAURANT
Address: 48 Greenwood Street, Altrincham
Contact details: 0161 696 6870
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday – 11:00 AM to 12:30 AM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 12:30 AM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: £
Website
Menu
Rest assured that the Con Club’s name neither comes from having “cons” nor any grim history. It’s short for the “Working Men’s Conservative Club,” where, yes, “con” actually meant “conservative.”
This Alty mainstay is most known for a casual dining menu and being open every day. The locals love its ambience because it’s very reminiscent of a workingman’s canteen—vibrant, spacious, and loud with all the diners chatting!
As for the menu, the Con Club’s Caesar salad ticks all the boxes a typical one could have, but the restaurant elevates it by adding crispy chicken skin. That’s more crunch than we can ask for!
Pro tip:
Looking for other places to visit after eating at the Con Club? Walk right across the road from the Club and shop at Altrincham Market.
Tartuffe
Media from Tartuffe
Address: Side Street, Manchester, ABC Buildings, 21-23 Quay Street
Contact details: 0161 676 9986, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Monday – CLOSED
Pricing: £
Website
Tartuffe is a pop-up kitchen that’s part of Side Street at the Quays. It’s been making waves in the local restaurant scene with its innovative and appetising takes on European cuisine.
For example, it got shortlisted for the Pop-Up or Project of the Year category at the 2024 Manchester Food and Drink Festival!
Tartuffe’s menu is short and differs based on the time of service. It specialises in rotisserie chicken, and one of our current favourites is its Caesar salad twist.
The Tartuffe Caesar uses rotisserie chicken and pickled anchovies on top of the usual lettuce and dressing recipe, making the dish more filling and miles more splendid.
Pro tip:
Tartuffe’s menu changes with the seasons, but a constant is its signature roasted chicken.
The Trading Route
Media from Trading Route
Address: 1 Goods Yard Street
Contact details: 0161 399 4032, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily – 11:00 AM to late (kitchen until 9:00 PM)
Pricing: £
Website
Menu
Head to the end of Goods Yard Street near the River Irwell to experience a modern beer hall. Complete with all the bells and whistles, the Trading Route is a watering hole that promises scrumptious food, great beers, and a good time.
Thanks to its in-house rotisserie, patrons are blessed with freshly roasted chicken—one can order a whole bird or half of it. For a complete meal, its Caesar salad variation is a godsend.
Dip the chicken in romesco (Italian tomato sauce), pickles, and mustard mayonnaise for full flavour. Just be careful with the croutons, else your newtons could get in trouble.
Pro tip:
Did you know that you can thank the chefs at Trof for the Trading Route’s menu? Establishments helping their brethren—one thing we can always get by.
Albert’s Schloss Manchester
Media from Albert’s Schloss
Address: 27 Peter Street
Contact details: 01618334040, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily – 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Pricing: ££
Website
Menu
Discover this schloss (castle, in German) dedicated to Queen Victoria’s dearly beloved, Prince Albert.
The best thing is that it dwells on the bright side of his legacy—his alpine homeland, passion for life, literature, art, and music—from morning ‘til late, every day.
True to its ethos, the best part of Albert’s Schloss is the host of live performances that grace its halls. It’s cabaret and dancing galore!
Now, since we’re talking about the best Caesar salads, the Schloss doesn’t disappoint. You can order the salad in its most basic form as a side, but we suggest you indulge more by getting it with chicken schnitzel on one plate.
Pro tip:
Get to enjoy the performances at Albert’s Schloss for no extra fees! Sit down, dine, and enjoy the show.
The Smithfield Social
Media from The Smithfield Social
Address: 53–55 Thomas Street
Contact details: 0161 441 3522, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to late
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to late
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The Smithfield Social is a no-frills restaurant and bar in the Northern Quarter. This came as no surprise to us, since it turns out to be a collaboration between musician Lian Fray (of the Courteeners) and the talented staff from NQ co-local, TNQ restaurant.
At first thought, you’d expect to see Caesar salad in its usual form here, but the Smithfield Social delivers it better to unsuspecting diners with a starchy twist.
The restaurant serves the salad via small plates any time of day, but instead of putting it on top of chicken, it’s topped by a tall stack of hash browns and grated Parmesan. The anchovies still grace the plate, though.
Pro tip:
Want to have some drinks with your salad without breaking the bank? Head on to the Smithfield Social every Monday through Friday, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Medlock Canteen
Media from MEDLOCK CANTEEN
Address: 5 Owen St, Deansgate, New Jackson
Contact details: 07780310911, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Monday and Tuesday – CLOSED
Medlock Canteen is a lovely place to visit if you’re anywhere near Deansgate Square. It offers an unusual diner experience—pretty chic yet informal, thanks to its mix of American and Parisian elements in food and service.
For salad aficionados, you’ll get proper sorted for dinner on weekday evenings with the chicken Caesar salad. It’s light enough for people on a diet, but still complete with the greens, the house’s roast chicken, anchovies, and the sour and tangy dressing.
Once done with your main, order a deep-fried rhubarb pie with custard sauce for dessert. It’s simple and not so overly sweet, making it an (almost) cult favourite in the restaurant.
Pro tip:
Medlock Canteen’s Caesar salad plate serves 1–2 people, so you can also get it for sharing!
Eat Italian Manchester
Address: 39-41 Parker Street, Piccadilly Gardens
Contact details: 0161 526 9440, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
For Italian food on the go, Eat Italian is a very simple restaurant you can drop by in the middle of a commute. Another brilliant thing is that the prices are fair and worth the quality of nosh you’re getting.
As with other Italian restaurants, Eat specialises in pizza—easy to cook, easy to pack and take home. But don’t get it wrong, the food here is still full of fresh flavours since everything’s made to order!
That said, we’re happy to report that the salads are great, too. There are four types on the menu, but if you go the basic route of the chicken Caesar, the taste, freshness, and serving size won’t disappoint you!
Pro tip:
Eat Italian opened for business in 2024, so pay it a visit yourself to not miss meals this good and affordable!
Gusto Italian Manchester
Media from Gusto Italian
Address: 4 Lloyd Street
Contact details: 01616 411 120, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Aside from being a brilliant choice for graduation dinners for its posh ambience, casual diners can also enjoy Gusto Italian’s tasty meals on normal days. However, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that stuff here costs more than average.
Nonetheless, the restaurant lives up to its ambience with top-notch food and service. Most diners come here for the bottomless brunch, but à la carte offerings also shine.
For one, its Caesar salad is unique because it uses Gran Moravia instead of Parmesan, giving the dish a less salty yet creamier consistency. Also, the choice to add or not to add chicken gives diners more freedom in adapting the salad to personal taste.
Pro tip:
Gusto Italian is quite a posh establishment, so it comes with the territory that no pets are allowed on the premises.
