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Manchester UK’s Top 11 Food Spots for a Diverse Dining Experience
Alright, folks, let’s talk food. Manchester’s dining scene is hotter than a jalapeño on a summer’s day, and if your taste buds are itching for an adventure, you’re in the right place.
We’ve scoured the streets, chowed down at countless spots, and probably gained a few pounds just to bring you this guide.
Ready to dig in? Let’s get started!
Dishoom
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Address: 32 Bridge St
Contact details: +44 161 537 3737
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 8AM-11PM
- Sat 9AM-11PM
- Sun 9AM-10PM
Pricing: ££
Dishoom offers a taste of the old Irani cafés of Bombay, with a stylised decor to match. When it first opened in Manchester, people were queuing down the street, and even now, the crowds haven’t thinned.
Dishoom isn’t just about great food – they’re also active in charitable work, so you can feel good knowing some of your money is supporting worthy causes.
In addition, you’ll find this place is a multi-sensory hit: thick incense smoke wafts through corridors, ’60s Indian psych tracks drift over the speakers, and the huge 150-seater dining room, housed in the Grade II-listed Manchester Hall.
The one thing that outshines the decor is the food. Pau bhaji, a popular Indian street food, is comfort food at its best: a gently spiced mix of mashed tomato, beans, potato, and veg, all scooped up with hot home-made rolls fried in butter.
| Pro tip: For a perfect morning boost, pair your Bacon Naan Roll with their signature chai tea. |
Bundobust
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Address: 19 Oxford St
Contact Details: +44 161 359 6757
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-10PM
Pricing: ££
Bundobust is where Indian street food meets craft beer – it doesn’t get much better than that. Starting out in Leeds, Bundobust chose Manchester for its second and third locations (one near Piccadilly Gardens and one that’s also a brewery on Oxford Road).
Inside, it’s casual and hip with a smattering of retro Bollywood; long communal dining tables are packed with dishes that fuse northern produce with Gujarati street food. Even if you’re a hard-core meat-eater, the vegetarian menu here will win you over.
Try the Okra Fries, Vada Pav, and Bhel Puri – they’re bursting with flavour. And don’t forget to sample their house-made beer; the coriander pilsner and tamarind cider are must-tries.
| Pro tip: Pair the Okra Fries with their house-made pale ale for a match made in heaven. |
10 Tib Lane
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Address: 10 Tib Lane
Contact details: +44 161 832 2035
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-12AM
Pricing: £££
The menu at 10 Tib Lane, influenced by French cuisine, features a mix of contemporary British dishes, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. You can expect to find exciting seasonal veggie options like baby courgettes with polenta or chicory with pickled veg.
The seafood and meat dishes, such as onglet with red wine sauce or a French trimmed pork chop, are impeccably cooked. The cosy, dimly lit interior with exposed brick walls and chic decor adds to the charm, making it an ideal spot for your romantic dinner or a catch-up with friends.
And don’t forget the cocktails – the owners also run Chorlton’s coolest cocktail bar, Henry C, so they really know their stuff.
| Pro tip: Book a table for the evening and try their signature cocktails – they’re as innovative as their dishes. |
Skof
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Contact details: +44 161 897 1234
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 12PM-10PM
- Sat – Sun 11AM-11PM
Pricing: £££
Skof is a relaxed, high-end tasting menu restaurant from Michelin-seducing Cumbrian chef Tom Barnes.Why go? Just when you thought Manchester had peaked, in struts this game changer.
You no longer have to schlep to the Lake District to enjoy a four-hour tasting menu full of dishes like miso custard with hen of the woods, truffle, and mushroom dashi or steamed West Coast cod with whey Cipollini onions, smoked eel, and buttermilk.
With his first solo project, Skof, Great British Menu star (and Simon Rogan protégé) Tom Barnes has carefully propagated the seeds of his Cumbrian success into a thoroughly Mancunian setting.
| Pro tip: Skof’s popularity means getting a table is akin to bagging Glasto tickets. Sign up for their newsletter to be notified when the next reservations are released. |
Where The Light Gets In
Address: Rostron House, 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport
Contact details: +44 161 477 5744
Operating hours:
- Wed – Fri 6:30PM-12AM
- Sat 12:30PM-12AM
Pricing: £££
Off the tourist track but well worth the pilgrimage, Where The Light Gets In has really earned its Michelin Green Star.
The passionate team operates in the loft of a lovingly restored Victorian coffee warehouse in Stockport, and many of the ingredients are sourced from their own nearby allotment. There’s no denying you’ll spend some serious money here, but is it worth it? Absolutely.
The open kitchen concept means you can watch the chefs work their magic, creating a meat-focused tasting menu that changes with the seasons. The ambiance is modern and airy, perfect for an unforgettable dining experience.
| Pro tip: While you’re in the area, nip to Yellowhammer bakery and wine bar around the corner, the side project of WTLGI owner Sam Buckley. |
Erst
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Address: 9 Murray Street
Contact Details: +44 161 826 3008
Operating Hours:
- Tue-Sat: 12PM-10PM
- Sun-Mon: Closed
Pricing: £££
Erst is a meticulously curated space that looks like it’s come off the cover of a magazine, and equal attention goes into creating big flavours on the menu. At the heart of Erst’s kitchen is an open-flame grill that kicks out dishes varying according to the season.
Think ice-cold oysters, deliciously fatty and crisp pork belly, and cured fish with seasonally changing accompaniments. Don’t miss the signature flatbread with beef fat and urfa chilli.
The decor is stylish yet welcoming, making it a perfect spot for both casual dining and special occasions. The natural wine selection is superb, and the knowledgeable staff are always on hand to recommend the perfect bottle to complement your meal.
| Pro tip: Trust the staff to recommend a bottle of natural wine and settle in for the evening. |
Higher Ground
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Address: 10 Blossom St, Ancoats
Contact details: +44 161 837 1847
Operating Hours: Tue – Sat 12PM-10PM
Pricing: £££
Right, mate, if you’re looking for the hippest spot in town, you’ve got to check out Higher Ground. Imagine a place run by folks who’ve honed their skills at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Noma, and Where The Light Gets In.
They work with whole animals from local farms, so you might tuck into pig head terrine and pork belly one month, then slow-cooked brisket and T-bone steaks the next. Their produce? All organic, grown at their very own Cinderwood Market Garden.
The ambiance is modern but not at all stuffy. The tunes are smooth, the vibe is relaxed, and the service? They make you feel like you’ve just popped round to a mate’s for dinner.
| Pro tip: Don’t leave without trying the Marfona potatoes, pureed in smoked butter. It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds. |
Climat
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Address: 10 Booth St
Contact details: +44 161 302 7600
Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-11PM
Pricing: £££
Let’s talk about Climat. If you fancy a meal with a view, this is your spot. It’s perched on the eighth floor, giving you stunning panoramic views of Manchester – perfect for watching the sunset.
Chef Luke Richardson is the genius behind the menu, which is a delightful mix of playful snacks and hearty mains. Imagine nibbling on hash browns with lemony taramasalata or biting into a retro vol-au-vent.
And for the main event, you can’t go wrong with the dry-aged sirloin paired with dulse hollandaise. The wine list is a beast – it’s huge – but don’t worry, the in-house sommeliers are there to guide you to the perfect bottle without any of that wine snobbery.
| Pro tip: Take advantage of their prix fixe lunch and early dinner menu; three courses for £26 is a fantastic deal. |
The Sparrows
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Address: 16 Red Bank
Contact details: +44 161 832 3900
Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-10PM
Pricing: ££
If you’ve never tried spätzle, you’re in for a treat at The Sparrows. These are egg noodles that hail from places like South Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They’re super versatile and oh-so-comforting.
The Sparrows also serve up dumplings with an Eastern European twist, and they’re just as delicious. The daily baked bread is to die for, and their sauces? You’ll be tempted to lick the plate clean.
The wine selection is full of delightful surprises that pair perfectly with the hearty dishes.
| Pro tip: Book your table early – this gem fills up fast! |
Another Hand
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Address: Deansgate Mews
Contact details: +44 161 834 1234
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 10AM-10PM
Pricing: £££
This gem, which opened its doors in February 2022, comes from the talented team behind 3 Hands Deli. The brains behind the operation, chefs Julian Pizer and Max Yorke, have honed their skills at places like Cottonopolis, The Edinburgh Castle, and Hispi.
The menu here is a tribute to local suppliers like Cinderwood and Platt Fields Market Garden. It’s breakfast, with options like homemade granola with local honey and Skyr yoghurt, or wild mushrooms on toast with hazelnuts and sherry, you’re starting the day right.
Their legendary sandwiches from 3 Hands Deli, like the lamb merguez and pickle or ham and Garstang blue toasties, now have a comfy spot to be enjoyed.
Desserts crafted by pastry chef Sian Wilson, like the warm rye chocolate with speculoos or the honey peach parfait with magnolia, are pure indulgence. Pair your meal with a glass from their natural and biodynamic wine list or a cocktail mixed to perfection by the front-of-house team.
| Pro tip: The evening menu changes daily, so there’s always something new and exciting to try. |
Adam Reid at The French
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Address: The Midland Hotel, Peter St
Contact details: +44 161 236 3333
Operating Hours: Tue – Sat 12PM-2PM, 6PM-10PM
Pricing: ££££
If you’re into fine dining with a rock ‘n’ roll twist, this place is a must-visit. Adam Reid, Simon Rogan’s protégé, brings a bit of Mancunian attitude to the grandeur of the Grade II Listed Victorian surrounds at The Midland Hotel.
The soundtrack, often featuring The Beatles and Oasis, is plucked straight from Reid’s personal playlist, setting a cool, contemporary scene for the culinary delights ahead. The tasting menu here is nothing short of spectacular.
You can find dishes like salt-aged duck with a zingy cherry sauce or soft raw scallops with buttermilk gel, all adorned with flowers from their rooftop garden. Reid’s approach to upscale comfort food will have you rethinking your idea of a posh nosh.
And desserts? Think along the lines of Reid’s Great British Menu-winning creation – a blown-sugar clementine with white chocolate leaf and sea buckthorn sorbet. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.
| Pro tip: Be sure to try the ‘Golden Empire’ dessert, many find it a showstopper! |
