££Greek
With its all-day dining, caring service and sumptuous flavours of the Mediterranean, this is the kind of neighbourhood operation you could quickly find yourself visiting week after week. Part of the city’s Greengate development, its offering starts with brunch, before morphing from a café vibe into a wine bar and restaurant. The evening meze menu is a treat for all fans of Greek cuisine, with the likes of topped flatbreads (the lamb shoulder option is terrific), a supremely comforting chickpea stew and a selection of high-end tinned fish.
££Modern British
With its winning combo of cocktails and cooking over fire, Stow feels like a restaurant for our times. Start (and end) your visit with a drink in the front bar, before taking your seat at the counter in the tucked-away dining room. The small size gives it the feel of an intimate secret supper club, as you watch the chefs close-up, extracting maximum flavour from their ingredients. Prime cuts of meat, including ex-dairy beef, are a feature, but don’t miss the imaginative vegetable dishes too. Finish with the smoked cream tart, its gentile smokiness coming through in every mouthful.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 52 reviews
Stow offers Modern British cuisine in Manchester, specializing in small plates and shared mains. Food quality is generally praised, particularly the steak, chicken, and desserts, with chefs noted for accommodating specific requests like asparagus. However, some guests report issues with portion sizes, temperature control (lukewarm food due to cold plates), and occasional over-salting or burning. Service is described as friendly and knowledgeable, yet pacing is frequently criticized for being slow, with long waits between courses. The atmosphere features an engaging open kitchen and lively bar seating, though some tables are cramped in corridors. While the ambiance and food can be excellent, inconsistencies in service speed and portion expectations should be considered.
Suitable for diners who enjoy sharing meals and watching the chefs, with ample time allowed for slow pacing.
££Modern Cuisine
This welcoming bistro is located on Deansgate Mews, an elevated 'street' that’s part of the redeveloped Great Northern building in the city centre. The menu comprises an appealing array of sharing plates which champion produce from local, ethical growers. The eye-catching, vegetarian-led dishes are served one at a time and their flavours are punchy and pronounced. Craft beers and low-intervention wines accompany, while the nearby Holy Grain bakers provides them with some exceptional sourdough bread. Service is bubbly and the atmosphere is buzzing.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
Located on an upper floor of a Manchester mall, Another Hand offers an intimate, small-scale dining experience. Food quality is generally praised for its creativity and flavor, with highlights including beef tartare, scallops, and chocolate pudding. However, some guests found certain dishes like chicken plain or potatoes dry, indicating inconsistent execution. Service is typically warm and knowledgeable, though pacing can occasionally lag. The atmosphere is cozy and suitable for celebrations. While most reviews are positive, some diners feel the value does not match the cost, citing high prices relative to portion sizes or flavor impact. The location may be difficult to spot at night.
Suitable for diners seeking refined modern cuisine who can navigate a hidden location and manage expectations regarding value.
££british
Forming part of the Treehouse Hotel, Pip provides a calm oasis in the heart of the city. Like the hotel around it, the restaurant is decorated with a blend of repurposed materials and vintage pieces, with eye-catching pops of colour, wooden furnishings and a rustic touch. The kitchen is headed up Mary-Ellen McTague, a champion of the region who uses local produce and whose menu includes a satisfyingly rich and flavoursome take on the Lancashire hot pot. The service team are brimming with positivity and clearly love what they do.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.3/5 · 80 reviews
Pip receives generally positive feedback, with service and food quality being standout features. Guests frequently praise staff members like Victoria, Tony, and Kyle for their attentiveness, professionalism, and warm personalities. While the Sunday roast and breakfast are highly recommended, some diners found dishes like the chicken sandwich and pies lacking in flavor or portion size, with issues such as heavy pastry noted. The atmosphere is described as cozy and beautifully decorated, suitable for families and couples. However, negative reviews highlight inconsistent service, slow response times, and poor value for money on certain set menus. Visitors should expect variable food portions and ensure timely reservation handling.
Ideal for diners seeking attentive service and a cozy atmosphere, but avoid peak hours and be cautious with set menus.
££Modern Cuisine
Stretching over three floors of a tall, narrow townhouse, you enter this welcoming restaurant via its cosy bar – ideal for a cocktail or a glass from their selection of European natural and low-intervention wines – before heading up to dining rooms decked out in rustic, semi-industrial chic. Order some oysters or cheese beignets while you choose from a menu that shows off influences from both Spain (Cantabrian anchovies on toast) and France (chocolate ganache). Throughout the cooking, the well-crafted dishes allow top-quality ingredients to shine.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
10 Tib Lane is renowned for modern cuisine and small plates, maintaining high ratings. Food quality is generally praised for fresh oysters, innovative seasonal dishes, and excellent cocktails. However, some Sunday roasts received criticism for poor meat quality or hard puddings. Service is consistently highlighted as friendly, professional, and attentive. The atmosphere is relaxed and chic, though seating can feel cramped. Value is mixed; while many enjoy the experience, some guests found the small portions insufficient for the price, describing them as overpriced. Overall, it is a popular Manchester destination offering high-quality dining and drinks, suitable for those prioritizing culinary excellence and ambiance over portion size.
Ideal for diners seeking refined small plates and attentive service, avoiding Sunday roasts.
££££french
The famous Midland Hotel hotel was first built to herald the arrival of the Midland Railway in Manchester, and its current restaurant has been created in the Belle Époque style to evoke the luxury of the day. Whilst its name remains in reference to its historical past, today, Chef Adam Reid's multi-course menu is more inspired by his northern roots than it is by France. The richly flavoured, occasionally playful, dishes come with cryptic, concise menu descriptions such as 'Fungi' and 'Fish', but the personable chefs are on hand to explain and finish off each course tableside .
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
Adam Reid at The French, located in Manchester’s Midland Hotel, receives high praise for its exceptional food quality and professional service. Guests frequently highlight the exquisite presentation, complex flavors, and the chef’s detailed explanations of each course. The atmosphere is described as elegant and suitable for special occasions, with attentive staff contributing to a welcoming environment. However, some reviews note issues with meal pacing, small portion sizes, and inconsistent service standards. A minority of diners felt the experience did not justify the high cost, citing disappointment compared to other Michelin-starred venues. While most find the culinary execution outstanding, potential visitors should be aware of mixed feedback regarding value for money and service reliability.
Suitable for special occasions seeking refined cuisine and elegance, though guests should maintain realistic expectations regarding value and service consistency.
££Traditional British
Manchester’s industrial history feels like it’s had an overt influence on this buzzing brasserie with a large kitchen counter and a stripped-back look. The cooking has an admirably gutsy, straightforward quality to it, with hints of nostalgia. Think cold cuts, whole fish, hearty homemade pies and a mixed grill. It’s all executed with skill and the ingredients are of obvious quality, resulting in no shortage of flavour. The young and enthusiastic service team are a perfect fit for such a fun place.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.3/5 · 50 reviews
Winsome is a traditional British restaurant in Manchester with generally positive feedback. Food quality is widely praised for its high-quality ingredients and authentic cooking, with oysters, bread, and desserts being highlights. However, some diners noted issues with fatty mains, bland flavors, or insufficient portions. Service is typically attentive and friendly, though isolated incidents of spills were reported. The atmosphere is comfortable, featuring industrial-style decor and pleasant music. Value perceptions vary, with some finding it reasonable and others questioning the cost. Overall, it suits travelers seeking classic British cuisine in a welcoming setting.
Suitable for diners seeking traditional British cuisine in a comfortable, atmospheric setting.
£££Brazilian
In Manchester’s artsy Northern Quarter, Sampa is quite literally hidden away, with the exact address of this 12-seater chef’s counter only provided to guests 24 hours prior to dining, and a sign hung outside the door just 20 minutes before service. This sense of intrigue is fitting for an immersive experience where Chef Caroline Martins hosts her guests in a gregarious manner and treats them to a surprise menu of Brazilian cuisine. From the traditional ‘pão de queijo’ cheese bread to the showstopping ‘Dormouse’ dessert, these are fun, flavourful dishes packed with personality.