Where To Eat & Drink In Manchester
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Manchester has some seriously good foodie spots to visit, with everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to edgy late-night bars. Whether you’re craving refined British flavours, comforting European classics, inventive cocktails, or bold, experimental cooking, these are some great spots to eat and drink in Manchester:
Winsome
At Winsome, you can look forward to thoughtful British cooking. Think rock oysters, Brixham crab, Scottish sea trout, Shetland monk fish, Yorkshire rabbit on the à la carte menu. There’s a pie of the week special that looks incredible – there’s currently a herb-fed chicken, mushroom and autumn truffle pie on the menu, while desserts are all about nostalgic flavours like rhubarb jelly and custard, bread and butter pudding.
Around 50% of the menu is perfect for pescatarians and vegetarians, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy – not just meat eaters.
where: 74 Princess St, Manchester M1 6JD
website: www.winsomemcr.co.uk
Skof
Since opening last year, Skof has already earned a Michelin star in February 2025. Located at the Hanover building, a former drapery warehouse, the restaurant is right in the middle of Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood. Skof is all about casual dining, so you can expect a relaxed vibe with great food. As a small restaurant, tables fill up quickly, so it’s recommended to make your reservations early – online bookings are released monthly on a first-come, first-served basis.
where: 3 Federation St, Manchester M4 4BF
website: www.skofmanchester.co.uk
The Sparrows
At The Sparrows, the menu is inspired by traditional flavours of Central Europe and pays respect to the recipes of many a German, Italian and Polish grandmother. You’ll find European classics on the menu, like the Polish pierogi and Italian ravioli, and to drink, you can choose between Swiss craft beer, organic Austrian wine or Japanese sake.
where: Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
website: www.thesparrows.me
Higher Ground
This British bistro and bar is all about focusing on seasonal cooking. Dishes change daily here, and the restaurant champions seasonal vegetables mostly sourced from their farm, Cinderwood Market Garden in Cheshire. On the sample menu, we spotted the likes of green pea fritters with cheddar, Sussex ricotta dumplings, blackberry, fig leaf and house-cultured yoghurt and a decadent caramelised whey tart and sour cream. Plus, the wine list spotlights small-scale, low-intervention winemakers from across Europe.
where: New York St, Manchester M1 4DY
website: www.highergroundmcr.co.uk
Mana
Founded by Chef Simon Martin, Mana is a modern British fine dining restaurant with a multi-course tasting menu inspired by fermentation and fire. The minimalist interiors put the focus squarely on the food – gently poached oysters, scallops from the Shetland Islands, three-day milk bread…you’d be well advised to show up for your reservation hungry, because you won’t want to miss a thing.
Chef Simon Martin delivers a multi-course tasting menu that’s hyper-seasonal and inventive.
where: Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF
website: www.manarestaurant.co.uk
stow
An open fire restaurant and cocktail bar nestled in the heart of Manchester’s Deansgate, this is another spot that focuses on seasonal ingredients. From grilled corn and BBQ peaches to sirloin, pork collar and a smoked cream tart for dessert – the restaurant uses an open fire concept, so expect plenty of smoky flavours on your plate that you’ll be thinking of long after your meal. Plus, if you love an experimental cocktail, the drinks menu will not disappoint.
where: 62 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BW
website: www.stowmcr.co.uk
Schofield’s Bar
A cornerstone of Manchester’s cocktail scene, Schofield’s Bar serves cocktails that are nothing short of a masterpiece. The bar consistently ranks among the UK’s finest, and serves everything from the classics to inventive drinks like the Blank Cheque (made from Booth’s Gin and textures of plum, raspberry, rose and citrus) or the Sicario (Patron Reposado tequila with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, banana and grapefruit bitters). Every three months, the bar changes half of its menu, in line with the change in season, so you always have reason to return.
Schofield’s Bar serves cocktails that are nothing short of a masterpiece.
where: 3 Little Quay St, Manchester M3 3JZ
website: www.schofieldsbar.com
The Daisy
The Daisy is a chic, Parisian-inspired cocktail lounge that hosts live music and DJ sets on weekends. The space is adorned with chequered floors, pleated lamps, and black-and-white art prints and is known for its expertly crafted cocktails. The Daisy features a menu with classic drinks and unique creations, such as the Hamani Sour (made with cherry blossom syrup) or the yuzu paloma (with yuzu sake). The venue also hosts live music and DJ sets on weekends.
where: 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB
website: www.thedaisynq.com
