The best American restaurants in Manchester

The best American restaurants in Manchester

American cuisine is famously decadent, heavy, and over-the-top. It's also delicious and comforting. The spirit of the United States' culinary landscape is alive and thriving in Manchester, with the city offering everything from classic American diners to authentic dive bars. Whether you're craving smoky BBQ ribs, towering burgers, or indulgent milkshakes, our guide to the best American restaurants in Manchester is ready to satisfy your stateside cravings. Read on to discover where to go for American food in Manchester.

In this guide
  1. Where to go for American food in Manchester
    1. Bunny Jackson's – One of the hottest American joints in town
    2. Sweet Diner – Decadent American diner
    3. Northern Soul – Grilled-cheese toasties the American way
    4. Archie's – Instagrammable diner chain
    5. American Pies – Deep-dish pizza in Manchester city centre
    6. The Blues Kitchen – Welcome to the Deep South
    7. Yard & Coop – Classic American comfort food
    8. Herbivorous – Vegan American recipes
    9. Ramona – Detroit pizza by the slice
    10. Cane & Grain – Ribs and cocktails
    11. Triple B – Beef, bagels, burgers
    12. Runyon's – Where Britain meets Brooklyn
    13. Almost Famous – Dirty burger pioneers
    14. Salt Dog Slim's – American dive bar with legendary hotdogs
    15. Moose Coffee – Hearty American breakfasts in Manchester

Where to go for American food in Manchester

Manchester's best American restaurants

Bunny Jackson's

One of the hottest American joints in town

Student haunt Bunny Jackson's is a thick slab of USA culture in Manchester. This authentic dive bar is open daily 'til late, has American beer and whisky ready to go in the fridge, and shows NFL games. The affordable joint also serves proper American pub fare, including cheap wings at just 25p a pop, burgers, and sides like fries or mozzarella dippers. If you've got the stomach for spicy food, you can even take on their Hot Wings challenge.

Sweet Diner

Decadent American diner

Sweet Diner, an American-style diner known for its laid-back counter service since 2015, is easily identifiable by the brightly lit sign. The family-friendly establishment offers an array of towering burgers with unique toppings, including unexpected choices like Biscoff spread. In addition to the burgers, Sweet Diner also boasts a tempting selection of shakes and a variety of sweet desserts.

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – American restaurants
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese

Northern Soul

Grilled-cheese toasties the American way

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese is renowned for its top-notch cheesy toasties. This bright yellow eatery specialises in American-style comfort food, offering customisable grilled cheese sandwiches with various toppings and pre-built options, along with other American classics and a range of drinks. The bustling Northern Quarter venue offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but you'll likely still have to wait for a table due to its popularity.

Archie's Piccadilly Archie's Trafford Centre Archie's Takeaway Archie's Oxford Road Archie's Manchester Arndale Archie's Manchester Airport
Archie's Piccadilly
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Archie's Trafford Centre
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Archie's Takeaway
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Archie's Oxford Road
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Archie's Manchester Arndale
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Archie's Manchester Airport
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Archie's Piccadilly Archie's Trafford Centre Archie's Takeaway Archie's Oxford Road Archie's Manchester Arndale Archie's Manchester Airport

Instagrammable diner chain

Inspired by classic teen comedy "License to Drive", Archie's invites diners to enjoy meals in strikingly pink settings, making it a modern and highly photogenic spot in Manchester. The restaurants pair their quirky atmosphere with American comfort food, such as burgers, chicken, and fries, as well as lavish desserts, including waffles and shakes. The menu here is fully halal.

  • Gateway House, Piccadilly, Manchester City Centre 132-134 The Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park 72 Oxford St, Manchester City Centre 115 Oxford Rd Manchester Arndale, Manchester City Centre Manchester Airport, Terminal 2
    Archie's Piccadilly
    Gateway House, Piccadilly, Manchester City Centre
    Archie's Trafford Centre
    132-134 The Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park
    Archie's Takeaway
    72 Oxford St, Manchester City Centre
    Archie's Oxford Road
    115 Oxford Rd
    Archie's Manchester Arndale
    Manchester Arndale, Manchester City Centre
    Archie's Manchester Airport
    Manchester Airport, Terminal 2
  • Archie's Piccadilly
    archies.com
    Archie's Trafford Centre
    archies.com
    Archie's Takeaway
    archies.com
    Archie's Oxford Road
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    Archie's Manchester Arndale
    archies.com
    Archie's Manchester Airport
    archies.com
    Archie's Piccadilly
    016-182 008 10
    Archie's Trafford Centre
    016-174 777 76
    Archie's Takeaway
    016-153 231 21
    Archie's Oxford Road
    016-146 436 54
    Archie's Manchester Arndale
    016-146 439 58
    Archie's Manchester Airport
    016-167 611 20
  • Archie's Piccadilly Archie's Trafford Centre Archie's Takeaway Archie's Oxford Road Archie's Manchester Arndale Archie's Manchester Airport

American Pies

Deep-dish pizza in Manchester city centre

If you'd like to try authentic deep-dish pizza, head to American Pies in Chinatown. This relaxed pizzeria serves this indulgent American take on the Italian classic, featuring a signature parmesan crust and stacked with a varied assortment of toppings. The star of the show is complemented by the likes of garlic bread, dough balls, and loaded tater tots. This contemporary restaurant is fitted with large windows and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

The Blues Kitchen

Welcome to the Deep South

The Blues Kitchen in Manchester draws inspiration from the lively diners of the southeastern USA, combining hearty meals with soulful music. Dining here is a comprehensive experience revolving around live music, with the house band playing soul, blues, funk, and rock 'n' roll as you enjoy your meal. The musical backdrop pairs perfectly with the authentic Cajun BBQ fare on the menu, with the meats cured and smoked in-house over American hickory to achieve a genuine, rich flavour.

Yard & Coop

Classic American comfort food

Yard & Coop in Manchester is a magnet for fried chicken enthusiasts, boasting a contemporary and stylish interior. Specialising in buttermilk fried chicken, they also offer burgers, big plates such as a lasagne burrito, and various sides. You'll find American influences throughout the menu, including the likes of Dr Pepper BBQ or Dorito sauce. Children and big groups are also welcome here.

Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens Herbivorous Withington
Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens
herbivorous.co.uk
Herbivorous Withington
herbivorous.co.uk
Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens Herbivorous Withington

Vegan American recipes

Herbivorous is a popular vegan dining spot with multiple branches in Manchester. Renowned for its eclectic charm, the restaurant prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients and making all its dishes from scratch. The menu features contemporary American fare, with a plant-based twist on classics like Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, wings, and creamy mac and cheese.

  • 445 Wilmslow Rd, Withington The Piccadilly Gardens Street Food Market, Market Street, Manchester City Centre
    Herbivorous Withington
    445 Wilmslow Rd, Withington
    Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens
    The Piccadilly Gardens Street Food Market, Market Street, Manchester City Centre
  • Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens
    herbivorous.co.uk
    Herbivorous Withington
    herbivorous.co.uk
    Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens
    078-531 747 42
    Herbivorous Withington
    075-198 876 77
  • Herbivorous Piccadilly Gardens Herbivorous Withington

Ramona

Detroit pizza by the slice

Looking for Detroit-style pizza in Manchester? Look no further, as Ramona in the heart of the city combines hip cocktail bar vibes with a menu of rectangular pizzas made with double-fermented focaccia dough, house tomato sauce, and a variety of toppings, including local takes such as the Sunday roast pizza. The funky décor adds to the easy-going setting, perfect for sipping on creative drinks while soaking up ambiance.

Cane & Grain

Ribs and cocktails

Cane & Grain rolls the charms of a craft beer taproom, rum bar, and Deep South eatery into one vibrant destination. Echoing the ramshackle appeal of 1980s skateboarding culture in its decor, the bar and restaurant also offers a private lounge for special occasions. The drink selection is impressive, with large cocktail steins and American beers on tap, while highlights on the kitchen menu include ribs, burgers, and decadent sides.

Triple B

Beef, bagels, burgers

Triple B is a bricks-and-mortar site by the team behind the popular Eat New York food truck. This snug corner shop is known for its New York-style bagels stuffed with house-cured salt beef and pastrami, as well as an assortment of burgers, sides, and desserts. While their main location is in Prestwich, they're also known for making frequent pop-up appearances around Manchester.

Runyon's

Where Britain meets Brooklyn

Hotel Brooklyn's restaurant is a fusion of New York City inspiration and British tradition. This transatlantic blend is reflected in its extensive and diverse menu, featuring dishes that harmonise favourites from both the UK and the US, like Brooklyn beer-battered haddock or knickerbocker glory, alongside foot-long hotdogs, towering burgers, reubens, and more, washed down with American cocktails. Set in an industrial-style space, Runyon's is open all day.

Almost Famous NQ Almost Famous GN Almost Famous Withington
Almost Famous NQ
almostfamousburgers.com/northernquarter
Almost Famous GN
almostfamousburgers.com/greatnorthern
Almost Famous Withington
almostfamousburgers.com/withington
Almost Famous NQ Almost Famous GN Almost Famous Withington

Dirty burger pioneers

Almost Famous is one of the originators of the dirty burger trend in Manchester and operates multiple venues across the city. With colourful interiors featuring modern furniture and striking wall art, the American restaurants serve generously topped burgers accompanied by indulgent side dishes. Additionally, they offer takeaway options and a bottomless brunch experience.

  • 49-51 Edge St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter Unit 2, Great Northern Warehouse, Peter Street, Manchester City Centre 437 Wilmslow Rd, Withington
    Almost Famous NQ
    49-51 Edge St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Almost Famous GN
    Unit 2, Great Northern Warehouse, Peter Street, Manchester City Centre
    Almost Famous Withington
    437 Wilmslow Rd, Withington
  • Almost Famous NQ
    almostfamousburgers.com/northernquarter
    Almost Famous GN
    almostfamousburgers.com/greatnorthern
    Almost Famous Withington
    almostfamousburgers.com/withington
    Almost Famous NQ
    016-124 494 24
    Almost Famous GN
    016-121 987 21
    Almost Famous Withington
    016-124 494 25
  • Almost Famous NQ Almost Famous GN Almost Famous Withington

Salt Dog Slim's

American dive bar with legendary hotdogs

Salt Dog Slim's, a genuine American dive bar in Manchester city centre, offers a vibrant atmosphere with a rocking soundtrack, perfect for those in search of a few drinks. The bar boasts an eclectic drink selection, including large steins of German beer and creatively mixed cocktails. To soak up the booze, they serve their famous brine hotdogs with a variety of condiments, including a notably spicy option for those who enjoy a fiery kick.

Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street
Moose Coffee Piccadilly
moosecoffee.co
Moose Coffee York Street
moosecoffee.co
Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street

Hearty American breakfasts in Manchester

The family-run Moose Coffee aims to spread the founders' passion for hearty North American breakfasts. Adorned with moose-themed paraphernalia, these chic venues get very popular during peak breakfast and brunch hours. They offer an extensive menu that includes a variety of breakfast platters, along with eggs benedict, sandwiches, stacks of pancakes and waffles, and more.

  • Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester City Centre York House, 20 York St, Manchester City Centre
    Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester City Centre
    Moose Coffee York Street
    York House, 20 York St, Manchester City Centre
  • Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    moosecoffee.co
    Moose Coffee York Street
    moosecoffee.co
    Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    016-151 909 00
    Moose Coffee York Street
    016-122 879 94
  • Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.