The best restaurants in Manchester city centre

20 Stories was ranked as Manchester's best restaurant in 2023. This stylish spot offers impressive city views from its 19th floor location; it's a modern space with large windows. A number of menus centred on British recipes are available here, alongside global wines. Private dining is available, and guests are also welcome just for drinks.

Opened in 2023, Higher Ground quickly became a sought-after spot to eat in the city centre. This place focuses on seasonal British cooking and low-intervention wines from producers around Europe. Dishes change every day and are made with carefully-sourced ingredients. The space is smart and industrial with tables and kitchen counter seating.

Japanese and Asian dishes are served in glamorous surroundings at Sexy Fish in Spinningfields. The venue has a lively atmosphere and is decorated with aquatic design and rich colours. Fish and seafood is a speciality here – expect dishes like sushi and tempura, plus cocktails, in lavish surroundings with weekly live music.

Fine dining is fun and accessible at Six by Nico. These creative restaurants serve tasting menus that change every six weeks and are focused on a specific theme – it could be something like Hanoi, Neverland, or the funfair. The decor gets adapted too to fit in with the menu and create a memorable and immersive dining experience.

Based in a converted warehouse, Foundry Project is a trendy place to hang out, whether you're after food, drinks, or a great night out. The venue is stylish and easygoing. If you're hungry, try something from the global menu that includes crowd-pleasers like pizza and burgers. Bottomless brunch is on here every weekend too.

Located in Spinningfields, Dishoom is a trendy and in-demand destination for Indian food. Elevated street food is on the menu, including breakfast, and served in a refined setting with stained glass windows. Dishes like the signature black daal are served here, in addition to location-specific specials. The venue is known for cocktails, too.

Head to El Gato Negro Tapas for award-winning Spanish small plates. Traditional and modern seasonal tapas dishes are served here, prepared with local ingredients. A wide range of Spanish drinks are available too. This stylish venue is based over three storeys in a townhouse, with a number of distinct areas and a roof terrace with great views.

Meat lovers can't resist Hawksmoor, which is recognised as one of the best steakhouses around. The Manchester restaurant is based in a Victorian courthouse and is decorated with reclaimed materials from the era. Private and semi-private spaces are available. Seasonal dishes are served, including dry-aged beef and sustainable seafood, plus award-winning cocktails.

Award-winning restaurant James Martin Manchester serves creative British dishes prepared with quality seasonal produce. A traditional Sunday lunch is served here each weekend, whilst the main menu includes options like roasted squash or steamed lemon sole. It's a stylish venue in a historic setting, blending industrial design with vintage fabrics and original art.

Inspired by the age of exploration, Grand Pacific is a slick and lavish venue that serves classic English dishes with a few exotic twists. Afternoon tea is available here, but you can also visit for lunch, dinner, or drinks and bar snacks. Expect imaginative dishes like Asian-spiced duck cottage pie. Beer, wine, and original cocktails are also served at this atmospheric venue.

Savour Chinese cuisine in an opulent setting at Tattu in Spinningfields. This lavish and modern space features botanicals, moody lighting, and an overall refined look. Private dining is also available here. Several menus are on offer, featuring seasonal small plates and rice and noodle dishes. Pair your food with a creative cocktail.

Giovanni's has been serving Italian cuisine in Manchester since 1984 and has been ranked as England's most romantic restaurant. This refined venue has a crisp and simple look and serves fresh and seasonal dishes. Pizza, pasta, risotto, and hearty meat and seafood dishes are served, and there are plenty of dishes catering to various dietary needs.

One of Manchester's most in-demand Indian restaurants is Mowgli Street Food. This stylish spot has an interior with plenty of wood, leaves, and trees, plus fun rope swing seats. Outdoor seats are also available. The menu includes food roulette tiffin boxes, curries, and street food. Original cocktails and mocktails are served here as well.

Style-conscious venue Australasia serves an Australian menu with Indonesian and Japanese influences. The elegant venue has a quiet luxury vibe with natural colours and a tranquil atmosphere. A number of menus are available, where you'll see dishes like sushi, tempura, steaks, and duck salad. Drinks include wine from Australia, New Zealand, and other regions.

At Browns, you can enjoy food all day in elegant surroundings. The restaurant is based in a historic building and has a timeless look. Brunch, afternoon tea, and seasonal recipes like gnocchi, fish pie, and steak are all served here. Accompany your meal with cocktails, wine, or champagne. You can also visit just for drinks.

Modern and buzzy restaurant Yard & Coop is a top destination for buttermilk fried chicken. This inclusive spot serves halal meat and offers a gluten-free coating for the chicken. Children's meals are served too. Try a fried chicken burger or plate with a choice of sauces. The interior looks trendy and has some quirky touches, like wall paintings.

If you're after some of the finest steak in Manchester, check out Dakota Bar & Grill. Steak is the speciality here, but other dishes on the menu include cauliflower steak, pork fillet, and luxurious caviar, plus there's a weekly Sunday lunch. The setting is modern and slick with industrial touches. There's also space for private dining.

Have a meal in refined surroundings at The Ivy Spinningfields. This venue combines a modern British brasserie with a late night Asian-inspired bar serving cocktails and sharing plates. Food is served throughout the day here, with several menus available including afternoon tea, a weekend brunch, and a changing set menu that offers diners value for money.

Get an Argentine steakhouse experience at Gaucho. This ethical venue serves fine cuts of steak, including premium Wagyu. A number of menus are on offer, and private dining is also available. The restaurant is housed in the impressive surroundings of a converted church and has dramatic and glamorous monochrome decor.

Located in the Northern Quarter, Bab NQ is a trendy spot serving a contemporary take on Middle Eastern cooking. You'll find flavoursome food on the menu, like mezze platters and shawarma wraps, including veggie options and dishes for kids. The restaurant space looks chic and has a lively ambience.

Maki & Ramen started out in Edinburgh, but the Manchester location was the first to open in England. Visit this place to try Japanese dishes like ramen, fried noodles, and sushi. Vegan dishes and original cocktails are served here too. The setting is charming and colourful with flowers hanging down from the ceiling.

The Rice Bowl is known to be one of Manchester's oldest Chinese restaurants. This bustling basement venue is family-run and spacious, catering for groups of all sizes. The expansive menu on offer here includes something for everyone, from delicate dim sum to chow mein and crispy duck. Plenty of veggie dishes are served here.

Double Zero's original Chorlton venue was ranked the country's best pizzeria in 2023 and the city centre location opened early in 2024. This easygoing contemporary restaurant specialises in authentic Neapolitan pizza cooked for just 90 seconds in an oven imported from Naples. The pizzas are available with a wide choice of toppings, offering something for everyone.

You'll find Barcelona in Manchester at Tast Catala. There's a restaurant plus a bar and terrace, and private dining isalso available. It's a stylish spot full of light and plants. Enjoy a casual meal here, with charcoal cooking being the speciality. Tapas, rice dishes, and grilled meat are served, plus this restaurant has Manchester's largest collection of Catalan wines.

Family-run restaurant Vincenzo Trattoria serves up laid-back Italian meals. Flowers hang from the ceiling, contrasting with the exposed brickwork. The atmosphere is intimate and inviting. The menu is full of favourite Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, and garlic bread, plus there are veggie, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. 

Check out Honest Burgers when you're craving a juicy gourmet burger with delicious toppings. The main menu includes beef, chicken, and veggie/vegan burgers, as well as a location-specific special and other specials that change each month. There's a varied choice of drinks, too. The venue is contemporary and has indoor and outdoor seating.

There are a couple of Evuna branches in Manchester city centre where diners can sample authentic Spanish tapas. A diverse choice of tapas is on the menu, including veggie and gluten-free dishes, plus paella. Drinks include Spanish wines, cava, sherries, and beer. The interiors are rustic and packed with authentic little touches.

Peter Street Kitchen serves an eclectic combination of Mexican and Japanese cuisines. The restaurant is contemporary with a grand and impressive look. Breakfast and dinner are served here, and the two cuisines offer diners plenty of choice. A tasting menu is available, as well as à la carte options. Private dining space is also available here.

Manchester's plant-based diners can't resist The Allotment, which has been named as one of the best vegan restaurants in the world. The vibrant restaurant has views of Manchester Cathedral and has decor that gives off a Mediterranean vibe. A plant-based afternoon tea is available here, as well as a varied selection of creative global recipes.

Italian restaurant Riva Blu is located at the Corn Exchange. This glam southern Italian restaurant has a spacious terrace for al fresco meals and luxe interiors with shades of blue. There's a cocktail bar here too. A set lunch menu is available, whilst the main menu includes dishes like Neapolitan pizza, pasta, and steaks.

Northern Quarter restaurant 63 Degrees brings Parisian elegance to the city. The refined and intimate setting is ideal for any occasion. Classic French dishes are served, with the menu ranging from escargot to steak. Visit on a Tuesday and you can try a special seasonal tasting menu. Pair your food here with French wines and champagne.