The 27 best restaurants in Manchester right now

What is it? 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 Cippolini onions, smoked eel and buttermilk. With his first solo project Skof, Great British Menu star (and Simon Rogan protegeé) Tom Barnes has carefully propagated the seeds of his Cumbrian success into a thoroughly Mancunian setting. 

Time Out tip: Skof’s popularity means getting a table is akin to bagging Glasto tickets. We recommend signing up to their newsletter to be notified when the next reservations are released. That said, don’t underestimate the power of the standby list. 

What is it? A modern, airy dining room serving a meat-focused tasting menu.

Why go? 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? Yes, it is.

Time Out tip: While you’re in the area, nip to Yellowhammer bakery and wine bar round the corner, the side project of WTLGI owner Sam Buckley. 

What is it? A stylish natural wine bar and restaurant. 

Why go? This meticulously curated space 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, an open-flame grill kicks out dishes that vary 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. 

Time Out tip: Trust the staff to recommend a bottle of natural wine and settle in for the evening. 

What is it? Probably Manchester’s hippest restaurant. 

Why go? Dream team Joe Otway, Richard Cossins and Daniel Craig Martin have Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, Noma and Where The Light Gets In on their CVs. Higher Ground has sustainability at the heart of its ever evolving menu. Whole animals from local farms are used across a variety of dishes so you might get pig head terrine and pork belly one month or slow cooked brisket and T bone steaks another. Organically grown fruit and veg from their own Cinderwood Market Garden (which also provides for many of Manchester’s best restaurants) plays a starring role. Wines are low intervention and tunes are smooth. On top of all that, the service makes you feel like a guest of honour.

Time Out tip: Try the Marfona potatoes which come pureed in a pool of smoked butter.

What is it? Intimate, low-lit date night spot with a big dollop of French influence. 

Why go? This gorgeous three-storey restaurant is a hidden gem tucked away down the unassuming Tib Lane just near the town hall. The menu of small sharing plates changes frequently and always has exciting seasonal veggie options like baby courgettes with polenta or chicory with pickled veg and candied walnuts. There’s also cracking fish and seafood and impeccably cooked meat, like onglet with red wine sauce or a French trimmed pork chop, and a carefully selected wine list featuring both natural and conventional gems.

Time Out tip: Don’t neglect the cocktails, the owners also own Chorlton’s coolest cocktail bar Henry C and they really know their stuff.

What is it? A rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the city, an award-winning wine list and ‘Parisian expat’ small plates

Why go? If you really want to see Manchester, the view from this eighth-floor dining room is a must – especially at lunchtime or early evening. But it’s not just your eyes that are in for a treat, Climat’s menu overseen by chef Luke Richardson will amuse your bouche too. From playful signature snacks like hash browns with lemony taramasalata, billowing gougeres and retro vol au vents to big meaty cuts like dry-aged sirloin with dulse hollandaise, there’s a lot to love here. Neglect the wine list at your peril; Tolstoy-esque in length, the in-house sommeliers can guide you to the right bottle with charm, smarts, and a refreshing lack of snobbery. 

Time Out tip: There’s a great value prix fixe lunch and early dinner menu currently on offer at £26 for three courses.

What is it? A cosy restaurant serving a variety of hand-made European dumpling and spätzle dishes.

Why go? Oh, so many reasons... The staff, who are lovely. The setting, which is warm. Oh, and then there’s the food. If you’re unfamiliar, spätzle is The Sparrow’s speciality: egg noodles that are common in South Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Alsace. Meanwhile, a more Eastern European flavour is brought in with the dumplings. Add to these the most delicious sauces, daily baked bread and a wine selection that’s full of surprises, and you can see why The Sparrows is a place to flock to.  

Time Out tip: Book and book early.

What is it? Startlingly skillful modern cooking on a hidden street. 

Why Go? The passion project of two chef friends Julian Pizer and Max Yorke, Another Hand has a cult following of dedicated foodies in the city. You’ve got to work to find it on Deansgate Mews. Head up some rainbow coloured steps that lead to an elevated street behind a row of estate agents on Deansgate. There’s a good chance you’ve walked past it many times. Expect the unexpected on your plate too. You might find olive oil or artichoke in a dessert or locally cultivated lion’s mane mushroom with chocolate sauce as a main. But there’s comfort food too like an ostentatious hasselback potato with black garlic and buttermilk. 

Time Out tip: There’s a spectacular Reuben sandwich on the lunch menu. 

What is it? Intricate, ingenious dishes assembled from the simplest of parts.

Why go? Despite its name, there’s a distinctly English twang to Mancunian Adam Reid’s menu and you’ll experience textural and sensory saturation as you make your way through the captivating courses. Now that The Midland hotel which houses it has had a £14 million refurbishment, The French, which had a Michelin star back in the 1970s, is finally in a setting deserving of its reputation.

Time Out tip: If you’re going to splurge on The French, go the whole hog and get the fantastic matched wines too.

What is it? The well-loved Manchester branch of the notorious chain.

Why go? For homey dishes served in the eclectic splendour of the 1920s Grade II-listed Manchester Hall. The cocktails can hold their own, too, with original takes on classic mixes. Expect Indian street food and traditional dishes inspired by the old Irani cafés of Mumbai. Humble, hearty and spicy, this is comfort food at its best.

Time Out tip: Go for breakfast and get a bacon and egg naan.