Boasting the second largest dedicated Chinatown in the UK that's been booming since the 1970s, our city is full of independent eateries serving up premium pan-Asian fare. There's a lot of history behind this area of the city, from the very first Chinese restaurant opening in 1948 to the famous paifang archway that was built in 1987.
There are all kinds of Cantonese, Sichuan and Beijing-inspired bites just waiting to be tried, with a couple of Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai eateries thrown in too. So when you're looking for fresh noodle dishes, egg-fried rice or tasty dim sum? You'll find it all at the very best restaurants in Chinatown Manchester.
🥡🍜🍤
Red Chilli
Head to Portland Street for authentic delights at Red Chilli, served in contemporary Chinese-inspired surrounds. Though this was originally a Sichuan restaurant, said to be the first in town, its menu has since expanded to include Cantonese and Beijing-style dishes as well.
Get stuck into hearty meals or split small plates across the table, with everything from sliced chicken soup to stir-fried rice noodles with egg or poached mutton in chilli oil making its way onto their menu. Save room for dessert though, as the deep-fried banana balls in condensed milk are to-die-for.
Red Chilli is adding a little kick to Manchester's dining scene.
Phetpailin
Having been around since 2006, Phetapilin on George Street is pretty well-established when it comes to tantalising Thai food. This cosy restaurant is filled with pretty plants and traditional tapestries lining the walls, and you can even bring your own booze with a corkage fee of just £1.
The menu here is truly massive, spanning from green curry with bamboo shoots and aubergine to king prawn kung pao or garlic marinated chicken. Most dishes cost under £15 here, or you can enjoy a two-course set menu for as little as £21.
BYOB Thai meals? Yes please.
Pho Cue
You can't get much more home-cooked than the food at Pho Cue, a family-run Vietnamese restaurant that showcases recipes passed down through generations. They're all about fresh ingredients and traditional dishes, many of which originate from chef Cue's grandfather.
This small, intimate Faulkner Street gem specialises in pho, as the name suggests, though their extensive menu also features everything from sweet and spicy chicken wings to vegetable summer rolls and king prawn noodles, with mixed boxes on offer if you just can't decide.
For authentic Vietnamese dishes, it has to be Pho Cue.
Teppanyaki
For an exciting show alongside your meal, look no further than Teppanyaki in Chinatown Manchester. This enticing Japanese restaurant is all about entertaining eats, with interactive, iron griddle teppanyaki grills where talented chefs will theatrically cook every dish right in front of your eyes.
They use only the freshest ingredients to make everything from cured mackerel sashimi to tofu steak with aubergine or chicken fillet noodles, demonstrating their exceptional knife skills and flame-grilling techniques. This is also one of the oldest Asian eateries in the whole city, having been there since 1987.
Expect a little heat in your food at Teppanyaki.
Try Thai
Open from lunch right through to dinner every day of the week, Try Thai is always a favourite for delicious and affordable Thai food on Faulkner Street. Walk past the two statues guarding the door to enter the restaurant, filled with paper lanterns, wooden furnishings and traditional Thai decor, with a basement space downstairs that's ideal for group celebrations.
As for the menu? Expect authentic dishes like red or green curry, steamed mussels or vegetable tempura, as well as a separate Chinese-inspired selection.
Why not give this place a try?
Happy Seasons
Having been around since 1982, Happy Seasons has established itself as one of the best Manchester Chinatown restaurants with a menu to prove it. This Faulkner Street favourite is a family-run, down-to-earth kind of place, where you can tuck into a range of tasty bites such as deep-fried cuttlefish cakes, won ton dumpling soup or steamed vegetable buns.
The Cantonese eatery is particularly celebrated for its roasted meat, especially their char sui trio. You can also take advantage of their many sharing menus, starting from just £25 per person. Expect to wait a little while to be seated, as there are often long queues for this sought-after spot, but once you're through those neon-lit doors it'll be well worth it, trust us.
For Chinatown Manchester restaurants with buffet-style set menus, check out Happy Seasons.
Little Yang Sing
For contemporary Chinese cuisine in a stylish setting, make your way to Little Yang Sing on George Street. Take a seat in their sultry red interiors with touches of gold, complemented by low lighting and intimate tables separated by ornate dividers.
There's an absolutely huge menu to choose from here, with a focus on dim sum and authentic Cantonese cuisine. Some of our favourites include steamed prawn and black truffle dumplings, sizzling satay lamb fillets and aromatic minced pork casserole, with a whole separate plant-based menu on offer too.
Their name may be little, but the portions are big.
I Am Pho
If it's authentic Vietnamese fare that you're after, it has to be a trip to I Am Pho in Chinatown Manchester. Situated on the lively George Street, this buzzing venue will transport you to the streets of Hanoi through their classic and street food dishes - all of which are made from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
We're talking minced pork and prawn spring rolls followed by marinated beef stir fry or noodles with tofu and mushrooms, available all day and evening Tuesday to Sunday.
Get a taste of Vietnam at this welcoming spot.
Yuzu
Specialising in Japanese tapas, Yuzu is one of Manchester Chinatown's best restaurants. This neighbourhood haunt earned itself a place in the Michelin Guide between 2015 and 2018, alongside the Good Food Guide from 2015 to 2020, thanks to its focus on fresh produce cooked from scratch.
Whether you're heading there for lunch or dinner, you can expect to find exciting eats such as fresh salmon sashimi with scallops, stir-fried udon and chargrilled chicken skewers, with small plates starting from as little as £2 each.
There's a reason Yuzu has won so many awards.
Manchester Chinese Restaurant
If you want somewhere that does exactly what it says on the tin, Manchester Chinese Restaurant is the place to go. Expect roasted meats and Szechuan spices, or Beijing dumplings with Cantonese seafood, across a menu that aims to reflect the diverse culinary map of China.
Expect a laidback, traditionally decorated venue and a huge number of meals on offer - ranging from safe choices like spring rolls and fried rice to more adventurous plates of ox tongue or stir-fried frogs legs.
Though their name may state the obvious, the dishes here are far from basic.
Hunan Restaurant
If you're searching for some of the best Chinese restaurants in Manchester Chinatown, you can't go wrong with a trip to Hunan Restaurant. These guys have been cooking up a storm on George Street since 2010, creating the finest Cantonese and Hunan cuisine - the only restaurant in the North West that serves the latter.
Their extensive menu features everything from king prawn fried rice to pork and Chinese leaf dumplings and mixed vegetable fried chow mein - with a huge number of vegan and vegetarian options up for grabs. They even offer a two-course lunch for just £15 per person, making this a great affordable choice as well.
One of the top Chinatown Manchester restaurants with a menu to match - don't miss out on Hunan.
Mei Dim
Mei Dim is the place to go for Cantonese small plates, found inside a basement venue in Chinatown. Their buns and dumplings are often hailed as some of the best in the city, whether you want them filled with sticky hoisin pork, honeycomb beef or crispy fried prawns.
They've got a regular menu of classic Chinese fare, but their dim sum selection is what really stands out - served in threes and boasting a very affordable price tag, with many dishes coming in at well under £10.
These guys offer some of the most delicious dim sum around.
Namii
Namii can be found on York Street serving up Pan Asian cuisine with Vietnamese influence alongside innovative cocktails. The cool space fronts neon signage, leather booths and a vibrant atmosphere thanks to DJs on Saturdays.
Tuck into some delicious fare here like Sichuan gà chicken dumplings or black tiger king prawns with lemongrass-infused butter and spicy pineapple pomegranate salsa, and wash it all down with a signature tipple from a menu categorised by the elements.
Expect a buzzing atmosphere and fragrant plates at Namii.
If you liked this, then take a look at our guide to the city's best Chinese restaurants. And to stay updated with all the big goings-on? Sign up to our newsletter.
