Manchester's food scene is rich in history, having been shaped by its industrial heritage and immigration, which means you can find a variety of cuisines by award-winning chefs among its Edwardian streets and warehouse architecture. There are over 650 eateries to choose from, including a handful of cool spots serving Turkish, Lebanese and Persian delights to name a few. So if you're looking for fluffy flatbreads dolloped with houmous, sticky, sweet baklavas and tasty tabouleh, then you're in luck as we're here to point you to the best Middle Eastern restaurants Manchester has to offer.
Bab
The Northern Quarter is home to some seriously cool eating spots and one of those bad boys happens to be Bab, a posh take on the humble kebab shop where talented chefs use locally sourced ingredients, homemade marinades and flatbreads from scratch to create droolworthy plates in an open, theatre-style kitchen. Founded by Kevin Connor and Dan Pollard of The Pen & Pencil, this modern restaurant offers window seats (perfect for people-watching) where you can chow down on souvlaki pork skewers and chicken shawarma filo rolls, Greek pulled pork kebabs with roasted tomatoes and tzatziki, or sliced steak and gherkins.
The best Middle Eastern restaurant Manchester's got up its sleeve? This one's an utter bab(e).
Jasmine
Perched on Barlow Moor Road is Jasmine, an authentic Lebanese restaurant that's using family recipes to whip up moreish plates of tabouleh, baba ganoush and more. It's a friendly spot boasting cosy interiors in the form of exposed brick walls, elegant chandelier lighting and plush, draping curtains: the perfect setting for devouring chicken kebabs and mopping up zesty hummus with homemade bread fresh from the clay oven, and devouring chicken kebabs. Finish off with a nutty, sweet baklava stuffed with pistachio or some Turkish delight.
Tuck into
spreads of moreish mezze at Jasmine.
Café Istanbul
Café Istanbul is here to provide a quality Turkish restaurant in Manchester; as the longest-standing eatery of its kind, it's been serving the hungry people of the city for over 40 years. Located in Deansgate, the dining spot serves authentic Middle Eastern food, halal dishes, and traditional desserts made with fresh ingredients. Take a seat in the elegant dining area lined with orange seats and golden mirrors and tuck into oven-baked moussaka, handmade Turkish pizzas topped with mozzarella, minced lamb and red peppers, or lamb shawarma, before finishing with a glass of wine from a comprehensive list.
It's all about traditional food here, including signature Turkish pizzas and tender skewers.
Comptoir Libanais
In 2008, Tony Kitous founded Comptoir Libanias (translated as Lebanese counter) and the rest is history. He wanted to bring affordable food to the masses and did so in the form of vibrant outposts, one of which can be found in the heart of Spinningfields. Think eclectic mosaic tiles, bright pieces of art hung on the walls and multi-coloured chairs lining wooden tables; it's hard not to fall in love with the warm energy the decor emits as well as the scrumptious Middle East and North African-inspired food. On the menu? Halloumi and figs, marinated in sweet rosewater, fattoush, and plenty of falafels, followed by a rich chocolate tahina mousse or baklawa sandwich. You'll find it all at this stellar Lebanese restaurant in Manchester city centre.
Best places for Middle Eastern food in Manchester? This city's got you covered with quirky hangouts like Comptoir Libanais.
Maray
Inspired by their experiences in Le Marais, Paris, James Bates,
Tom White and Dom Jones founded Maray in 2014. The Middle Eastern
restaurant in Manchester city centre (and with two locations in
Liverpool too) puts together bold flavours, superb wine and
refreshing cocktails. The Brazennose Street venue features modern,
textured walls, potted plants and notes of rich turquoise by the
open kitchen to create a relaxing space to dine with friends. The
Disco Cauliflower topped with chermoula, harissa, yoghurt, tahini,
pomegranate and almonds is irresistible, alongside crispy sea bass,
lamb kofta with baba ghanoush, and medjool date bread and butter
pudding for dessert.
We promise you'll fall in love with this pick; you might even want to maray it.
Habas Bar & Restaurant
Habas Bar & Restaurant is no stranger to high praise as the Middle Eastern joint comes from Simon Shaw and the team behind the famed El Gato Negro and Canto, and he knows what he's doing when it comes to modern bars offering exciting, bold food. On Brown Street, you'll find a converted heritage building featuring rich rugs, exposed brick walls and dangling vines, illuminated by a hazy red H. The plates here are designed to be shared among friends and family, with set menus at just £38 per person (including their Tipsy Tapas). You can also grab three dishes for £18 from Tuesday to Saturday in the afternoon, including spiced prawn price, salmon arancini, Syrian lentils and zaalouk aubergine.
Rustic, charming interiors are a big part of Shaw's Middle Eastern joint, Habas Manchester.
Zena Restaurant
While it's been around for thousands of years, Levantine cuisine never looked so good (and healthy) than at Zena Restaurant, the BYOB hangout that serves delectable plates from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Jordan. Hunker down among wooden panelled walls, framed floral pieces of art, mustard yellows and navy blues as you explore flavoursome dishes featuring garden-fresh vegetables and tender meats. Order the Zena mixed platter to try a bit of everything for only £30 per person, and delight in a selection of hummus, tabbouleh, vine leaves, grilled halloumi, spinach and cheese bourak, and batata harra to name only a few.
For a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant in Manchester, head to Burton Road.
Remal
Got a hankering for some traditional Lebanese grub? Remal will sort you out with its divine offering. The family-run business can be located on Bury New Road fronting warm decor, stone walls and glowing lanterns which together create a cosy dining environment to try home-style cooking from an expansive menu. They operate on a 'bring your own bottle' policy, so you can pick your favourite sip to complement dishes like mushroom el Beit (cooked with butter, garlic and double cream), potato kibbeh, traditional sojouk, and muklubieh (long grain rice with aubergine and Arabian five spices, topped with juicy chunks of lamb).
Pick your favourite bottle of wine and bring it along to Remal.
Armenian Taverna & Restaurant
Albert Square's Armenian Taverna & Restaurant is coming in hot with its authentic food and outstanding service. Arman and Arusyak are the third restauranteurs to run the spot since its establishment in 1968, and chef Yianni Pelekanos oversees a menu packed with traditional, seasonal dishes, pouring over 20 years of experience into each one. It's elegant and sophisticated, with interiors courtesy of Cude 8 Studio, embracing Armenian architecture with delicate embroidery, pretty ceramics and carved wooden doors. Make sure to try its signature pasus dolma (marinated cabbage stuffed with grated vegetables), spicy koftas and smoked salmon salad.
Expect plenty of Armenian takes on classics and refreshing salads.
Gladstone Barber & Bistro
While not technically in the heart of Manchester itself (Stalybridge, actually), we couldn't not feature Gladstone Barber & Bistro in our guide due to its unique concept and, quite frankly, scrumptious brunch dishes. It does exactly what it says on the tin: housed in a lofty, airy space, the restaurant comes complete with a barber shop, and dishes up English flavours with a Middle Eastern twist. Before you treat yourself to a trim, fuel up with a baklava French toast, featuring brioche loaf, Chantilly cream, rose syrup, pistachio and seasonal fruit. For lunch, there are plenty of savoury options too, such as hand rolled Palestinian flatbread topped with pulled lamb shawarma, hummus, tzatziki and more.
At Gladstone Barber & Bistro, more than meat's getting the chop.
Yara
Complete with baby blue furnishings, floral chairs and marbled flooring, Yara makes a brilliant place to dine in Chorlton if you're interested in gobbling up plates of hummus and hearty shawarma. It specialises in Lebanese and Syrian cuisine, championing bold flavours and encouraging diners to share. You can expect to find plenty of vegan and vegetarian plates here, like loubieh featuring runner beans, garlic and spices, as well as fattoush, or a traditional motabal. Everything is affordable too, with a shish kebab coming in at £14.90 and ballorieh kanafeh (two layers of shredded pastry filled with pistachio nuts and baked with honey and butter) for £4.25.
Indulge in a bit of baklava-ing at Chorlton's Yara, a Syrian restaurant in Manchester.
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