Best Christmas Dinners In Manchester

This season is a time for eating, drinking, and munching some more. It can be overwhelming to prepare all that food yourself though, so why not take the edge off by letting someone else do the cooking.

From themed menus to stunningly decorated spaces, the city's best bars, pubs and restaurants pull out all the stops to tempt you in from the cold throughout December. So, whether you're looking for somewhere to eat with friends or you're arranging a full party, check out our guide to Christmas dinner in Manchester for 2024.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 8th November 2024




James Martin Restaurant

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Included as one of The Sunday Times' top 100 restaurants, James Martin Restaurant within the Manchester235 Casino is a top choice if you're after something a bit razzle-dazzle. The TV chef's venue is sure to impress on quality.

Their festive menu is available Wednesday to Saturday for £55 per person, promising three courses of winter goodness. Expect spiced parsnip veloute, roast turkey breast with fondant potatoes, a bauble-shaped Christmas pudding mousse and much more.

Banyan Corn Exchange

Banyan is all about the cool and casual, something that's slipped over to their menus this year. Before you spend all night dancing and drinking at this little number, tuck into either a three-course meal or a sharing buffet, and they've even got festive bottomless brunches too.

The set menu option costs £38.95 per person, featuring indulgent eats like ham hock and piccalilli terrine, slow-cooked beef with dauphinoise potatoes, seasonal plant-based burgers and more.

Gaucho Manchester

Coming in at £45 for three sumptuous courses and a side, Gaucho's Christmas menu is one to remember this December. The restaurant is seriously stylish, including signature cowhide decor, huge chandeliers and trees too, so you can trust that the festive offering is similarly swanky.

Kick off with beef carpaccio or a superstraccia salad, before diving into plates of turkey ballotine with chestnut stuffing and grilled celeriac.

Brasserie Abode

Brasserie Abode has become famed for their sumptuous Sunday roasts, so a festive meal here guarantees a high standard of cooking. Enjoy somewhere vying for the title of best Christmas dinner in Manchester, as this Piccadilly gem is ideal for munching through seasonal specials.

They're cooking up three mouthwatering courses of turkey with all the trimmings and veggie alternatives for £48 per person, beginning with a Christmas cocktail.

Australasia

One of the best Christmas dinner restaurants in Spinningfields, Australasia is a great pick whether you're after a chilled out team dinner or evening with your favourite pals. There's winter cocktails, a dedicated lunch menu, dinner options and a wide choice of vegan dishes.

You can dig into the likes of salt and pepper pork cutlets, stuffed inari tofu and pumpkin curry or roast cod loin, with a chocolate ganache for dessert. This is all part of a four-course feast, costing £55 per head.

Browns Brasserie & Bar Manchester

Not only is Brown's opening their York Street doors for a variety of special menus this season, but they're even doing it throughout Christmas Day in Manchester for 2024 and Boxing Day too. Your festive feasting has no bounds here.

Take a seat in this elegant restaurant to enjoy a yuletide feast from as little as £30 per person, featuring everything from turkey and cranberry stuffing to a maple and cinnamon-glazed pork belly or a roasted root vegetable Wellington.

Grand Pacific Manchester

Grand Pacific makes a great choice for a family Christmas dinner in Manchester city centre. Explore menus that features a choice of festive high tea, seasonal sips or the main event - a three-course set menu for just £39.50 each.

They're putting an international twist on classic dishes, including a plum-glazed confit duck leg, shredded leek and prawn gyozas or a winter vegetable and chestnut parcel, finishing up with a warm cherry lattice pie.

Don Giovanni

Pre-Theatre Menu | 2 course £23.95 | 3 course £27.95 and 2 other offers

Big fan of Italian food? Don Giovanni brings flavour and freshness to their menu, with baked mackerel and tomato, caramelised winter risotto and ribeye steaks, alongside being a place for a wonderful halal Christmas dinner in Manchester.

Their festive feast costs £40 per person for three courses, and their Christmas Day feast features four courses for £85. And afterwards? Indulge in a boozy chocolate mousse or a traditional tiramisu to round it all off nicely. 

Impossible

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Impossible, where staff are on-hand and ready to cater to all of your Christmas party needs. The menu includes mouthwatering morsels, such as breaded brie with cranberry sauce, roast turkey and sticky toffee pudding, with live actors to add to the theatrics.

This will set you back between £32 and £38 for two to three courses. They also offer a premium Christmas buffet here, as well as themed bottomless brunches and other festive events.

The Oast House

From drinks packages and set menus to a festive spread that'll keep the whole party happy, The Oast House can cater for any kind of Christmas do. You can enjoy a two or three-course meal from as little as £26.95 per person, with optional sides like cauliflower cheese or pigs in blankets.

Take your pick from hanging turkey kebabs, loaded pies, espresso martini tiramisu and more, all while settled down in that glorious heated teepee.

Peter Street Kitchen

5 Course Christmas Luncheon: £155 and 7 other offers

Whether you're looking to dine on a Omakase experience this December or enjoy a five-course traditional lunch on the 25th, Peter Street Kitchen is delivering the goods. This swish Spinningfields spot will be the highlight of your celebrations.

They also offer a unique festive menu that's available throughout the season - featuring skewered beef tenderloin, chargrilled cabbage steak and crispy Baja fish tacos. This costs £39 for two courses, or £45 for three, including a glass of Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs or yuzu and ginger spritz on arrival.

The Old Wellington

Book your Christmas dinner at The Old Wellington, a beautiful pub that's bringing all the traditional feels this festive season. You'll find all kinds of real ales here, in a charming interior that flaunts wooden beams and old-school chandeliers.

And what to expect from the food? Piled-high plates of the classics, including a hand-carved turkey breast with bacon and chestnut stuffing, slow-cooked pork belly or a walnut and almond nut roast.

Via Manchester

In need of a cheap Christmas dinner in Manchester? LGBTQ+ bar Via Manchester know a thing or two when it comes to yuletide meals with entertainment after - offering both set menus and buffet dining options alongside cracking cocktails.

Enjoy two courses for £22 or three for £25, featuring fat Santa burgers filled with pulled smoked turkey and barbecue sauce, alongside festive pizzas and gooey baked cookie dough.

20 Stories

For Christmas day lunch in Manchester for 2024, look to the 20 Stories menu. This sky-high restaurant is serving a five-course set menu, which delves out the likes of beef carpaccio and Cheshire turkey, all with wine pairings to boot.

It's not just the 25th that promises a delicious feast though, as they've got two festive set menus available throughout the period. While looking out over he city from one of their cosy booth seats, enjoy turkey escalope, seared halibut loin and celeriac Wellington - costing £60 or £75 per head.

The Anthologist, St Peter Square

Boasting sleek, modern interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of natural light, The Anthologist in St Peter Square has a five-course Christmas dinner that's totally unmissable.

From cauliflower and almond soup and roasted butternut squash for your vegan Christmas dinner in Manchester to roasted turkey and chocolate opera cake, there's plenty on offer for all palates here.

The Bank

Classic boozer The Bank is a great choice for your yuletide feast, thanks to buffet menus and drinks packages accompanying three-course sit-down dinners. Here, you can munch on everything from slow-cooked pork belly to grilled fillets of seabass or nut roast.

Their festive set menu comes in at £31.95 per person, to be enjoyed in traditional interiors that feature white pillars and golden chandeliers.

Piccolino Caffe Grande Manchester

From the city centre to Hale, Piccolino has the very best restaurants to enjoy your Christmas lunch at. The stylish space is filled with pale blue leather seating and elegant chandeliers, and you can enjoy a festive menu for £40.95 each.

Think three courses spanning everything from calamari fritti with courgette to turkey served alongside chestnut stuffing or a vegetable ragu gnocchi. Sister spot Piccolo in Manchester Arndale is also a great shout for more Italian twists on festive favourites.

Grosvenor Casino Didsbury

Select here for Two Courses - £30.50 and 2 other offers

Grosvenor Casino Didsbury is a great choice when you need somewhere for an affordable Christmas dinner. Nab three-course spreads ranging from roast turkey crown and a sweet potato and cranberry loaf to duck liver and orange pate, with a white forest roulade for dessert.

Their festive menu costs between £30.50 and £35.50 per person, and you can even add on seasonal cocktails - think a chocolatey Black Forest blend or a rosemary paloma. Plus, there's all sorts of entertainment for afterwards.

Three Little Words

A gorgeous destination in the city centre, Three Little Words boasts striking interiors featuring yellow velvet sofas, exposed brick walls and a bar covered in gold. Founded by the team behind Manchester Gin, you can also expect a top-notch bar menu to choose from.

This year, they're offering a selection of izakaya-style Christmas meals, starting from £45 per person. Expect Asian-inspired bites like Korean barbecue lamb, charred tenderstem broccoli and miso cauliflower steak, with an optional cocktail pairing for £40.

The Botanist, Media City

Happy hour

If you're after an Instagrammable spot for your festive meal, you can't go wrong with The Botanist in Media City. This gorgeous destination features lots of greenery and pretty fairy lights, creating a secret garden feeling complete with views of The Quays below.

Their festive menu promises two courses for as little as £26.95, or three for £31.95. We're talking turkey hanging kebabs, mushroom bourguinon pie or pan-fried sea bass, with an espresso martini tiramisu for dessert.

Slug And Lettuce - Bars In Manchester

If you're looking for a lovely, relaxed Christmas dinner, then make sure to check out Slug and Lettuce's many bars across the city. Whether you head to the Albert Square, Piccadilly, Spinningfields, Deansgate, Didsbury or Sale, you'll be met with a cool venue filled with floral decor and neon signs, making for a chic yet laid-back space for a festive party.

On their Christmas menu, you'll find two courses for £32 and three courses for £36, with starters including bites like crispy duck gyozas, mushroom and blue cheese arancini and burrata with fig and honey chutney. As for mains? Think an indulgent festive beef burger, a surf & turf spread, and tasty turkey feast and so much more, not to mention lip-smacking desserts too.

The Oxnoble, Manchester

The Oxnoble was founded in 1804 and is one of the city's greatest boozers - it features gorgeous, stained glass light fixtures, rich, red furnishings and dark wooden furnishings. 

The smart boozer is a prime spot to tuck into a hearty Christmas meal come the festive period - at an affordable price, too. Nab three courses for £25.49 and much on a vegetarian-friendly Winter Wellington, burgers topped with smoked pulled turkey and a traditional pudding for dessert. 

The Metropolitan, West Didsbury

For a real feast and jolly Christmas time, venture over to West Didsbury where you'll find The Metropolitan pulling out all the stops. This grand pub comes complete with tall windows, eclectic wallpaper and leathery furnishings, making it a super cosy place to dine or host a festive party. 

On the menu? A bargain. Grab two courses for £32 per person or three for £35 and delight in duck breast served with dauphinoise potatoes, hand-carved turkey and mince pies.

Gusto Italian - Manchester

Sign up to our complimentary Gold Club today and enjoy £10 off your next visit, 5% cashback every time you dine, a round of drinks on us on your birthday, exclusive invites to VIP events, and more!

Flaunting gorgeous, plant-filled interiors and sleek leather booth seating, Gusto is a stylish spot for an Italian twist on your Christmas meal. Their city centre venue can be found in Spinningfields, with a second location in Didsbury.

Tuck into three sumptuous courses of festive fare, coming in at £44.95 per person. Dishes include smoked salmon and dill mascarpone, pan-fried salmon fillet, butternut squash ravioli and a Biscoff cheesecake.

Mowgli Corn Exchange

Mowgli Corn Exchange is already a stunning location filled with unique swing seats, fairy lights, and more across a unique space - creating a bustling, magical atmosphere for your Christmas dinner. But that's not all, as their three-course Indian street food menu is a festive treat, spanning from the likes of Himalayan cheese toast for starters to pot-luck, two-tiered curry tiffin boxes for your main and ice cream or brownie for dessert.

Trof Northern Quarter

While it may be closed on Christmas Day itself, Trof is giving you plenty of time to lap up their delicious multi-course festive menus and party buffets. Enjoy two courses for £27, or three for £32, paired with a warming mulled wine.

Scoff on the likes of roast turkey with seasonal vegetables and a beetroot and red cabbage Wellington in casual surrounds at this Northern Quarter staple.

The Bay Horse Tavern

After a work Christmas meal in Manchester? Not your average pub, The Bay Horse is a modern take on the old school boozer, where you can get your hands on festive buffets or a two to three-course meal, starting from only £25.95 per person.

Delving out wholesome bites in laid-back surroundings, you can munch your way through the likes of butter-basted turkey, roast gammon or cauliflower steak for mains, followed by an indulgent winter creme brulee.

Dakota Bar And Grill

Head on over to Dakota Bar And Grill on Ducie Street for their mouthwatering festive menu, which champions seasonal and high-quality ingredients. The feast includes all the classics, such as turkey with trimmings alongside Christmas pudding and cheeseboards.

This luxurious meal is available for both lunch and dinner, starting from £55 per head. Expect dazzling decor while you're here, in a cool, modern space.

Albert's Schloss - Manchester

Après-Work

A Bavarian-inspired restaurant and bar in Spinningfields, Albert's Schloss are best known for their nightly live music performances and top-notch beers. The lively space features traditional wooden interiors and lots of greenery, as well as a large stage for entertainment. But did you know that they also offer a stunning selection of seasonal bites?

Their festive set menu is £35 for two courses, or £40 for three. We're talking Cheshire turkey with pigs in blankets, sauerbraten beef Wellington or stuffed confit onion, with a dreamy chocolate roulade for dessert.

The Ivy Spinningfields

This Spinningfields venue is a popular choice all year round, flaunting gorgeous, colourful interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in lots of natural light.

The Ivy Christmas menu for Manchester is one that you don't want to miss out on, offering two courses for £55, or three for £60 - including a side dish. Delve into plates of cured smoked salmon, turkey ballotine or wild mushroom and truffle linguine, followed by a Christmas creme brulee.

Zouk

This vibrant Oxford Road haunt is best known for its authentic Indian cuisine, and you can expect plenty of this on their non-traditional festive menu. Zouk is a gorgeous restaurant split across three floors of modern, stylish decor, with a number of seasonal offerings to choose from.

Their banquet menus start from just £30 per person, and they also offer lunchtime tiffin boxes for as little as £17.50. Tuck into tasty bites like chargrilled chicken tikka, lamb and potato korma or onion bhajis, as part of a two-course feast.

TNQ Restaurant and Bar

Situated in the vibrant Northern Quarter, TNQ Restaurant and Bar is a laid-back spot that specialises in top quality British dining. Expect wooden furnishings, candlesticks on the tables and a welcoming atmosphere, having won Leading Restaurant of the Year in the This Is Manchester Awards in both 2019 and 2022.

You can enjoy an affordable festive feast throughout late November and December, starting from £29.95 for two courses, or £34.95 for three. Whether you're in the mood for roast turkey breast or a pumpkin, kale and chestnut Wellington, there's something for everyone here.

The River Restaurant

Venture over to Salford to discover The River Restaurant, found right by the waterfront in Chapel Wharf. The sleek restaurant bar combines classic and contemporary design, creating a plant-filled haven that's full of natural light.

Offering everything from breakfast with Santa to a festive afternoon tea, these guys are going all-out for the yuletide season. You can nab a family Christmas Dinner in Manchester for as little as £34.50 per person here, featuring spiced pumpkin starters, black pepper venison loin, turkey ballotine and more.

Hawksmoor Manchester

Perfect for groups of friends and families, Hawksmoor is offering a festive sharing menu this year. There are three different options available, starting from £62 per person and offering a choice between two or three courses.

Take a seat in the swish steakhouse on Deansgate to munch on charcoal-grilled steaks, smoked mackerel salad, sticky toffee pudding and more, with a vegan set menu on the cards too.

Dishoom Manchester

Every year, Dishoom is covered with pretty fairy lights and seasonal decorations, found inside the Grade II-listed building Manchester Hall in Spinningfields. This authentic Indian restaurant is inspired by Bombay's old Irani cafes, and you can expect an Indian twist on their festive fare.

Dig into three courses of small plates and signature dishes for £45 per person - a highlight being the turkey raan with all the trimmings (with a veggie version up for grabs too). Plus, there's mince pie kulfi for dessert.