Fancy Restaurants In Manchester

Impeccable recipes and elegant interiors are a combo we can all get on board with. From Spinningfields to Deansgate and the Northern Quarter, you'll find a range of high-end cuisine and top-tier local ingredients to nibble on. Got a date coming up? Yearning for bougie vibes? If so, go and tuck into our guide to the very best fancy restaurants Manchester has to offer.

Last edited by Scarlett Welch




Gaucho Manchester

After fancy restaurants in Manchester with halal options? Gaucho is renowned for supreme cuts of Argentinian steak served in stylish surroundings, complete with cow-print chairs, classy leather booths and ornate chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings. Their other sophisticated dishes range from seabass ceviche to barbecue miso aubergine, paired with classy cocktails like the watermelon spritz. In the mood for a Sunday feast? Bring your crew of foodies to the grand Deansgate building and try the never-ending roast option for £37.

20 Stories

Offering unbeatable 360-degree views of the city's skyline, 20 Stories is a rooftop restaurant and bar that is bound to impress. You'll find the classy eatery on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields, decked out in shiny tabletops, floor-to-ceiling windows and pretty plants, with a gorgeous, leafy outdoor terrace to boot. Bar Manager Jack Marsden has whipped up an enviable cocktail list to go with your meal, while dishes range from pan-fried roasted cod to confit duck leg or celeriac Wellington.

Piccolino Caffe Grande Manchester

When it comes to Mediterranean dining, Manchester is blessed with stellar venues galore - and Piccolino Caffe Grande is certainly among them. The expansive menu is bursting with authentic Italian cuisine like crab linguini, salmon tagliatelle and Neapolitan pizza. The interiors here are equally appealing, from the decadent chandeliers to the open kitchen, and there's even a spacious alfresco terrace that looks out over the Town Hall.

Australasia

Australasia beautifully mixes Art Deco vibes with fusion feasts from Down Under, in a venue that's bathed in light and filled with Instagrammable dusty pink decor. Admire one of the city's best restaurants with your pals, having been serving scrumptious bites since 2011, and spend an afternoon grazing on small plates like yellowfin tuna sashimi and teriyaki beef nigiri. There's a huge selection of sake up for grabs here, alongside fine wines and cocktails.

Peter Street Kitchen

5 Course Christmas Luncheon: £155 and 6 other offers

When it comes to the best fancy restaurants in Manchester city centre, Peter Street Kitchen has to be high up on the list. Showcasing fusion flavours of Mexico and Japan, this unique venue serves everything from grilled lobster gyoza tacos to wagyu steak and salted chilli corn on the cob. You'll find the stylish space inside the iconic Free Trade Hall, flaunting high ceilings, quirky hanging lights and marble-topped tables. What's more, they also offer a curated, six-course omakase menu for £80 per person.

James Martin Restaurant

Tasting Menu and 1 other offer

After 5 star restaurants in Manchester that are popular among the city's finest diners? Some famous faces may be nearby while you're tucking into gorge dishes at James Martin Restaurant, a swish, adult-only venue in Deansgate. Succulent barbecue-glazed lamb and miso aubergine are a couple of our favourite offerings from the celebrity chef's menu, and you can even get your hands on a bespoke four-course meal for just £49 per person.

Mana Manchester

If you're looking for fancy restaurants in Manchester with a Michelin star, grab a table at Mana in Ancoats. Sit down and experience up to 18 plates of high-end British flavours with a few Japanese twists, from single-serve oysters to 60 day-aged Cumbrian sirloin steak and adobo crab. The kitchen is run by former NOMA chef Simon Martin, focusing on sustainably sourced ingredients and, most of all, great tasting food.

Sexy Fish Manchester

Renowned for some of the swankiest seafood in the country, Sexy Fish is the place to go when you feel like pushing the boat out. Popular with celebrities and sporting surrealist decor like huge aquatic sculptures and paintings, it certainly is unique. Their omakase offerings start from just £58 per person, with robata-grilled meat, sashimi platters, nigiri and more up for grabs as a set menu or a la carte. You can also nab a two-course lunch for only £28; and while it may not be the most expensive restaurant in Manchester, it's certainly one of the most exciting.

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay

After the success of his Michelin Guide-recommended Mayfair location, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has turned his talents to Manchester in the form of Lucky Cat. This sultry spot resides on King Street, serving pan-Asian small plates such as salt and pepper baby squid, beef tataki and tuna tartare - with omakase and brunch menus on the cards as well. Their private dining space The Vault is a great option for an intimate private meal, seating up to 12 people, or grab a table in the main restaurant for high ceilings, gold-topped bars and exceptional service.

Mamucium

Inspired by the first Roman fort built in the city, Mamucium is a historic venue that can be found inside Hotel Indigo in the Northern Quarter. Take a seat in one of their plush leather booths for some of the finest British dishes in the city, with a central brass bar for cocktails and smaller snacks. Delve into plates of grilled tuna nicoise salad, spiced falafel kebabs or flat iron chicken here, with an indulgent afternoon tea available too.

Dakota Bar And Grill

Found right in the heart of the city, inside the Dakota Manchester boutique hotel, Dakota Bar And Grill is all about low lighting and fine dining. Expect brasserie-style service and a private Champagne room for special occasions, with a premium menu that focuses on 35 day-aged beef cooked over hot coals. They've got a dedicated vegetarian menu as well, featuring wild mushroom and spinach gnocchi, miso cauliflower steaks or vegetable tempura, all of which pairs nicely with their bespoke cocktails.

Tast Catala

Tast Catala's name is inspired by their impeccable menu, as this King Street venue is bringing a taste of Catalan to Manchester. The spacious venue spans across three floors, with Michelin-Starred chef Paco Perez at the helm. Take a seat in their bright, modern dining area to try out these tasty dishes, from classic patatas bravas to 40 day-aged sirloin steaks cooked in a charcoal oven. Topping it all off? They also have one of the biggest collections of Catalonian wines in the city.

Tattu

Thanks to its ambient lighting, majestic features and cherry blossoms, Tattu is one of the most romantic restaurants Manchester can offer. Bring your date - or go solo - and munch on dim sum from the pan-Asian menu, while soaking up the alluring setting that's perfect for Instagram pics. Whether you're in the mood for wild mushroom spring rolls, seabass curry or black pepper beef fillet, be sure to pair it with one of their refined cocktails - we recommend the Pure Heart Picante for a little spice.

Six by Nico Manchester

The first English restaurant by talented chef Nico Simeone, following huge success in Scotland, Six by Nico takes tasting menus to a whole new level. Their multi-course offering switches up every six weeks, with past themes including Vietnamese street food, The Chippie and childhood-inspired nostalgic treats. The cocktails here are equally impressive, with space for up to 60 diners at a time in the roomy dining area.

The River Restaurant

Situated in Salford, The River Restaurant can be found inside the five-star Lowry Hotel, located close to the water. When you walk into this vibrant dining room you'll be greeted with hanging foliage, huge mirrors and bright orange seating, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing lots of natural light, with a gorgeous riverside terrace to boot. As for the menu? They've got two AA rosettes here for a reason, with dishes like shallot tarte tatin, corn-fed chicken supreme and veal cordon bleu to tuck into - as well as a delightful Amalfi lemon cheesecake for dessert.

63 Degrees

Say bonjour to 63 Degrees, serving some of the finest French cuisine in the Northern Quarter. Inspired by Paris, the name of the restaurant comes from the perfect cooking temperature of poultry, according to the Moreau family that runs the kitchen. Think chicken in truffle sauce, pigeon burgers with foie gras and Dover sole stuffed with tarragon, alongside plant-based dishes such as tomato risotto. Save room for dessert though, as the chocolate sphere with peach is to die for.

Adam Reid at The French

A restaurant you can can shout about is The French, located at the Midland Hotel and ran by talented chef Adam Reid - who has been awarded four AA rosettes. The suave spot is complete with plush velvet booths, glittery hanging lights and floor-to-ceiling windows, in a grade II-listed dining room. For £130 from Wednesday to Friday, or £145 on Saturdays, you can scoff several courses of divine dishes, like Scottish scallops served with turnips, miniature fish pies and Cumbrian short loin with seaweed.