Manchester Restaurants 2023

[RD-1]

Heading back to Manchester for a few weeks (used to live there about 10 years ago) and will need some nice dinner recommendations.

What’s good nowadays, Hawksmoor, Dishoom, the Ivy, Tattu, Australasia?

Cuisine and budget open, location likely around Deansgate/Spinningfields, but again open to anything.

[Pit Pony]

The Refuge
0161 233 5151
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PPgSEyG7dTYnVDDMA

Not the most expensive menu, but nice surroundings and if you go on a Sunday, there's the Sunday Roast Platter for 2.

If you get the chance leave your car here whilst you are in Manchester. (daughter says they seem honest and competent)

Blossom Motor Co
0161 236 3002
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zq6yXjxsvJLuyR1B8

[JQ]

And this is why restaurant recommendations are so personal, I think Refuge is terrible - surroundings are beautiful but the food is very very average. It’s certainly not in the same league as the one’s you’ve mentioned.

This article it up to date and I agree with most listed.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/f...


Edited to say, the one thing I would do in the list is swap El Gato Negro in for Tast. We've had bad service the last 2 times at Tast and won't be returning, whilst El Gato is always fantastic. Also based on your current list - Climat is getting good reviews, I've not been yet but definitely one I plan to try. And for pre-dinner drinks Sterling is fantastic, better than Schofields.

Edited by JQ on Friday 17th March 09:00

[RD-1]

Great link, thanks

[Blown2CV]

it's a very fine line between greatness and wkishness. Most of the 'big name' places (old and new) in Manchester are the latter really, i'm afraid to say.

Went to Musu recently and it was full of utter society pricks and the food was not really good enough for the price tag.

Personally I really love Kala. Hawksmoor is always good. El Gato Negro is great. Cottonopolis too. I've heard good things about 10 tib lane, erst and exhibition. Albert's schloss is actually quite fun to eat at and quite different, although it's fairly loud. Siam smiles is the best thai around (no frills) but i am not sure if it is still open.

[RD-1]

Good info, thanks.

Totally get what you mean. I just want good food, service and atmosphere.

Doesn’t need to be pretentious gold leaf salty nonsense, and I don’t need any pics for Instagram.

Edited by RD-1 on Sunday 19th March 12:05

[rdjohn]

Restaurants are essentially people businesses. Therefore training and retaining good staff is an imperative. The UK business model seems to be about franchises and low wages. It is very rare to be welcomed by a face you recognise from a previous visit. Employing a greeter to is really chaged with turning tables over is a waste staff time. So, if you pay peanuts - you probably employ monkeys.

Creating menus and purchasing good ingredients is probably the simplest part. Getting recognised from Masterchef does not teach you man-management skills.

[Blown2CV]

another one is black friar but it's a bit out of town, probs more salford but it's walkable to the arena etc. or ancoats. Cool place, had a ton spent on it, good food and they do have deals etc. Service was a bit odd but we went quite soon after opening so i tend to give leeway when that happens.