The venues include neighbourhood Italian spots, an upscale city centre eatery and top steakhouse
New Italian restaurant Bruco in Ancoats on Murray Street(Image: Carl Sukonik | The Vain Photography)
The top 100 restaurants in the UK have been revealed – and a number of Greater Manchester dining spots have made the cut. The new list for 2025 comes from restaurant booking site OpenTable.
Its Top 100 Restaurants in the UK 2025 list has been published to inspire diners where to eat next and to highlight industry dining trends. The list is compiled by analysing more than 780,000 diner reviews, ratings, reservation demand and percentage of five-star reviews.
Alongside its top list, OpenTable’s has also unveiled the key dining insights from the past year as well as a look ahead to the key trends set to shape the industry 2026. This year’s findings explore generational differences, as well as the comfort classics diners would like to see back on the menu next year.
Sasha Shaker, Senior Director at OpenTable in the UK and Ireland, said: “From exciting new names like Nina in London to much-loved local favourites such as Opheem in Birmingham and Higher Ground in Manchester, the list celebrates the fantastic spots that the UK has to offer.
“Whether diners are after a happy hour menu, a certain cuisine type or spot for group dining, there’s a place to match every taste and occasion.”
Bar San Juan in Chorlton(Image: Michael Casey)
The trend report revealed that almost half of diners (44%) say they’d prefer eating with others over going solo in 2026, with group dining growing by 5% in 2025, year-on-year.
Meanwhile, when it comes to spending, nearly half (49%) of Brits plan to spend more on dining out in 2026 versus 2025, rising to 70% of Gen Z and Millennials. Despite this, 54% of Brits want to see more happy hours and value promotions in 2026.
Here in Greater Manchester, a total of seven restaurants have been added to the top 100. This include familiar names as well as spots described as ‘hidden gems’ by diners.
Bar San Juan in Chorlton has made the cut and is praised for its “authentic experience of tapas” with dishes that rival those in Spain. One diner on OpenTable has described it as a “superb little tapas bar”.
In terms of other well-known spots, city centre steak spot Hawksmoor has also been added to the 2025 list. Located next to Spinningfields it specialises in high quality cuts and Sunday roasts with diners deeming it “fabulous” and the service “brilliant”.
Inside Onda Pasta Bar(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Relative newcomers, Higher Ground and Onda Pasta Bar, have also been included, along with The Ivy Asia in Spinningfields. Higher Ground is a British bistro and bar located in Manchester city centre that focuses on seasonality within the UK using produce sourced from local suppliers and producers – it was praised as “innovative, interesting and most importantly taste full food served with enthusiasm, skill and knowledge” by one diner.
Onda on Circle Square off Oxford Road was celebrated by diners for it’s “exceptionally friendly service” and “amazing food” with diners recommending the vodka past and beef ragu. Meanwhile, Ivy Asia was described by one customer as “absolutely fabulous”.
Two lesser-known but equally excellent restaurants have also been featured, and both are Italian restaurants. The first is Bruco in Ancoats, which opened last November in the former Trove bakery site on Murray Street.
One recent reviewer said: “This place is really, really, really good! The food is superb and the service outstanding.”
And completing the lineup, The Italian in Romiley was also included in the 2025 list. The independent Italian restaurant is family owned and described by its diners as a ‘hidden gem’.
One review read: “I have been going to The Italian for nearly 25 years. I have never had a bad meal, the service has always been great and the staff are fabulous. Being able to book online has been even better. Highly recommended!”