Spanning a range of cuisines, dishes and price points, Manchester’s food scene is having a moment right now
18:39, 29 Dec 2025Updated 18:42, 29 Dec 2025
Skof is situated in a former textile building on Federation Street(Image: Cristian Barnett)
Greater Manchester’s food scene is unbeatable at the moment. One of the very best region’s for culinary experiences, it excels in everything from fine dining to street food – and everything in between.
2025 was the year that the city won over the Michelin Guide’s critics with Tom Barnes’ first Manchester restaurant receiving a star less than 12 months after opening, while Mana retained theirs, and several other establishments’ were added to the culinary bible’s list of recommendations.
Walk the streets of the city centre though, and the sheer variety of options shows just how much the food scene here has grown here in recent years. Far from starched white tablecloths, and overly formal service, the major draw of this city is the down-to-earth service and variety of dining options spanning a whole host of cuisines and price points.
Plus, out into the boroughs, both old and new, there’s neighbourhood spots beloved by locals and vistors alike. Whilst it’s not an easy task to select the ones your should visit next year, we’ve given it a punt, and tried to show a variety of budgets, cuisines and delicacies, and styles of restaurant.
Of course, there’s many others you could try in 2026, but the ones below can serve as some inspiration as you enter the next year. Some have been here years, others are relatively new to the group, but each will give you a distinct dining experience.
If there’s any you think really deserves to be on the list, let us know in the comments section below.
Kaya – Chinatown
Manchester’s Chinatown, which emerged in the 1970s from former textile warehouses, is now the UK’s second largest of its kind. Famed for its Asian supermarkets, bakeries, supermarkets and lively karaoke spots it’s culinary and cultural significance should not be underestimated.
Here, you’ll find Chinese restaurants sitting side by side with Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese establishments. And on Faulkner Street you’ll find Kaya, a canteen-style Malaysian restaurant serving up simple but well executed rice dishes, noodles, and roti served with dahl, chicken curry and sambal all for under £15.
The country’s beloved national dish, Nasi Lemak, is well represented here, though the beef rendang variation with tender, slow-cooked beef, fluffy rice, a tangy cucumber and deep fried anchovies is a delight. There’s no alcohol here, but grab a Milo Dinosaur – cold chocolate malt drink with creamy milk – or Kopi coffee with condensed milk.
Lower Ground Floor, 50 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4FH
Bar San Juan – Chorlton
Bar San Juan in Chorlton(Image: Michael Casey)
Less than five miles from the city centre, and only about a 10-minute tram ride away, this leafy, suburban gem is buzzing with trendy coffee shops and bars, parks, pubs and much-loved dining spots.
One such place can be found of the trendy Beech Road, which is also home to the likes of Jane Eyre, Horse and Jockey, and The Lead Station. It is Bar San Juan though that serves as a little pocket of Spanish sunshine and feels like you’ve just stepped onto a vibrant esplanade rather than south Manchester street.
Whether you just fancy a small taste of Spain – from it’s chicken and Jamon croquetas to pintxos and charcuterie – or a long day session calls for a proper feast – think pan-fried fillet steak, Gambas Pil-Pil and Galician-style octopus – there’s a little bit of something for everyone and most dishes are well under a tenner.
56 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG
Stow – City Centre
Stow in Manchester City Centre(Image: MEN)
‘Food by Fire. Cocktails & Wine. Nice People’. The tagline adopted by relative newcomer Stow, which opened in late 2024.
For me, this seemingly tiny restaurant tucked away on Bridge Street, where chefs cook exclusively over open fire, fulled by wood and locally made charcoal, seemed a little gimmicky at first but it’s proved to be one of the most interesting – and flavoursome additions to the city’s food scene.
Start with a flatbread swimming with onion butter, before tucking into carefully charred vegetables covered in marinated feta before trying one of the sublime cuts of meat – think Ex dairy rib-eye or lamb rump – before trying their signature dessert – smoked cream tart with rum plum.
62 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BW
Fold Bistro – Stockport
Fold Bistro and Bottle Shop in Marple Bridge in Stockport(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
At the very edge of Stockport sits Fold, a quietly confident neighbourhood bistro which entered the food scene in early 2023. Located in the picture-perfect village of Marple Bridge, dishes here are inspired by the British seasons – with a bit of North West nostalgia thrown in for good measure.
They responsibly source all our ingredients, supporting communities and using local suppliers where possible. Their drinks list meanwhile, is a standout thanks to its own bottle shop full of their favourite wine producers, as well as top-notch beers and hand-crafted cocktails.
Their dinner menu includes dishes such as Northern Game Wellington with parsnips and proper gravy, celeriac pappardelle with truffle and Cavolo Nero, plus hash browns with black garlic and roasted onion. For sweet, there’s rice pudding with blackberry and pear, as well as baked apple shortcake. On Fridays and Saturdays, they do a full English breakfast and come Sunday there’s an option of a two-or-three-course roast with all the trimmings.
7 Town St, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 5AA
Skof – City Centre
Tasting menus are priced at either £120 for 12 courses or £165 for 15, or a smaller four course lunch menu for £50(Image: Cristian Barnett)
In a former textile warehouse near Victoria Railway Station sits one of Manchester’s most exciting dining spots. L’Enclume alumni Tom Barnes set up shop here last year – his first solo restaurant with the aim of creating somewhere people could enjoy fine dining but without the pomp and ceremony.
His and the team’s hard work, dedication and precision paid off, landing them a Michelin Star within its first year of operation. While it can be hard to get into, and reservations fill up quickly, it is worth adding to your 2026 to-do list. While its dinner menu is upwards of £120, you can also book in for a four-course lunch for £55.
Menus are constantly changing but dishes span the likes of Isle of Mull cheese dumplings, stuffed leg of Sladesdown duck with beetroot and hazelnut, and Dexter beef bavette with black pepper and cured egg. In a nod to his dad, the meal is finished off with a generous spoonful of ‘Barney’s Tiramisu’ too.
3 Federation St, Manchester M4 4BF
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar – Salford
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, Salford(Image: Liv Clarke | MEN)
In late 2025, this amazing Greek restaurant was added to the Michelin Inspector’s list of favourite restaurants. Tucked away beneath a Salford flat block, the cave-like space, reminiscent of an white-washed tavern in Santorini, is inspired by the ancient Greek word for beauty.
In a very short space of time, it’s quickly become a go-to for topped flatbreads (the lamb shoulder is a standout) and evening mezze menu, as well as tinned fish options. Its owners, Ioanna and Ivan, have around 20 years of experience in the industry between them, and have previously held managerial positions at restaurants across the city, including 20 Stories, Stock Market Grill, MUSU and King Street Townhouse Hotel.
It’s mezze menu is vast but not overwhelming and allows you to mix and match between pita breads, olives and Greek dips, as well as salads, feta wrapped in filo and honey, and beef cheek stifado. If there’s a few of you, it’s worth trying the flatbreads and a couple of their premium tinned fish like the sardines in spiced tomato sauce.
3 Bankside Blvd, Salford M3 7HD
Erst – City Centre
Erst in Ancoats, Manchester(Image: Publicity Picture)
Whenever I’m asked for recommendation in the city centre, my mind always heads straight for Erst. Based on Murray Street in Ancoats, this natural wine bar and dining spot first opened in 2018, and has won praise from the likes of food critics Jay Rayner and Tom Parker Bowles ever since.
Nothing here is overly complicated or for show, with a simple and streamlined menu acting as the perfect accompaniment to a great glass of wine or cocktail. Their flatbreads are talked about around town as some of the best – whether that’s the one lavished with leek butter or whipped beef fat and chilli – and there’s some genuinely interesting meat and fish options, like the cod with chickpeas and aioli, or the puffed pig skin and cod’s roe.
9 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
Ornella’s – Denton
Dishes at Ornella’s are inspired by her hometown in Sicily (Image: Vincent Cole – Manchester Evening News)
A love letter to Italy, this Denton cafe easily has some of the best pasta dishes in Greater Manchester. First opened in 2022, Ornella’s Kitchen has won numerous awards and national acclaim for its dishes, which are made with traditional Italian and Mediterranean ingredients.
Based on meals made by owner Ornella Carncila’s family in Sicily’s north coast, the Manchester Road deli’s menu includes the likes of lobster ravioli and lamb shoulder, alongside brunch dishes, ciabatta sandwiches, and small plates.
Must-try pasta dishes included the Bucatini Carbonara with Crispy Guanciale, as well as the Oven-Baked Conchiglioni Shells with Pumpkin Cream, Cave-Aged Cheddar, Walnuts, Sourdough Crumb & Crispy Sage. For those based a little closer to the city centre, there’s now smaller site at Freight Island at Depot Mayfield too.
10 Manchester Rd, Denton, Manchester M34 3LE
Sampa – City Centre
Caroline Martins’ SAMPA is a brilliant new addition to Manchester’s food scene
Tucked underneath the streets of the Northern Quarter, you’ll find a slightly secret dining concept from one of Manchester’s best chefs. SAMPA is the acclaimed Brazilian food concept from former MasterChef contestant Caroline Martins.
She had previously hosted the restaurants in similarly hidden “pop up” venues, but now has a permanent home in the Northern Quarter. The venue is found behind an inconspicuous black door on a backstreet of the trendy city centre district.
Guests who have booked to dine are alerted on the day of their visit with the location – and a projection lights up with the SAMPA name ready for their arrival. The restaurant aims to bring the home comforts of Caroline’s home country of Brazil here to the city with a playful style of presentation at the chef’s table which sits just 10-12 diners at a time.
Cafe Continental – Stalybridge
The twice-fried chicken and focaccia
This trendy Stalybridge eatery has been plastered all over social media for some time now, but we can confirm it is the real deal. Billed as a ‘modern European dining experience’, there’s a few themes going on here, with Parisian-style interior features and artwork, as well as neighbourhood bistro feel as you can see with its timbre-paneled walls, soft lighting and bright red leather seating.
The menu is pretty easy to follow with a lot of things to share and many flame-cooked specialities. Designed to share with family and friends, they recommend 3-4 dishes per person. Options span Cantabrian anchovies, steak tartare, and tuna ceviche from the more start-style side of things, while bigger dishes like the beef short rib with bone marrow sauce and guindilla butter are real crowd pleasers.
5 Melbourne St, Stalybridge SK15 2JE
BeeRogi – Ash
The Pierogi at BeeRogi in Ashton-under-Lyne(Image: MEN)
If you’re after a truly authentic Polish culinary experience with excellent dumplings, goulash and daily specials, you need to pay a visit to BeeRogi. They specialise in filled dumplings with all kinds of options – from those filled with cod fish and kimchi, to beef heart, and pork meat with fresh cabbage.
A stripped back dining spot which lets the food do the talking, there’s a really hearty choice of meals here – all of which will warm you up in the winter months. Many go for the fresh dumplings but often stay to try out their specialities, including Polish fried sausage, pork loin schnitzel, and chicken in potato pancake.
Ground Floor, 137 Stamford Street Central, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6AD
Royal Nawaab – Stockport
There are hundreds of different dishes to try(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It’s one of the most talked about venues of the year after opening inside the iconic Stockport Pyramid. The colossal Royal Nawaab restaurant and events space opened its doors to much fanfare in April after the building perched beside the M60, formerly occupied by the Co-Op bank, underwent a £15m transformation.
The huge dining and events venue consists of a 400-cover restaurant on the ground floor; a 800-capacity first-floor banqueting space for weddings and events; and an additional banqueting area for 400 on the second floor. There’s decadent lighting hanging from the ceiling, polished marble floors and dancing water fountains – it kind of feels like a hotel lobby, but it’s worth sticking around for the food.
The concept for the restaurant is that it’s a one-price-fits-all buffet situation. It costs £29.99 for an adult and £13.99 for children under the age of 12 – so you really can fill your boots. The menu is vast, there’s starters like Seekh kebab, meat samosas and lamb chops, before you can tuck into curries, biryanis, house specials, and all manner of sides. If you have space, there’s also sides too.
The Pyramid Building, The Valley of Kings, Stockport, SK4 2JZ
Sparrows – City Centre
The Guanciale spätzle – with pork cheek – from continental restaurant The Spärrows(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Hidden under an archway in the Green Quarter, this modern, central European dining spot is raved about by critics and locals. Tricky to find at first, but well worth discovering, the restaurant takes its name from one of it’s house specialities, Spätzle, which translates as ‘sparrow’, a type of European dumpling popular in South Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Made fresh every day and smothered in the most decadent of cheeses, if you try only one thing, it has to be the spätzle . And while you’re at it, get the beef goulash and fondue too. If sharing – and having a couple of glasses of wine – make sure to try one of their boards – the Smoked Fish Board is a little different and includes alpine river char, rainbow trout and ricotta and lemon. There’s smoked sausages too, and burrata with garlic pesto and olive oil.
16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
Lupo – Prestwich
Lupo restaurant in Prestwich (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Nestled at the end of an industrial estate in Prestwich lies Lupo – an Italian restaurant that promises the “most authentic taste of Rome you will find outside of the Eternal City”. It’s recently scooped the award for best in the North West by top culinary bible, the Good Food Guide, for dishing out hearty and reliable Roman pizza and pasta, alongside beautiful pastries and excellent coffee.
It began its life in Salford, blazing a trail for Chapel Street, which is now a bustling hub of independent businesses. It’s moved about a fair bit, but has firmly laid down roots in Prestwich, much to the delight of locals. If you’re just popping in for a coffee and cake, the cabinet is packed with choux pastry piped full of Chantilly cream, sweet pastry fritters, pizzetta, Bolognese buns, donuts stuffed with Nutella, custard and pistachio, and tubs of tiramisu.
But if you’re planning on sitting in, there’s everything from Rigatoni with guanciale (cured pork cheeky from Umbria), and Roman-style fried tomato rice balls with a heart of fior di latte, to orecchiette with Italian fennel sausages and Romanesco broccoli. There’s pizzas too in varieties including Quattro Formaggi and Diavola, as well plenty of spritzes to transport you to the warmer climes of Italy.
Mountheath Trading Estate, Unit 65 Ardent Way, Prestwich, Manchester M25 9WE
Pho Cue – Chinatown
Another excellent establishment nestled within Manchester’s Chinatown is Vietnamese restaurant Pho Cue, which has won praise for its fresh and flavourful family recipes, passed down through generations. Take a seat and dig into Vietnamese rolls and tacos, rice and noodle dishes, as well as steaming bowls of pho that will lift your spirts even on the gloomiest of winter days.
If you have time on your hands, I recommend the whole dining experience. Starting with Spring Rolls bursting with pork and wrapped in crispy Banh Trang (rice paper), then move onto the salt and pepper chicken wings, and finish up with the wonderful Pho Cue speciality of Pho – Vietnam’s classic flat rice noodle soup served in 24 hours brewed meat broth and topped with beansprouts, spring onions, coriander and herbs.
52a Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FH