{"id":152273,"date":"2025-06-02T14:13:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/152273\/"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:13:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:13:27","slug":"what-are-the-oldest-restaurants-in-manchster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/152273\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the oldest restaurants in Manchster?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester\u2019s dining scene is full of modern gems, but some restaurants have been around long enough to feel like old friends. Here\u2019s a roundup of some of the oldest restaurants in Greater Manchester in age order, perfect if you\u2019re after a taste of history along with your dinner.<\/p>\n

Manchester\u2019s hospitality sector has shown incredible resilience over the years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pre-COVID, Greater Manchester\u2019s tourism and hospitality scene contributed over \u00a39.5 billion to the economy and supported around 100,000 jobs. While the pandemic caused the sector\u2019s economic impact to fall to \u00a33 billion in 2020 (Marketing Manchester<\/a>), the city\u2019s restaurants and venues have bounced back through sheer determination, adaptability and community support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today, these longstanding restaurants continue to thrive, each adding to the city\u2019s exciting and ever-evolving food scene with some of the best restaurants in Manchester.<\/p>\n

Mr Thomas\u2019s Chop House (est. 1867)<\/p>\n

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Tucked just off Cross Street, Mr Thomas\u2019s has been dishing out hearty British fare for over 150 years<\/a>. Inside, you\u2019ll find beautiful Victorian tiles, cosy booths and that old-school charm that\u2019s stood the test of time. The menu\u2019s a classic. Think corned beef hash, steak and kidney pudding and a proper pint to wash it down.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s Chop House (est. 1872)<\/p>\n

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A stone\u2019s throw from Mr Thomas\u2019s, Sam\u2019s Chop House is another beloved Manchester institution. It\u2019s been feeding hungry Mancunians since the 19th century, with a focus on traditional British dishes and comfort food done right. Expect a warm welcome, a pint of ale and some of the best corned beef hash around. All watched over by a statue of Salford\u2019s favourite son, L.S Lowry.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Midland Hotel \u2013 The French (est. 1903)<\/p>\n

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The French, inside the iconic Midland Hotel<\/a>, is a Manchester fine dining landmark. When it first opened in 1903, it was all about French haute cuisine, and it\u2019s evolved into a top spot for modern British dining. The grandeur of the Midland adds to the magic \u2013 it\u2019s one of those places where a meal feels like a real occasion.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rice Bowl (est. 1960)<\/p>\n

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The Rice Bowl was set up by the Wing Lau family, who left Shanghai for England in the 1950s, escaping Chairman Mao\u2019s Cultural Revolution. Originally landing in Liverpool in the 50s, the Lau family made their way to Cross Street in Manchester, where they\u2019ve been serving up Chinese classics courtesy of the flamboyant Mr Wing. In 1988, Mr Wing\u2019s niece came over from Shanghai to take over proceedings and has been at the helm ever since, although Mr Wing still occasionally pops in to see how they are getting on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

Rajdoot Tandoori (est. 1966)<\/p>\n

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Located under the depths of Albert Square<\/a>, Rajdoot Tandoori is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in the city. Since 1966, they\u2019ve been serving up tasty curries in an atmospheric spot decorated with Indian art and warm lighting. Perfect for a cosy night out.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Armenian Taverna (est. 1968)<\/p>\n

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The Armenian Taverna has been serving up Armenian icons like Kofta, and the incredible Yerevan khachapuri, which consists of a delicious brioche-style bread filled with cured beef, a three-cheese mix and an almost raw egg. Armenia\u2019s neighbour, Georgia, is supposedly the birthplace of wine, and Armenia reportedly has the oldest winery in the world, so make sure if you go, you can try these unique tipples, oak-aged and delicious.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

Topkapi Palace (est. 1979)<\/p>\n

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Established in 1979 by chef Seref Dursun, Topkapi Palace is Manchester\u2019s oldest Turkish restaurant. Located on Deansgate, this family-run establishment has been serving authentic Turkish cuisine for over four decades, becoming a beloved fixture in the city\u2019s dining scene.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

Kabana (est. 1983)<\/p>\n

\"Kabana\"<\/p>\n

A beloved institution in the Northern Quarter, Kabana opened in 1983<\/a> and quickly became a lifeline for the Asian community working in the city\u2019s rag trade. Known for its iconic \u2018rice and three\u2019 \u2013 where you choose three curries over a bed of rice \u2013 it\u2019s no-frills, authentic and delicious. Kabana continues to serve hearty Pakistani and Indian dishes to locals and newcomers alike.<\/p>\n

You can order from Kabana by clicking here<\/a><\/p>\n

Don Giovanni (Giovanni\u2019s) (est. 1984)<\/p>\n

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Might not be quite as old as some of the others, but Don Giovanni\u2019s holds the title of Manchester\u2019s oldest independent Italian restaurant. Opened in 1984 and still family-run, it\u2019s all about fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas and that stylish Italian charm. It\u2019s the kind of place where the food speaks for itself \u2013 and keeps people coming back for more.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

This & That Caf\u00e9 (est. 1984)<\/p>\n

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Tucked away on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter, This & That Caf\u00e9 has been serving up its famous \u2018rice and three\u2019 since 1984. This family-run spot offers a selection of homemade curries, allowing diners to choose three to accompany their rice. It\u2019s a no-frills, authentic experience that\u2019s become a beloved institution in Manchester\u2019s culinary scene.<\/p>\n

You can check out their menu here<\/a><\/p>\n

Mughli Charcoal Pit (est. 1991)<\/p>\n

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A Curry Mile institution since the early 90s<\/a>, Mughli Charcoal Pit blends Indian and Pakistani street food with modern flair. Known for its open charcoal pit and bold flavours, this second-generation restaurant has been a firm favourite for over 30 years, offering dishes like tandoori chicken and fiery curries in a gorgeous setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

San Carlo Manchester (est. 2004)<\/p>\n

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Since opening in 2004, San Carlo has become one of Manchester\u2019s top spots for premium Italian dining. Known for its authentic cuisine, fresh ingredients and lively atmosphere, the restaurant has built a reputation as a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike. Over the years, it\u2019s hosted countless celebrities and has become a true city institution. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, San Carlo continues to win over diners with high quality Italian dishes, exceptional service and a vibrant setting that captures the spirit of Italy right in the heart of Manchester.<\/p>\n

You can book a table here<\/a><\/p>\n

Have we missed any? Let us know at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Manchester\u2019s dining scene is full of modern gems, but some restaurants have been around long enough to feel…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":152274,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[47900,748,64918,393,786,4884,2465,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-152273","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-best-of","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-cornerstone","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-food-and-drink","13":"tag-great-britain","14":"tag-manchester","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114614188052962546","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}