British brasserie in a grand former bank

Browns Brasserie & Bar occupies one of Manchester’s most beautiful rooms, on King Street in a grand 1902 building by Charles Heathcote. Once a bank, its Edwardian baroque architecture and art nouveau details — high ceilings, marble, wood panelling and wrought ironwork — are retained with a modern touch, for an elegant, historic setting.

What to order

Browns has served trademark favourites since 1973, with daily specials and market-fresh fish. Contemporary British brasserie cooking includes cod, chicken schnitzels and duck parfait, with profiteroles and sticky toffee pudding to finish.

Who it’s for

The elegant, historic room suits special occasions, celebrations and smart meals, while the all-day format also works for brunch or afternoon tea.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Contemporary British brasserie classics, plus daily specials and fresh fish.

What to order? Cod, chicken schnitzels or duck parfait, with sticky toffee pudding.

What makes the interior special? A grand former bank from 1902, with marble and art nouveau details.

Where is it? On King Street, in central Manchester.

Opening hours

Award-winning Spanish tapas on King Street

El Gato Negro is one of Manchester’s best-loved Spanish restaurants — a Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas spot from chef Simon Shaw, across three floors of a historic King Street townhouse, with a ground-floor bar, a buzzy restaurant and a rooftop terrace with retractable cover. Lively music and warm décor make it vibrant and welcoming.

What to order

The award-winning tapas blend modern and traditional, with Josper-grilled meats. Try the famous Bikini (Jamón Serrano, Manchego, truffle butter), beef short rib, harissa chicken with mojo picón and chargrilled lamb skewers, finishing with crema catalana.

Who it’s for

A sociable dinner with friends, a date or a celebration — sharing plates for groups and a rooftop for warm evenings.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Award-winning Spanish tapas, with Josper-grilled meats.

What to order? The Bikini sandwich, beef short rib and harissa chicken.

What makes it special? A Michelin Bib Gourmand, three floors and a rooftop terrace.

Where is it? On King Street, in central Manchester.

Opening hours

Contemporary Italian in the city centre

Gusto Italian brings its contemporary take on Italian cooking to central Manchester, in a striking room that blends modern decor with intimate lighting and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with a clear emphasis on quality.

What to order

The menu is Italian with a contemporary touch. Signatures include pan-seared scallops and a praised cauliflower steak, plus fresh lasagna, sea bass and a rich prawn and saffron risotto. Try a limoncello spritz, and look out for seasonal menus and bottomless brunch.

Who it’s for

Good for brunch, a relaxed dinner or a special occasion in a smart, central setting — couples and groups alike.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Modern Italian — pasta, risotto, seafood and seasonal dishes.

What to order? Pan-seared scallops, cauliflower steak or prawn and saffron risotto.

Is there a brunch? Yes — including a bottomless option.

Where is it? In central Manchester.

Opening hours

Contemporary Chinese, glamorous and atmospheric

Tattu Manchester is the contemporary Chinese restaurant that made the brand’s name — as famous for its looks as its food. The interior is a masterpiece of modern elegance, known for its statement cherry blossom chandelier and trees, with a moody, atmospheric setting made for special occasions.

What to order

The menu reinvents Chinese classics — small plates, dim sum, meat, seafood, rice and noodles. Signatures include sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef fillet and saffron black cod, plus Peking duck. Pair with one of Tattu’s theatrical signature cocktails.

Who it’s for

For date nights, celebrations and stylish dinners where the setting is part of the occasion. Diners praise the service and vibrant atmosphere.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Modern Chinese — dim sum, Peking duck, sea bass and beef.

What to order? Sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef and Peking duck.

What makes the interior special? Its cherry blossom chandelier and glamorous setting.

Good for a special occasion? Yes — glamour and service.

Opening hours

Glam-meets-industrial dining at the Kimpton Clocktower

The Refuge is a distinctive Manchester destination restaurant in the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, created by DJs-turned-restaurateurs Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (the Volta team). A glam-meets-industrial space, it flows from an all-day café into a buzzy drinking den, with a stunning glass-ceilinged Winter Garden full of greenery.

What to order

The eclectic menu mixes global small dishes and sharing platters with a Mancunian twist. The Show Menu, for two to share, brings grilled flatbreads, chilli-marinated olives, sweet potato hummus, crispy Korean fried chicken and the famous triple-cooked chips — plus a proper Sunday roast.

Who it’s for

Soft lighting and a stylish setting make it great for dates, catch-ups, afternoon tea in the Winter Garden or a lively evening that drifts into drinks.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Eclectic global small plates and sharing platters with a Mancunian twist.

What to order? The Show Menu with Korean fried chicken and triple-cooked chips.

Who created it? Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford, the Volta team.

Where is it? In the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, central Manchester.

Opening hours

Soul food and live blues in Spinningfields

The Blues Kitchen Manchester, in Spinningfields, pairs American soul food with live music every night until late. Set in a former Victorian eye hospital, it’s a character-filled space with original features, reclaimed materials, a warm dining room and cosy booths, with resident musicians playing blues, soul and funk.

What to order

The menu is American soul and Southern-inspired, generous and shareable: buttermilk fried chicken, stacked burgers, buffalo wings and slow-cooked ribs. The Oreo donuts have a following, and the bar is known for bourbon and great cocktails.

Who it’s for

A lively night out with friends, a date with a soundtrack or anyone who wants dinner and live music in one.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? American soul food — fried chicken, burgers, wings and ribs.

What to order? Buttermilk fried chicken, ribs and the Oreo donuts, with a bourbon cocktail.

Is there live music? Yes — every night until late.

Where is it? In Spinningfields, central Manchester.

Opening hours

Modern Greek-Mediterranean in a phoenix’s nest

Fenix is one of Manchester’s most ambitious restaurants — a relaxed yet elevated take on Greek-Mediterranean cuisine, led by chefs Ippokratis Anagnostelis and Zisis Giannouras. The lavish space represents a phoenix’s nest, with limewashed coves, terrazzo floors and pampas grass, and by night it turns into a high-energy destination with OPA events and live music.

What to order

The à la carte spans Garden salads, Meze (moussaka, grilled octopus, caramelised aubergine), From The Open Fire and Pasta & Rice, plus tasting menus. Standouts include the Mykonian Salad with Mykonian feta, the Langoustine Orzo and the Wagyu dolmadki. The wine and cocktail lists are exceptional.

Who it’s for

For a special dinner, a celebration or a lively night out where the meal becomes an event — food lovers and those after a glamorous evening alike.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Modern Greek-Mediterranean — meze, open-fire fish and meats, salads and pasta.

What to order? The Mykonian Salad, Langoustine Orzo and Wagyu dolmadki.

What makes the interior special? A “phoenix’s nest” design with limewashed coves and pampas grass.

Where is it? In central Manchester.

Opening hours

A tribute to old Bombay in Manchester

Dishoom Manchester brings the much-loved restaurant’s tribute to old Bombay and its Irani cafés to the city, with the same distressed-café charm, vintage details and warm lighting. The atmosphere is lively yet intimate, from breakfast to late-night dinner.

What to order

The famous dishes are the Bacon Naan Roll (crispy bacon, chilli-tomato jam, cream cheese in soft naan) and the 24-hour House Black Daal. Try also Chicken Ruby, spicy lamb chops and lamb samosas, with House Chai to finish.

Who it’s for

Good for breakfast with friends, a relaxed dinner or a group meal to share — be prepared for queues at busy times.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Bombay-style Indian, inspired by old Irani cafés.

What to order? The Bacon Naan Roll, 24-hour Black Daal and Chicken Ruby.

Is there a wait? Often yes, at busy times.

Where is it? In central Manchester.

Opening hours