A Complete Guide to Manchester's Michelin-star and Michelin-listed Restaurants

1. Skof

Address: 3 Federation Street, Manchester, M4 4BF

Set in a former textile warehouse, Skof recently named Restaurant of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards is from ex-L’Enclume Executive Chef Tom Barnes. The space nods quietly to the city’s industrial past with exposed brickwork and steel girders. In the kitchen, international flavours are handled with confidence and balanced by local influences; desserts might range from an amakase sorbet to Manchester honey ice cream. The meal ends with “Barney’s Tiramisu,” a personal tribute to the chef’s late father. With a hand-picked playlist from the chef and the easy hum of lively conversation, the atmosphere is warm, relaxed and full of energy.

2. mana

Address: 42 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6BF

Chef-owner Simon Martin’s personality and experience are at the heart of mana, a stylish, modern restaurant, where every table is well-spaced and offers a clear view of the kitchen. British ingredients take centre stage, particularly seafood, “we live on an island,” as Simon notes. Drawing on a range of Asian techniques, the cooking balances layered, complex flavours with a clean, natural approach, as seen in standout dishes like roasted hogget with white miso sabayon.

3. Winsome

Address: 74 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6JD

*Recognised as a sustainable dining option. 

Winsome draws on Manchester’s industrial roots, with a stripped-back interior and a large kitchen counter at the heart of the room. The cooking is bold and unfussy, with a comforting, slightly nostalgic feel, from cold cuts and whole fish to hearty homemade pies and a mixed grill. Every dish is well-executed, with high-quality ingredients that pack plenty of flavour. The young, enthusiastic team match the lively, welcoming energy of the space perfectly.

You may like to read our Sustainable Dining at Winsome article. 

4. Adam Reid at The French

Address: Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS

Adam Reid at The French, set within the iconic Midland Hotel, draws on the Belle Époque style to echo the luxury of its early days. While the name nods to history, Chef Adam Reid’s multi-course menu is firmly rooted in his northern upbringing rather than French tradition. The dishes are rich, sometimes playful, and often described simply and intriguingly on the menu, think ‘Fungi’ or ‘Fish, with knowledgeable chefs on hand to explain and even finish each course at the table.

5. Pip

Address: Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ,

Pip, part of the Treehouse Hotel, offers a peaceful escape in the heart of the city. The restaurant reflects the hotel’s style, with a mix of reclaimed materials, vintage touches, wooden furniture, and bold bursts of colour giving it a warm, rustic feel. Led by Mary-Ellen McTague, a local culinary champion, the kitchen celebrates regional produce, with dishes like a hearty, flavour-packed Lancashire hot pot. The service team are upbeat and enthusiastic, adding to the welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.

6. Stow

Address: 62 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BW

Stow combines creative cocktails with open-fire cooking to create a thoroughly modern dining experience. Begin (and end) your visit with a drink at the front bar before heading to the tucked-away dining counter. The intimate setting feels almost like a secret supper club, letting you watch the chefs at work and savour the depth of flavour they coax from each ingredient. High-quality cuts of meat, including ex-dairy beef, take centre stage, but inventive vegetable dishes are just as impressive. Finish with the smoked cream tart, where a gentle smokiness lingers in every bite.

7. Another Hand

Address: 253 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN

*Recognised as a sustainable dining and eco-conscious option. 

Another Hand is a friendly bistro tucked away on Deansgate Mews, part of the redeveloped Great Northern building in the city centre. The menu focuses on sharing plates that highlight produce from local, ethical suppliers, with vegetarian-led dishes that are full of flavour and served one at a time. Drinks include craft beers and carefully selected low-intervention wines, complemented by exceptional sourdough from nearby Holy Grain. The team is cheerful and attentive, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

You may like to read our Sustainable Dining at Another Hand article. 

8. Sampa

Address: 67 Warwick Street, Manchester, M1 1EH

Tucked away in Manchester’s creative Northern Quarter, Sampa keeps things deliberately mysterious. Diners don’t even receive the exact location of this intimate 12-seat chef’s counter until a day before their booking, and a sign only appears shortly before service begins. That air of secrecy suits the experience perfectly, as Chef Caroline Martins warmly welcomes guests and serves up a surprise Brazilian tasting menu. The dishes range from classic pão de queijo cheese bread to the standout “Dormouse” dessert, each one vibrant, playful, and full of character.

9. Erst 

Address: 9 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6HS

Erst in Ancoats combines an open kitchen, sharing plates, and a stylish industrial feel with an excellent selection of natural wines. The menu focuses on bright, punchy flavours and good value, with highlights including freshly charred flatbreads topped with sweet Vesuvio tomatoes and a cuttlefish risotto that’s rich and full of flavour. The team are friendly and attentive, creating a relaxed and welcoming dining experience.

10. Higher Ground

Address: Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester, M1 4DY

Higher Ground began as a pop-up in 2020 and has since found a permanent home in the city centre. It’s run by three friends who also operate wine bar Flawd and a market garden in the Cheshire countryside, which supplies much of the excellent produce used in the kitchen. The menu is built around generous, flavour-packed dishes made for sharing. Take a seat at the large counter to watch the chefs work with care and precision on plates such as pork and sherry terrine or gently steamed Cornish hake. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, with the owners and their team setting a friendly, upbeat tone throughout.

11. El Gato Negro

Address: 52 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LY

El Gato Negro is a lively tapas spot spread across three floors, each with its own appeal. Downstairs you’ll find the bar and outdoor tables lining the pedestrianised street, while the first floor offers prime counter seating overlooking the open kitchen. At the top is a standout roof terrace, perfect for private gatherings. The food matches the energy of the space, delivering excellent value through a broad menu of familiar Spanish tapas, including meats cooked over the Josper grill. Desserts are handled with just as much care, so be sure to leave space for the crèma catalana.

12. The Spärrows

Address: 16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF

Tucked beneath the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter, The Spärrows feels like a hidden find - guests ring a bell to be let inside. The name hints at what’s on the menu, with a focus on handmade dumplings and pastas prepared in-house, from gnocchi and pelmeni to excellent pierogi. Fresh, vibrant salads provide a welcome contrast to the comforting carbs. There’s also a small bottle shop for taking something home, while the drinks list highlights lesser-known wine producers alongside an unexpected but well-chosen sake selection.

13. Cantaloupe

Address: 71 Great Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1PE

Cantaloupe, located in Stockport, is a warm, inviting wine bar and restaurant with a fresh, understated style reflected in both its décor and its cooking. The concise wine list focuses on quality producers, appealing to traditional wine lovers. The menu leans Mediterranean and changes regularly, often featuring a pasta dish or whole fish. The cooking is straightforward but precise, with dishes like peri peri octopus and duck fat crisps showcasing the natural flavours of the ingredients.

14. Almanac

Address: 54 High Street West, Glossop, SK13 8BH

Almanac is a brilliant neighbourhood bar and restaurant, ideal for dropping in for a drink or settling in for a meal. The drinks list is short but well chosen, spanning quality wines and classic cocktails with a subtle twist. The menu centres on small plates that embrace a confidently traditional style, with dishes like mince on dripping toast. Don’t miss the ‘Orbs of Joy’, slow-braised Roscoff onions in a rich chicken broth and be sure to leave space for dessert, particularly the custard tart.

15. Maray

Address: 14 Brazennose Street, Manchester, M2 6LW

Nestled in the heart of Manchester, Maray combines culinary excellence with a deep commitment to sustainability. Awarded the maximum three-stars from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Maray exemplifies how the hospitality industry can contribute to a greener future. 

Maray invites you to enjoy vibrant, flavourful dishes while supporting a restaurant that prioritises sustainability at every step. From food waste transformation to green energy solutions and local partnerships, Maray showcases how the dining experience can harmonise with care for the planet. 

You may like to read our Maray Leading the Way in Sustainable Dining article. 

16. Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar

Address: Cortland at Colliers Yard, 5 Bankside Boulevard, Salford, M3 7HD

Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar offers all-day dining, warm service, and rich Mediterranean flavours, making it the kind of local spot you’ll want to return to again and again. Located in the city’s Greengate development, it starts the day as a relaxed café serving brunch, before transforming into a lively wine bar and restaurant in the evening. The meze menu is a highlight for fans of Greek cuisine, featuring dishes like flatbreads topped with lamb shoulder, a hearty and comforting chickpea stew, and a selection of premium tinned fish.

17. Where The Light Gets In

Address: 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 7JY

*Recognised as a sustainable dining option. 

Where The Light Gets In, another Stockport gem, occupies the top floor of a Victorian coffee warehouse, with a loft-style interior where the open kitchen feels fully part of the space. The set sharing menu highlights seasonal British produce and often features foraged ingredients, reflecting a low-waste approach that makes use of pickles and ferments. Walk-ins are welcome at the kitchen counter, where guests can enjoy bar snacks and a selection of low-intervention wines. The team behind the restaurant also run Yellowhammer, a nearby bakery and pottery studio, supplying both excellent sourdough and handmade tableware.

"We aim to generate as much naturally grown produce as is possible from our farm. We only work with suppliers who respect the land and who farm using heritage methods and without chemicals. Waste avoidance is the core of our creative process."

— Samuel Buckley

18. Restaurant ÖRME

Address: 218 Church Road, Urmston, M41 9DX

Restaurant ÖRME is a small, welcoming spot run by three young owners, with a subtle Nordic influence running through the experience. British produce sits at the core of the cooking, showcased in thoughtfully put-together tasting menus of five or seven courses. The dishes are beautifully presented and deliver confident, vibrant flavours, drawing on both classic and contemporary ideas. Carefully chosen wine flights are available too, including an especially interesting selection focused on British producers.

19. The White Hart

Address: 51 Stockport Road, Lydgate, Oldham, OL4 4JJ

The White Hart is an 18th-century stone pub set on the moor, constantly refining and developing what it offers. It’s often lively, yet the team run things smoothly, and there are comfortable bedrooms for guests who choose to stay overnight. Food is served in the cosy Tap Room or the more polished brasserie, with a menu rooted in British cooking but shaped by wider, international influences.

20. The Spread Eagle by McLeod 9

Address: 10 Bolton Road, Edgworth, BL7 0DS

Set in the village of Edgworth, The Spread Eagle by McLeod 9 is a charming country pub that blends traditional British comfort with refined, modern cooking. Led by chef Joe McLeod, the kitchen reimagines familiar dishes using high-level technique, with a strong focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and creative tasting menus.

Despite its relaxed, pub-style setting, the restaurant has earned a place in the Michelin Guide, highlighting it as a destination for quality cooking that goes beyond expectations. It’s this balance of laid-back atmosphere and ambitious, thoughtful cuisine that sets it apart.

21. LI~LY by Aiden Byrne

Address: 48 King Street, Knutsford, WA16 6DT

Housed in a striking black-and-white timbered building that dates back more than 400 years, LI~LY by Aiden Byrne surprises with a smart, contemporary interior filled with light. This is the latest project from chef Aiden Byrne, who presents his refined, detail-driven style through a tasting menu of technically accomplished and beautifully presented dishes, such as cured scallop with golden beetroot and white currant. Byrne often delivers dishes to the table himself, and his enthusiasm and passion for the cooking are clear to see.

22. The Pack Horse

Address: 3-5 Market Street, Hayfield, SK22 2EP

The Pack Horse, featured among the best restaurants in the Peak District, is a classic stone village pub rooted firmly in its local community. Real ales, regular quiz nights, and a relaxed crowd of walkers and cyclists enjoying a pint outside on sunny days all add to its appeal. The food follows the same traditional spirit, offering hearty pub favourites finished with care and polish. Quality meats are a highlight, whether from the lunchtime grill, the weekly Charcoal Nights, or in the much-loved Manchester Egg. Inside, open fires and warm, contemporary touches create a welcoming setting, matched by genuinely friendly, attentive service.

23. Deacon's Bank

Address: 9 Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 0HL

Deacon's Bank occupies a beautifully restored former bank in the lively Peak District town of Chapel-en-le-Frith. Run with warmth and ease, it has become a place the local area can be proud of. The kitchen delivers confident, creative cooking, with dishes such as a reworked bouillabaisse showing real ambition. Indecisive diners can settle into the tasting menu, while lunchtime offers a more relaxed feel with pub-inspired plates like fish pie or a grilled pork chop. Two stylish apartments sit above the restaurant, and it’s also recognised as one of the best restaurants in the Peak District.

24. Moor Hall

Address: Prescot Road, Aughton, L39 6RT

Set within charming grounds, Moor Hall, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, occupies a beautifully restored 16th-century country house. The experience begins with a selection of snacks, the final one served in the kitchen by Head Chef Mark Birchall, who introduces some of the exceptional ingredients to come. Once seated in the striking Scandi-inspired dining room, the tasting menu unfolds as a series of meticulously crafted, visually stunning dishes. Birchall’s mastery of flavour shines through in inspired combinations, such as roasted carrot with sea buckthorn and Doddington cheese. Garden rooms are available for guests, reflecting the natural beauty of the surrounding grounds.