Manchester

Ancoats

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(496)$$$$Closed

The first restaurant in the city to secure a Michelin star in over forty years, focusing on hyper-local, fermented British ingredients.

SignatureSmoked sea trout with unrefined salt and sea vegetables.

Ancoats

★★★★★★★★★★4.8(1,420)$Closed

An understated, minimalist spot dedicated to the art of handmade European dumplings and spätzle.

SignatureSpätzle with wild garlic and alpine cheese.

Chinatown

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(478)Closed

A bistro focused on regenerative farming, sourcing ingredients directly from their own organic farm in nearby Cheshire.

SignatureCoal-grilled pork collar with seasonal preserves.

Ancoats

★★★★★★★★★★4.1(102)$$Closed

A no-frills Chinese restaurant where you select live fish, crabs, and lobsters directly from tanks in the dining room.

SignatureSteamed sea bass with ginger and spring scallions.

Ancoats

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(658)$Closed

A modern take on the traditional fish and chip shop, serving sustainably sourced fish with a hip-hop soundtrack.

SignatureFeastie Boys box with battered cod, mushy peas, and triple-cooked chips.

Deansgate

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(4,845)$$$Closed

Located in a late-Victorian courthouse, this venue serves the gold standard of charcoal-grilled, dry-aged British beef.

SignatureBone-in prime rib eye, ordered by weight.

Deansgate

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(1,729)$$Closed

A remarkably affordable steakhouse focusing on a single, expertly cooked cut of beef in a casual setting.

SignatureThe signature Flat Iron steak served with beef dripping chips.

Spinningfields

★★★★★★★★★★4.8(3,760)$$$Closed

A lively, modern steakhouse featuring an in-house butcher and a glass-fronted meat maturing cabinet.

SignatureTomahawk steak cooked over charcoal and cherry wood.

King Street

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(4,569)$$$Closed

Set across three floors of a historic townhouse, featuring a retractable roof and consistently excellent tapas.

SignatureMorcilla scotch eggs with aioli.

Exhibition

★★★★★★★★★★4.0(1)

An authentic Basque fire kitchen serving whole fish and massive steaks roasted over open wood fires.

SignatureTxuleton beef rib cooked over embers.

Deansgate

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(1,004)$$Closed

A cozy, rustic wine merchant and tapas bar sourcing boutique wines directly from family-run Spanish vineyards.

SignatureSlow-cooked Iberian pork cheeks in red wine.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(2,236)$Closed

A legendary back-alley canteen serving the definitive local lunch: 'Rice and Three' curries on a single plate.

SignatureRice with lamb, chickpea, and spinach curries.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.4(186)$Closed

A family-run, no-nonsense Pakistani cafe that has been serving spiced-to-order curries for decades.

SignatureSlow-cooked mutton karahi.

Piccadilly

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(4,149)$$Closed

An underground canteen pairing vibrant Gujarati street food with an exceptional craft beer list.

SignatureVada Pav, a spiced potato burger in a brioche bun.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.4(263)$Closed

A tiny, hidden alleyway cafe famous for its fresh naan bread baked in an authentic tandoor oven on-site.

SignatureFresh garlic naan with chicken handi.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(1,268)$$Closed

The ultimate comfort food joint, serving gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches with intensive fillings.

SignatureThe Soul, featuring a secret three-cheese blend on sourdough.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(764)Closed

A tiny, low-lit noodle bar with just a handful of stools, serving intense, deeply flavored broths.

SignatureShoyu ramen with thick-cut pork belly.

Fallowfield

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(2,729)$$Closed

An authentic Indian restaurant serving an extensive menu of completely vegetarian and vegan street food and curries.

SignatureSev Puri, crisp puris topped with potatoes, onions, and chutneys.

City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.1(1,218)$$Closed

A creative plant-based restaurant that elevates local, seasonal vegetables into fine-dining plates.

SignatureJackfruit confit with potato fondant and red wine jus.

Piccadilly

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(4,149)$$Closed

A completely vegetarian craft beer and Indian street food hall that appeals equally to meat-eaters.

SignatureOkra fries seasoned with black salt and mango powder.

Salford

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(543)

An industrial, raw space in a former car mechanic's garage, hosting the most uncompromising underground techno and experimental nights.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.3(1,460)$$Closed

A basement club beneath a daytime canteen, hosting cutting-edge electronic DJs and intimate live acts.

Cheetham Hill

★★★★★★★★★★4.2(728)$$Closed

Located in a converted textile mill, this multi-room club is famous for its house and techno day-parties.

Deansgate

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(602)Closed

Run by award-winning bartender brothers, this classic bar focuses on flawless execution of traditional cocktails.

City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.8(929)Closed

A low-lit, plant-filled bar specializing in inventive, sustainable cocktails with house-made ingredients.

Ancoats

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(202)Closed

A tiny natural wine bar on the marina front, offering an exceptional selection of low-intervention wines.

Ancoats

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(1,657)Closed

A historic venue that has hosted live music since the 1930s, famous for showcasing jazz, world music, and early punk.

Peter Street

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(3,848)Open now

A restored Wesleyan chapel with stained-glass windows, hosting mid-sized touring bands and club nights.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(1,737)$$Closed

The legendary birthplace of the city's modern indie scene, hosting live bands almost every night of the week.

Charles Street

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(2,602)Closed

A multi-floor venue featuring a basement stage and a pink-lit first-floor room, showcasing emerging indie and electronic acts.

Oxford Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(2,081)$$

A historic building featuring a gorgeous, dome-roofed music hall with a massive wall of vintage speakers.

Northern Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(2,089)$$Closed

A subterranean jazz club hosting live jazz, funk, and soul acts alongside pizza and cocktails.

Castlefield

★★★★★★★★★★4.4(20,436)Closed

Located on the site of the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station, exploring the city's massive industrial and scientific legacy.

NoteFree entry. Allow at least three hours to explore the vast historic warehouses.

Spinningfields

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(3,721)Closed

The national museum of democracy, charting the history of the working class, the Peterloo Massacre, and the Suffrette movement.

NoteFree entry. Highly educational, taking about two hours to complete.

Oxford Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(10,505)Open now

A grand university museum housing a massive collection of natural history, Egyptology, and a dedicated South Asia gallery.

NoteFree entry. Recently renovated with a stunning modern extension.

City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.3(7,663)Closed

The world's largest museum dedicated to the beautiful game, housed in the striking glass Urbis building.

NotePaid entry (around €15). Essential for football fans; interactive games require extra tickets.

Salford Quays

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8,273)Closed

Housed in a dramatic, aluminum-clad building designed by Daniel Libeskind, exploring how war shapes lives.

NoteFree entry. Located directly across the canal from MediaCityUK.

Chorlton-on-Medlock

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(220)Closed

The former home of Emmeline Pankhurst, where the first meeting of the Suffragette movement took place.

NoteLimited opening hours (usually Thursdays and Sundays). Small but deeply moving.

Deansgate

★★★★★★★★★★4.8(1,696)Closed

A jaw-dropping neo-gothic library that looks like a cathedral, housing rare books and illuminated manuscripts.

NoteFree entry. Quiet zones must be respected; do not miss the historic reading room.

City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(7,691)Closed

A medieval church featuring exquisite late-medieval woodwork and late-gothic architecture.

NoteFree entry. Check for evening candlelight concerts which offer incredible acoustics.

City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(245)

The oldest public library in the English-speaking world, founded in 1653, where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels studied.

NoteEntry by pre-booked guided tour only. Essential to book weeks in advance.

Albert Square

★★★★★★★★★★3.7(611)Closed

One of the finest neo-gothic municipal buildings in the world, featuring a towering clock tower.

NoteCurrently undergoing a massive multi-year restoration project; exterior views only.

Chorlton-on-Medlock

★★★★★★★★★★4.7(1,334)Closed

A stunning Edwardian water palace featuring ornate stained glass, terracotta, and mosaic tiling.

NoteOpen for specific events, tours, and vintage markets. Check their calendar before visiting.

St Peter's Square

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(1,258)Closed

A striking, rotunda-shaped building inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, featuring a massive domed reading room.

NoteFree entry. The Shakespeare Hall features beautiful stained glass windows.

City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(11,227)Closed

Houses a world-class collection of fine art, including an unrivaled selection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

NoteFree entry. Located in the heart of the city; easily visited in an hour.

Oxford Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(2,868)Closed

A gallery set within a park, seamlessly blending historic brick architecture with modern glass extensions.

NoteFree entry. Famous for its textile and wallpaper collections.

First Street

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(5,431)Closed

A purpose-built hub for contemporary art, independent cinema, and theater.

NoteGallery entry is free. Great spot for a coffee or craft beer before a film.

Salford Quays

★★★★★★★★★★4.6(7,873)Closed

Houses the world's largest collection of paintings and drawings by L.S. Lowry, famous for his industrial matchstick-men scenes.

NoteFree entry to the galleries. Located in a striking waterfront complex.

Castlefield

★★★★★★★★★★4.4(60)Closed

An active, artist-focused contemporary art gallery showcasing emerging local and international artists.

NoteFree entry. Small, focused exhibitions that take about thirty minutes to view.

Oxford Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.5(13)Closed

Located within the Manchester Metropolitan University, showcasing innovative contemporary art exhibitions.

NoteFree entry. Closed during university holidays; check dates online.