On my trip to the UK last summer, I visited Manchester, one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Its incredible food scene quickly made it one of my favorite cities in England. From authentic Armenian dishes at Armenian Taverna to massive Philly cheesesteaks at Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, the variety blew me away.
In this guide, I’m sharing 12 of the most unique places to eat in Manchester, perfect for capturing Instagram-worthy moments. Think beer hall vibes at Platzki with loaded pierogies or mouthwatering fried chicken and waffles at Blues Kitchen, all paired with live music.
Manchester’s food scene is a mix of unexpected flavors, delicious dishes, and quirky spots. Let’s dive into the coolest restaurants making it worth the flight to England.
👉 Pro Tip: Discover Manchester’s hidden culinary gems with the Scranchester Food Tour. Enjoy savory pies, local treats, and fascinating stories about the city’s food and industrial heritage. Perfect for food lovers, this walking tour pairs delicious bites with Manchester’s unique history. Bring your appetite and comfy shoes for an unforgettable foodie adventure!
Unusual places to eat in Manchester
Ready to explore Manchester’s best eateries? We’ve got everything from Ethiopian stews to Polish delights. Join me on a tour of the quirkiest places to eat in Manchester.
Ever thought about enjoying flavors in a retro-industrial chic setting or dining with live blues music every night? Manchester’s dining scene has it all, ready for you to discover. Let’s dive into the most unique restaurants in this England gem.
1. Albert’s Schloss
- 📍 Location: Peter Street, Manchester City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bavarian / Alpine / German
- 🔥 Standout Features: Extensive German beer selection, live oompah bands/cabaret, hearty Alpine dishes (schnitzel/sausages!).
- 🎯 Perfect For: Beer lovers, lively entertainment, festive fun, Alpine comfort food, and Oktoberfest vibes year-round.
Prost, Manchester! Get ready for a rollicking good time at Albert’s Schloss, a Bavarian bier keller and Alpine playground right in the city centre! This place is a full-blown celebration with steins of German beer, hearty food, and live entertainment that’ll have you dancing on the tables (almost!). It’s wunderbar!
Feast on Alpine classics like crispy schnitzel, sausages, or a decadent Käsespätzle (German mac & cheese). Wash it all down with a giant stein of German lager while enjoying oompah bands or cabaret performances. Albert’s Schloss is a joyous journey to Bavaria.
2. The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle
Okay, so Mancunians are blessed with a lot of Italian joints, but The Sparrows is a whole different vibe – it’s part old-school Euro canteen, part cozy hideout. The stars here are handmade Eastern European spätzle and pillowy gnocchi, often served with rich beef goulash or wild mushroom sauce. Try their pierogi if you see them; they’re hugely popular. The decor is minimal, almost retro-kitsch, with wooden tables and an unfussy atmosphere that lets the food shine. Just on the edge of Ancoats, it’s a gem if you want a hearty, comforting meal that’s way more creative than the usual pasta boxes. I was honestly surprised at how much I craved their spätzle for days after.
3. Habesha Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Sackville Street, Manchester (Near Canal Street)
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Ethiopian / Eritrean
- 🔥 Standout Features: Communal dining with injera bread, flavorful stews (wots), vegetarian/vegan friendly options.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters, communal dining, vegetarian/vegan diners, and unique African flavors.
Selam! Dive into the delicious traditions of East Africa at Habesha Restaurant. This gem brings the authentic flavors of Ethiopia and Eritrea to Manchester, where you share incredible stews scooped up with spongy injera bread. No cutlery required, just good company and great food!
Share large platters laden with various colorful wots (stews) – try the spicy chicken doro wat or explore a fantastic array of vegetarian options like the shiro wat (chickpea stew). The communal eating style and warm, welcoming atmosphere make Habesha a truly special and flavorful cultural experience.
4. The Firehouse
Firehouse is basically what happens when a Mediterranean wood-fired kitchen meets late-night Manchester edge. Located in the Red Bank area, it’s instantly eye-catching with its neon sign, exposed brick, and lush plants everywhere – the place oozes cool, but still feels laid-back. Their sharing plates are perfect for groups; get the signature flatbreads with coal-roasted aubergine and the chargrilled chicken with harissa yogurt. On weekends, the music ramps up and it’s a great place to start (or end) your night. Northern Quarter is a five-minute walk, so you’ve got endless options after you eat. I recommend nabbing a table early – this place gets packed, fast.
5. Australasia
- 📍 Location: Spinningfields, Manchester City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Australian / Pan-Asian Fusion / Seafood Focus
- 🔥 Standout Features: Subterranean decor, high-quality seafood/sushi, Pan-Asian inspired dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Pan-Asian lovers, sushi connoisseurs, special occasions, and cocktail drinkers.
Descend into a world of subterranean chic and exquisite flavors at Australasia. This stunning Spinningfields restaurant offers a sophisticated escape with its beautiful, light-filled decor (despite being underground!) and a menu that blends modern Australian sensibilities with Pan-Asian influences. It’s down-under dining, elevated.
Indulge in beautifully presented dishes featuring fresh seafood, like delicate sushi and sashimi selections, flavorful black cod, or creative small plates. The glamorous bar is a destination in itself, perfect for sipping on inventive cocktails. Australasia is where style meets substance with a seafood sparkle.
6. 10 Tib Lane
This is the spot if you’re into intimate, speakeasy vibes and food that’s genuinely different. A hidden gem right in the heart of Manchester, tucked down a little alley near Albert Square. The menu is constantly changing, focusing on European small plates packed with unusual flavors – I still think about their nduja clams and pork cheeks. The cocktails are a real highlight, with creative rotations and serious bartending magic. The interiors have a moody, candlelit feel, ideal for a cozy date or a mates’ night if you want to impress. After dinner, you’re seconds from the best bars in the city center. I’m obsessed with their playlist, too – whoever curates it deserves a raise.
7. Armenian Taverna & Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Albert Square, Manchester City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Armenian / Eastern European
- 🔥 Standout Features: Traditional Armenian dishes/khorovats (BBQ), historic setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Fans of Eastern European flavors, cultural dining, and khorovats.
Barev! Journey to the Caucasus without leaving Albert Square at the Armenian Taverna & Restaurant. This beloved, long-standing Manchester institution has been serving authentic Armenian cuisine in its cozy cellar setting for decades. It’s a true taste of tradition!
Feast on traditional Armenian specialties like khorovats (barbecued meats), flavorful stews, and delicious mezzes such as dolma (stuffed vine leaves) or hummus. The warm hospitality and unique flavors make the Armenian Taverna a cherished piece of Manchester’s diverse culinary heritage.
8. Erst
Erst is minimal, modern, and straight-up classy without being stuffy. Think pared-back Scandi interiors, long communal tables, and an open kitchen that’s pure theatre. The food leans towards natural wine bar-meets-European bistro. Don’t miss the charcoal-grilled mackerel and the house sourdough with fermented butter (simple but insane). They’re big on seasonal, local produce and their wine list is a dream for anyone even vaguely into natty vino. It’s nestled in Ancoats, so after you eat, stroll around the canals or hit up the excellent indie cafes nearby. Honestly, Erst nails that rare combo: stylish food and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere.
9. The Blues Kitchen Manchester
- 📍 Location: Spinningfields, Manchester City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American BBQ / Tex-Mex / Blues Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Live blues/soul/funk music, extensive bourbon selection, authentic American BBQ (brisket/ribs!).
- 🎯 Perfect For: Live music, American BBQ lovers, bourbon enthusiasts, lively nights out, and Deep South vibes.
Get ready to get down with soulful tunes and smoky BBQ at The Blues Kitchen! This Spinningfields hotspot brings the heart and soul of the American Deep South to Manchester, with live blues, soul, and funk music nightly, an epic bourbon collection, and seriously good barbecue. It’s a party for your ears and your eats!
Chow down on slow-cooked beef brisket, tender St. Louis ribs, or spicy buffalo chicken wings. Sip on a rare bourbon or a classic American cocktail while soaking in the incredible live music. The Blues Kitchen is where good times, great music, and even better BBQ collide.
10. Bundobust Manchester Piccadilly
If you’ve never mixed craft beer with Indian street food, Bundobust will change your mind. The Piccadilly branch is underground and massive, decked out with vintage Bollywood posters, communal benches, and big, buzzy energy. Order the vada pav burger and okra fries – both are vegetarian, but you won’t miss meat for a second. For drinks, there’s a stellar lineup of local brews, including collabs you can’t find anywhere else. Tip: It’s absolutely perfect pre-gig if you’re heading to the O2 Ritz around the corner. I always leave stuffed but strangely craving more – it’s dangerously good value for money.
11. Platzki
- 📍 Location: Deansgate Mews, Manchester City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Polish
- 🔥 Standout Features: Seasonal/local ingredients, intimate setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Polish food lovers, European food fans, intimate dates, and supporting independent restaurants.
Smacznego! Discover the delicious, modern side of Polish cuisine at Platzki. Tucked away in Deansgate Mews, this charming spot offers creative and refined interpretations of traditional Polish dishes, showcasing fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation. It’s Polish food, elevated!
Explore a menu that might feature exquisite pierogi with inventive fillings, perfectly cooked pork neck, or sophisticated takes on classic Polish soups and desserts. The focus on quality and modern flair makes Platzki a delightful journey into contemporary Polish gastronomy.
12. Dishoom Manchester
If you want dinner served with a slice of old Bombay nostalgia, Dishoom Manchester is unmissable. Set in the stunning former Freemasons’ Hall, it’s a feast for your eyes as much as your stomach – think Art Deco details, jazz tunes, and a sprinkle of incense. Their bacon naan roll is legendary for breakfast, but dinner favorites like chicken ruby and black daal are crowd-pleasers. Cocktails are strong and creative, and their chai just might be the best in the North. Pop over to the Central Library after you eat (it’s literally across the road) – even if it’s just to walk off the carbs. I’ve never had a bad meal here, and the service is always top tier.
13. Bar San Juan
- 📍 Location: Chorlton, Manchester
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person (Tapas)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Spanish Tapas
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Spanish tapas bar vibe, traditional tapas.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Tapas purists, sharing, Chorlton explorers, and patient diners (for the queue!).
¡Hola, tapas lovers! Get ready for an authentic taste of Spain at Bar San Juan in Chorlton. This perpetually bustling, beloved neighborhood gem serves up an incredible array of traditional Spanish tapas in a lively, no-frills atmosphere. Be prepared to queue – it’s that good!
Feast on classic tapas like sizzling gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), crispy patatas bravas, flavorful chorizo al vino, or delicate boquerones (anchovies). The energy is infectious, the food is fantastic, and the experience is pure, unadulterated Spanish joy. Bar San Juan is a true Manchester treasure.
14. Elnecot
Another Ancoats original, Elnecot nails the whole industrial-chic-meets-warm-local-pub feeling. The open kitchen serves up big, bold British-European flavors; don’t skip the rarebit-loaded crumpets or the slow-cooked ox cheek. They’ve got an impressive Sunday roast if you swing by on a weekend, and the cocktails carry the same no-nonsense creativity as the food. It’s ideal for casual brunches that turn into lazy afternoons – especially since you’re a stone’s throw from Cutting Room Square and its street art. What keeps me coming back? The staff genuinely remember you, which is rare in a city spot.
15. Namii Kitchen & Cocktails
- 📍 Location: New York Street, Manchester City Centre (Near Chinatown)
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Vietnamese / Pan-Asian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Contemporary Vietnamese dining, creative cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Modern Vietnamese food fans, cocktail seekers, downtown dinners, Pan-Asian flavors, and pre-theatre meals.
Experience Vietnamese cuisine with a modern, stylish twist at Namii Kitchen & Cocktails. Located near Chinatown, this spot offers beautifully presented dishes bursting with fresh, authentic Vietnamese flavors, alongside an impressive cocktail list. It’s Vietnam, vogue-style!
Savor refined versions of Vietnamese classics, perhaps fresh summer rolls, fragrant pho, or inventive dishes like shaking beef. Their creative cocktails often incorporate Asian ingredients, making for unique and refreshing pairings. Namii is a sophisticated journey into contemporary Vietnamese dining.
16. The Jane Eyre
This neighborhood bar in Ancoats isn’t just about top cocktails – the small plates are exceptional, too. Named after the owners’ mum (not the Brontë classic!), it’s got a cozy, slightly retro vibe, with deep blue booths and an open, friendly bar. Try the salt cod croquettes or the grilled lamb skewers; both are perfectly paired with their zesty house cocktails. There’s vinyl on the decks and a relaxed, community feel, so you can settle in for hours. Bonus: it’s directly on Cutting Room Square, so you can people-watch or hop to another bar nearby when you finally move. The service here is the best kind of northern charm.
17. Chakalaka
- 📍 Location: Northern Quarter, Manchester
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: South African / BBQ & Street Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: South African flavors (braai/potjie!), colourful decor, boerewors/biltong.
- 🎯 Perfect For: South African food lovers, adventurous eaters, unique street food fans, and Northern Quarter diners.
Sawubona, Manchester! Get ready for a taste of the rainbow nation at Chakalaka in the Northern Quarter. This vibrant spot brings the bold, diverse flavors of South Africa to life, from smoky braai (BBQ) to comforting potjiekos (slow-cooked stews). It’s a flavor safari!
Dive into authentic South African specialties like traditional boerewors (sausage), spicy chakalaka relish itself (a vegetable relish), or hearty bunny chow (curry in a bread loaf – a Durban classic!). The colourful decor and unique dishes make Chakalaka an exciting culinary adventure.
18. Hadramout Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Rusholme (Curry Mile area), Manchester
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Yemeni / Middle Eastern
- 🔥 Standout Features: Yemeni mandi/madfoon (slow-cooked meat/rice), floor seating, large sharing platters.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Yemeni food, slow-cooked meats/rice, cultural adventurers, group feasts, and exploring Curry Mile.
Journey to ancient Yemen right on Manchester’s Curry Mile at Hadramout Restaurant. This spot offers an authentic taste of Yemeni cuisine, famous for its incredibly tender, slow-cooked meat and fragrant rice dishes, often enjoyed communally. Prepare for a feast of epic proportions!
Gather your friends and share enormous platters of lamb mandi or chicken madfoon, where the meat is so tender it falls off the bone, served atop flavorful, aromatic rice. The traditional setting (sometimes with floor seating) adds to the authentic cultural experience. Hadramout is a delicious dive into Yemeni culinary heritage.
19. Walnut Persian Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Hale, Greater Manchester
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Persian / Iranian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Persian kebabs/stews/rice dishes, aromatic saffron/herbs.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Middle Eastern cuisine, elegant cultural dining, Hale visitors, and saffron-infused delights.
Experience the fragrant and refined flavors of Persia at Walnut Persian Restaurant in Hale. This spot offers an authentic taste of Iranian cuisine, known for its aromatic saffron-infused rice dishes, succulent kebabs, and slow-cooked stews. It’s a journey to ancient culinary traditions.
Indulge in perfectly grilled chelo kebabs (served with saffron rice and grilled tomato), explore rich and complex stews like ghormeh sabzi (herb stew), or start with delightful appetizers such as kashk-e-bademjan (eggplant dip). Walnut provides an elegant and delicious immersion into Persian gastronomy.
20. Fat Pat’s
- 📍 Location: Chinatown, Manchester City Centre (Also other locations)
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Smash Burgers / Loaded Fries
- 🔥 Standout Features: Smash burgers with unique toppings, loaded fries.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Burger fans, fries lovers, cheat meal seekers, casual eats, and over-the-top burgers.
Get ready to get messy with some seriously stacked smash burgers at Fat Pat’s! This Chinatown (and beyond) favourite is all about indulgent, flavor-packed American comfort food, with a focus on epic burgers and ridiculously loaded fries. It’s gloriously greasy in the best way!
Sink your teeth into one of their signature smash burgers, like the “Fat Pat” itself, piled high with cheese, bacon, and special sauce. Absolutely do not miss their loaded fries, which come with a wild array of toppings. Fat Pat’s is your go-to for a satisfyingly sloppy and super tasty burger fix.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Manchester
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Manchester? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Manchester’s most unique restaurants, each offering a blend of European charm.
What food is Manchester known for?
Manchester is known for its hearty British food, like fish and chips. It’s also famous for the Curry Mile, a stretch full of amazing South Asian restaurants, making it a must-stay destination in the UK.
Is Manchester a foodie city?
Absolutely, Manchester is a foodie’s dream in the North of England. You’ve got everything from cozy cafes to fancy restaurants, and the variety of food is incredible.
Is Manchester cheap or expensive?
In terms of costs, Manchester’s pretty balanced. You can find good meals without spending a lot, but there are also places where you might want to splash out, leaving plenty of budget for things to do in Manchester.
Is Manchester the friendliest city in England?
Many find Manchester to be one of the friendliest cities in England. From my experience, the locals are super welcoming and are always happy to help, making it one of the top places to live and visit in the UK.
