12 Unique Restaurants in Manchester, UK: Persian Feasts, Cheesesteaks, & More

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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. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.