Tasty food is of course my number one priority when choosing somewhere to eat, but there’s also nothing quite like dining in truly beautiful surroundings. Manchester has so many distinctive and insta-friendly restaurants and bars to offer that I’ve listed my top 10 to inspire your dinner reservations..
The Ivy
The Ivy became part of Spinningfields, Manchester in November 2018, and its stunning interior and distinctive leafy exterior has been filling my Instagram feed all year. I was really keen to dine in the roof garden as it looks simply stunning (especially when the sun is shining), but it gets booked up really quickly, so up to now I have only dined in the Brasserie. This part of the restaurant is still stunning, though, with plenty of greenery, tropical brights and gold decor. The food is also delicious and, even better, we found the atmosphere be be very relaxed, so I can’t wait to return!
The Refuge
The dining room in The Refuge is a huge space full of pillars, comfy booths and glossy tiles. There’s also a stunning “winter garden” area complete with actual trees, which is perfect for pre-theatre drinks. Their Tapas-style small plates make for great Insta-shots, but the food is so delicious you may forget to snap it before you devour it all.
Sunset MCR
This is the place to come if you want pink backdrops, twinkly lights and flower walls on all your photos, and they have beautiful cocktails to match! I’m also dying to try out their take on an afternoon tea.
Albert Schloss
This is one of my favourite places to drop in for brunch. Their breakfast bakery treats such as cruffins are amazing! The entrance is always a bit of a spectacle, whether it’s floral arches in summer or twinkling festive ones at Christmas, and the interior is massive yet cosy, with fairy lights, fire pits and plenty of gin.
The Wharf
This is the only place to go when you want to enjoy canal views with your Sunday roast, and as you’d expect, the beer garden at The Wharf is very popular on sunny days. I always enjoy the food here, and sometimes a board game or 2.
Tattu
Just look at that blossom tree and ask yourself if you even need another reason to book a table here! If you do though, the food is great, and the cocktails are magical!
Cottonopolis
This cool Northern Quarter bar/restaurant is in a grade II listed building, with plenty of copper, leather and original features in the decor and loads of space. The Japanese menu is also great, and we loved their take on an Asian-inspired Sunday roast.
Fress
Tiles and more tiles, plus beautiful-looking brunches and desserts. It’s small, but so perfectly formed that they’ve now opened a second location in Didsbury.
Grand Pacific
The opulent entrance way and interior of Grand Pacific is just jaw dropping – possibly the most beautiful bar in the whole city! And I can highly recommend their amazing High Tea.
Allotment
This is one of my favourite places in Manchester’s Northern Quarter because of the quirky garden-themed décor, twinkly lights and the amazing gin selection. I really love it when bars bring the outdoors indoors, and I’m also partial to one of their Picnic Basket Afternoon Teas.
Have I missed any of your favourites?
English Rose from Manchester's Blog 