The 30 Best Drinking spots in Manchester

“Amazing home cooked food, such great balanced flavours and truly delicious, healthy menu. Tasted like real Eastern European cooked in the home, which is actually what the lovely host told us: all cooked by his wife. Unbelievable desert, nothing was too heavy, but rich and layered tastes. Wine didn't disappoint either. Looking forward to trying again!”

“I had naked burrito it was good in taste all ingredients were fresh.”

“Dishoom Spinningfields is one of my favourite restaurants in Manchester. When it first opened back in 2018, it was Dishoom’s first restaurant in Northern England, and since then they’ve set a remarkable standard of both food and service quality and certainly left me coming back for more. The interior is super impressive, cool and unique. Dishoom is based on the old Irani cafés in Bombay, and the interior is so large and feels like no other restaurant in the city. My go-to dishes are the Chicken Ruby with Basmati Rice and occasionally the Gunpowder Potatoes. The portion sizes are generous, and the rich spices of the curry are super good — it’s obvious they use great quality ingredients and seasonings. For drinks, again the selection is vast, with my favourites being the regular Chai and the Mango Lassi, which are both really good. There is always a staff member walking around topping up tap water, so you’ll never go thirsty. The pricing is a little high, but I feel it is worth it for the quality. Matka Holders can also roll a dice at the end of their meal to potentially earn everything for free, food and alcohol included, during certain times. This makes it all fun, being able to put the meal on the roll of a dice. Due to having an allergy, I can scan a QR code on the menu for the latest information, and all the staff members are well trained in dealing with allergies. They’re aware of coeliac disease and the danger of cross-contamination, and always keep my items separate from my friends’ when I dine in a group. Overall, this is one of the places to be in Manchester if you’re looking for good food with fantastic allergy awareness, overall ambience/vibes, food and service quality. It’s a place that you can go for a special occasion or even a quick lunch (although a lunch menu / meal-deal offer would make it even more enticing for sure!).”

“Came here tonight for the first time and will definitely be back. The pizza is the tastiest we’ve ever had, all the ingredients were quality. This place has such a nice vibe between the music and friendly staff.”

“From the starters to the main dish, everything was absolutely perfect! The rib eye was cooked to perfection, tender, juicy, and full of flavour. Every bite was delicious, and the sides complemented the meal beautifully. The service was excellent too , Ihtsham, who served us, was an amazing host, friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. I’ll definitely be coming back!”

“Had a wonderful meal this evening. Steak cooked to perfection and lovely atmosphere. Best part of the evening was our waiter Patrick - amazing service, amazing personality and is a credit to M&C.”

“We visited MyLahore for lunch today for the very first time, and our experience was made absolutely exceptional thanks to our server, Nadeem. From the moment we were seated, he was warm, welcoming, and attentive in the most genuine way. We both ordered the Chicken Dum Biryani, and when Nadeem brought the dishes over, he took the time to carefully cut into the dums for us. The moment he lifted the lid, the aroma was incredible—and the biryani inside was beautifully cooked. Perfectly tender chicken, fragrant rice, and so full of flavour. His presentation made the experience feel even more special. Nadeem’s professionalism, kindness, and pride in the food truly elevated our first visit. Thanks to him, we’re already looking forward to coming back!”

“I had the pleasure of trying traditional Fredo espresso here, and it was incredible. Rich, strong, and perfectly brewed with — every sip felt authentic and comforting. The aroma alone was enough to wake me up, and the taste was smooth with just the right touch of bitterness. It’s the kind of coffee you want to take your time with and truly enjoy. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates quality and tradition in their coffee!”

“The food was amazing. It was my first time trying Injera and I'd love to go again. Lots of vegetarian options too.”

“This is the first time we have been to the cafe but it wont be the last. The food was good quality and well presented. The service was excellent and the staff were friendly and welcoming.”

“Great spot for always having at least one gluten free beer on tap, usually a couple. I'm a big fan of when they've got locals like Brightside. Generally a good atmosphere whenever I come. Sometimes a lot busier than others, probably event related as it's very close to a number of live venues. That said, I can often find a seat in the second, quieter room pictured below. I would appreciate GF food options, but I understand this is exceptionally difficult considering they do pizzas. The music is almost never particularly loud, which means you can always converse. The only setback would be that some of the beers can be pricey, but this is absolutely to be expected given they are quality craft beers rather than mass products, and I say this is one of the few spots where it's worth it”

“Ever meandered through Chorlton Park and missed the Tibetan cafe? Well, I finally gave it a go and oh boy, what a joy! Snug by the playground, it's perfect for foodie families, picnic punters, and anyone on the prowl for friendly faces and hearty portions! Tried the sha sha chicken and the momos, both worthy contenders, but it was the cauliflower stir-fry with rice and veggies that stole my heart (and stomach). This humble veggie is transformed into a showstopper so delectable, it might just compel you to write poetry. So, gather the kiddos, nab a sunny spot and get ready for a taste of Tibet that'll have you planning your next visit before you've even left!”

“Really enjoyable Valentines meal here yesterday evening . Glass of champagne on the house on arrival, warm and romantic environment, tasty 3 course meal. Great mushroom starter, followed by sirloin steak and sticky toffee pudding,. Thank you Karen we had a lovely evening”

“Cocktails were 10/10!! It’s hard to make a delicious Pornstar Martini but they so good we went back for seconds!! Lovely atmosphere and our server V was very friendly and made the best cocktails! Cant wait to go back! So good to have a local fab cocktail bar!!”

“Attended Suburban legends gig on 15 March As a disabled person I had high anxiety about going to the venue for the first time, however, the staff could not have been more helpful and welcoming. Welcomed outside by a lovely gent who walked us into the venue via the ramp access to the left of the venue and then made sure we were good and knew where bar / toilets etc where A small barriered off space to the right of the stage with basic dining chairs for those who are able to move around which can be moved for those with wheelchairs etc A really nice touch is above the area is a small speaker which gives you excellent sound (for me this would mean 6 stars for the thought gone into by the venue!) Accessable toilet was nice and clean Will certainly return to this venue !!!”

“This is an absolute treat! Instead of being in France due to industrial action, we sought to bring France to us and so glad we did. The food was high quality and in comfortable surroundings. Steak tartare as good as I have ever had (minus the egg yolk, because this in Britain!). A touch on the pricey side, but in this particular case, you do get what you pay for. Very good”

“My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner and we had the most wonderful evening! Upon arrival we were greeted warmly by the hostess and seated immediately. For starters we had calamari, focaccia and olives - all were delicious! Our mains, the pizza and steak were equally yummy. The highlight of the evening for me was when the waiters brought out a cake and sang happy birthday. Thank you so much to all the staff- you were so friendly and professional, and you made my birthday very special. Grazie mille!”

“Had a impromptu lunch date at this cafe and it was wonderful! the atmosphere was relaxing and very welcoming. The staff are warm and helpful ,we had to a make dietary request and they accommodated it and it wasn't any bother. cafe is beautifully decorated and very comfortable, they have different types of chairs which was a life saver for my back! Absolutely loved the food , a little expensive I would say but definitely worth it , best BBQ chicken cheese toastie I've had and the salad that accompanied it was gorgeous. Just what was need on a hot day. I would definitely recommend this place !”

“Had a wonderful experience this morning. Ruby welcomed me with a smile and suggested an addition to my order which was phenomenal. Carlos brought my full order to my table and made sure I had everything I needed. Catherine bused the dishes from my table when I was finished and ensured I was satisfied with everything. I had a lovely conversation with all three of them after I was finished and left feeling very thankful this was the coffee shop I chose while I was in town for a day. Very personable pleasant experience”

“We stayed at Native Manchester for one night and I would definitely stay here again. For the price, it felt like excellent value compared to other options in the area, especially considering the size of the studio and the quality of reviews. Communication was seamless, I received WhatsApp updates throughout my journey, from details about the room number and PIN code to notifications that the room was ready and a reminder for check-out. The process was essentially self-service, though there is a reception available if needed. I found the whole system very streamlined and convenient. We parked at Dale Street car park, which cost around £20 for 24 hours, and from there it was just a short walk to the hotel. The building itself is really impressive, it used to be a cotton factory, and they’ve done a great job blending the original industrial character with modern design. We booked a studio apartment, which came with a bathroom and fully equipped kitchen. The bathroom had towels and toiletries (shampoo and shower gel), while the kitchen had all the day-to-day essentials, plus tea, coffee, and even a small bottle of milk in the fridge. There was also an iron, ironing board, and hairdryer in the room. The bed was very comfortable, big, and overall, the space felt well thought out and homely. One small piece of feedback from my partner is that a larger mirror, or a mirror in better lighting, would have been useful for doing hair and makeup. As well, it would have been useful if there was some tissues, like kitchen roll etc. All in all, the studio had everything we needed, the atmosphere was great, and I would happily recommend Native Manchester to anyone visiting the city.”

“First time visiting and we weren't disappointed at all. We at half chicken and the hunters chicken from the special menu. Both Freshly prepared and looked stunning. We enjoyed every mouthful. We finished our meal with a homemade rocky road cake to share portions are great we would recommend to anyone”

“We overall love this bar and have been coming on and off for years. We first visited many years ago before they installed air con, and our complaint then was how warm it got when busy, the adding of the air con is brilliant. In recent days, we've become regulars. Where to start with the praise? Great vibe, musicals on the screens and lovely clean toilets. Lee, the doorman, is brilliant. A model bouncer and doorman. Last year, we unfortunately had an experience with a straight man who became aggressive to us and we told the bar staff who got Lee, whom proceeded to kick him out with 0 hassle to us and made us feel safe. This is our only bad experience in 5+ years of coming here as the place is great. The cocktails are inventive, delicious and bright to look at. Their new movie night Mondays is a great initiative and their changing boards of cocktails often based on musicals that have come to the city, are brilliant. The bar staff are so smiley, pleasant and love a laugh. One remembers my order every time which is special to us to be remembered. Our only complaint now, is that they're so busy some nights we never have anywhere to sit. But we're so happy they're full and business is booming!”

“It was my first time trying Massaman curry, and I ordered it with chicken. The food was delicious and the portion was reasonably well-sized. If you’re looking for a spicy Thai dish, this isn’t the one for you. However, if you’re looking for a rich, creamy, and flavourful curry, you should definitely give this one a try!”

“Very friendly and helpful staff. We were running late for our booking and they helped delay it for when we arrived. The food was delicious and a place to definitely go to again.”

“Really good Chinese with very tasty dishes and good service. They have a separate bar and some high tables for people who want to eat small plates. Free parking behind the restaurant. Recommended.”

“Had a bottomless brunch with manager Cameron and it was the best brunch we've been to. Some of the best food we've had as well, absolutely mouth watering. Whether it's for brunch or a meal out I'd highly recommend coming here. The staff and service was 10/10 and lovley atmosphere, will definitely come again”

“I just celebrated my birthday and book release ("Sun-Kissed and Sidetracked") here, and I couldn’t be happier! The service was top-notch; the team greeted me warmly and made me feel really special. The food and drinks were delicious, and everything came out super fast. A lovely complementary dessert plate made my day. I can’t recommend this place enough for anyone wanting a memorable meal! Looking forward to our next visit!”

“Wow. So impressed with the food. Loads of gluten free options. Staff were so helpful. Especially Abbi & Olga. Definitely come back. Thank you!”

“Good place to grab a coffee, latte, cappuccino or thier unique turkish coffee blend served in a copper pot they will never give you a reason to complain. The place is always busy (which is a good sign) and is always clean. It has a good seating area with tables outside also. The hot drinks are always amazing. Overall a good place to sit and relax for a while. Customer service is good too.”

“Had an amazing time here the other week, the DJ was absolutely amazing had the whole room bouncing! Guys on the door were boss and got in quick and easy, no fuss. Bar staff inside so kind and even helped me find my phone when I lost it! Would absolutely recommend anyone a night out here!”