Manchester is a vibrant city, with plenty of events going on throughout the year. There are a lot of things to do in Manchester too, from visiting historic landmarks to watching a football match. While you’re exploring the city, you’ll no doubt be on the hunt for places to eat in Manchester city centre too, and you’ll certainly have a lot of fantastic options.
Whether you’re on the prowl for Italian restaurants in Manchester, places to eat in the Northern Quarter, or simply want to know the best brunch spots in the city, you won’t be disappointed with the food scene in Manchester. I would recommend spending at least two days in Manchester so you can see as many of the main attractions as possible, but it’s always nice to stay for a longer period of time in one of the best cities in England.
Here are a few recommendations about places to eat in Manchester city centre to help you start organizing your itinerary.
Places to eat in Manchester city centre
Suki Suki Street Food & Bar
One of the best places to eat in Manchester for Pan-Asian street food is Suki Suki Street Food & Bar. This independent eatery does an incredible job of blending several Asian cuisines into one menu. If you’re in the mood for sharing they have a selection of small plates available, including gyozas and steamed buns. But if you’re really hungry you can’t go wrong with one of their rice or noodle dishes because the portions are very generous. Make sure you add Suki Suki Street Food & Bar to your list of places to eat in Manchester for your next trip to the city centre!
Evelyn’s
If refined dining experiences are your thing, then you’ll love having brunch or dinner at Evelyn’s. Located in the Northern Quarter, this restaurant has a strong focus on Middle Eastern and Pan-Asian dishes and they cook everything on a charcoal Inka grill, meaning your food is very fresh. Their menu is seasonal, so you’ll find new creations available throughout the year. All of their dishes are designed for sharing, which is a great way to taste a variety of flavours in one sitting.
We visited during the summer, so there were plenty of vegetarian options available using fresh local produce. The ingredients were all very fresh and our meal paired perfectly with a bottle of white wine. Evelyn’s is a great place to eat in Manchester if you prefer a more relaxed dining experience with high quality food.
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social is one of my favourite places to eat in Manchester city centre for breakfast. It’s located in the Northern Quarter and offers all day dining and drinking. Their brunch menu in particular is incredible, with plenty of classic brunch options available as well as several modern twists on traditional dishes. The menu is quite large so it can be overwhelming trying to choose what to have. We ordered two of their main dishes and decided to share two smaller plates because everything sounded so good.
If you’re visiting Manchester for the weekend, it’s recommended that you book a table in advance because The Smithfield Social is one of the most popular places to eat in Manchester when it comes to brunch.
Fluffy Fluffy
Did you know that the UK’s largest souffle pancake and dessert cafe is located in Manchester? Fluffy Fluffy has a delicious menu based around fluffy souffle pancakes that are whipped to perfection. The cafe is open throughout the day so you can get your pancake fix whenever you want, and it’s located just a short walk from Canal Street. They have a lot of sweet options on their menu but you can also offset this with a side of fresh fruit to be a bit healthier. If you’re looking for dessert spots in Manchester, Fluffy Fluffy is the place to be.
Hello Oriental
The best food hall and market in Manchester is Hello Oriental. This food hall is centred around Asian street food and it’s spread over different levels so there’s a lot to see. As well as browsing the Asian supermarket, I’d recommend heading to the lower floor where the main restaurant is located. The menu here is phenomenal, with everything from fresh sushi to bao buns and dumplings available. All of the food we ordered was made fresh and arrived quickly to our table. We really couldn’t fault anything and the presentation was perfect too.
Hello Oriental also offers takeaway if you don’t have the time to sit in and eat. There are a lot of traditional dishes on the menu but they experiment too, so expect dishes like Spicy Korean Carbonara Ramen to be available.
Tokyo Ramen
One of the best places to eat in Manchester if you like homemade ramen is Tokyo Ramen. This is another Manchester restaurant that’s located in the Northern Quarter, and it’s quite small inside so don’t be surprised if there’s a queue because they are a walk-in only restaurant. There are just four ramen options on their menu, but they all taste fantastic and each offer different flavours that will blow your taste buds away.
As well as ramen, their two side dishes are also worth ordering and they’re ideal for sharing. This is the perfect Japanese restaurant to visit on one of the many cold and wet days in Manchester.
Another Heart To Feed
Another Heart To Feed is a popular breakfast and brunch spot in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, with a menu based around locally sourced ingredients. It’s not one of the cheapest places to eat in Manchester but the quality of their ingredients can’t be beat. If you’ve already had breakfast, this cafe is also a good spot to come for a hot drink as they pride themselves on making the best coffee around.
Black Milk
If you’re looking for incredible freakshakes and desserts, Black Milk is where you should go. This modern cafe is known for having some of the best desserts in Manchester, but what you really need to try, besides their freshly made pastries, are the freakshakes. This way you can combine a tasty milkshake with a slice of cake all in one go. Their portions are quite large though, so it may be a good idea to share one.
The Alchemist
One place I always make sure to stop at, for at least a cocktail, is The Alchemist. This restaurant mixes food and drink with science, making it a very fun experience. The cocktail list is extensive, and they now have some that are interactive when you use your phone camera on them. They have some of the best food in Manchester too, so you really can’t go wrong.
The Alchemist has everything from dough balls you infuse with cheese using a syringe to charcoal battered fish and chicken in a basket. They have a couple of locations around Manchester as well as one in Salford.
Albert’s Schloss
Albert’s Schloss is a very popular Bavarian “bier haus” in the city centre, with an ever changing floral entryway. It gets very busy in the evening, especially around the bar area, but if you want a nice spot for breakfast or brunch they have a nice food selection too. I would say it’s one of the best places to eat in Manchester, especially if you’re down to try their twist on a full English breakfast. There are quite a few vegetarian and vegan options available as well so they cater to all dietary needs. And as a bonus, Albert’s Schloss is a dog friendly restaurant in Manchester too!
Gaucho
Gaucho is an Argentinian steak house in Manchester that also serves the best Sunday roast in the city. It’s located just off of Deansgate and they serve only the finest cuts of meat, whether you order the roast dinner or you’re having a steak. If you’re feeling very hungry, you can upgrade your Sunday roast to an all-you-can-eat version where the waiters will bring you more beef and sides whenever you want. This concept is great because it ensures that your food is fresher than at a regular buffet.
Where to stay in Manchester city centre
Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter
After you’ve decided what places to eat in Manchester to add to your itinerary, you’ll want to ensure you’re staying at a good centrally located hotel. Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter is located a short walk from Victoria Station and is situated in the heart of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhood.
We stayed in one of their queen rooms with a city view which was very spacious since it was a corner room as well. All of the rooms at this hotel have modern amenities and include a large TV and temperature controlled air conditioning and heating. Our bathroom was spotless and we really appreciated the walk-in shower. Our stay was during the Manchester Christmas Markets so it was great having a clean and comfortable hotel room to walk back to after a couple of long and wet days outside.
All of the bookings at Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter include a complimentary hot breakfast. Breakfast starts early in the morning, so if you want to head out early to explore the city you can start your day off with a good meal first. They have plenty of options at the breakfast buffet, including classic hot dishes and continental food, so you won’t be disappointed.
In the hotel lobby guests can also take advantage of the bar in the evening and you’ll find a lot of seating areas to relax in. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter due to its prime location in the city centre and the attention to detail in our room.
>> See what rooms are available at Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter <<
Choosing where to eat in Manchester city centre
There are many more incredible places to eat in Manchester city centre than what’s on this list. You’ll come across a lot of well known chain restaurants dotted around the city, but Manchester is home to a large amount of locally owned restaurants and small businesses, so it’s worth doing some research beforehand so you don’t miss out. Whether you’re interested in Pan-Asian street food, traditional brunch dishes, or you want to try a cuisine you’ve never had before, Manchester has one of the best food scenes in the UK so you have a lot to choose from.
Do you have any recommendations about other places to eat in Manchester that I should try on my next trip to the city? Let me know in the comment section below, or you can reach out via email and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram too where I’m always sharing more travel tips and food recommendations.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
