Manchester hasn't always been a food city by reputation, but locals have watched it transform over the past decade into one of the UK's most exciting places to eat. Condé Nast Traveller's latest round-up of the city's best restaurants makes the case convincingly: a mix of down-to-earth seasonal cooking, dishes reflecting the city's diverse communities, and chefs pushing real boundaries, all backed by serious wine and cocktail lists.
The headline news is the Michelin stars. Mana, Simon Martin's restaurant, broke a 42-year star drought for the city when it won its Michelin star in 2019. Its format is a tasting menu of 12-plus courses, with shorter Extracts and lunch menus if you want a lighter commitment. Then there's Skof, opened in 2024 by Tom Barnes with the backing of Simon Rogan's mentorship. It picked up its own Michelin star in 2025 and has essentially never had a spare table since opening. If you want to eat there, you'll need to be organised: bookings are released on the last Tuesday of each month, three months ahead, and they go fast.
What makes Manchester interesting beyond the starry names is its range. The city's food identity, as the guide describes it, rests on three pillars: reliable old-timers that residents return to year after year, high-end kitchens earning national recognition, and casual spots where the experimentation happens. There's a strong emphasis on local ingredients, and the diversity of the city's population shows up on plates rather than just in marketing.
For a traveller, this is a city where a weekend can plausibly revolve around meals. Book one Michelin-level dinner (Skof if you can time the release date, Mana if you want the full tasting-menu experience), then fill the rest of your stay with the casual and classic spots that give Manchester its character. The practical upside compared to London: easier reservations, friendlier prices on the whole, and a compact centre where most of the good eating is walkable or a short tram ride away.
If your visit is food-driven, plan around booking windows rather than hoping for walk-ins at the top tables. Midweek dining helps your odds everywhere, and the shorter lunch menus at the fine-dining spots are a smart way to taste serious cooking without the full evening spend.
