It's clear that Manchester’s food scene is making some major moves right now.
The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland has just this week unveiled its new stars for 2026.
A total of 22 Michelin Stars and seven Green Michelin Stars were handed out to a variety of venues, and while Manchester didn't get any new stars, it has got a bunch of restaurants boasting Bib Gourmands, guide additions and stars awarded in previous years.
mana
The personality and experience of chef-owner Simon Martin shine brightly at this stylish, modern restaurant, where every one of the well-spaced tables has a view of the kitchen. British produce leads the way, including plenty of seafood because, as Simon puts it, “we live on an island”. There are many Asian techniques on display and the cooking marries complex flavours with a pure, natural approach, in dishes such as a superb roasted hogget with white miso sabayon.
Designation: One Michelin Star42 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6BF
Adam Reid at The French
The famous Midland Hotel was first built to herald the arrival of the Midland Railway in Manchester, and its current restaurant has been created in the Belle Époque style to evoke the luxury of the day. Whilst its name remains in reference to its historical past, today, Chef Adam Reid's multi-course menu is more inspired by his northern roots than it is by France. The richly flavoured, occasionally playful, dishes come with cryptic, concise menu descriptions such as 'Fungi' and 'Fish', but the personable chefs are on hand to explain and finish off each course tableside.
Designation: Michelin SelectedMidland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Where The Light Gets In
This large, loft-style restaurant is located on the top floor of a Victorian coffee warehouse, and its open kitchen truly feels like part of the room. The set sharing menu is based on seasonal British produce and often incorporates foraged ingredients; this combines with a low-waste ethos that involves using a range of pickles and ferments. Walk-ins are available at the kitchen counter, where you can enjoy low-intervention wines and bar snacks. The same team run Yellowhammer, a bakery and pottery studio just around the corner, which provides both excellent sourdough and tableware for the restaurant.
7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 7JY
Higher Ground
What started life as a pop-up in 2020 is now a permanent spot in the heart of the city, owned and run by three friends who also operate wine bar Flawd, seafood and cocktail spot Bar Shrimp, and a market garden in the Cheshire countryside. The latter provides much of the top-quality produce found on the menu, in dishes that are designed for sharing and packed with flavour. Sit at the large counter to see the chefs putting care and pride into every dish, be it cheddar tart with mustard leaf or Scottish halibut with purple sprouting broccoli. The whole team, led by the owners, are charming and cheery.
Designation: Bib GourmandFaulkner House, New York Street, Manchester, M1 4DY
Erst
With its open kitchen, sharing plates, faux-industrial design and bounty of natural wines, there's something incredibly current about Erst. It's truly a restaurant for our times, but cooking like this would be a joy in any era. The underlying themes across the menu are great value and bright, punchy flavours; make sure you start with one of the freshly charred flatbreads, which might come topped with sweet Vesuvio tomatoes. The cuttlefish risotto is terrific too, offering impressive depth of flavour. The friendly team provide natural, attentive service.
Designation: Bib Gourmand9 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6HS
El Gato Negro
‘The Black Cat’ is a buzzing tapas restaurant split over three levels: the ground floor is home to the bar and outdoor tables in the pedestrianised street; the first floor boasts great counter seats in front of the open kitchen; and the top floor includes a fabulous roof terrace that’s ideal for private events. The cooking is as enjoyable as the atmosphere, offering great value across the wide selection of recognisable Spanish dishes, including meats from the Josper grill. The chefs certainly know their way around a classical dessert too – so save room for the crèma catalana.
Designation: Bib Gourmand52 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LY
Another Hand
This welcoming bistro is located on Deansgate Mews, an elevated 'street' that’s part of the redeveloped Great Northern building in the city centre. The menu comprises an appealing array of sharing plates which champion produce from local, ethical growers. The eye-catching, vegetarian-led dishes are served one at a time and their flavours are punchy and pronounced. Craft beers and low-intervention wines accompany, while the nearby Holy Grain bakers provides them with some exceptional sourdough bread. Service is bubbly and the atmosphere is buzzing.
253 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN
The Spärrows
Nestled under the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter is this somewhat hidden restaurant where you have to ring a bell to enter. Its name is (almost) the English translation of the word ‘spätzle’ – which gives some clue as to the style of food on offer here. An assortment of dumplings and pastas are made in-house, from gnocchi to pelmeni via some excellent pierogi, with bright, fresh salads on hand to balance out the carbs. There's a bottle shop attached for you take something home, while the wine list favours smaller producers – surprisingly, there's a sake selection too.
Designation: Bib Gourmand16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF
The Pack Horse
Real ales and regular quiz nights help this traditional stone pub to remain a true village local, where you’ll find walkers and cyclists having a pint in the sunshine out front. The cooking has a similarly classic outlook, with hearty pub dishes executed with a refined touch. Look out for the top-quality meats in the lunchtime grill section or on weekly ‘Charcoal Nights’ – plus the Manchester Egg snack, which has become something of a signature. Characterful open fires mix with warm, contemporary décor, while the genuinely warm and friendly team offer effusive service.
Designation: Michelin Selected3-5 Market Street, Hayfield, SK22 2EP
Winsome
Manchester’s industrial history feels like it’s had an overt influence on this buzzing brasserie with a large kitchen counter and a stripped-back look. The cooking has an admirably gutsy, straightforward quality to it, with hints of nostalgia. Think cold cuts, whole fish, hearty homemade pies and a mixed grill. It’s all executed with skill, and the ingredients are of obvious quality, resulting in no shortage of flavour. The young and enthusiastic service team are a perfect fit for such a fun place.
74 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6JD
Skof
Located in an old textile warehouse, this restaurant from former L’Enclume Executive Chef Tom Barnes gives a nod to Manchester’s industrial heritage with its exposed brickwork and girders. The cooking skilfully blends measured international flavours with those from the restaurant’s doorstep; for dessert, you’re just as likely to get amakase sorbet as you are Manchester honey ice cream. The meal ends with a scoop of “Barney’s Tiramisu”, touchingly inspired by Tom’s late father. A relaxed atmosphere is encouraged, with the chef’s hand-picked playlist and the chattering diners combining for a brilliant buzz.
Designation: Michelin Star3 Federation Street, Manchester, M4 4BF
Pip
Forming part of the Treehouse Hotel, Pip provides a calm oasis in the heart of the city. Like the hotel around it, the restaurant is decorated with a blend of repurposed materials and vintage pieces, with eye-catching pops of colour, wooden furnishings and a rustic touch. The kitchen is headed up by Mary-Ellen McTague, a champion of the region who uses local produce and whose menu includes a satisfyingly rich and flavoursome take on the Lancashire hot pot. The service team are brimming with positivity and clearly loves what they do.
Designation: Michelin Selected
Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ
Climat
You have to be in the know to come across Climat, tucked away on the eighth floor of a city centre office building. You arrive at a dedicated entrance and make your way up to the chic penthouse, where stunning city views await you. An open kitchen is the focus of the room, with its aromas filling the air, and the concise fixed-price menu includes well-executed dishes such as halibut with spinach and sorrel velouté, where the ingredient quality shines through. Wine is a feature with one side of the room acting as a bar and the carefully curated list deftly mixing traditional and modern styles.
Designation: Michelin Selected8th Floor, Blackfriars House, Parsonage, Manchester, M3 2JA
Stow
With its winning combo of cocktails and cooking over fire, Stow feels like a restaurant for our times. Start (and end) your visit with a drink in the front bar, before taking your seat at the counter in the tucked-away dining room. The small size gives it the feel of an intimate secret supper club, as you watch the chefs close-up, extracting maximum flavour from their ingredients. Prime cuts of meat, including ex-dairy beef, are a feature, but don’t miss the imaginative vegetable dishes, too. Finish with the smoked cream tart, its gentle smokiness coming through in every mouthful.
Designation: Michelin Selected62 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BW
Cantaloupe
There’s a fresh, clean feel to both the décor and the cooking at this welcoming little wine bar and restaurant. The concise but appealing wine list will appeal to traditional oenophiles, with quality established growers to the fore. The menu has a Mediterranean leaning, so whilst it changes daily, it will likely include a pasta dish and possibly some whole fish. This is cooking that relies on simplicity and skill, with immense care poured into dishes like peri peri octopus and duck fat crisps, so that the natural flavours shine.
71 Great Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1PE
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar
With its all-day dining, caring service and sumptuous flavours of the Mediterranean, this is the kind of neighbourhood operation you could quickly find yourself visiting week after week. Part of the city’s Greengate development, its offering starts with brunch, before morphing from a café vibe into a wine bar and restaurant. The evening meze menu is a treat for all fans of Greek cuisine, with the likes of topped flatbreads (the lamb shoulder option is terrific), a supremely comforting chickpea stew and a selection of high-end tinned fish.
Cortland at Colliers Yard, 5 Bankside Boulevard, Salford, M3 7HD
Restaurant ÖRME
You will find a pleasantly welcoming quality at this small restaurant run by three young owners. There’s a distinct Nordic touch to proceedings – think clean, simple décor and an on-view kitchen – yet British produce is at the heart of the appealing menus, which include tasting options, à la carte and Sunday roasts. Attractively presented dishes offer bold, vibrant flavours with a mix of the classic and the modern in their influences. Wine flights are also available, including a particularly interesting British-themed option.
218 Church Road, Urmston, M41 9DX
The White Hart
This 18th-century stone pub on the moor is a place that constantly evolves. It’s usually busy but the staff have everything under control, and there are comfy bedrooms for those wishing to stay. Dining takes place in the cosy Tap Room or smart brasserie; the appealing menu has a British heart and global influences.
51 Stockport Road, Lydgate, Oldham, OL4 4JJ
Almanac
What a terrific little neighbourhood spot this is. A bar and restaurant rolled into one, start your visit with a drink from the concise yet quality wine list or classics-with-a-twist cocktail selection. Then turn your attention to the menu of small plates that showcase the kitchen’s unashamedly traditional approach with the likes of mince on dripping toast. Look out for the ‘Orbs of Joy’ – slow-braised Roscoff onions cooked in rich chicken broth – and save room for dessert, especially if that dessert is custard tart.
54 High Street West, Glossop, SK13 8BH
LI~LY by Aiden Byrne
This black-and-white timbered building is reputedly over 400 years old, but you wouldn’t know it from the smart, contemporary interior with a wonderfully bright feel. It’s the latest venture from experienced chef Aiden Byrne, who here offers his brand of detailed, eye-catchingly presented cooking via a tasting menu of technically adept dishes such as cured scallop with golden beetroot and white currant. Byrne delivers some of the dishes himself, at which point you will notice his infectious enthusiasm shining through.
48 King Street, Knutsford, WA16 6DT
Deacon’s Bank
A former bank has been lovingly and carefully restored to provide a home for this restaurant in the bustling Peak District town of Chapel-en-le-Frith. It’s now a laid-back, charmingly run place that the area can be proud of, serving ambitious dishes with a creative edge – such as a deconstructed version of a bouillabaisse. If you’re an indecisive diner, opt for the tasting menu; if you like things more relaxed, come at lunch for more pub-influenced dishes like fish pie and grilled pork chop. Two beautifully appointed apartments sit above the restaurant.
Designation: Michelin Selected9 Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 0HLFind out more here.