Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Manchester

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Manchester? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

SCHOFIELD'S BAR

4.9

4.9 (280)

£26 to £40

Cocktail Bar

Manchester

About the restaurant

The SCHOFIELD'S BAR story
With over 25 years of experience collectively, bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield always had a vision to return to their home city of Manchester to open their eponymous venue;
SCHOFIELD’S BAR.

SCHOFIELD’S BAR graces the corner of Sunlight House, one of the most iconic buildings in the north of England.

The art deco masterpiece of architect Joseph Sunlight was the tallest building in Manchester upon completion during the 1930s, a decade of great importance for cocktail culture. An era of grand and luxurious bars, known for their hospitality and classic cocktails.

Please note that we are only able to accept a handful of reservations each day as we are a walk-in led venue so please do not be put off visiting us if you are unable to reserve. All reservations are only guaranteed 2 hours at the table.

Top review

ElizabethGold

Dined 4 days ago

Such a relaxed atmosphere and choice of drinks. Attentive staff , nothing is too much trouble When you leave you immediately say we will be back !!

BAR SAN JUAN

4.9

4.9 (2154)

£25 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Chorlton

About the restaurant

For Inquiries, Please: Call or, even better, WhatsApp us.

Hola! Welcome to Bar San Juan! We are a cozy tapas bar and restaurant in the lovely suburb of Chorlton, South Manchester.

Feel free to pick a seat, order a drink, and soak in the atmosphere while you wait to be seated.

At Bar San Juan, we’re more than just a restaurant serving delicious Spanish food; we’re a place to relax and embrace the Spanish way of life. Enjoy some tapas, sip on cerveza, and have a great time!

Our tiled tapas bar features traditional decor and serves authentic dishes along with imported beer and wine. Our goal is to bring a little taste of Spain to Manchester.

¡Buen provecho!

Top review

Morag

Dined 4 days ago

Bar San Juan is just right in every way. The food, Lamb parcels, slow cooked beef cheeks, Conjonudo Trufado (Quail's eggs on toast with truffle oil), Espinacas con Garbanzo & Hummus, Calamares Frito and pretty much everything else on the menu! The service, occasionally they have someone doesn't quite suit the place and the level of service and they don't last long. The atmosphere, I've been to Spain a few times and this place does a really good impression of an authentic tapas bar.

Bruco

4.8

4.8 (246)

£26 to £40

Italian

Manchester

About the restaurant

Bruco Italian Bar & Kitchen, Ancoats, Manchester. Serving up an authentic taste of Italy, with a menu of small plates and sharing dishes.

Top review

Maria

Dined 4 days ago

Warm welcoming staf. Amazing food and drink. Delicious small plates and great fish dishes. Generous portions and great value for money. Would definitely recommend.

The Jane Eyre - Chorlton

4.9

4.9 (276)

£25 and under

European

Chorlton

About the restaurant

We are a neighbourhood bar and small plate restaurant based on Beech Road, Chorlton.

Top review

Katie

Dined 7 days ago

The best roast dinner in Manchester, with an amazing front of house team. We love you Jane Eyre!

10 Tib Lane

4.9

4.9 (44)

£25 and under

Modern European

Manchester

About the restaurant

Welcome to 10 Tib Lane, a cocktail bar & restaurant in the heart of Manchester where laid-back sophistication meets great food and drink. Tucked away just off of Cross Street you’ll find a warm, welcoming escape from the city’s bustle.

The kitchen focuses on seasonal, sharing-style dishes that bring people together. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the menu offers simple, creative plates that let the produce speak for itself.

Our food menu is served from 12pm til 10pm Tuesday to Saturday, on Sundays we serve our roast menu from 12pm til 7pm.

We have space for walk-ins though booking is recommended. Any bookings for 9 or more, our seasonal feasting menu is served.

Posie, our sister cocktail located on Spring Gardens just a 3 minute walk away, perfect for a pre or after dinner drink.

Top review

Dan

Dined 2 days ago

Hadn’t been here since it was lounge 10 back in the day - totally different character. Great atmosphere, relaxed attitude, very attentive but not overly so service, and lovely food. The steak was beautiful and the cabbage accompaniment the tastiest I’ve had. Definitely look forward to visiting again.

Forbici - Manchester

4.8

4.8 (233)

£25 and under

Italian

Manchester

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Manchester city centre, Forbici brings the spirit of Naples to the city with authentic Italian pizza, signature cocktails and vibrant pizzeria dining. Inspired by traditional Neapolitan craftsmanship, Forbici is known for its signature three-generation Biga dough, proofed for 12 hours at 24ºC to create light, airy pizzas with towering crusts and bold flavour.

Using only the finest fresh Italian ingredients, every pizza is prepared with precision and cut four ways with scissors, true to Neapolitan tradition. Perfect for casual dining, date nights, group celebrations and cocktails with friends, Forbici Manchester is one of the city’s leading destinations for authentic pizza and Italian dining.

Top review

Trevor

Dined on 26 Oct 2026

Excellent service and food would highly recommend

Higher Ground

4.9

4.9 (1331)

£26 to £40

British

Manchester

About the restaurant

Higher Ground is located in Manchester city centre and focuses on seasonality within the UK.

Open Wednesday to Saturday at dinner and at lunchtime on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

At lunch a £40pp seasonal menu is offered alongside an à la carte menu. At dinner, both an à la carte and a seasonal set menu at £65pp are available. Both menus are available when sat at the kitchen bar counter.

We often hold space for walk-ins at the kitchen bar counter so pop by and have some plates and a glass of wine!

Bar Shrimp, our cocktail bar, is next door to Higher Ground. 🍸🦐 Head there for a drink either before or after your meal at Higher Ground.

Reservations of up to twelve guests are accepted via the OpenTable online reservation platform. For parties of 6x guests and over, the seasonal menu is served.

Top review

Louisa

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent evening at Higher ground. Food, service, hospitality and ambience were all outstanding. A very relaxed atmosphere with the highest of standards. We were sat at the counter in front of the cooking area. It was an absolute pleasure to watch the chefs at work. Can’t wait to go back.

Home Chinese Manchester

4.8

4.8 (418)

£25 and under

Chinese

Manchester

About the restaurant

An authentic but unassuming experience of Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Specialising in Cantonese, Sichuan and a Dim Sum menu served until 5pm every day. Emphasis on fresh produce, best quality ingredients and ever changing specials menu, we are trying to change the game. A Fully licensed bar, with a carefully curated selection of spirits, an expressive wine list and a specially designed cocktail offering.

Menu - https://www.homechinesemanchester.com/general-8

All reservations will be held for 15 minutes after which the tables will be released.
Parties of 7 and above will require a deposit to secure the booking. Please call or email.

Top review

Tristan

Dined on 31 Oct 2026

Recommended by a friend and was very impressed. The food was delicious and very generous in size. Our toddler was treated like a queen which also made the experience all the better. Good value and great team, will be back!

Barok

4.7

4.7 (73)

£25 and under

Turkish

Chorlton

About the restaurant

We are new to this app. First please check our Google reviews.
Family run, independent restaurant in Chorlton offers a true taste of traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in a vibrant, welcoming setting. Our chefs prepare a rich selection of traditional dishes, including hot and cold mezze, freshly grilled kebabs (Sarma Lamb Beyti chef recommended), signature salads, and juicy charcoal burgers.

Each plate is crafted with quality ingredients and bold, authentic flavours to give you a genuine dining experience.
Complement your meal with a selection of handcrafted cocktails, carefully chosen wines, or refreshing beers. The captivating art on the walls transport you to ancient times, while each rich dish leaves a lasting impression long after your meal. To finish, we warmly recommend our indulgent desserts, all freshly baked in-house an ideal way to complete your dining experience.

Top review

Paul

Dined on 27 Oct 2026

Lovely food, excellent service, great value for money

Hawksmoor Manchester

4.7

4.7 (12484)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

Manchester

About the restaurant

Located next door to Spinningfields, we aim to serve the best steaks in Manchester. Sunday Roasts or for those looking for a casual bite, a set menu is available.

Top review

Stephen

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was amazing. Will definitely be back again

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