Rivalling Birmingham for position of the UK’s second city but losing due to population figures, is Manchester, home to tv’s beloved Coronation Street, two internationally renowned football clubs, the third-largest Chinatown in Europe and the famous neon-lit ‘Curry Mile’. Maybe you’re a Mancunian looking for something new or a weekend visitor in search of a tasty treat, whatever the reason may be, you’ll find a plethora of culinary options just waiting to satisfy those tastebuds.
Mana
Situated in Ancoats, Manchester is this fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant, Mana. Patron and chef, Simon Martin brings his extensive creativity and experience of working in Copenhagen’s Michelin-starred Noma to this trendy neighbourhood known for its developing food and drink scene. Mana offers a tasting menu of around 16 courses with a difference. These modern dishes with Nordic influences may appear simple but are complex in delivery. In his search for exceptional wild, seasonal, native produce, Simon’s dishes often feature the sourcing stage with dishes served amid leaves and branches.
Mana is more of an experience than a sit down meal and its blind tasting menu seats must be booked well in advance, on the first day of a month the reservations open for the second coming month, for example, November 1st opens reservations for the month of January. You may book tables of one to four and the menu price is set at £185, payable in advance.
The menu will vary according to seasons and availability but may include beautiful dishes such as Fillets of Devonshire Blue Mussel, Crab Custard, Gently Smoked Sea Trout.
Opening Times
- Lunch:
- Thursday 12-1:30pm
- Friday 12-1:30pm
- Saturday 12-1:30pm
- Dinner:
- Wednesday 7pm-Late
- Thursday 7pm-Late
- Friday 7pm-Late
- Saturday 7pm-Late
Address: 42 Blossom Street, Manchester M4 6BF Website: manarestaurant.co.uk
Hawksmoor, Manchester
Located in a late Victorian courthouse, the interior of Hawksmoor has been designed with the exterior in mind. Many of the fixtures and fittings have been sourced from all over the UK to provide an authentic look and feel to the restaurant, for example glazed lavatory bricks found in Liverpool, stunning parquet flooring sourced from another courthouse of the same era. Hawksmoor is renowned for its steaks and any London visitors may have already experienced this treat.
Theatre goers can request the Express Menu which will set them back a reasonable £22/£25 for 2/3 courses, other diners have a plethora of menus to choose from. Mains can start as low as £14 for a Hawksmoor Hamburger rising to £70+ dependent on the steak cut chosen which is priced by the 100g with a minimum cut averaging around 500g.
If its an exclusive dining experience you’re looking for, there is availability of a Private Dining Room behind beautiful glass doors, adjacent to the main restaurant for 10 to 14 people and the offer of three feasting sharing menus from £50/£55 for 2/3 courses.
Opening Times
- Lunch:
- Monday to Wednesday – Closed
- Thursday to Saturday 12-3pm
- Sunday 12-8pm
- Dinner:
- Monday to Thursday 5-9pm
- Friday to Saturday 4-10pm
- Sunday 12-8pm
Address: 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB Website:www.thehawksmoor.com/locations/manchester
Red Chilli
Red Chilli was the very first restaurant to offer Beijing and Sichuan cuisine in Manchester’s China Town and remains one of the most popular venues of today. All of their chefs are knowledgeable having gained their experience from training in various Chinese embassies and five star hotels. Red Chilli have branched out and are also serving the University community from their second venue on Oxford Road, Manchester.
Red Chilli offers a variety of menus starting with the Banquet which serves parties of 5+ at £26 per person. There are three menus which are five set courses starting from £30 and a vegetarian set menu at £26. The final menu available is the A La Carte with dishes starting from under £10 featuring delicacies like Hot & Spicy Duck Tongues, Pigs Intestines in Brown Sauce, Jelly Fish with Sesame & Crushed Garlic or for the less adventurous, there are old favourites Steamed Scallops in Vermicelli, Spare Ribs in OK Sauce, Crispy Shredded Beef in Cantonese Sauce.
Opening Times
- Monday to Thursday 12-10pm
- Friday to Saturday 12-11pm
Address: 70-72 Portland St, Manchester M1 4GU Website: www.redchillirestaurant.co.uk
Kala
The sixth addition to Gary Usher’s Elite Bistro Group is the elegant but laid back Kala. As with its counterparts, Kala was built on crowdfunding and holds the record for being the fastest-funded restaurant project in the world when it raised over £100k in just 11 hours. It houses 65 covers and boasts an open kitchen with a charcoal grill.
Menus start off with two courses for £35 and three for £40 featuring Killeen Cheese Dumplings – utterly delicious, Beech-Smoked Duck Breast which melts in the mouth, Barley-malt doughnuts, just divine. Sunday Lunch menu will bring you several more culinary delights priced from £26 for two courses and £30 for three. Top recommendations would include the Pan-roasted Cod Loin or Roast Beef and the Colston Bassett or Banana Loaf for dessert.
Opening Times
- Lunch: Wednesday to Saturday 12-2:30pm
- Dinner: Wednesday to Thursday 5-8:30pm, Friday to Saturday 5-9:30pm
- Sunday 12-5pm
Address: King Street, Manchester M2 4LQ Website: www.kalabistro.co.uk
Shere Khan
Located on the famous ‘Curry Mile’ in Rusholme stands the very first, fully licensed Indian restaurant, Shere Khan which opened its doors in 1987. Operating with an open kitchen, Shere Khan can cater for up to 100 guests. The restaurant prides itself on excellent customer service and the quality of its food, using only the best cuts of Halal meat and locally sourced vegetables.
Main courses start from £6 and average at around £10. There is a vast choice with Balti dishes, curries, biryani dishes, vegetable options, chef’s specials and more. Favourites on the menu must be King Prawn Tikka Sizzler or the Lamb Nihari or Keema Biryani.
Opening Times
- Tuesday to Thursday 3-11:30pm
- Friday to Saturday 3pm-12:30am
- Sunday 1-10pm
Address: 50-52 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 5TQ Website: www.sherekhan.net