You’re never far away from a good restaurant in the city centre, but there are great ones to be found round Greater Manchester, too, from Ramsbottom and Westhoughton in the north to Stockport in the south.
Suburban restaurants offer great food and are often more relaxed and less expensive – and you usually don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to park.
If you live near any of these places you’re lucky – you don’t have to come to the city centre to find great grub. They all come highly recommended – and in alphabetical order to avoid accusations of favouritism.
Albert’s, Didsbury & Worsley
Starting out as a small family business, this popular restaurant has blossomed into a British culinary experience. Expect a menu flush with eats like oriental pork belly, rabbit gnocchi and a delicious pan fried sea bass. This joint also boasts an enviable open plan seating area and an al fresco patio where you can sit rain or shine.
Albert’s Didsbury: 120-122 Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester M20 2PU
Albert’s Worsley: E Lancashire Rd, Swinton, Manchester M27 0AA
Brassica Grill, Stockport
If you’re looking to escape the busy streets of Stockport, pop into Brassica Grill for succulent steaks and modern British favourites. They pride themselves on using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients wherever possible so you can rest assured that whatever the weather, the flavours deliver.
27 Shaw Rd, Stockport SK4 4AG
Chilli Banana, Wilmslow
Chilli Banana serves up all your favourite Thai eats and treats including Penang curry, pad thai and of course tom yum gung. There’s plenty of vegetarian options to choose from and a handy heat meter on each dish so you won’t accidentally order yourself a roundhouse kick in the mouth.
71 Water Ln, Wilmslow SK9 5BQ
Chorlton Green Brasserie, Chorlton
This low key and understated brasserie attracts plenty of guests with its great quality and locally sourced food. Best bets include the full English breakfast and the 210g rump steak.
137 Beech Rd, Chorlton M21 9EQ
Damson, Heaton Moor
If you fancy something a little upmarket then look no further than Damson, an open plan, clean-cut, classy venue with modern decor. Their drool-inducing menu includes red wine braised Cheshire beef and a charming winter vegetable shepherd’s pie.
113 Heaton Moor Rd, Stockport SK4 4HY
Easy Fish, Heaton Moor
At Easy Fish you’ll find everything to satisfy your rumbling seafood cravings. This is a family-run business with over 120 years’ experience in the fish trade. They started out serving up fishy fare at Smithfield Market in the Northern Quarter and now have their own state-of-the-art fishmongers and restaurant in Heaton Moor where they stock only the finest produce. The menu is chock full of impressive dishes like the signature seafood platter or the shellfish sharer.
117 Heaton Moor Rd, Stockport SK4 4HY
George’s, Worsley
This joint co-owned by Ryan Giggs is rolling out a menu of British comfort food with a modern twist. Housed in a magnificent old building, this charming spot offers ambiance in abundance. Expect a menu flush with classic eats like braised ox cheek, home-cured salmon and stuffed chicken breast. The pork wellington is probably one of the best things you’ll eat all year. They’re about to celebrate their third anniversary…
17-21 Barton Rd, Worsley, Manchester M28 2PD
Grays Larder, Chorlton
No trip to Chorlton would be complete without sampling the delectable seasonal flavours of this artisan kitchen. Expect solid staples like rib eye steak, roast hake loin and braised ox cheek as well as a selection of bespoke home baked sweet treats. The menu changes seasonally but never disappoints.
123 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9PG
Green’s, West Didsbury
Green’s has come a long way since TV chef Simon Rimmer opened it in 1990. It has taken dishes that usually require a hearty helping of meat and transformed them into delicious vegetarian eats. What’s on the menu? Everything from veggie black pudding and cheese and basil sausages to grilled halloumi tacos.
41-43 Lapwing Ln, Manchester M20 2NT
Hispi, Didsbury
This intimate dining venue is located in a former bank and features homely surroundings and stylish decor. Stars of the show include octopus carpaccio, salt baked celeriac and chargrilled ox tongue. The perfect accompaniment to any meal has to be their famous hand cut truffle and parmesan chips.
1C School Ln, Manchester M20 6RD
Honest Crust Pizza, Altrincham
This cozy, chic eatery is a welcome addition to the Altrincham food scene. Located in the old market hall, the menu has a mix of simple but delicious pizza flavours. The dough is naturally fermented for a minimum of 48 hours and the only ingredients used are flour, water and salt. Every pizza is stretched by hand, wood-fired and topped with the finest ingredients.
26 Market St, Altrincham WA14 1SA
Indian Tiffin Room, Cheadle
The food offered here is an amalgamation of a variety of regional dishes that are popular in different parts of India. All the dishes are freshly made to order and the kitchen is constantly slinging delicious fresh naan from the tandoori ovens and dishing out the likes of paneer masala and intensely spicy chicken biryani.
Chapel St, Cheadle SK8 1BR
Levanter, Ramsbottom
This opulent bistro and Spanish tapas bar brings a little Mediterranean flair to Ramsbottom. With a home sourced menu where all the jamon, morcilla, chorizo and olive oil comes from a small town in Andalucía, expect authentic cuisine with fine authentic flavours.
10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
Nutter’s Restaurant, Rochdale
There’s lots to like at Nutter’s Restaurant in Rochdale. Apart from it being a gorgeous destination set in beautiful grounds, head chef proprietor Andrew Nutter is one of the finest, most enthusiastic chefs in the north. Harefield rack of lamb, trio of pork and caramelised Goosnargh duck breast are firm favourites on the menu. The produce is local and the combinations are mouth watering. What’s not to love?
Edenfield Rd, Rochdale OL12 7TT
Peacock Room at The Crimble, Rochdale
The Peacock Room is a glamorous venue in which to enjoy an anything but ordinary meal. The art deco interior is the perfect setting for any meal. With lavish afternoon tea spreads, and mains that include divine selections like slow cooked pork belly and seabass fillet, you’re sure to find something to add a little oomph to your day.
Crimble Lane, Bamford, Rochdale OL11 4AD
Porta, Altrincham
This wine bar and tapas joint specialises in dishing out wholesome food but keeping it simple. Soothe your stomach with a selection of small dishes that contain zero additives and no recipes to hide. Traditional selections include patatas bravas, jambon Iberico, and slow roast ox cheek.
50 Greenwood St, Altrincham WA14 1RZ
Provenance Restaurant, Westhoughton
Fine dining in Bolton? Yes, you read that correctly. Provenance Food Hall is a fine dining restaurant in Westhoughton (yes, Bolton now does fine dining) with locally sourced fresh produce prepared by head chef Lewis Gallagher, who was trained by acclaimed chef Michael Caines. Lewis won North West Young Chef in 2012 and, a few years on, his culinary prowess has grown and he’s heading up the kitchen at Provenance at just 26 years old.
46-48 Market Street, Westhoughton, Lancs, Bolton BL5 3AB
Puccini’s, Swinton
This family run Italian restaurant offers up a menu chock full of authentic favourites like spaghetti carbonara and linguini piscatory. If you want to add something a little extra, the Italian wine list is almost as extensive as the food offerings. A favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson and a number of footballers, even Sylvester Stallone stopped by whilst filming a Warburton’s commercial.
171-175 Chorley Rd, Swinton, Manchester M27 4AE
Rose Garden, West Didsbury
Located on Didsbury’s trendy Burton Road, this quirky joint is all about introducing new flavour sensations and tastes to the people. The playful menu offers the opportunity to try unusual and innovative dishes like butternut squash wellington which comes with a red current jelly and a chestnut veloute. Very nice indeed.
218 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LW
San Juan, Chorlton
You’ll find a warm welcoming atmosphere and a menu of authentic eats and treats like patatas bravas, paella, Spanish omelette or pan fried chorizo at this tapas bar in the centre of Chorlton.
56 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EG
Sanmini’s, Ramsbottom
Sanmini’s is the place to go for a true taste of South Indian cuisine. Big draws include a melt in the mouth mutton madras and a delicious potato masala. They also have plenty of vegetarian options for those of you wanting to stick to a meat free diet.
7 Carrbank Lodge, Ramsbottom Ln, Ramsbottom BL0 9DJ
Tang’s, Cheadle Hulme
This doesn’t look like the poshest of places but appearances can be deceptive because Tang’s is a neighbourhood staple when it comes to oriental fare. You’ll find a menu that speaks for itself, offering up tfavourites like sweet and sour chicken, crispy duck and plenty of dim sum.
19 Church Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 7JD
The Buttery, Levenshulme
After serving up their British fare in artisan markets around Manchester, The Buttery have settle down to serve food from a former post office building on Albert Road. Expect hearty meals full of goodness with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, too. A typical main course consists of braised ox tail, leek suet pudding and seasonal vegetables or, for veggies, a spiced lentil and roast pepper pasty, fondant squash, roast potatoes and onion gravy. The best of British.
Levenshulme Delivery Office, 30 Albert Rd, Manchester M19 2FP
The Fat Loaf, Sale
The Fat Loaf eatery has a little something for everyone including classic British dishes like braised lamb shank, roast pheasant and cheese and onion pie. The Fat Loaf is a local gem, complete with a warm atmosphere and honest pricing. Bonus points for the al fresco patio.
62 Green La, Sale M33 5PG
The Lime Tree, West Didsbury
A fuss-free family run business which dates back to 1987, this is the place to go if you fancy a spot of wholesome food in a cosy setting. Enjoy dishes like roast monkfish or Cheshire pork in an inviting dining space, complete with a large selection of fine wines and an open fire.
8 Lapwing Ln, Manchester M20 2WS
The Parlour, Chorlton
The Parlour isn’t fancy but the menu, featuring comfort foods like fish and chips and crispy baked potatoes, is a winner. The cosy pub is situated on the popular Beech Road in Chorlton and prides itself on using only the best locally sourced ingredients and a huge selection of cask ales, craft beers and wines. Always a bonus.
60 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EG
The White Hart, Oldham
This place can’t be beaten on location. Situated on a stunning hilltop nestled on the edge of the Pennines, The White Hart oozes rustic charm with its cosy open fires and dark wood accents. The food is an eclectic mix of old English and modern spinoffs. Highlights on the menu include spiced roast pork belly and the pan fried salmon with truffle macaroni.
51 Stockport Rd, Lydgate, Oldham OL4 4JJ
Turquoise, Bramhall
A family run business with a focus on fresh and authentic Turkish food. Expect plenty of protein packed dishes like lamb sis, tavouk and moussaka.
1 2 Village Square, Ack Ln E, Bramhall SK7 1AW
Volta, West Didsbury
Volta is for people with impeccable taste. It’s the place to go for ‘well travelled’ food, good music and boozy cocktails. Expect a menu flush with eats like home smoked duck, melt in the mouth Lebanese lamb chops and delicately seared tuna sashimi. Head here for hearty eats and a quality and down to earth ambiance.
167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
Heston Blumenthal step aside. This jazzy joint offers absolutely no menu but instead takes you on a taste sensation based on the day’s catch. Expect to find divine dishes like salt baked beetroot with hazelnut custard.
7 Rostron Brow, Stockport SK1 7JY
Are there any we’ve forgotten? Let us know…
