Five amazing Manchester restaurants named on Opentable best of UK list

Manchester is becoming synonymous for fantastic food.

Having been recognised on the world stage as the place to be, it’s now getting nationwide recognition as one of the food Meccas of the U.K.

Opentable, which has been operating since 1998, allow for diners to find and book tables, and also keep a database of reviews for restaurants that are submitted by people who dine at them.

So every time you eat out, you know what you’re in for.  

FIVE Manchester restaurants have made the UK’s top 100 in this years edition, with only London ahead by numbers.

Here’s their top five

Hawksmoor

Located in a late Victorian courthouse on Deansgate, next door to Spinningfields, they say they serve the best steaks in Manchester. And they serve some absolute whoppers too.

From their website: “The menu in our restaurant features the very best dry-aged beef, sustainable seafood and seasonal farm produce from the UK. You can also dine and drink in our bar featuring award-winning cocktails and nibbles including The Hawksmoor Burger and our British Jersey Rock oysters in 3 ways – natural, with bone marrow or Vietnamese-style. If you’d prefer more intimate dining, for small groups and celebrations we have a private dining room that seats 10-14 as well as a semi-private area to seat up to 30.”

They also offer superb Sunday Roasts or for those looking for a casual bite they have a set menu

You can check out their menu here.

Hispi

Hispi is a Bistro in Didsbury. They describe their food as “humble food in a relaxed setting” – but judging by their amazing reviews, the food is anything but humble.

You can view their menu by clicking here.

The Ivy Asia, Spinningfields

Beautiful settings, beautiful food. The Ivy Asia needs no introduction. Described as ‘top to tail opulence’, we can’t disagree.

You can see their menu by clicking here.

KALA

Kala is another Manchester institution that is breaking ground in the culinary scene. From the same group that brought us HISPI, they must be doing something right.

Following a crowdfunding initiative, Gary Usher’s King Street bistro Kala became the fastest restaurant project to reach £100k in Kickstarter’s history when it opened last year, bringing humble bistro food to the city centre from the team behind Sticky Walnut, Burnt Truffle, Hispi, Wreckfish and Pinion.

It went on to receive glowing reviews in The Sunday Times and The Observer, and quickly became the kind of place locals felt loyal about, whether popping by for a quick drink at the bar or a full three-course dinner with friends.

The food offering is now mainly about simple set menus, with a choice of starters, mains and puddings to choose from, as well as a couple of sharing dishes and sides including the ever-popular truffle and parmesan chips.

You can check out their menu here.

The Restaurant at the Refuge

A major success story on the Manchester food and drink scene with Electrik and Volta, Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey, aka The Unabombers, have joined forces with Kimpton Clocktower Hotel to curate The Refuge Dining Room & Public Bar.

You can check out their menu here.