Best of British restaurants in Gtr Manchester for great local grub

Sit up straight and use your knife and fork. St George’s Day is a great excuse to try out some of the best British pubs and restaurants in Manchester. The patron saint of England may not be in the same league as St Patrick when it comes to celebrating his day, but that’s no excuse not to. Here’s our pick of the best places to raise a glass or two and enjoy some great British grub in his name.

Blackhouse restaurants

Grill on the Alley and Grill on New York Street, part of the Living Ventures-owned Blackhouse restaurant group, celebrated over 10 years as two of Manchester’s favourite restaurants with an interior refresh and the launch of a great new British food and drink menu. Steak and seafood are the stars of the show, and with the introduction of the ‘Book of Beef’ – an in-house guide on everything you need to know about beef – the steak selection is without doubt its best yet. Classic cuts are mixed with a premium selection including English, Galician, Wagyu, an Australian fillet and, of course, the Big Boy cuts the restaurant is famous for. Or what about The Butchers Block – Himalayan rock salt aged beef, cut and weighed at your table – which will no doubt become the new talking point. Soft opening: fancy 50% off your food bill when you try the new menu at Grill On The Alley? Space is very limited, so be quick! Book now

blackhouse.uk.com

Grafene

Grafene Manchester is the definition of a modern British restaurant. It opened last autumn just off King Street with a name inspired by graphene, the world’s first 2D material isolated at Manchester University. The food here is as unique and as experimental as the concept – contemporary interpretations of traditional British dishes. Become a member and receive 20% off on all online bookings. Expect an array of snazzy cocktails like the Mancohattan and the Shisho Paul with craft beers and home brews aplenty.

www.grafene.co.uk

Hawksmoor Manchester

The Dickensian charm of this London-born and award-winning British steakhouse will have you salivating for months. British grass-fed, dry-aged beef and sustainably sourced seafood from Brixham.

thehawksmoor.com/locations/manchester

Albert’s Shed

Named after Uncle Albert and his toolshed, this family-run business focuses on British classics with some modern quirky influences. Situated next to the Rochdale Canal and under the railway arches, the location is perfect for people watching and taking in a bit of industrial Manchester’s history whilst sipping on a beer. We recommend the bottled Brewdog Punk IPA. It’s a strong one, mind you.

albertsshed.com

King Street Tavern

This destination restaurant inside King Street Townhouse serves seasonal all-time classics – honest, simple food with no fuss. If it’s a bit of fuss you’re after, the afternoon tea lounge, offering the perfect setting for this very English tradition with a few eclectic twists, will happily indulge you.

www.kingstreettavern.co.uk

Manchester House Restaurant

What can you say about Manchester House that hasn’t already been said? Not much. That it’s one of Manchester’s finest restaurants? Nope. Already been said. That it’s one of the few restaurants in the country with 4 AA rosettes which means it’s amongst the top restaurants in the UK where the cooking demands national recognition? Already been said. We’ll have to go for the fact that it’s not as expensive as you might think. You can get a three course lunch here and still have change from £30. Or two courses for £22.50.

www.manchesterhouse.uk.com

Dukes 92

This sleek grill and bar will help you forget all about the week ahead with its extensive list of drinks. You’ll find a menu stacked with dozens of classic signature cocktails plus a stellar selection of beers – everything from fruit beers to stouts and IPA. Dukes sits in the heart of Castlefield in a former stable building with a balcony and terrace. It’s the perfect suntrap and makes for easy drinking in the warmer weather.

dukes92.com

Sam’s Chop House

As the name suggests, this place serves up a mean steak. The Manchester Plate of roast beef, chicken and fish barms served with chop house chips and gravy is something of a signature, but for anyone looking for an elevated pub experience, grab a drink and, if the weather’s nice, take it outside to sit in the sun people watch. St George would be proud.

samschophouse.com

Bakerie

Bakerie have not only perfected the art of long table dining, they’re experts in solid home cooked British food. Choose from selections of delicious freshly made bread and a mouthwatering range of oven baked food like the classic eggy bread, toasted rarebit, hot tasty stews and their signature Bakerie boards. There’s an extensive drinks list featuring 24 wines by the glass and over 70 by the bottle. They also have a healthy selection of real ales, continental lagers, and a mix of strong contemporary cocktails. Good job there’s bread on the menu to soak it all up.

bakeriemcr.com

The River Restaurant

Located on the first floor of The Lowry Hotel, The River Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with changing special offers for their Chef’s Choice, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea menus. The configuration of the private dining room allows for privacy, whether it be an intimate tete-a-tete or larger party.

www.thelowryhotel.com

Cosy Club

Cosy Club offers a little something for everyone, serving breakfast in the morning and staying open late for drinks in the evening. It’s the perfect venue for dress-down Sundays, gladrag Friday nights, lunchtime getaways or family Saturday afternoons. All in all, it’s frightfully spiffing.

cornexchangemanchester.co.uk/restaurants/cosy-club

The Northern Quarter (TNQ) Restaurant

The late AA. Gill announced it to be “…one of the best British restaurants…” in The Sunday Times. Independent TNQ Restaurant serves some of the finest seasonal ingredients the British Isles has to offer seven days a week. “I’m more about keeping it simple; let the flavours speak for themselves. I’m about decent honest cooking with little faff,” said head chef Anthony Fielden. Enjoy the Express Menu with 2 courses for £14.95 & 3 courses for £18.95 between 12pm & 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.

www.tnq.co.uk

Albert Square Chop House

Albert Square Chop House in Thomas Worthington’s iconic Memorial Hall sits slap bang in the heart of the city. It was built in 1866 and was listed but long neglected. It now serves up some of the best British food and most eclectic range of drinks in the city. Everything from cask conditioned local ales, guest beers to Manchester’s biggest list of wines by the glass – 36 in all. Please drink responsibly, folks.

albertsquarechophouse.com

Mr Thomas’s Chop House

Mr Thomas’s has been serving up hearty British food for 140 years –  more than long enough to the perfect the art of hearty cooking. And they certainly have. Grab your mates or your date and head down for a laid-back atmosphere and all round good vibes. The beer and drinks selection is stellar so if you’re in the mood to shed your Fred Perry button down and loosen your work tie, this is the place to go.

tomschophouse.com

Albert’s Didsbury

Another member of the Albert’s family serving great British grub like Lancashire cheese and onion pie (£13), Albert’s fish and chips sustainably sourced pacific cod fillet in a beer batter served with mushy peas, bread & butter and homemade tartare sauce (£14), and saddle of rabbit wrapped in air-dried ham with an apple and blackcurrant stuffing, served with pan-fried wild mushrooms, tarragon and cider cream sauce (£14). The two course lunch for just £11.95 is great value for money. One of the best places to dine alfresco when the sun pops out to say hello.

albertsdidsbury.com

Albert’s Worsley

As above but conveniently located near Worsley which means that, if you live locally,  there really is no need for you to travel into town to enjoy the same great value British grub in stylish surroundings.

albertsworsley.com

Georges Dining Room and Bar

What better place to celebrate St George’s Day than George’s? It may be named after a local Victorian architect rather than the dragon-slaying saint, but George’s is where you can enjoy a modern British menu featuring classics such as grass fed Lancashire beef from the charcoal grill, pan fried English duck breast and a great Sunday roast followed by sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce or deconstructed apple crumble.

www.georgesworsley.co.uk

Nutters Restaurant

You saw it coming. Switch your satnav on and head for the hills beyond Bury to enter Nutter’s playground for some seriously good food made from the very best local and regional produce. The bees knees, celeb chef Andrew Nutter has been wowing lovers of good food for longer than he probably cares to remember and will no doubt continue to do so for many years to come. Menus change daily to make the most of the freshest ingredients available at market each morning, but whatever he dishes up is bound to be well worth the shlep. Life and soul, it never rains wherever Nutter is.

www.nuttersrestaurant.co.uk

The Bird at Birtle

With a £1m refurbishment and, most importantly, a sprinkle of executive chef/proprietor Andrew Nutter’s gold dust, the Bird i’th Hand reopened as The Bird at Birtle – a 140 cover gastropub serving traditional British food sourced locally from Lancashire suppliers. Why not try one or two of their local cask ales while you’re at it?

www.thebirdatbirtle.co.uk

James Martin Manchester

Located inside Manchester235 Casino, James Martin Manchester is a modern British restaurant serving up classic, seasonally changing à la carte and special menus using the finest local produce. Its superb food earned it a place in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants in 2015.

www.jamesmartinmanchester.co.uk

Annies 

Co-owned by actress Jennie McAlpine (Fizz in Corrie), Annies Restaurant & Tea Shop is the perfect setting to eat good old fashioned food and relax in comfort and style. Just like at your grandparents. Located just off St. Ann’s Square in the iconic Royal Exchange building, Annies is open for business lunch, traditional afternoon tea, pre-theatre meal, leisurely evening dinner or even private parties.

anniesmanchester.co.uk

One Eighty Eight Kitchen & Bar

Five miles north of Manchester city centre, you’ll find one88 kitchen & bar in Whitefield. Delivering casual fine dining, head chef and co-owner David Gale – who has left lasting marks on the city centre over the years in the likes of The Lawn Club and Podium Restaurant inside The Hilton – embraces local produce. Try the locally reared grilled lamb chops (£18.50)

one88whitefield.co.uk

The Parlour

The relaxed surroundings of The Parlour in Chorlton offer a variety of dishes from firm favourites such as handmade beefburgers, beer battered sustainable haddock and stuffed mushrooms to modern dishes such as smoked chicken salad with rhubarb vinaigrette, Anglesey seabass with caper & dill butter, and asparagus & stilton salad with homemade Dijon mayonnaise.

theparlour.info

The English Lounge

Situated on the edge of the Northern Quarter, this comfortable English pub restaurant has a fresh new look and fantastic new draught range, including local cask ales and craft beers from Meantime. On the food front they offer hand stretched pizzas and juicy burgers alongside pub classics such as fish and chips, steaks and of course Sunday roasts.

www.theenglishloungemanchester.co.uk

The Metropolitan

Formerly a grand Victorian railway hotel, The Metropolitan is now enjoying a new life as a fabulous bar and restaurant. Full of style and character, its success is built on a quality product served by friendly and professional staff. Enjoy food freshly prepared and locally sourced in the airy Conservatory Dining Room. Try the honey cured pork loin steak (£12.95) or treat yourself to breakfast or an afternoon coffee and cake in the traditional homely atmosphere of the Library, with its real wood fires and books.

www.the-metropolitan.co.uk

Chorlton Green Brasserie

Believe it or not, Chorlton Green Brasserie is a modern British brasserie in Chorlton. This low key and understated brasserie attracts plenty of visitors with its great quality and locally sourced food. Best bets include the full English breakfast and the 210g rump steak. There’s also a great choice of cask ales and wines to sip on whilst you tuck in. ­

www.chorltongb.co.uk

Beastro

Beastro is the new kid on the butcher’s block, the offspring of Spinningfields pop-up and The Kitchens competition winner Bangers & Bacon. Now serving great local food made from great local produce at a great price. Manchester egg with home made brown sauce, anybody?

www.beastromcr.co.uk

Provenance Restaurant

Head up the A6 to Westhoughton for some northern fine dining at one of the few restaurants in Greater Manchester to make it into this year’s Good Food Guide. Enjoy classic northern fare like sausage and mash and fish and chips along with modern interpretations of traditional British dishes like a rather posh shepherd’s pie made from prime shoulder cuts of lamb rather than the typical minced meat. For pud try the classic British dessert rhubarb and custard (£6) reimagined as a fantastic vanilla creme brûlée.

www.provenancerestaurant.co.uk