Manchester named best UK city for dates – and these restaurants rate highly

New research has revealed the top 10 best cities in the UK to enjoy a date – and Manchester ranks as the best in the UK. 

The experts at From Mars have narrowed down the best UK cities for a date, taking into account the number of restaurants, nightlife venues, romantic places, and date idea searches per city.

Manchester comes top, with an overall dating score of 9.48.

The city is home to 2,059 restaurants, 253 nightlife venues, and 105 romantic places, according to the research.

There have been over 24,200 searches for date ideas in Manchester between May 2021 and April 2022.

“The North West city is home to a plethora of bars and restaurants,” they say. 

“Perhaps a view of the city from twenty floors up, or a canal-side bite to eat. 

“There is something in Manchester to fit everyone’s taste on a date night.”

Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham and Bristol make up the rest of the top five UK cities for dating.

The rest of the top ten includes Brighton, Glasgow, London, Leicester, and Southampton.

The top 10 UK dating cities average a total score of 7.46, and have been searched for a whopping 189,050 times between May 2021 and April 2022, says the research.

Manchester restaurants diners rate for date night

Meanwhile, the experts at booking platform OpenTable have analysed diner reviews to reveal the UK’s best restaurants for a date – and several in Manchester make the list.

Boujee

This Bridge Street destination has received 1341 reviews, with several diners recommending the Instagrammable restaurant as a top date spot.

“Loved our evening here! The staff were super lovely and the place was a vibe, 10/10 recommend!” says a recent review.

Purezza

This Northern Quarter vegan pizza restaurant on High Street also makes the list, with 515 diner reviews and an average score of 4.6.

“Best vegan pizza place. Highly recommend. Definitely get a side of lasagne,” says a recent diner.

The Blues Kitchen

With 932 reviews and an average score of 4.7, Manchester’s home of blues and soul on Quay Street is known for its live music and Southern style barbeque food.

“The service from all staff is first class,” says a recent review.

The Refuge

From small plates to Sunday roasts, the menu at this Oxford Street favourite takes its influences from all over the globe – and it’s received 738 diner reviews on OpenTable with an average score of 4.4.

“Delicious food, lovely setting, great staff and a friendly welcome for our dog,” says a recent review.