Irresistible tapas spots in Manchester that’ll make you feel like you’re in Spain

The sun’s out (sort of), and if you squint hard enough through your sunnies and tilt your head just right, you might just convince yourself you’re in sunny Spain.

Stroll down Deansgate Locks and pretend it’s the glistening banks of the Manzanares. Dodge a few pigeons and a lad on a Lime bike and voilà — you’re basically on Las Ramblas. No passport, no delays, no dodgy hotel breakfasts. Just Manchester, doing its best Iberian impression, one small plate at a time.

Whether you’re in it for the patatas bravas or the bottomless sangria, this city is full of tapas joints that bring the Spanish sunshine — and a healthy glug of olive oil — straight to your table. So loosen your belt, grab a friend (or three), and dive into our top picks for tapas in Manchester that are almost better than a trip to Barcelona. Almost.

Here’s your go-to guide for the best tapas in town.

The best tapas in Manchester

Bar San Juan

Let’s start with the soul of Spanish dining in Manchester — Bar San Juan. Tucked away on Beech Road in Chorlton, this place is as authentic as they come. It’s loud, lively, and unapologetically Spanish, with walls lined with wine bottles and a menu full of crowd-pleasers like chorizo in red wine, grilled swordfish, and melt-in-the-mouth beef cheek. No frills, just good food, good vibes, and jugs of cold cerveza.

Check out their website here

56 Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EG

Baratxuri

Tucked away inside Exhibition on Peter Street, Baratxuri brings bold Basque flavours to Manchester’s bustling food scene. Originally born in Ramsbottom (RIP, Levanter — we miss you), this city centre spot continues the legacy with fiery grills and pintxos galore. Expect vibrant, smoky plates of meat and seafood cooked over open flames, and perfectly layered pintxos perched on toasted bread. The vibe is electric, the dishes are made for sharing, and the bar is always buzzing. Basically, it’s like hopping on a flight to San Sebastián — only without the Ryanair legroom.

You can check out their website here

Baratxuri, Exhibition, St George’s House, 56 Peter St, Manchester, M2 3NQ.

El Gato Negro

One of the city centre’s most iconic spots, El Gato Negro is a three-floor beauty on King Street with a rooftop terrace that feels straight out of Barcelona. The vibe is warm and sophisticated, and the food? Absolutely top-tier. Expect elevated tapas like truffle salami, ox cheek, and salt cod croquetas, all cooked in an open kitchen under the watchful eye of chef Simon Shaw.

You can check out their website here

52 King St, Manchester, M2 4LY

Evuna

With its low-lit interiors, dark wood accents, and shelves stacked with imported Spanish wines, Evuna feels like a tucked-away bodega in Madrid. With branches on Deansgate and in the Northern Quarter, it’s become a favourite for romantic dinners and relaxed catch-ups over roasted pork belly, fried squid rings, and excellent house rioja.

You can check out their website here

79 Thomas St, M4 1LQ | 277-279 Deansgate, M3 4EW

Canto

Another winner from Simon Shaw, Canto brings a Portuguese twist to the tapas scene. Based in the heart of Ancoats, this laid-back eatery dishes up Mediterranean-inspired plates in a space that balances rustic charm with modern flair. Think grilled octopus, piri-piri chicken, and dreamy Portuguese custard tarts for dessert.

You can check out their website here

Cutting Room Square, Blossom St, Ancoats, M4 5DH

La Bandera

La Bandera is a real showstopper. Stylish yet approachable, this award-winning spot near King Street champions fine Spanish cuisine with dishes like seared scallops, tenderloin steak, and giant pans of saffron-rich paella. The presentation is elegant, but the prices are fair — you’ll feel spoiled without blowing the budget.

You can check out their website here

2 Ridgefield, Manchester, M2 6EQ

Abeja Tapas Bar

Down the road from Bar San Juan, Abeja is tiny but mighty. This Chorlton favourite brings the flavours of Granada to Manchester, serving up rustic tapas like Padron peppers, garlic squid, and croquetas in a charming, community-driven space. The name itself — “abeja” means bee in Spanish — is a sweet nod to Manchester’s symbol.

You can check out their website here

2a Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 8BQ

Tast Catala

For something a little more refined, head to Tast Catala on King Street. This elegant Catalonian restaurant offers both traditional and experimental dishes, like Iberian pork with mojo verde, calamari with alioli, and even playful creations like ‘Duck’in Donuts’. Wash it all down with a glass of Cava or a Catalan spritz.

You can check out their website here

20-22 King St, Manchester, M2 6AG

La Viña

Just off Deansgate, La Viña is a relaxed and welcoming choice for post-shopping bites or laid-back date nights. Inside, you’ll find classic wooden décor and an extensive tapas menu covering everything from jamón and Manchego to seafood paella and Spanish cheese boards. Their Rioja list is well worth exploring, too.

You can check out their website here

105/107 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BQ

Maricarmen

Ancoats does it again. Maricarmen keeps it casual, cool and uniquely fun with its ‘El Tableo’ concept — a curated selection of tapas brought to your table. Choose what you fancy from the board and enjoy dishes like huevos rotos, meatballs, or their indulgent burrata with salmorejo. Great food without the faff.

You can check out their website here

67 Great Ancoats St, Ancoats, M4 6LW

Porta Wine & Tapas

Over in Salford, Porta delivers rustic Spanish dining in a relaxed setting. The menu covers all the bases — from juicy scallops and sizzling prawns to hearty bravas and comforting tortilla. You’ll also find sherry, Spanish gins, and a well-curated wine list to round out the experience. There are also branches in Altrincham and Chester if you’re heading out of town.

You can find out more on their website here

216 Chapel St, Salford, M3 6BY

El Rincon de Rafa

A true Manchester institution, El Rincon de Rafa (or just Rafa’s, if you’re in the know) has been serving classic Spanish tapas for over three decades. Tucked down a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it alley near Deansgate, this family-run gem feels more like a Madrid backstreet bar than a city centre restaurant. Inside, the walls are lined with football memorabilia, the plates are piled high with croquetas, albondigas, and garlic langoustines, and the prices are refreshingly old-school. It’s unfussy, unpretentious, and completely beloved — a must-visit for any true tapas fan.

El Rincon de Rafa, 244 Longworth St, Manchester, M3 4BQ.

Can Petit

Operating out of Cocoa Cabana in Ancoats once the café closes for the day, Can Petit is a proper hidden gem. Tapas dishes here are generously portioned and just £5 a pop. Expect staples like albondigas, tortilla and Ibérico ham, served in a cosy setting that keeps things simple and satisfying.

You can find out more on their website here

Cocoa Cabana, 7 Murray St, Ancoats, M4 6HS

Campo Blanco

If you’re in Whitefield, Campo Blanco is your spot for laid-back dining with flair. The menu’s clearly laid out by type — veggie, meat, or seafood — and packed with standouts like crispy halloumi, calamari, and rich chorizo stews. Add in bottomless sangria brunches and you’ve got yourself a winner.

You can find out more on their website here

1 Moss Ln, Whitefield, M45 6QE

La Cantina

Cosy, colourful, and full of charm, La Cantina in Heaton Moor is all about no-fuss, home-style tapas that warms your heart as much as your belly. This neighbourhood favourite serves everything from perfectly crispy salt cod fritters to the gloriously runny huevos rotos — Spain’s answer to egg and chips (but better). Pair it all with a glass of homemade sangria or a hefty Spanish G&T, and you’re golden. It’s the kind of place where locals linger, and newcomers instantly feel at home — even if they do sneak in a Caesar salad now and then.

La Cantina, 113 Heaton Moor Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4HY.

¡Viva Tapas!

Whether you’re planning a boozy Saturday night with friends or a quiet date night nibbling croquetas, Manchester’s tapas scene is serving Mediterranean vibes all year round. Who needs a trip to Spain when you’ve got all this on your doorstep?