
The city of Manchester boasts the largest and most thriving restaurant scene outside London, with scores of reputable venues large and small. Manchester's Chinatown is a stupendous dragon, with big names on every corner and an increasing number of Thai, Korean and Japanese newcomers adding extra spice to the neighbourhood. For Indian food, head for the authentic cafés in Rusholme's 'curry quarter'. Most of the prestigious European establishments are in the affluent fringes of the city, and more are clustered around the airport.
MarmaladeA celebration of British food and eating from days gone by, this eye-catching bistro in a trendy Manchester suburb has been suitably decked out with cherry wood furniture, pale magnolia and aquamarine colour schemes, and a motley assortment of domestic curios - three-tier cake stands, old suitcases, framed prints and such like.
60 Beech Road, Chorlton Cum Hardy, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
BluuThe Manchester branch of the Bluu mini-chain has established itself as a front runner in the city's relaxed and understated Northern Quarter, and is noted for its 'lived-in' values.
Smithfield Market Buildings, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
110 RestaurantWe are pleased to introduce this restaurant as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Circus Casino, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: International
Akbar'sA new addition to the burgeoning Akbar's group, this youngblood in the centre of Manchester follows the same path as its elder siblings across the north of England.
73-83 Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Indian
Armenian TavernaThis extraordinary restaurant has been camped out deep in Manchester's bullish Chinese empire for more than 25 years and it continues to celebrate the obscure delights of authentic Armenian cuisine – whatever the neighbours might think.
3 - 5 Princess Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Eastern European
BacchanaliaWe are pleased to introduce Bacchanalia as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
15-17 Chapel Walks, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
Cedar Tree RestaurantConverted from a takeaway in 2003, the Cedar Tree is as patriotically Lebanese as that country's emblematic flag and is a great asset to central Manchester.
69 Thomas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Lebanese
ChaophrayaThe younger brother of Chaophraya in Leeds is located above Sam's Chop House in the heart of central Manchester. It's one of the most stylish Thai restaurants in the city, combining a lavish restaurant with a 200-seater bar.
Chapel Walks, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Thai
Choice Bar & RestaurantFrom the cool unfussy design to the music, everything has been chosen with care and an eye for detail at this stylish waterside venue in the Castlefield district of the city.
Castle Quay, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
Copthorne Hotel Manchester, Clippers BrasserieOverlooking the waterfront at Salford Quays not far from Old Trafford and The Lowry Centre, this purpose-built international hotel seems a world away from the bustle of Manchester's city life – although the Metrolink with take you to the bright lights if you fancy a change of scene.
Clippers Quay, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Eclectic
EastzEastLegendary Bradford restaurateurs, the Raja brothers, have brought their brand of Punjabi cooking to Manchester with EastzEast. Set in the Ibis Hotel, this venue is done out in sleek contemporary style with leather seating, minimalist tones and ambient lighting.
Ibis Hotel, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Indian
El Rincon de RafaOne of Manchester's hidden gems, tucked away in a back alley behind the buildings on the corner of Deansgate and Quay Street.
Longworth Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Spanish
EvunaEvuna bills itself as a 'fine Spanish wine house' and it has built up an auspicious reputation as a premium merchant, tapas bar and restaurant in the heart of Manchester.
277-279 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Spanish
Gallery CaféThis ground-breaking eatery attached to the Whitworth Art Gallery (across the road from the Manchester Royal Infirmary) has proved to be a godsend for families, university staff and local workers.
The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
Gaucho ManchesterThe Mancunian outpost of the London-based Gaucho chain is a visually stunning, opulent space incorporating two mezzanine areas and a bar in the heart of the city.
2A St Mary's Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: South American
Glamorous ChineseHong Kong meets Las Vegas in this vast 400-seater restaurant attached to the technicolour Wing Yip Centre on the Oldham Road.
Wing Yip Business Centre, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
GradoAfter his barnstorming success with re-invented British food and family-friendly Italian pizzerias, Lancashire top dog Paul Heathcote has looked to Spain for this new venture right in the heart of Manchester's Piccadilly Plaza.
New York Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Spanish
GreensA bastion of Manchester's vegetarian scene for many years, Greens at West Didsbury, continues to live up to its name with suitably verdant colour schemes, plenty of buzzy atmosphere and an imaginative, wide-ranging menu that hops across frontiers and borders at will.
43 Lapwing Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Vegetarian
IthacaIt was more than two years in the making, but Ithaca finally opened in a blaze of publicity during the summer of 2008.
36 John Dalton Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Pan Asian
Jem and I'Jem' is chef Jem O'Sullivan, a local boy made good who is well known to Mancunians from his time at The Lincoln in Lincoln Square.
1c School Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
Koh SamuiFlying the flag for Thailand on the fringes of Chinatown, this discreet basement restaurant has quickly made its mark and now delivers some of the most consistent and authentic food of its kind in the city.
16 Princess Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Thai
KoreanaWhen Mrs Kim and family opened their likeable restaurant in 1985 it was reckoned to be the first Korean eating place outside London and it remains one of the few genuine outposts of the cuisine in the North.
Kings House, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Korean
Kosmos TavernaKosmos brings echoes of the sunny Hellenic countryside and seascapes to the outer suburbs of Manchester, with its bright decor and hotpotch of Greek memorabilia.
248 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Greek
Lal HaweliThere's fierce competition on Manchester's 'Curry Mile' – the long straight stretch of Wilmslow Road that runs south-west out of the city.
68 - 72 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Indian
Lime TreeFor almost two decades, this old Didsbury trouper has established itself as perhaps the most popular and iconic neighbourhood restaurant in Manchester.
8 Lapwing Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Eclectic
Little Yang SingThe original name has stuck, but this long-serving Mancunian Chinese is not so little anymore: it can now seat over 200, thanks to extensive refurbishment and expansion.
17 George Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
LivebaitThe Manchester outpost of this seafood group occupies a vaulted Victorian building just off Albert Square. Linen-clad tables, green-and-white colour schemes and Art Deco styling set the mood, and a friendly atmosphere prevails.
22 Lloyd Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Seafood
Lounge 10Wildly over-the-top, seductive, sexy and alluring, this sophisticated city venue evokes something of the glamorous decadence of The Moulin Rouge – according to its owners.
10 Tib Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
LusoJane and Carlos Cortes stepped into the premises once occupied by Le Bouchon to create Luso, a vibrant and cool venue devoted to all things Portuguese.
63 Bridge Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Portuguese
Malmaison'Manchester is mad for Malmaison' reads the blurb advertising this branch of the exclusive nationwide hotel group. It is housed in a landmark red-brick building (formerly a Joshua Hoyle warehouse) in the heart of Piccadilly by the Rochdale Canal, and sets out its stall as a cool destination complete with a 'gymtonic' and spa.
Piccadilly, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
Market RestaurantFor more than 20 years, this quirkily decorated restaurant has been plying its trade in Manchester's 'Northern Quarter' and continues to serve eclectic, seasonal food in relaxed, personable surroundings.
104 High Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: English
Marriott Worsley Park Hotel, The Dining RoomsSet in 200 acres of grounds, Worsley Park was constructed around restored Victorian farm buildings, and it now functions as a hotel and country club with top-flight facilities including a championship golf course.
Worsley Park, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
Michael Caines at ABode ManchesterThe Manchester branch of Michael Caines and Andrew Brownsword's evolving chain of boutique hotels occupies a striking nineteenth-century building that was once at the heart of the city's textile trade.
107 Piccadilly, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
Midland Hotel, The French RestaurantCharles Rolls famously met Henry Royce at the Midland Hotel in 1904 and set the wheels in motion for a world-renowned partnership.
16 Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
Moss NookPauline and Derek Harrison have been running Moss Nook for more than three decades and it remains a firm favourite with travellers heading for nearby Manchester Airport.
Ringway Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Anglo French
Mr Thomas's Chop HouseBritannia rules in this extraordinarily flamboyant converted Victorian pub, once run by a certain Mr Thomas Studd (who is remembered in the name of the restaurant).
52 Cross Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
New EmperorBig, brash and always busy, this colourful, frenetic restaurant is now something of a veteran in Manchester Chinatown. It's a high-gloss kind of place and the action takes place in an open-plan dining room with shiny wooden furniture and colourful wall panels.
52-56 George Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
New SamsiIt may bill itself as New Samsi, but this popular venue has been around since 1993 and has established itself as one of the most reliable Japanese joints in Manchester.
36-38 Whitworth Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Japanese
NingSouth East Asian food for the 'new urbanites in Ancoats and the Northern Quarter' is the aim of this stylish canteen/café/restaurant.
The Burton Building, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: South East Asian
Olive PressSituated in the heart of Manchester, just off Deansgate, this branch of Paul Heathcote's Olive Press is equally popular for quick snacks, working lunches, pre-theatre meals and big nights out.
4 Lloyd Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Mediterranean
PacificA bonanza of Pacific-Asian flavours in stunning contemporary surroundings is what you can expect at this innovative Chinatown favourite. One floor is devoted to Chinese cooking; above it is a dining room specialising in Thai cuisine.
58-60 George Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
PalmiroItaly comes to the ever-growing 'Chorlton borders' in the shape of this ultra-modern minimalist venue, which occupies the shell of a one-time car accessories shop.
197 Upper Chorlton Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Italian
Radisson Edwardian Hotel Manchester, ALTOWe are pleased to introduce this restaurant as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Free Trade Hall, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
Red ChilliSituated on the cusp of Manchester's Chinese Quarter, Red Chilli deals in robust renditions of regional food without fashionable detours or westernised compromises.
70-72 Portland Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
RhubarbA vibrant newcomer to fashionable West Didsbury, Rhubarb is run as a double act with Mark Ramsden manning the stoves and wife Lisa overseeing front-of-house.
167 Burton Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Eclectic
RoomLike its elder brother in Leeds, Room Manchester is an eye-catching blend of stunning retro chic and urban cool. It occupies the site of Reform, on one of the city's most famous shopping streets.
81 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
Sam's Chop HouseThe moniker 'Chop House' conjures up rosy images of Dickensian England, and this cleverly designed restaurant fits the image like a glove.
Black Pool Fold, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
San CarloIdeally situated midway between St Peter's Square and Salford Central Station, this branch of the San Carlo group follows the house style by offering contemporary Italian food in swish surroundings.
40-43 King Street West, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Italian
Sapporo Teppanyaki RestaurantThe Manchester sibling of Sapporo Teppanyaki in Liverpool makes the perfect venue if you fancy theatrical culinary entertainment rather than a discreet gastronomic experience.
91-93 Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern International
Second FloorBlack marble floors and tall windows looking out onto Manchester's cityscape set the cosmopolitan tone in this branch of Harvey Nic's restaurant collection.
Harvey Nichols, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
Shimla PinksFlock wallpaper is out; colourful artwork is in at this stylish contemporary Indian restaurant close to the city centre. Banquets (for two or more people) are a great introduction to the Shimla Pinks experience, and the full menu provides a good spread of classic ideas and a few more esoteric regional ideas.
Dolefield, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Indian
Simply HeathcotesThe Manchester satellite of Paul Heathcote's gastro-empire occupies a former registry office off an alley in theatre land. Inside, it has been fashionably kitted out with brown B Italia settees in the lounge and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, Phillipe Stark chairs and natural lighting in the restaurant.
Jacksons Row, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
Sir Charles Hallé RestaurantConcert-goers can be fed and watered in comfort at this restaurant attached to the impressive home of Manchester's Hallé Orchestra (note that meals can be pre-booked when purchasing tickets).
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
StockThe opulence of the fabulously restored Stock Exchange Hall – complete with its marble pillars and huge domed ceiling – makes an impressive backdrop for this contemporary rendezvous.
4 Norfolk Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Italian
Tai PanLike its younger brother in Liverpool, this sprawling Chinese eating house is located on the first floor above a Chinese supermarket (a couple of miles drive out of the city).
81-97 Upper Brook Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
That CaféChef Alison Eason and co. have done a great job over the years, and continue to add a splash of life and colour to the Levenshulme district of Manchester.
1031 Stockport Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Eclectic
The AngelThe old Beer House, just off Rochdale Road, was recently rescued from demolition and transformed into the Angel - a no-nonsense foodie boozer with plenty of guts and gusto, not much in the way of fancy trappings and a seriously enticing blackboard menu.
6 Angel Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Golden Tulip Hotel at Watersreach'Man U' fans, club members and celebs alike are drawn to the Golden Tulip Hotel, which stands right next to the revered Stadium.
Waters Reach, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: International
The Living RoomThe original branch of a burgeoning group of bars and restaurants with outlets in several major towns and cities, Living Room Deansgate opened its doors in 1999 and remains one of Manchester's top destinations.
80 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
The Lowry HotelRocco Forte's five-star Lowry Hotel is part of the Chapel Wharf development on the banks of the Irwell next to Calatrava's landmark Trinity Bridge.
50 Dearmans Place, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern French
The MetropolitanOriginally a grand hotel for the old Midland Railway, this imposing, 'titan' Victorian edifice still flaunts its stunning roof timbering, ornate windows and intricate plasterwork.
2 Lapwing Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Modern'A fabulous new restaurant and bar with great views of the city', is typical of UK Restaurant Guide reporters' enthusiasm for this swish venue spread over the fifth and sixth floors of Manchester's iconic Urbis complex in the Millennium Quarter.
Urbis Centre, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
The OxThe Ox is a venue with a dual identity: it's part city-centre dining pub/bar/brasserie and part socialising local watering hole (Sunday night is quiz night).
71 Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Restaurant Bar & GrillAs trendily modern as can be, the flagship of the Restaurant Bar & Grill group shows off its good looks and style with glass partitions, black leather chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows for viewing the action.
14 John Dalton Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Eclectic
VermilionWe are pleased to introduce Vermilion as a new addition to The Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Hulme Hall Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Pan Asian
Wing's RestaurantA hot new arrival on Manchester's thriving Chinese scene, Wing's occupies a prime city-centre site (once home to The Lincoln restaurant).
1 Lincoln Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Cantonese
Yang SingAn international household name among Chinese restaurants, this legendary Manchester eating house owes much to the efforts of the Yeung family, who have overseen the place since it opened on Princess Street in 1977.
34 Princess Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
Zinc Bar & GrillThe location – part of the beautifully restored Triangle that was once Manchester's Corn Exchange – brings crowds of shoppers and business people to this ultra-trendy bar/grill (with branches in Birmingham and Glasgow).
The Triangle, Manchester, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern European
Etrop Grange HotelBuilt in 1870, Etrop Grange still exudes gracious country house elegance, while providing travellers with up-to-the-minute facilities and easy access to the airport complex.
Thorley Lane, Manchester (Airport), Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester AirportConveniently located between all three airport terminals – with direct undercover access via the Sky link elevated walkway - the Radisson makes a sophisticated location for fine food, whatever your destination or preferences.
Phileas Fogg Restaurant, Manchester (Airport), Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern
Ocean TreasureHead out of Manchester towards Oldham to find this Chinese restaurant above an oriental supermarket: you can't miss its colourful pagoda-like exterior.
First Floor, Middleton, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Chinese
Clough ManorFollowing a change of ownership and much expensive refurbishment, Clough Manor has emerged as a slick and sophisticated boutique hotel that promotes itself as 'high style' way up on the Lancashire moors above Denshaw and the urban sprawl of Oldham.
Rochdale Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
The DinnerstoneNamed after a rocky outcrop on nearby Saddleworth Moor, the Dinnerstone Restaurant is a stylishly laid-out venue spread out over two floors, with a railed gallery stretching around the upper area, and a huge mirrorball chandelier stealing the show above the atrium.
99-101 High Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
White Hart InnPerched high up on the edge of the Pennines looking down on the city lights and urban sprawl of Oldham, the White Hart succeeds brilliantly as a re-invented coaching inn, providing pubby bonhomie, serious brasserie/restaurant food and bedrooms with twenty-first century creature comforts.
51 Stockport Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
NuttersTV chef and Lancashire wonder boy Andrew Nutter has continued to create waves since moving down the road from his converted pub to a grandiose Victorian Gothic mansion surrounded by acres of parkland.
Edenfield Road, Rochdale, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
The Crimble, Peacock RoomYou might not guess it now, but this lavish restaurant complex was originally a seventeenth-century farm cottage. Following extensive development in Victorian times and more recently during the 1980s, the Crimble now houses a choice of dining rooms and bars for every occasion.
Crimble Lane, Rochdale, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British
Hanni's RestaurantEponymous 'Hanni' is no longer involved, but new owners have retained the original name of this popular neighbourhood restaurant just across the road from Brooklands Metrolink station.
4 Brooklands Road, Sale, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: East Mediterranean
IsinglassWay out in one of Manchester's lesser-known suburbs, Isinglass is making quite a name for itself – and not simply because of its curious title (it's all to do with fish bladders!).
46 Flixton Road, Urmston, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: British
Macdonald Kilhey Court, Laureate RestaurantA stunning Victorian edifice in the hearty of the Lancashire countryside, but with easy access to the M6 and the M61, Kilhey Court is ideally suited to grand bashes and small-scale intimate celebrations.
Chorley Road, Wigan, Greater Manchester - Cuisine: Modern British