The Edinburgh Castle is a gastropub restaurant in Ancoats, Manchester.
The upstairs kitchen earned a Top 50 Gastropubs spot in the UK; Gabe Lea took over as head chef in late 2024. Whitewashed Ancoats pub downstairs, bistro plates above.
Signature dishes: Whole-animal British cooking, Aged Hereford steak
Must order: Whatever protein is hung in the room that week; ask the pass.
Tip: Downstairs handles walk-in pints; the restaurant upstairs needs a booking.
Address: 23 Blossom Street, Manchester M4 6AN
Gary Usher's Didsbury bistro is the southern outpost of his Sticky Walnut group in Manchester. Two-course set lunch at sixteen pounds, ambitious for price.
Signature: Gin-cured sea trout, Braised featherblade
Order: Set lunch with featherblade and the parkin pudding with butterscotch.
Tip: Sundays book out; mid-week is calmer and the kitchen serves the same menu.
Kurt Zdesar's tenth-floor Nikkei rooftop room at No.1 St Michael's, opened October 2025. Robata grill, sushi counter, tempura bar across 20,000 sq ft with a 348-cover terrace overlooking Albert Square.
Signature: Salmon Nikkei tiradito, Black cod miso
Order: Salmon Nikkei tiradito; black cod miso; finish at the rooftop bar.
Tip: Book the terrace tables for sunset; lift access from the Jacksons Row entrance only.
Simon Shaw's tapas room landed on King Street in 2016 and held its Bib Gourmand through the 2026 guide. Three floors: bar, counter kitchen, roof terrace.
Signature: Tapas selection, Charcoal-grilled meats
Order: Whatever is grilled over the open coals upstairs; sherry by the copita with it.
Tip: The counter on the first floor faces the kitchen; reserve there.
Max Yorke and Julian Pizer run a 24-seat Michelin-listed bistro on Deansgate Mews in Manchester. Vegetable-forward plates, low-intervention wines.
Signature: Vegetable-led small plates, Holy Grain sourdough
Order: The vegetable plate the kitchen builds that week; sourdough comes with cultured butter.
Tip: Tiny room, two services only. Bookings via the site, no walk-ins.
Nineteenth-floor restaurant and rooftop terrace above Hardman Square. Modern British menu against panoramic Manchester views; the bar opens later.
Signature: Sustainable steaks, Coastal seafood
Order: Sunday roast on the dining-room side; the bar terrace handles cocktails.
Tip: Book a window table; ten minutes before sunset is the slot worth holding.
Mohammad Arshad opened Mughli on Manchester's Curry Mile in 1991. Family-run, focal charcoal pit, Mughlai cooking, lamb chops by the platter.
Signature: Charcoal-grilled lamb chops, Tandoori platters
Order: Charcoal lamb chops and the chargrilled paneer; finish with kulfi.
Tip: Kitchen runs to 00:30 Friday and Saturday; Sunday is family-lunch crowd from 14:00.
