The best of British restaurants in Manchester

As an institution on the Manchester pub scene, The Bay Horse Tavern is a one-stop shop for some proper British grub. Dating all the way back to the Georgian era, the cosy venue combines all the best bits of your favourite local boozer with a contemporary menu spanning rotisserie meats, steaming pies and huge slabs of sandwiches. A home away from home, The Bay Horse Tavern offers warm surroundings and a vast selection of beers from local breweries to provide a modern take on a traditional Victorian pub. From fish and chips to steak and ale pie, the food menu ticks off all the British classics – including a wholesome Sunday lunch with lashing of rich gravy.

Established in 1868 by Samuel Studd, Sam’s Chop House has been serving authentic British food and drink for more than 150 years to the people of Manchester. Born in the heart of the Industrial Revolution, the pub exudes British charm and tradition – Chop Houses were all the rage in Victorian England as a place to gather for a meal, a pint and good company. The menu is packed with the fresh ingredients and local produce, with some favourite dishes including a corned beef hash and steak & kidney puddings, alongside a range of steaks, chops and other staples. If that wasn’t enough British culture for one day, there’s even a bronze statue of Mancunian legend LS Lowry – it was his favourite haunt, after all.

Famed for its delicious all-day offering, Trof is a purveyor of hearty British grub. Unlike some of the more sophisticated institutions on this list, this dandyish den has a reputation for its wholesome menu and simply delivering on bold flavours. When it comes to the self-proclaimed ‘proper food,’ the venue opens with its brunch spread, dominated by the traditional full English breakfast and packed with local ingredients such as Bury black pudding and baked goods from Batard Bakehouse. All meat is supplied by Littlewoods, a proper butchers specialising in grass-fed, free-range meat directly from nearby Cheshire. Following the lunch menu of small plates, you can choose from a selection of British dishes such as double cheeseburgers, steak and chips and bangers and mash for a decadent evening meal.

In the heart of the vibrant Didsbury village, Folk is an independent bar that champions fresh seasonal produce, alongside all things beer, wine and cocktails. While the all day menu does feature some global influences – think crispy Korean chicken and harissa falafel flatbreads – the food here is predominantly modern British grub. Having been on the scene for over a decade, Folk is somewhat of an institution amongst Didsbury locals and the signature Folk Fry Up is undeniably the star of the show. Relax under the palm trees of the outside terrace and enjoy a plate of classic steak and eggs, direct from Neil Frost butchers in nearby Stockport.

Named after the original title of the area now known as Ancoats, neighbourhood bar Elnecot takes pride in its menu of British-inspired dishes, with a touch of international influence. Designed to share, the small plate menu has been carefully curated using local produce and continues to evolve with changes in the seasons. There’s a focus on traditional cooking methods rarely seen in contemporary restaurants, with fermenting and foraging taking centre stage in the dishes. A standout on the current menu is the Elnecot Staffordshire tacos which sees the county’s famous ‘oatcakes’ piled high with Yorkshire lamb shoulder barbacoa or prawn, pollock and sea vegetables.

You’d struggle to find an eatery more British than Edinburgh Castle – the venue has been serving hearty meals to the people of Manchester for over a century. Dating all the way back to 1811, the historic boozer has been lovingly restored by the team behind Cottonopolis and now serves a huge array of much-loved pub classics. The authentically British menu is packed with everything from pork chops to roasted duck – and the traditional Sunday roasts are the stuff of legend. If you prefer fine dining to the gastropub atmosphere, Edinburgh Castle also boasts an impressive restaurant on the first floor offering a range of polished dishes.

Look no further than Anthony Fielden’s cooking. This is one of the best places for lunch in the Northern Quarter. Located in the iconic Smithfield Fish Markets, TNQ is the winner of This is Manchester’s Leading Restaurant of the Year Award for casual/smart dining in 2019 and 2022. It uses the best locally sourced British ingredients, searching to find the great seasonal tastes. It’s easy to see why these guys have been applauded by newspapers like The Observer and The Sunday Times, who said TNQ was ‘one of the best British restaurants’. From award-winning Sunday roasts to the express menu, this place knows how to do lunch extremely well. The current summer a la carte menu has amazing dishes, such as the Lancashire lamb; the courgette, pea, cumin and spelt fritters dish; Gloucestershire old spot pork cordon bleu; and the splendid sirloin steak.

Street Urchin is a must visit restaurant located in between Ancoats and the Northern Quarter. It’s the perfect place for a date or for a get-together with a small group of friends. This is a British seafood restaurant that oozes class. It’s vibrant and eclectic, offering a unique fusion of delectable cuisine, lively atmosphere and captivating entertainment. Indulge in mouthwatering dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the city’s culinary diversity. The menu changes most weeks, so we can’t advise on what you should get, but some great dishes that have featured recently included mussels, crab, roast hake and roast monkfish. There will be plenty of vegetarian options available, too. If you love cosy restaurants and British styled seafood then you will enjoy your time at Street Urchin. 

Located in the bustling Spinningfields and near the incredible John Rylands Library, Manchester’s newest favourite hotel, Yotel is home to Motley – a melting pot for locals and explorers alike. The team pride themselves on friendly service and providing food and drinks that are made with lots of quality and care. This is a good spot for karaoke and watching sport, as it offers wonderful cocktails and craft lagers from different breweries, including its very own Motley brew. The Antipodean-style menu is filled to the brim with uncomplicated, kind to the environment and good for the soul dishes that are homely, local and seasonal. The small plates include the delicious goat’s cheese and Manchester honey bon bons, fish tacos, Manchester tacos and jerk chicken. The main plates range from the Motley fish and chips to ‘Yorkshire Tea’ ramen and classic Lancashire hotpot. This is another brilliant British restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients.

Cosy Club is both relaxed and extravagant at the same time. It has beautiful walls and sits in the famous Corn Exchange in the city centre. Here you can enjoy breakfast, late night drinks, lunch and most of all, a cosy atmosphere. Perhaps Sunday brunch would be perfect for spending some time with family or friends? From shakshuka to the Boston brunch, you’ll certainly find it tricky to decide what to have because of the many incredible options on offer. There are also separate vegan and gluten-free menus. Lunch is just as flexible – small plates, burgers, sandwiches and steaks are all available. We strongly recommend the Cosy Club sandwich and the tomato arancini.