Manchester is brimming with food options to fill your belly for days, but sometimes we like to be a bit fancy but on a budget. With just one Michelin-starred restaurant to Manchester’s name and it not being the cheapest of eateries in the city, where can Mancs get world-class grub but at an affordable price? Well, as well as awarding stars to top dining establishments, the Michelin Guide has also highlighted some affordable restaurants in and around Manchester to visit. So, without further ado…
El Gato Negro
One of the most popular and affordable tapas restaurants to visit in Manchester, El Gato Negro is highly regarded by the Michelin Guide, awarding it a Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking. Both a dreamy and reasonably-priced choice, whether it be a date night or catch up with friends and family, El Gato Negro offers a taste of Spain without the need to jump on a flight thanks to its food and rooftop terrace.
Offering a good value dining deal of three tapas dishes for £18, there’s plenty to choose from (vegans and vegetarians are covered), all of which are decent portion sizes and certainly do not lack flavour. Plus, the drinks list is pretty extensive with lots of cocktails, including sangria, as well as an impressive sherry selection.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
The buzzy ‘Black Cat’ sits in a pedestrianised street. The ground floor houses a bar, the first floor plays host to an industrial-style dining room and the top floor is home to a private events space with a retractable roof. Appealing tapas dishes include meats from the Josper grill.
🍽️ What to order: You cannot go wrong with some classic patatas bravas (the closest you’ll get to the ones in España), any of their croquetas (such as salt cod and jamón Ibérico), mini Catalan chorizo cooked in cider, Padrón peppers, and crispy squid with lemon aioli. If you want to splash the cash a little bit, add a charcuterie board which features chorizo bellota, lomo, salchichon, manchego, Monte Enebro goats cheese and olive torta.
📍El Gato Negro, 52 King Street, M2 4LY.
Winsome
Recently added to the Michelin Guide, Winsome also appears in their list of affordable restaurants in Manchester. The restaurant is led by renowned Manchester chef Shaun Moffat, who has worked at the likes of Manteca, Hix, and St. Leonards, as well as being named Manchester Chef of the Year and entering the Top 50 Gastropubs with The Edinburgh Castle. Winsome provides Northern hospitality and thoughtful British cooking to this corner of Manchester.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
Manchester’s industrial history feels like it’s had an overt influence on this buzzing brasserie with a large kitchen counter and a stripped-back look. The cooking has an admirably gutsy, straightforward quality to it, with hints of nostalgia. Think cold cuts, whole fish, hearty homemade pies and a mixed grill. It’s all executed with skill and the ingredients are of obvious quality, resulting in no shortage of flavour. The young and enthusiastic service team are a perfect fit for such a fun place.
🍽️ What to order: Whilst the menu changes regularly, everything is luxurious and comforting. Be sure to try the scallops with lardo, crab with celeriac remoulade and mustard cress, rock oysters, and succulent slices of bacon. Winsome’s rabbit, wild garlic and bacon pie is a sight to behold, and with lashings of gravy or parsley liquor with a side of chips or seaweed potatoes, it is the epitome of hearty, comfort food. To finish, you can expect gorgeous Winsome takes on classics like bread and butter pudding, Bakewell tart and jelly and custard – or even try their homemade fudge.
📍 Winsome, 74 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6JD.
Higher Ground
In the short time that it has been open, Higher Ground has been sweeping up awards after awards and in the process has got the Michelin Guide’s attention. Named in the Good Food Guide’s best local restaurants list and also being one of only three restaurants in the city to be honoured with a Bib Gourmand, the other being The Spärrows, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit.
Their menus and dishes change on a daily basis. Higher Ground aims to champion seasonal vegetables predominantly sourced from their farm Cinderwood Market Garden in Cheshire, whole-animal butchery, hand-rolled pasta and fresh fish and seafood cooked over coal.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
What started life as a pop-up in 2020 is now a permanent spot in the heart of the city, owned and run by three friends who also operate wine bar Flawd and a market garden in the Cheshire countryside. The latter provides much of the top quality produce found on the menu, in dishes that are designed for sharing and packed with flavour. Sit at the large counter to see the chefs putting care and pride into every dish, like the terrific malted barley pudding with stout caramel. The whole team, led by the owners, are charming and cheery.
🍽️ What to order: Although the menu changes daily based on what is available to the restaurant, highlights include the likes of raw, hand-dived Orkney scallop and lemon verbena; pig head and sherry terrine with wild garlic capers; hand-cut, wholewheat pasta with Dexter beef; house-smoked trout, brown crab and celeriac; and beer braised red deer faggot, Polyspore mushroom and wild garlic. Be sure to sip on their refreshing low intervention wines with those small plates too.
📍 Higher Ground, Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester, M1 4DY.
Another Hand
Located on the hidden street of Deansgate Mews, next to Great Northern Warehouse, Another Hand is one of the most affordable Michelin Guide restaurants in Manchester city centre for top quality food and drink. The restaurant also recently opened Jaan, a Persian bread kitchen where the restaurant’s infamous flatbreads are the star of the dishes, which boast ever-changing seasonal toppings.
Since opening in 2022, sustainability has been a strong focus of the menu at Another Hand with produce sourced from across the North West. The vast majority of their ingredients travel no more than 40 miles, whilst bread from Holy Grain and chocolate from Dormouse arrive from neighbours just metres away.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
This 24-seater bistro offers an appealing array of sharing plates which champion produce from local, ethical growers. The eye-catching, vegetarian-led dishes are served one at a time and their flavours are punchy and pronounced. Craft beers and low intervention wines accompany. Service is bubbly and the atmosphere, buzzing.
🍽️ What to order: Although some say simple, we say absolutely delicious when it comes to the Holy Grain-baked sourdough with whey butter. The hay-roasted hassleback potato is a showstopper thanks to the beautiful dots of black garlic on top. Do not miss out on dessert here – did someone say sheep milk’s pannacotta with strawberry and thyme caramel?
📍 Another Hand, Unit F, 253 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN.
The Spärrows
Joining the Michelin Guide in 2023, not only for being one of the most affordable restaurants in Manchester for delicious food but also as a bearer of the prestigious Bib Gourmand. This award is given to dining spots which feature good quality and good value cooking.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
Nestled under the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter is this somewhat hidden restaurant where you have to ring a bell to enter. Its name is (almost) the English translation of the word ‘spätzle’ – which gives some clue as to the style of food on offer here. The dumplings and assorted pasta dishes are all made in-house and include excellent pierogi. The focus on Eastern Europe carries through to the wine list, which has a leaning towards Polish wines.
🍽️ What to order: Famed for its European pasta and dumplings, so they are a must-order. The Sparrows is a diversely continental offering, with its speciality being Spätzle; fresh egg pasta representing a vast geographical region of South Germany, Switzerland, Alsace, Austria & Sud Tyrol – Trentino & Alto Adige of Northern Italy. Gorge on pierogi filled with either cottage cheese and potato or sauerkraut and mushroom served with sour cream or indulge in a bowl of spätzle served with a guanciale or Emmental cheese and braised onion sauce. And for those who like to share, order the Speck board featuring a wide selection of cured meats.
📍 The Spärrows, 16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF.
The White Hart
Venturing outside of Manchester to Lydgate you’ll find a pub brimming with history and tasty food – plus plenty of cosiness as you feast by the fireplace. The White Hart Inn has been many things over the years – a police station, a schoolhouse, a bomb shelter and a brewery. It’s an absolute must-visit when it comes to a Sunday roast but all of the food served in the brasserie is delicious, beautifully-presented and not extortionate thanks to their set menus and two for one offers on select days.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
This 18C stone pub on the moor is a place that constantly evolves. It’s usually busy but the staff have everything under control and there are comfy bedrooms for those wishing to stay. Dining takes place in the cosy Tap Room or smart brasserie; the appealing menu has a British heart and global influences.
🍽️ What to order: The White Hart Inn plays host to all sorts of celebratory events as well as providing a delectable Sunday lunch menu, including roast beef, roast pork belly, pan-fried hake and more. On the brasserie à la carte menu you’ll find starters like white onion velouté, Lancashire bomber rarebit on sourdough toast and Cumberland sausage, creamed potato, green beans, red onion and cider sauce for main course, as well as your pie and curry of the day.
📍 The White Hart, 51 Stockport Road, Lydgate, Oldham, OL4 4JJ.
The Pack Horse
Named one of the UK’s top 50 gastropubs, The Pack Horse in Hayfield serves hearty food but with added finesse, helping it earn its place on the Michelin Guide affordable restaurants list. Technically in Derbyshire, this gem of a restaurant and pub is just a small leap over the border as you head towards the Peak District from Manchester. With a set menu of two courses for £44 and three courses for £52, it’s both a lovely treat and a trip out.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
Real ales and weekly quiz nights help this traditional stone pub to remain a true village local. Hearty pub dishes come with a refined edge and the Manchester (Scotch) Egg has become something of a signature. Characterful open fires mix with warm, contemporary décor, and it’s run by a friendly team.
🍽️ What to order: Sample the likes of charcoal roast new season Cornish sardines, nduja, carrot leaf chimichurri; turbot on the bone, Grenobloise butter, tenderstem and croutons; Merguez spiced lamb, chickpea & apricot tagine with courgette; salted caramel custard tart and almond chantilly; or share as a pair the charcoal-roast 850g cote du boeuf with chips, leek gratin and café de Paris hollandaise. Their bar snacks are also worth shouting about as you’ll find moreish chicken skin crackling, Manchester egg, salt & pepper whitebait with gochujang mayo and pork & fennel salami bites – all of which go well with a pint.
📍 The Park Horse, 3-5 Market Street, Hayfield, SK22 2EP.
Deacon’s Bank
A new addition to the Michelin Guide, Deacon’s Bank in Chapel-en-le-Frith is one to watch, yet won’t break the bank. Like The Pack Horse, Deacon’s Bank is also located towards the beautiful Peak District and a perfect trip out for great grub. The former bank offers a seven-course tasting menu for £85 per person as well as a Sunday roast menu with two courses for £29 and three courses for £36.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
A former bank has been lovingly and carefully restored to provide a home for this restaurant in the bustling Peak District town of Chapel-en-le-Frith. It’s now a laid-back, charmingly run place that the area can be proud of, serving ambitious dishes with a creative edge – such as a deconstructed version of a bouillabaisse. If you’re an indecisive diner, opt for the tasting menu; if you like things more relaxed, come at lunch for more pub-influenced dishes like fish pie and grilled pork chop. Two beautifully appointed apartments sit above the restaurant.
🍽️ What to order: Not only is the Sunday roast worth having – choose from leg of lamb, pork chop, roast sirloin of beef, pollock with buttermilk sauce or more interestingly for veggies, roasted Lion’s mane, parmesan custard, blue oyster mushroom, parmesan cream, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables, for a special occasion, try the tasting menu. Featuring the likes of beef shin croquette with onion puree; crab tartlet with cucumber, apple and herb emulsion; duck breast with duck leg spring roll, confit shallot, jersey royal and swede; and strawberry cheesecake, white chocolate and black pepper tuille, it’s one way to get a real taste of what Deacon’s Bank is all about.
📍 Deacon’s Bank, 9 Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 0HL.
Pip
Manchester’s produce-led, modern British restaurant Pip, located inside Treehouse Hotel opened earlier this year and has already become a hit. Led by proud Mancunian chef Mary-Ellen McTague, known for founding the charity Eat Well MCR, Pip combines sustainability, innovation and local heritage in a welcoming setting.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
Forming part of the Treehouse Hotel, Pip provides a calm oasis in the heart of the city. Like the hotel around it, the restaurant is decorated with a blend of repurposed materials and vintage pieces, with eye-catching pops of colour, wooden furnishings and a rustic touch. The kitchen is headed up Mary-Ellen McTague, a champion of the region who uses local produce and whose menu includes a satisfyingly rich and flavoursome take on the Lancashire hot pot. The service team are brimming with positivity and clearly love what they do.
🍽️ What to order: Pip is an all-day restaurant, so you can take your pick as to what meal you have – breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or even a Sunday roast. Dish highlights on Pip’s menu include Carlingford oysters with fennel kimchi liquor; home-smoked mackerel with pickled beets, mustard cream, and rye; Lancashire hotpot with pickled red cabbage and oyster ketchup; and rhubarb fool with olive oil biscuits. Plus, the cocktail menu features a rotation of seasonal signature drinks and classics using minimal waste practices, which you may struggle to find anywhere else.
📍 Pip, Treehouse Hotel, Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ.
Cantaloupe
Joining the Michelin Guide alongside Winsome and Pip less than a year after opening is Cantaloupe. The new, modern cuisine restaurant nestled within Stockport‘s Great Underbank has also been named in The Good Food Guide 100 Best Local Restaurants and is putting the town on the culinary map. Snacks at Cantaloupe are around £4, starters range from £8 to £12, mains start from £17, and desserts are around £10.
What did the Michelin Guide say?
There’s a fresh, clean feel to both the décor and the cooking at this welcoming little wine bar and restaurant. The concise but appealing wine list will appeal to traditional oenophiles, with quality established growers to the fore. The menu has a Mediterranean leaning, so whilst it changes daily, it will likely include a pasta dish and possibly some whole fish. This is cooking that relies on simplicity and skill, with immense care poured into dishes like peri peri octopus and duck fat crisps, so that the natural flavours shine.
🍽️ What to order: With a restaurant named after a melon variety, of course, you can expect the fruit on the menu, especially during the summer months, such as their tomato and melon salad or Casone retati melon with prosciutto for that much-loved sweet and salty combination. Other menu highlights include cuttlefish ragu and bucatini, crab choux farcie with almond and vin jaune, pork chop with fig mostarda and potato, Comté and mushroom pithivier with sauce verte. And Cantaloupe will pair a wine perfectly with your meal too!
📍Cantaloupe, 71 Great Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1PE.
