We’re very proud of our dining scene here in Manchester, and now our favourite local restaurants have been recognised. Restaurants do so much more than cook delicious food; they help shape communities and boost local economies and can serve as a catalyst to reinvigorate entire towns or neighbourhoods.
To underscore this importance, OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant technology, has released its inaugural Restaurant Impact Report, a new analysis that explores the positive impact restaurants can have on local communities, economies, and personal wellbeing.
In addition, to encourage Brits to get out and support their local eateries, if they can, OpenTable has released a list of the best local restaurants in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester, highlighting some of the restaurants that are most loved by locals across the UK.
The OpenTable website reads: “These places are adored by Mancunians and deliver the cosmopolitan charisma the northwestern English city is known for.”
The best local restaurants in Manchester according to OpenTable
- Ducie Street Warehouse
- Schofield’s Bar
- Evelyn’s Cafe Bar
- Blue Eyed Panda
- Kala
- Freight Island
- Menagerie Restaurant
- Pinwei Chinese Restaurant
- WOOD Manchester
- Peru Perdu
- Hispi
- Bar San Juan
- Volta
About the Manchester dining scene, the website continues: “Manchester is a cultural hotbed, fluent in football, music, theatre, and the visual arts. That dynamic vibe extends to the city’s cosmopolitan restaurant scene, a mixed bag of markets, bistros, and fine-dining spots that have scooped up a loyal following for transportive fare.”
According to OpenTable, Manchester/Greater Manchester boasts 31 different cuisines, from the depths of Australia to eclectic tastes of Asia, as well as European fare that makes us feel at home.
In that vein, some key findings from the Restaurant Impact Report include:
- 68% of Mancunians think that neighbourhood restaurants help boost their local economies by providing jobs locally
- In Manchester, there was a 15% increase in restaurant openings from 2019 to 2022, making it one of the cities which saw the biggest growth in the UK.
- 40% of survey respondents from Manchester agreed that local restaurants, pubs, cafes and places to eat out are one of the top three biggest enhancers of community spirit.
- A third (33%) of Mancunians say that local restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars and places to eat out add value to their wellbeing – higher than the national average (31%).
Dr Tara Swart, a leading neuroscientist and doctor, said: “Socialising at restaurants encourages the release of dopamine (the reward hormone), serotonin (mood) and oxytocin (bonding), which can ultimately reduce stress and make us happier.
“Novel experiences, variation in the kinds of foods that we eat – particularly from different cultures – can contribute to the plasticity of the brain as we age, leading to improved quality of life.”
So go ahead, find your favourite restaurants, bars and cafes here in Manchester, and see how they improve your life.