The most romantic day of the year is almost upon us, and there’s no better excuse to get out the house to celebrate. You know what that means? It’s time to ditch the sweatpants and scrub up for one night only, while enjoying a delicious meal with the love of your life. Whether it’s a romantic atmosphere you’re after or something a little bit more casual, here’s our guide to the best Valentine’s Day offers to take advantage of this year in Manchester.
1. Sexy Fish
Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with a friend, family member or a partner with Sexy Fish Manchester’s ‘Seven Sexy Sins’ tasting menu, available across lunch and dinner on February 14. Diners will be able to immerse themselves by surrendering to the seduction of Love, Passion, Fantasy, Envy, Desire, Temptation and Dreams with a specially designed Lover’s Tasting Menu priced at £85 per person. A host of captivating dishes feature on the bespoke menu including Thinly Sliced Aged Tuna, Snow Crab Tempura and Aju Amarillo Popcorn, Donuts ‘Caviar and Wasabi’, and Lobster Gyoza, before finishing the culinary journey with a tantalising ‘Last Temptation’ dessert platter. Sexy Fish, 1 The Avenue, Deansgate, M3 3AP.
2. Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
Zouk has Valentine’s Day sorted for loved ones this year, with a set menu providing the perfect romantic dining experience. The sumptuous Valentine’s Day feast starts with a pani puri shot, followed by an appetiser of poppadoms and pickles. Diners can then indulge in the ‘lovers sharing platter’, with Punjabi lollipops, oyster pakoras, tandoori grilled prawns and samosa chaat.
For the main course, guests can choose from a ginger chicken curry, lamb rogan josh or a dall makhana. To round off this romantic feast, there are a selection of hand-crafted and freshly made desserts, perfect for sharing with a loved one. Diners can elevate their dining experience by pairing this feast with one of Zouk’s Valentine’s Day specialty cocktails as well as a cookery class taking place on February 17. Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, 5 The Quadrangle, Chester St, M1 5QS.
3. The Black Friar
The perfect place for those who prefer a slightly more casual atmosphere, The Black Friar has created a special Valentine’s menu for those looking for the perfect date night. Cosy up in the Cabin of Love, the perfect private hideaway to impress your other half, which are available to book from February 14 to 17, with an exclusive menu to enjoy inside.
The romantic menu, which costs £110 per person, is all made to share and includes a bottle of Champagne to set the mood. Start with an aphrodisiac of Cumbrae oysters with lime and chilli dressing and scallop ceviche with apple and horseradish. Then indulge in a Chateaubriand steak with dauphinoise potatoes and brandy and peppercorn sauce, followed by a passionfruit and dark chocolate marquise. The Black Friar, 41-43 Blackfriars Rd, Salford, M3 7DB.
4. Embankment Kitchen
Luxury aparthotel CitySuites II has everything you need for a romantic night away, from the spacious suites – including the penthouse with panoramic views, the 18-metre swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room to the special three-course set menu at on-site restaurant Embankment Kitchen for £42 per person.
The delicious menu includes starters like Smoked Mackerel Salad and Ox Cheek and Mascarpone Raviolo, and for mains there’s Chicken Ballotine and Sea Trout served with gnocchi, grilled asparagus and dill, lemon and shallot cream sauce. Desserts include a silky chocolate fondant and a delightful couples’ sharing board of mini desserts and truffles. The set menu can also be enjoyed as part of a romantic stay package from £166 per night. Embankment Kitchen, CitySuites II, 16 Chapel St, Salford, M3 7NH.
5. King Street Townhouse
Manchester hotel King Street Townhouse has curated the perfect Valentine’s Day offers to make hearts flutter with a showstopping menu offering two courses for £30 and three courses for £36. Starters include Mushroom Parfait, Char Sui Monkfish and ‘Nduja and Sausage Dumplings, for mains, choose from guinea fowl, cod, cauliflower with Black Bomber cheddar or surf and turf.
Why not elevate the celebration with a chilled bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne for an extra £55 per couple? You can also add pampering spa packages, enchanting room stays and delightful movie nights to your dining experience too for the ultimate Valentine’s Day. King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth St, M2 4AW.
6. The Ivy
Things are getting extra romantic at The Ivy in Manchester with their Valentine’s Day offers. Celebrating the season of love with a romantic three-course set menu and a glass of Della Vite Prosecco Rosé on arrival for £75 per person, available from February 10 to 15, The Ivy is one of the perfect places to spoil a loved one.
Dine on a duo of prawns to start with avocado and tomatoes, beautifully complemented with Marie Rose sauce. For mains, choose from the likes of the succulent fillet of beef, lobster linguine or coconut sweet potato curry. Finish with a touch of sweetness and enjoy The Ivy’s ‘Love is in the Air’ sharing dessert, with vanilla and strawberry parfait, raspberry sorbet, and salted caramel chocolate truffles. The Ivy, The Pavilion, Byrom St, M3 3HG.
7. 20 Stories
20 Stories is one of the most special restaurants in the city as it offers some of the best views in Manchester and is set to pull out the stops for Valentine’s Day, with a stunning four-course meal designed to bring the romance. For £80 per person, you’ll start with a selection of canapés followed by either carrot and coriander soup; seared scallops or venison carpaccio.
Mains include celeriac and truffle Wellington with leek and wild mushroom fricassee, treacle cured beef fillet with fondant potato and red wine sauce and pan roasted cod with a Champagne velouté. Finish with either a dark chocolate marquise and cherry sorbet, banoffee sphere and salted caramel ice cream or lemon and passionfruit meringue tart and pineapple sorbet. 20 Stories, 1 Hardman St, M3 3EB.
8. Climat
Exclusively available on February 14, the Valentine’s set menu at wine-led rooftop restaurant Climat costs £75 per person and includes five thoughtfully-selected courses. From a Porthilly oyster with rhubarb, scallop with ranch dressing to start to a caramelised milk meringue & blood orange for a sweet finish – the menu is sure to woo both you and your partner. The cellar team have also curated an optional £55 per person wine flight that will perfectly accompany the dishes. Climat, Blackfriars House, 8th Floor, St Marys, Parsonage, M3 2JA.
9. Platzki
Experience a traditional Polish feast in Manchester this Valentine’s Day as Platzki offers a set menu available on February 14. Priced at £50 per person, guests can enjoy appetizers including pierogis filled with either confit duck or beetroot and goat’s cheese, and a choice of main courses, including Kaszotto – a pearl barley risotto, served with crispy celeriac and blue cheese, and Sarna – a dish of thinly sliced fried venison steak, served with homemade rosemary-infused dumplings. Platzki, Great Northern, 229 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
10. Albert’s Schloss
Whether you’re young (or old) and in love or think Valentine’s is a load of old codswallop, Albert’s Schloss has you covered with a jam-packed line-up of show-stopping entertainment, including performances from iconic drag queen Lolo Brow and Baby Daisy will perform in a giant cocktail glass. As for the food on the menu, Albert’s Schloss is offering signature sharers for lovers including Alpine Fondue with lashings of melted gruyere and Emmental with white wine, Haus pickles, sourdough and new potatoes. For dessert, you and your loved one can indulge in a decadent, lavish and utterly sumptuous Baked Alaska. Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, M2 5QR.
11. James Martin
For a deliciously romantic experience, Great Northern restaurant James Martin Manchester offers lovers this Valentine’s Day a six-course tasting menu exclusively on February 14. The menu, inspired by James Martin himself and all freshly prepared by his talented team of chefs, includes aged beef fillet with black truffle, and a raspberry and coconut parfait. A vegetarian menu is also available and includes mushroom and truffle tortellini, salt baked beets, and BBQ aubergine served with red curry sauce. Priced at £75 for six courses and served with a complimentary glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé per guest, it’ll be a Valentine’s celebration to remember. James Martin, Great Northern, 2 Watson St, M3 4LP.
12. The Lawn Club
Spinningfields date night spot, The Lawn Club, is serving up the love this Valentine’s Day with its ‘Love on the Lawn’ deal. The special set menu offers features two heart shaped pizzas with options ranging from ‘The Lawn’ – topped with mozzarella, mushrooms, peppers, sweetcorn and onion, to the Picante pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, ‘nduja and fresh chilli – perfect for couples who love to share. Guests can additionally pick two sides or light bites and two drinks, including the Valentine’s special for £25 each. The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, M3 3HG.
13. Suki Suki
Find your soy-mate at Suki Suki this Valentine’s Day, and enjoy a three-course set menu and a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival for £30 per guest, running from February 13 to 15. Dishes include the classic salt and pepper seasoned ribs, and honey and chilli glazed crispy pork belly. Suki Suki, Great Northern, 227 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
14. The Botanist
The Botanist has launched a Valentine’s Date Night Menu for two, running on Wednesday 14th February, and it’s made up of three courses for only £60, including a refreshing strawberry and elderflower mojito upon arrival. Tuck into a whole melted camembert baked in a sourdough loaf with sweet onion marmalade and crispy garlic croutons to start.
And of course Valentine’s Day at The Botanist wouldn’t be complete without those three little words, ‘famous hanging kebabs’. For dessert, The Botanist’s signature warm cookie dough is served with a choice of either s’mores, Oreo, Crunchie or salted pretzel toppings, complete with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and two spoons. The Botanist, 78 Deansgate, M3 2FW | Orange Building, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2HE.
15. Fat Hippo
Fat Hippo is celebrating all things girl power this Valentine’s, with the ‘Spice Up Your Life’ burger. Filled with Fat Hippo’s signature crispy fried chicken drenched in char siu-caramel, loaded with sriracha mayo, pickles, hot honey and liquid cheese, served in a sesame brioche it is quite the burger! Guests can also enjoy limited edition hot honey cheese fries, topped with hot honey and liquid cheese alongside the special burger, both available between February 6 and 29. Fat Hippo, Lane7, Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
16. MOTLEY
Running from February 10 to 17, MOTLEY is offering an opulent sharing menu for two with a red rose on arrival, a welcome glass of fizz and complimentary olives for £70 per couple. Guests can choose six dishes to share including the likes of prawns in garlic and chilli butter, tender, beef bourguignon, patatas bravas and beef shin croquettes. For the ultimate romantic meal, share some oysters served up with chilli and shallots and save room for a sweet treat of Persian Love Cake. Lovebirds can also toast to St Valentine with expertly crafted cocktails including the Love Drop Martini, the Love Potion, Heat of Passion or La Vie En Rose. MOTLEY, 115 Deansgate, M3 2NW.