8 romantic restaurants in Manchester for the best date night

Romance and Manchester may not always go hand in hand, but this English city with over half a million residents offers plenty of opportunities for a romantic date night with the one you love (or even just the one you're getting to know).

Manchester is home to many different people from around the world, and this variety is reflected in the local cuisine. You'll find romantic spots here serving classic British fare, of course, but Spanish, Italian, Indian, Japanese, and French flavors are also very common.

When you need the perfect setting to celebrate a milestone anniversary, a birthday, or even propose, any of the restaurants on this list will be ideal. What's not ideal is trying to be romantic while schlepping your bags around. Keep things classy and drop your suitcases and backpacks off at a Manchester luggage storage before you head out for a steak tartare, Wagyu beef, or sushi. You'll be glad you did, and so will the restaurant you choose.

20 Stories

When trying to impress your date, a trip to 20 Stories is in order. With stunning views from its unbelievably romantic rooftop location, it's hard to go wrong here. The cuisine is modern British, and the surroundings are contemporary. It's located in a shopping center that's part of Spinningfields, and even without the views, this place would still be romantic. There are plants sweeping down from the ceiling, low lighting, and an extensive wine list to keep you occupied in finding the perfect bottle.

The menus are full of flavors of the country's Northwest, and they use local ingredients as much as possible. The restaurant posts a calendar on its website full of events like special tasting menus, Valentine's Day options, and even cooking and baking classes if you want to get hands-on during your romantic evening.

Our recommendation:

There are three sections to this restaurant: the glamorous dining area, the bar area, and the outdoor terrace. Opt to sit outside or in the dining room to up the romance ante. The bar area is lively and can get quite noisy and intrusive.

Location:

NO. 1, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester M3 3EB

Price level:

$$$$

The Ivy Spinningfields Manchester

Another destination at Spinningfields, The Ivy is ultra-romantic and has the distinction of being in the city centre but also being surrounded by greenery. In addition to a bunch of private rooms, The Ivy has a lovely dining room open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They even do weekend brunch, and who says brunch can't be romantic?

In the interest of focusing on the best romantic restaurants in Manchester for date night, you'll want to head here for dinner. When it comes to food, this place has a lot of different menus, all with a British vibe. You can choose from a la carte options and various themed set menus. They even get extra points for their impressive selection of vegetarian items. This romantic restaurant ticks all the boxes - you have a lovely atmosphere, amazing food, and even a bar on the second floor where you can continue your date into the wee hours over delicious drinks.

Our recommendation:

If you've never been here before, definitely try the set menu that offers you a taste of all The Ivy Classics. This offers good value as well from Sunday to Thursday, where two courses are £22.50, and three courses are £27.50 per person.

Location:

The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG

Price level:

$$$

Peter Street Kitchen

Now the pairing of Mexican and Japanese cuisine at Peter Street Kitchen may not be conventional, but it definitely works. An enviable selection of signature cocktails will keep everyone relaxed while you peruse the menu. This spot is the gem of Manchester's The Edwardian Hotel, and even sitting as a cozy pair at the modern bar here feels romantic.

One of the more unique dining options here is the hibachi experience. It's available as either vegetarian or meaty and comes with a bunch of items that will be cooked right at your table. Since this is available for larger groups, you'll likely give this one a pass for date night, but this gives you an idea of the innovative things they're doing at Peter Street.

This lovely eatery is definitely one of the more affordable locations that still maintains a romantic vibe. A six-course tasting menu will set you back £75, and the vegetarian version only £55. That's not bad for everything you get, and it removes the decision of what to order almost entirely.

Our recommendation:

If you're ordering a la carte, share the signature guacamole. Go for something with a Japanese spin for your main to really take advantage of the varied cuisine here. If you ask us, the Yellowfin tuna sashimi ribbons paired with kohlrabi salad and shiso soy is an absolute winner.

Location:

Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP

Price level:

$$

Bar San Juan

For a cozy and more traditional location, there's always Bar San Juan. The rustic wood furniture, tiled walls, and color scheme scream Spanish tapas bar, which is ideal because that's exactly what this restaurant is. If you're a fan of trying and sharing a variety of small plates, this spot is perfect. When you haven't been with your date for long, the constant stream of new food items arriving at your table will give you something to talk about if nerves set in.

When the weather outside is raining, as it often does in Manchester, Bar San Juan provides an easy escape to sunny Spain for at least an hour or two. Since this is a popular place for a few drinks, the drinks menu is stacked here. They specialize in sherries, gins, ciders, wines, and Spanish beer, so if you like to drink something a little out of the ordinary, chances are good you'll find it here.

Our recommendation:

This restaurant is quite small, so make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment. As for the food, the menu is really only good for tapas, so if you don't enjoy them, give this one a pass. If you do, anything you select from the meat, fish, or vegetable sections will be tasty. The morcilla de Burgos isn't something you'll find anywhere - it's wagyu black pudding with rice, apple compote, and roasted peppers. You're meant to order a few dishes to make a meal, so don't worry about ordering more than one thing. You don't want your date to leave hungry.

Location:

56 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG

Price level:

$$

Don Giovanni

Open since 1984, Don Giovanni is the oldest independent Italian restaurant in Manchester. To be around this long in a business as fickle as the restaurant one must say something. They have won multiple awards, and lucky for you, all this fanfare hasn't made them too expensive. The interior here is all white tablecloths and earth tones. Italian music completes the relaxed atmosphere perfectly, and the impeccable service helps to explain their many accolades.

You can expect to see many of your Italian favorites here, including pizza, spaghetti, risotto, and steak. Authentic is the name of the game, and many of their ingredients come directly from Italy. Although it's in Manchester, this restaurant is likely to remind you of a previous romantic trip to Italy, and at the very least, you'll always feel welcome.

Our recommendation:

If you want to go decadent, opt for the lobster Thermidore, and the spaghetti carbonara is both comforting and filling. For dessert, don't miss out on the profiteroles; they're ideal for sharing.

Location:

1, Peter House, Oxford St, Manchester M1 5AN

Price level:

$$

Grand Pacific

This gem of the central retail district is found in The Manchester Club and is sure to remind you and your date of a bygone era. Grand Pacific's decor is reminiscent of centuries-ago opulence with warm lighting, luxurious chandeliers, and wrought iron staircases. This one is a no-brainer when you want somewhere memorable and one of the most romantic restaurants in Manchester. You can't help but feel special as soon as you walk into the dining room for your romantic meal.

Grand Pacific draws inspiration from around the globe for its menu. They're passionate about the age of exploration, and this definitely comes through in their food. Flavors from England, Asia, India, and the Caribbean are all represented. Even the steak sandwich has a spin here. It's topped with king oyster mushrooms, wasabi creme fraiche, and pickled vegetables and served with thick-cut fries seasoned with curry salt.

Our recommendation:

Other than the steak sandwich, the roast cod loin with lentil dahl and the tempura szechuan sea bass are mouthwateringly good.

Location:

50 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 1EN

Price level:

$$

San Carlo Cicchetti Restaurant

The San Carlo Cicchetti Restaurant in Manchester is your best chance to spot a celebrity while out on your date. This is another Italian favorite that makes our list of the city's best romantic restaurants, but its focus is quite specific. San Carlo is known for Venetian tapas, first and foremost. You can also dine on pizza, pasta, and other classics here, but usually, specialties are that for a reason.

Elegant and modern decor? Check. Fantastic service? Check. Good food? Check. That would explain why celebrities stop in here pretty often.

Our recommendation:

Go nuts spoiling your date with a selection of bruschetta, carpaccio, and arancini. If you can't decide, go with the shareable chef's selection of antipasti, and you'll have plenty to discuss.

Location:

Due to its status on many famous people's radar, reservations are highly recommended here. You can book online in advance. So if you're a planner, make the plans.

Price level:

$$

The Sparrows

A recent addition to the Michelin guide, The Sparrows definitely earns its place on our list of the most romantic restaurants in Manchester. You might be surprised that this is also one of our more affordable romantic entries. The setting is definitely casual, but who says that romance has to be fancy? The Sparrows rose to popularity through its signature dish - spätzle, which is a fresh egg pasta popular in large parts of Europe. They also have some of the best dumplings in town.

Customization is key at The Sparrows, so if you have a picky date, they can truly customize their meal. Pierogi or pelmeni (a Russian dumpling) with various fillings and gnocchi or spätzle with your choice of sauce are the main items on the menu. You can also have a little fun and share a Swiss fondue for a little more activity to spice things up.

Our recommendation:

Get a table on their charming brick patio if the weather is nice. If not, the zen-like interior will suit you and your date just fine.

Location:

16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF

Price level:

$

Conclusion

When you want an unforgettable night out with your partner in Manchester, let this list of the best spots be your guide. From French to Italian to Japanese and Mexican, the world is your oyster here. You can get all these same flavors in the Manchester street food scene, but a fancy or cozy sit-down meal is much more conventionally romantic. Leave the street food for when you're watching a game at Old Trafford.

Plan ahead and make reservations to truly impress your date, and think about continuing date night past dinner by heading to one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester for a nightcap. Visit at least one of these restaurants, and you'll be talking about your time in Manchester for years to come.