The 7 Best Bars in Manchester That Do Really Good Food

Some of the best bars in Manchester are the ones that do really good food as well. Because a pint or a glass of wine is automatically better if you’ve got nibbles or a proper plate of food to go along with it, right? Manchester city centre definitely isn’t short of good bars but here are seven of the best bars in Manchester that are just as good to eat at as they are for a few drinks.

1. Bøck Bière Café

Just off Deansgate, Bøck is a European bar and cafe that’s crazy popular for its unrivalled selection of Belgian beers – you’ll struggle to find a better Belgian beer menu anywhere in The North – but the food menu is a treat as well. Savoury waffles, proper Belgian-style loaded frites, traditional European sharing boards, some of the finest moules frites in Manchester and even fondues make Bøck one of the best bars in Manchester for damn good eating. If you can get a table, that is.

10 Tib Lane, Manchester, M2 4JB

2. Veeno Manchester

Veeno Manchester is a nail-bitingly beautiful bar and defo one of the city centre’s little gems. It’s an Italian wine bar between Deansgate and Albert Square that’s perfect for intimate occasions owing to family produced wines and lots of spuntini, or in more familiar terms, Italian tapas. There’s plenty of cured meats, cheeses, sharing boards and traditional spuntini, the crostini pere e gorgonzola being our pick of the bunch – toasted altamura bread topped with gorgonzola, pear and walnut. One of the best bars in Manchester for food, no doubts.

14 Brazennose Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M2 6LW

3. The Banyan Tree

On the edge of Castlefield, The Banyan Tree is up there with the best bars in Manchester when it comes to eating in rather relaxed surrounds. For starters (not literally), The Banyan Tree is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus that are internationally-inspired and built to suit your mood. If you’re in for a few drinks in the evening and feel like eating then start (literally this time) with olive & pepper tapenade before a main of roasted jerk chicken or some vegan nachos. Not too shabby at all.

Unit 3 Moho Building, Ellesmere Street, Castlefield, Manchester, M15 4JY

4. The Molly House

Another absolute Manchester gem is The Molly House. Right in the heart of the Gay Village, The Molly House is one of the best bars in Manchester because it’s discerning, eccentric, alternative and loved by locals. Alongside a dead good bar you’ll find authentic Spanish and South American tapas, brunches, lunches, burgers and plenty of speciality world teas. The Molly House is a place that’s filled with love of all kinds and this goes for the kitchen as well. The food is cooked on the spot when you order!

26 Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3NB

5. Afternoon Tea at Radisson Blu Edwardian

For a spot of afternoon tea with some bubbles head to the Free Trade Hall where Radisson Blu Edwardian is nestled. We say nestled, it’s actually pretty huge, but a solid bet for proper afternoon tea nonetheless. You can expect the traditional selection of sandwiches, pastries and scones with cream, but Radisson Blu Edwardian also do a gentleman’s afternoon tea featuring a steak & ale pie and mini fish & chips, as well as a completely gluten-free version. Not bad at all, but reservations are essential.

Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP

6. The Font

For many in town, The Font is the best bar in Manchester because the ridiculously cheap cocktails are the stuff of legend – £4 mojitos, anyone? But drinks aside, the food menu is very good as well and, in terms of quality, far better than you might expect. You can get your fill from breakfast through until dinner and there’s everything from gourmet burgers to loaded fries and nachos and some damn good burritos. The Font Manchester doesn’t need us to hype it up, but it’s definitely one of the best bars in Manchester that does really good food as well.

7-9 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP

7. The Lime Bar

On swanky Salford Quays and right opposite the Lowry Theatre, The Lime Bar is a tranquil spot for cocktails, fine wines and real ales. But, as it’s up there with the best bars in Manchester that do really good food, it’s also the best spot on The Quays for pre- or post-theatre dining. The Lime Bar is independent and so makes the effort to source local, seasonal and fresh, meaning regularly rotating menus and dishes that are beautiful in every sense of the word. Worth the trip from the city centre for sure.

Unit G1 Lowry Outlet Mall, Manchester, M50 3AG