Manchester’s thriving restaurant scene is one of the best in the UK – and it also happens to be one of the most romantic. If you’re looking for a glamorous dining destination for a special celebration or a hotspot that’s guaranteed to impress on your first night out, the most romantic restaurants in Manchester offer the perfect dining experience for couples, from classy wine bars with delicious sharing plates, to fine-dining gems with breathtaking views.
A high-end Mexican Japanese fusion restaurant is perfect if you and your partner share a love of world cuisines, while a classic British eatery lets you bond over a traditional Sunday roast on a relaxed weekend date. Catch up over fiery flame-cooked dishes at a restaurant that specialises in charcoal grill cooking, or split a whole lobster and a bottle of fine Loire Valley wine at one of Manchester’s most revered French restaurants.
Make your next date night one to remember. Book your table at the most romantic restaurants in Manchester on OpenTable now.
Read on for the 10 most romantic restaurants in Manchester
For an intimate British bistro experience – visit Kala in Manchester
Kala in Manchester is a contemporary bistro-style restaurant that offers a casual yet sophisticated dining experience in the heart of the city. With its chic, minimalist interiors featuring warm wooden furnishings, soft lighting, and an inviting open kitchen, it’s the perfect spot for everything from romantic date nights to celebratory dinners. The menu, crafted by the team from Elite Bistros, showcases modern British cuisine with a focus on quality, locally sourced ingredients. Must-try mains include the braised featherblade of beef served with Parmesan chips, as well as the indulgent beetroot and Cashel Blue arancini. For something lighter, the crab-cake cooked in red-fish butter sauce is a crowd favourite. Kala also boasts an impressive wine list and creative cocktails, making it an ideal destination for a relaxed yet elevated dining experience.
For one of the best romantic restaurants in Manchester with Instagrammable decor – don’t miss The Ivy Brasserie, Spinningfields in Manchester
Opulent decor and sumptuous world cuisine make The Ivy Brasserie, Spinningfields one of the best romantic restaurants in Manchester for an unforgettable date night. This sprawling, four-story eatery begins in the ground floor brasserie, which has a gorgeous retro-inspired bar and a chic, 1920s-inspired use of patterns. Decadent menu items, like lobster linguine or flat-iron roast half chicken served with truffle, are perfect for a special anniversary meal. Vegan diners can also tuck into the plant-based burger or the sweet potato curry. Vintage-style cocktails perfectly complement The Ivy’s Art Deco aesthetic. Try the Sunset in Salford – a rum, pineapple, lime and ginger beer combo – or the Velvet Orchard and Berry Melon Collins. As well as the brasserie, The Ivy, Spinningfields also houses on the top floor an Asian restaurant and an incredible indoor roof garden – the first in Manchester – the Ivy Roof Garden, Spinningfields, which has stunning views and a tropical greenhouse feel.
For contemporary British food at one of the best romantic restaurants in Manchester – try Albert’s Shed in Manchester
Located in Manchester’s fashionable canal basin area, Albert’s Shed is a cute, stylish spot for a date. This spot is known for serving British food with world cuisine influences. Slow-cooked beef served with sweet potato and parsnip dauphinoise is a no-fuss, English classic – perfect after some sightseeing in Manchester’s nearby historical centre. If you’re feeling more adventurous, the Malayan chicken offers a classic, rich curry sauce served with charred pak choi and flatbread. Albert’s Shed also serves up a hearty Sunday roast with all the trimmings, making it one of the best romantic restaurants in Manchester for some relaxed couple’s time on the weekend. The restaurant’s wine list features a range of premium vintages, including bottles of Laurent Perrier Brut and Dom Pérignon champagne. Comfy booths and outdoor seating with lots of surrounding greenery and twinkling fairy lights add to the cosy, intimate vibe.
For spectacular French wine at one of Manchester’s best romantic restaurants – visit 63 Degrees in Manchester
63 Degrees in Manchester is a family-owned restaurant that serves French cuisine made from locally sourced produce. The warm decor and elegant presentation make dining here feel extra special and go some way to explaining why 63 Degrees is one of Manchester’s best romantic restaurants for celebrations with your loved one. Head chef Eric Moreau specialises in cooking meat at a temperature of 63 degrees, giving it an irresistibly tender and succulent texture – for something extra decadent, try the restaurant’s signature dish of chicken slow-cooked at 63 degrees and served with a luxe truffle sauce. Continental starters, such as Brittany oysters or foie gras terrine, hark back to Moreau’s French roots, while the whole buttered lobster or rib-eye steak for two are ideal for a memorable occasion. The wine list features a selection of French wines, including prestigious vintages from the Loire Valley and Bordeaux region, and the intimate vibe promises a relaxed, romantic evening out.
For magical views at one of the most romantic restaurants in Manchester – try 20 Stories Restaurant in Manchester
Winner of the Best Restaurant in Manchester 2023 at the British Restaurant Awards, 20 Stories Restaurant has unparalleled cityscape views and is one of the best romantic restaurants in Manchester if you truly want to impress. Situated on the 19th floor at No. 1 Spinningfields, it features a restaurant, bar, and terrace with magnificent vistas over the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows and chic, minimalist decor help keep the viewpoint centre stage. The food is contemporary British, with a focus on sustainable sourcing, and the restaurant offers an à la carte menu, as well as a Valentine’s Day menu. Sample elegant mains like pan-roasted sea bass with charred leek or the treacle-cured fillet of beef. Sharing dishes like the 35-day aged Porterhouse steak or the whole lobster with Parmesan fries are ideal for date night. As for drinks, you can toast to your love with a sweet French Beaujolais or an artisan cocktail.
For modern Asian cuisine and tropical cocktails – book a table at Lucky Cat in Manchester
Lucky Cat Manchester, owned by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, is known for serving delicious and stunningly presented Asian food. The menu includes a range of Asian cuisines, including Japanese sushi and sashimi, Korean dishes, and Chinese bao buns. These classic dishes are served on sharing platters, making them the perfect fare for a romantic date night in the city. A spicy tuna maki set is great served alongside salted monkfish tempura, or why not share a platter of bao buns stuffed with tender hoisin duck? Lucky Cat also runs a three-course set lunch menu for £38 per person, which features crispy vegetable tempura and a chocolate tofu dessert. Wash them down with signature Asian-inspired cocktails, like the lychee daisy, and Tokyo ice tea or the yuzu bellini. The restaurant is located inside a historic bank building and has a modern, spacious feel and lively atmosphere, making it a great spot for a fun night out.
For traditional tapas that will take you straight to Spain – try BAR SAN JUAN in Chorlton
BAR SAN JUAN recreates the warm, lively atmosphere of a Spanish taverna in Chorlton, Manchester. Serving traditional Spanish tapas, this little bar is one of the most romantic restaurants in Manchester for couples who love to travel and try new cuisines. Open until late, it offers a range of meat, fish, and vegetarian tapas plates in intimate surroundings. Hot chilli and garlic peeled tiger prawns transport diners to the Spanish coast, while the pisto con queso de cabra combines slow-cooked tomatoes and aubergine with salty goat’s cheese. For meat lovers, the parcels of pulled lamb served in red wine sauce is a must-try. The bar offers a selection of Spanish beers and carafes of sangria that are perfect for sharing. Decorative wall tiles and a rustic, relaxed feel give diners a taste of traditional Spanish dining culture.
For romantic dining at a stylish Manchester wine bar – head to ERST in Manchester
Chic, contemporary dining meets a classy, European wine bar at ERST, one of the best romantic restaurants in Manchester. The menu takes inspiration from French, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisine and offers sharing plates that are ideal for a fun first date. Start your meal off with oysters with a chilli and lemon garnish or a flatbread with red pepper and oregano. For a main, the salt cod brandade served with braised leek is a popular choice. The restaurant also has a great range of speciality meat dishes, like the ox heart skewer cooked in ras al hanout butter or the venison tartare with girolles. Enjoy wine by the glass and pair each plate with the vintage of your choice, or select a bottle for the table from the extensive bar selection. As well as classic vintages, ERST specialises in natural wines, while the lively atmosphere and welcoming service make it a real treat to visit.
For unique fusion cuisine at one of Manchester’s best date restaurants – don’t miss Peter Street Kitchen in Manchester
Peter Street Kitchen in Manchester offers a truly unique fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine. Named by the British Restaurant Awards as the UK’s Best Luxury Restaurant in 2019 and the Best Culinary Experience 2022, Peter Street Kitchen blends the skilful precision of Japanese dining with the intense heat and flavours of Mexican food. Go for the six-course omakase sushi and sashimi menu and experience Japanese dishes freshly made to order and curated by the kitchen team. Other popular menu items include the black cod cooked with green chillies on the robata charcoal grill and the ribs glazed with paprika and mezcal. The bar menu also features light bites and a range of signature cocktails, including a selection of house martinis. Kitchen-side bar seating is ideal for a get-to-know-you first date, while intimate booths make Peter Street Kitchen one of Manchester’s best romantic restaurants for couples.
For traditional Indian cuisine with a Bollywood superstar host – head to Asha’s Manchester in Manchester
Founded by Bollywood superstar Asha Bhosle and winner of a Nation’s Curry Award in 2023, Asha’s Manchester serves traditional Indian cuisine in a sleek, stylish environment. The restaurant was also listed in the MICHELIN guide in 2020. If you love Indian food, Asha’s is the perfect spot for a date night meal in Manchester’s cultural centre and theatre district. Blending family-style Indian cooking with modern techniques, popular dishes here include the spicy lamb chop kebab and the aromatic chicken tikka masala. Asha’s also specialises in decadent sharing plates, such as the Emperor’s platter, which features lobster, chicken skewers, and lamb chops, or the vegetarian kebab platter. Enjoy as well the restaurant’s line of vegetable curries, such as the paneer jalfrezi. Share some non-alcoholic mocktails or celebrate with a champagne, vanilla vodka, and butterscotch creation. The vibe at Asha’s is sophisticated and low-key, making it ideal for couples.
Whether you love a cosy, intimate spot or prefer a trendy hotspot, these best date restaurants in Manchester promise a romantic night to remember. Keep things classic with a traditional plate of British fish and chips near Manchester’s waterfront, or go global with Indian and Asian restaurants for a magical night out. With so many restaurants to choose from, you’ll never run out of date night ideas.
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Want to find more great restaurants? These city reads can help:
- The best Sunday roasts in Manchester for a great lunch out
- The 11 best bars in Manchester for your next round
- The best vegan-friendly restaurants in Manchester for 2025
- The 12 best restaurants for private dining in Manchester
- The best bottomless brunch restaurants in Manchester to know about
- The 10 best Indian restaurants in Manchester for a special night out
- The 7 best Italian restaurants in Manchester to try right now
