Bridging the gap between independent trendy bars and fine dining restaurants.
These are the bars and restaurants in Manchester’s city centre, all within a 10 minute walking distance from one another.
From Masterchef winner Simon Wood and his namesake Manchester restaurant “WOOD”, Hotel restaurants such as Tom Kerridge at his restaurant in the Stock Exchange hotel, “Bull and bear” and Manchester gin distillery restaurant “Three Little Words”
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The Smartblend rating system
FOOD
The food rating is based on constancy, taste, look and innovation.
DRINK
Drinks are rated on constancy, taste, look and innovation. All apply to cocktails, wines, No ABV and pretty much any other drink menu the venue has.
AMBIENCE
Ambience is all about the vibe, the environment and the interior. Ratings are based on everything from how close the tables are, how it smells and the views, all the way to the toilets and music.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Customer service is based on the friendliness and accommodating attitude of the staff. How welcomed do you feel?
VALUE £
Value is all about the money. This isn’t about if it’s cheap it gets a 10 and if it’s expensive it gets a 1. It’s all about the value you get for what you spend. Does the cost make sense?
Rules of reviewing
Don’t rate a restaurant or bar a zero in everything just because you didn’t like the customer service. That has nothing to do with how good the food or drinks are.
Don’t review a place you work in or your best mate works in.
All reviews are reviewed before being added to the average score to wean out any petty or fake reviews.
If you score a restaurant or bar 10 or 0 points to any section, you must add a note to explain why.
How it works
Once you submit your review it will be added within 24hours worked out as an average. This means the highest review a bar or restaurant can achieve is 50.
You may also add a review note if there is something you would like to say about the bar or restaurant.
Want to know more about how the Smartblend Guide works? Check this page out.
Got something to say? Contribute a review here
The Smartblend Guide To Manchester City Centre Bars & Restaurants
Last updated: 17/08/2020
Grand Pacific
Style - High tea
•
Asian
Description - Homage to the golden age of high society, where deep rhythmic baselines writhe through the air and sweet botanicals tantalise the senses. A mysterious exotic oasis splashed with eastern excitement and seasoned with echoes of empire.
Location - 50 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 1EN
Official Website - https://grandpacific.uk.com/
Smartblend Score for Grand Pacific
FOOD
8
DRINK
7
AMBIENCE
9
CUSTOMER SERVICE
8
VALUE £
8
TOTAL SCORE
40
Three Little Words
Style - Gin bar • Gin distillery
Description - Set within lovingly restored railway arches in the heart of Manchester. From the team behind Manchester Gin, however, their cocktail menu explores the very best spirits and liqueurs – and not just gins. Their food menu is inspired by botanicals, so they have taken ingredients from around the world to develop a delicious food menu of unusual flavour combinations and updated classics.
Location - 12-13 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP
Official website - https://threelittlewordsmcr.co.uk/
Smartblend Score for Three Little Words
FOOD
7
DRINK
9
AMBIENCE
9
CUSTOMER SERVICE
8
VALUE £
8
TOTAL SCORE
41
Top reasons to visit
Great for Gin-lovers
WOOD Manchester
Style - Fine dining
•
European
•
British
•
Vegetarian Friendly
Description - WOOD Manchester is Simon Wood’s flagship restaurant, situated in the heart of Manchester City Centre. Visitors to WOOD Manchester can enjoy menus created using top quality seasonal produce, accompanied by an expertly chosen wine menu or matching standard and premium wine flights with a focus on classic flavours served with playful authenticity. You have your choice of 5, 7 or 10 course which all include meat, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan options.
Location - Jack Rosenthal St, Manchester M15 4RA
Official website - https://woodrestaurantgroup.com/manchester
Smartblend Score for WOOD
Yet to be scored.
FOOD
0
DRINK
0
AMBIENCE
0
CUSTOMER SERVICE
0
VALUE £
0
TOTAL SCORE
0
Bull and Bear
Style - British comfort food and classics
Description - The Bull & Bear is located in the former trading room of the old Northern Stock Exchange. The Grade II listed landmark is a striking example of Edwardian architecture from the early twentieth century, now lovingly restored and transformed into the Stock Exchange Hotel. The Bull & Bear celebrates Tom Kerridge’s signature cooking style – British classics prepared with incredible produce – in the informal and elegant setting of the renovated Northern Stock Exchange building.
Location - 4 Norfolk St, Manchester M2 1DW
Official website - https://www.thebullandbearmcr.com/
Smartblend Score for Bull And Bear
Yet to be scored.
FOOD
0
DRINK
0
AMBIENCE
0
CUSTOMER SERVICE
0
VALUE £
0
TOTAL SCORE
0
Rosso Restaurant and Bar
Style - Italian
Description - Rosso is located in a 116 year old grade II listed building at the top of King street in Manchester city centre. It’s difficult to miss the huge building, with the bright lights of the “Rosso” sign outside. Owned by Rio Ferdinand, inside you will find the restaurant team serving up everything from Pizza to pasta in luxury. Alongside one of the most prestigious and expensive drinks and cocktail menus in the city.
Location - 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BG
Official website - https://rossorestaurants.com/
Smartblend Score for Rosso
FOOD
6
DRINK
6
AMBIENCE
5
CUSTOMER SERVICE
7
VALUE £
5
TOTAL SCORE
29
Adam Reid At The French
Style - Fine dining
•
British
Description - The menu at the French consists of modern British cuisine showcasing the creative culinary talents of Manchester’s own Adam Reid, with a choice of four, six or nine courses. Adam Reid joined The French back in 2013 as Head Chef, before taking over as Chef-Patron in 2016. Since then, he has been awarded 4 AA rosettes, as well as going on to win BBC’s prestigious Great British Menu competition with his signature desert, Golden Empire.
Location - 16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
Official website - https://www.themidlandhotel.co.uk/thefrench
Smartblend Score for Adam Reid At The French
FOOD
9.5
DRINK
8
AMBIENCE
8
CUSTOMER SERVICE
9
VALUE £
8
TOTAL SCORE
42.5
Dakota Bar and Grill
Style - Grill
•
Meat
•
Fish
•
Cocktails
•
Wine
Description - With a menu inspired by the seasons, you’ll find fabulous seafood dishes from classic poached haddock to intensely flavoured monkfish curry. However, Prime cut steaks are their speciality. Grass-fed, 35-day-aged beef is lightly seasoned then cooked to your liking over hot coals. Sourced from the very best British farms.
Location - 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL
Official website - https://www.dakotahotels.co.uk/manchester/grill/
Smartblend Score for Dakota Bar & Grill
FOOD
8
DRINK
8
AMBIENCE
8
CUSTOMER SERVICE
8
VALUE £
8
TOTAL SCORE
40
Top reasons to visit
Ambience
Perfect date night
Perfect for any meat-lover
Six By Nico
Style - 6 course tasting menu
• Wine
Description - It’s all in the name. Six by Nico is a Restaurant owned by Scottish born chef patron Nico Simeone. The restaurant is a constantly evolving concept; They serve a six course tasting menu (Vegetarian menu available) Which changes every six weeks. Based on different ideas and places. Past menus include; The “chippie” a re-imagined fish and chip shop menu with a gourmet twist as well as “Childhood”, Inspired by memories of childhood featuring dishes such as “mac and cheese” executed in a true Six By Nico luxury way.
Location - 60 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ
Official Website - https://www.sixbynico.co.uk/
Smartblend Score for Six By Nico
FOOD
10
DRINK
7.5
AMBIENCE
8
CUSTOMER SERVICE
8
VALUE £
10
TOTAL SCORE
43.5
Want to check out more locations? How about the bars and restaurants of Manchesters Northern quarter. Or how about the trendy bars and restaurants of Manchester Ancoats. Feeling flush? Check out Manchester bars and restaurants in spinningfields.