The Best Restaurants in Clifton, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom (2025)

Still my favourite place in Manchester. From the hospitality and welcome to the absolutely incredible food! Complex but approachable cooking with sauces to die for. Each dish is immaculate and full of flavour with superb presentation. The guys here are just going from strength to strength, every visit they somehow keep getting better. Inventive drinks offering with local suppliers and natural wines. Front of house is relaxed and attentive but the stars of the show are Julian and Max the chef/owners whose welcome and conversation is the best you will get anywhere in the city. Wether it’s on the chefs table or being served one of their dishes they truly make every meal a special occasion. Absolutely loving what these guys are doing and with the challenges of the venue size they are smashing it out the park. Go and visit Exhibition too in Manchester where they have a kitchen serving incredible flatbread based dishes called Jaan.

Arrived during lunch hour and it was no problem to have lunch without a reservation. Very friendly and professional staff. The have a nice selection of wine by the glass and the bottle selection is also really good. Foodwise I can say that every dish had wonderfully balanced ingredients of high quality. Some of the dishes (artichoke and cabbage with mussels) were magnificent. A must visit when you want wine and dine on a high level in Manchester.

For only a small restaurant this place packs a punch. They made my partners 40th such a special experience and looked after us so well. With gorgeous seasonal food that is so intricately put together I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

From the moment we walked in the door, we felt very welcomed by the staff and ambience! Definitely suggesting sitting at the kitchen bar if you would like to chat with some great chefs. The scallop and tomatoes were a standout for us, unreal. The wine list was really approachable with some good natural gems. Every dish was explained perfectly, and having chefs drop dishes was a great touch. Chef Max made the experience one of the best we've had in England with some great conversation. We will be definetly be back and spread the word!

Great service. Our waitress was so friendly and knowledgeable. She was an absolute diamond. Fantastic food, sat in a super spot with lovely views. The whole place was comfy, clean and well maintained. All the staff were happy and friendly. 5 stars.

Came for my work's christmas party. I was initially very nervous as upon checking the allergens, I found out I was allergic to almost everything on the menu. The server and kitchen were very accommodating and I managed to order what I fancied with the kitchen making it allergen free. The aubergine curry was the best curry I've ever had! I got a colour changing mocktail that had great novelty value. I thought it tasted awful but my colleagues loved it, so don't take my word for it. The outdoor area is on the waterfront and has a wonderful view, as well as covering and heating for when it's cold. Definitely make sure you give this place a go

We had a lovely evening here. The menu is varied and the food was tasty. The service was good and the waiter had an excellent knowledge of the menu and the cocktails. Nice location, close to a tram stop.

Great cocktail bar, went for food and drinks before a show, service was brilliant to start but as it got busier we weren't able to get attention of our server. When they were with us though really friendly, attentive and helpful! Food was brilliant and the cocktails are to die for! Amazing show cocktails, magic as they call it! Also gorgeous view of media city if you sit outside, perfect on a sunny day!

We were initially drawn to the restaurant by its impressive exterior, and once inside, we were delighted by the stunning ambiance. While the staff were polite, they didn’t come across as particularly warm, though they were still accommodating. The food was decent, though not extraordinary. However, we were pleasantly surprised when we received a complimentary cake after our meal, which was a thoughtful touch and appreciated for the occasion. The restroom, located upstairs, was beautifully decorated, adding to the overall charm of the place. All in all, it was a pleasant experience, with a few small areas for improvement in service, but the hospitality and atmosphere made it memorable.

Fantastic from start to finish. From the food which was faultless & very reasonably priced for the quality. The staff which are so friendly & welcoming, from the 2 gentleman at the door when you enter, welcoming staff front of house & servers, all are friendly & do what they can to make your visit as perfect as possible, especially a tall guy called Miltos. If you want a 5* experience at an average price, you will not be disappointed

I have visited The Ivy Spinningfields Manchester multiple times, and it remains one of my favorite spots. The service is always consistent, and the staff are welcoming and professional. The restaurant is well-known for its excellent reputation and elegant atmosphere. Their desserts are both luxurious and delicious. Their afternoon tea is among the best I’ve ever had. This place is truly exceptional, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Yet again, a fantastic meal at The Ivy! Fantastic service throughout from our server, amazingly tasty food. And honestly, it's not massively expensive... yes a little more than what you'd pay in a Spoons, but the food is top notch devine with a wonderful atmosphere and wonderful, personal service! It's our treat. You can pay less than £20 for a two course meal. Also, the App gave an amazing offer... double points... whoop! Thank you once again for an amazing experience.

We ordered medium cooked steak and it was perfect, The sauce was delicious... We definitely will come back .

I absolutely love this restaurant. I go every year for my birthday. It's my birthday and guess what? I'm going La Roma tonight 😋 ❤️

Came for coffee on the day of the village fête. They were quite busy but the ladies at the bar were so lovely, polite and clearly working very hard. The atmosphere outside felt like we were on holiday!

We celebrated my wife's birthday at La Roma with family yesterday. The food and service were both excellent. Great atmosphere. I would highly recommend a return visit. Thank you to the staff who gave is a great afternoon and experience.

So me and my Wife have eaten at Campo Blanco several times the most recent visit being last night 23rd December. As always we received a warm welcome from the Waitress who seated us in the restaurant, To drink I ordered a Pint of IPA beer and my Wife ordered a large Glass of red wine 🍷 which she really enjoyed, My pint of IPA was the best pint of IPA I had ever tasted. To eat we ordered several dishes of Tapas we went for The Mussels, Ham and Cheese Croquettes, Mushrooms in Blue Cheese Sauce, pulled Beef Tacos, Pigs in Blanket Patas Bravas, Valencia Cod etc. Food was fantastic as always, Service was amazing as always, generous portions, Great drinks, Restaurant was spotlessly clean as always, Restaurant was super busy as it always is when we have been there. Honestly I don't know but Campo Blanco gets better and better each time, Bill came to £113 for me and my Wife that is several plates of Tapas and drinks and we tipped the waitress £10 as the service was amazing as always. Me and my Wife post alot of reviews on Google and we always give our honest opinions and feedback on our experiences we review everything from service, atmosphere, food, drink, value for money etc and we have so far reviewed places from our home in Manchester(England) to Bezier Cap D'agde(South Of France), Rome(Italy), Split(Croatia), Island of Hvar(Croatia), Podgorica(Montenegro), Vatican City(Italy), Tirana(Albania), Sarande(Albanian Riviera), Krakow(Poland) and Zakopane(Poland). We review everything from being local to our home in Manchester, England or out and about to holidays, City breaks etc and we have reviewed everything from beach clubs, Airbnbs, Travel, holidays, beauty treatments, football stadiums, pubs, takeaways, shops, supermarkets, Taxi's, shooting ranges, Hotels, Restaurants etc and we have over 30,000,000+ views on Google alone

Was our first time here and absolutely loved it! The service was great, lots of gluten free options and they checked with me what I could have which I appreciated. Very friendly and helpful. The food was amazing we ordered lots of tapas, especially the halloumi and sweet potato dish👌🏼 Will definitely be returning again with friends. Was very happy with everything and highly recommend to everyone

What an amazing little restaurant Food and drink are amazing and the staff and decor are up there with city center restaurants. We had a lovely family meal and with the help of the amazing restaurant manager had some amazing tapas, my favourite was the steak,mussels and the best seabass I’ve ever had. The place is a hidden jem and a must try.people don’t read 5 star reviews but I hope they see this and get down here to try it

I’ve been here twice now and the food is so good! Both times I have been, the food looked so good that we dug in straight away and forgot to take photos! (These dishes came after.) The goats cheese bonbons are amazing! The service is great too, very friendly and the wait time is minimal. Will definitely be going back!

One of my new favourites in Manchester! The food was exceptional—some of the most tender, flavourful meat I’ve had. I had the pork collar and sirloin steak, both generously portioned, so you’d only need one extra dish between two. The menu is unique, and everything was beautifully cooked. The staff were lovely—friendly, chatty, and even gave me a complimentary glass for my birthday, which was a great touch. My only suggestion would be to swap the candles for small table lamps, as it’s a bit too dim to fully appreciate the menu and food. Highly recommend—can’t wait to return!

A fabulous restaurant with excellent food and service. Tegan, our server, was super friendly and helpful and gave us a few top tips on what she’d recommend from the menu. Every dish was unusual and tasty and we really enjoyed my 50th birthday treat visit to 10 Tib Lane. The dishes are unusual and the team are happy to explain the menu and also introduce each dish as it’s served, which helps you pick a dish you’ll enjoy. Well worth a visit and we loved are lunch.

Found about this place through instagram and after carefully reading all the great reviews had to come see what it was about. We got received by the lovely staff who were all very attentive and keen to explain the menu as it was our first time, were told we had just made it for the happy hour where they do their cocktails for £7 and oysters for £1. Safe to say we had a great time, we tried all of their cocktails as we were a table of 3 and had a bottle of wine which was delicious. We will definitely be back to try the food menu that also sounded incredible!

Today, we visited this amazing place upon the invitation of our friends, and our experience far exceeded our expectations. The atmosphere of the venue is very cozy and welcoming, which made us feel good as soon as we stepped inside. We had the chance to try some of the unique cocktails from the menu, and each one was incredibly creative and delicious. It was clear that the drinks were made with fresh and high-quality ingredients, and the taste truly reflected that. The food was just as impressive as the cocktails. The presentation of the dishes was extremely elegant and thoughtful, almost like a work of art. The quality of the ingredients used in the dishes also stood out; we could feel the freshness and premium quality with every bite. Every aspect of the meal was carefully crafted, showcasing both the freshness and the culinary expertise behind it. I also want to highlight the staff, who were incredibly friendly, warm, and attentive. They answered all of our questions with genuine enthusiasm, making us feel very comfortable throughout the evening. Both the speed of service and the approachable nature of the staff made our experience even more enjoyable. If you’re looking to enjoy a delightful evening with excellent cocktails and great food, this place is definitely the right choice. We will definitely be back!

The food was excellent, we had a pizza which had a great base in the dough and so the ingredients were also of good quality. My friend had pasta which was just cooked and it was a taste explosion. Nice interior of the restaurant in which you feel comfortable. All around was Manchester United and their players from the 90's and early 2000's.

nice clean restaurant. we can't complain about the food there is great and tasty from home. and from my family. Michael & his Wife..has 5*****. plus we celebrated a birthday there and also a wedding anniversary and everything was prepared and as it should be, the people there are friendly thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

I had an amazing meal at Puccini, where I tried the pasta with chicken and mushrooms, made by the owner, Michele. The dish was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and fresh ingredients. Michele’s personal touch made it even more special. Highly recommend! 🍝❤️

Came as a party of 7 on Thursday evening. The service was great and the staff were helpful. Large menu so lots of choice and everybody enjoyed the food. Excellent value for money. We didn't mention it was a birthday meal, but the staff noticed the birthday presents and brought over a dessert for them and sang which was a very nice touch. Will definitely be back

I had a gift card for Christmas so probably would have never come here if not for that as it is very expensive, but it was lovely. There are some more affordable options if you want to enjoy some good food without breaking the bank. We had the Sunday roast and the beef was cooked perfectly. The roast potatoes were really good too. For dessert I had the chocolate torte, which was recommended to us by our waitress, Annie. My friend had the chocolate brownie and that looked incredible - it was his birthday so they dressed it up a little for him. Annie was really friendly and very knowledgeable about the food, compliments to her. Recommend the bread basket too.

We had an amazing time here. Being served by the lovely Stefan made us feel welcome and well looked after. We went for the summer lunch set menu and loved all three courses! The empanada was delicious, the steak lived up to our expectations and more, plus the pistachio and raspberry ice cream dessert was an amazing final touch. We couldn’t fault this place and loved the decor of the restaurant. We will without a doubt come back again soon and perhaps try out the a la carte menu next.

A good place for celebration. Nice environment and good service. We have ordered a salmon tartare tacos as starter it is delicious. The steaks are cooked nicely and chips are great.

Amazing food, went for sharer menu and very happy with portions and sizes. By end was thoroughly full and pleased. Some stand outs was Yorkshire Rhubarb dessert and also the Beetroot with smoked cod roe Negroni cocktail was amazing as well as organic orange wine. Great place and look forward to visiting again

Loved this restaurant in Manchester city centre. Creative ever changing menu with an emphasis on sharing. The atmosphere was laid back, the staff were all really friendly and helpful with recommendations and there was also an excellent wine list. The food was fantastic, there's some talented people working in that kitchen

Fantastic restaurant showcasing fresh seasonal ingredients. They serve a selection of small plates and some larger ones with a regularly rotating menu. The staff were lovely and very helpful and everything I had was super delicious. I particularly enjoyed the tomato dishes and the beef tartare. I managed to snag a seat at the counter too so could watch the chefs prepare everything in their open kitchen. Can't recommend this place highly enough.

I went to higher ground for a lunch with family. The food was out of this world and was modern British cuisine. Waiters and hostess working there were very cooperative and friendly. They attended us immediately as we went right on time we were booked. We tried the tasting menu which was was very surprising - Hostess told us that they won't tell us about the menu as that's there way of making you feel good about the food and have no anticipation whatsoever (no partiality either). This was surreal as I felt and gave my first reaction which was honest to the core as the different courses of food kept on coming. I totally recommend this place if you have a special day to celebrate or if you are looking for a peaceful lunch and evening with a loved one in cool and breezy sunshine of Manchester. :)

Always a treat to visit. Spacious and beautiful with easy accessible pathways, a stunning reservoir & gorgeous views. Large playground near entrance, woodland trail with carved wooden sculptures, a waterfall & river beach area, lots of benches to stop and enjoy the view or to feed the squirrels. A cafe in the carpark too with toilets plus free parking. Love this place!

Beautiful place, would be great to take kids, good sized play area and lots to see. Lots of picnic tables for a decent family day out. There's a cafe and toilets there too. Took my 2 dogs there today for a good hour long walk by the lake and river. Really good paths and railings for safety. Will definitely be going back, amazing to think that this little spot of beautiful countryside is just a stone throw from Manchester. Absolutely brilliant. Peaceful and interesting, we loved it