Best Fine Dining in Clough Fold

"The Ivy's terrace made headlines for all the wrong reasons when a fire broke out there just a few months after it opened. It hasn't happened again since though, so you're all good. This bougie London brand is still going strong, despite the pandemic, and its views of the ever-changing skyline are worth a visit even if you can take or leave the food (see Gordo on scathing form when he reviewed The Ivy when it first opened in Manchester)"

"What: Something of an all-rounder, this glamorous Manchester outpost of The Ivy offers menus that take diners through from breakfast till dinner, with brunch and afternoon tea inbetween. The restaurant also comes with two outdoor dining areas, including a rooftop garden that’s available for private hire and a ground floor terrace. While working on your tan, you can tuck Ivy signatures such as the shepherd’s pie and chicken milanese."

"One of the largest restaurants to open in the UK in 2018 with 535 covers, The Ivy Spinningfields is set over four floors with a ground floor brasserie, ..." Read our full review"

"Hidden behind a curtain in a corner of the grand lobby of the Midland Hotel, there’s more than a feel of Alice in Wonderland as you are transported through mirrored doors into the dining room of The French. Soft grey and sage green tones give everything a muted luxurious feel and there are two huge cylindrical chandeliers which throw light back and forth via the mirrored panelling around the room. Chef Adam Reid’s cooking is inventive and playful but executed with real precision and flair."

"The flagship fine dining restaurant at The Midland Hotel is Manchester’s long-standing answer to Haute cuisine. Now under the Manchester-born chef Adam Reid, winner of the BBC’s prestigious Great British Menu, who has brought The French a new sense of youth. Despite the name, The French focuses on British food using local ingredients and native flavours such as Beef Dripping, Rhubarb and Lancashire cheese."

"This stylish subterranean restaurant in Spinningfields has long been a mecca for Manchester’s elite. Known for its splendid cocktails and sushi plates, this Valentine’s the restaurant will also have a special sharing dessert Valentine’s Bento Box for couples to split between them."

"Australasia (1 The Avenue), a glam subterranean bar-restaurant goes on late and gets busy. Visit pre-dinner to enjoy a rose and lychee martini. Check out our full review of Australasia here…"

"Masterchef champion Simon Wood’s first restaurant is a relaxed venue with a wide range of choices to dine from. An a la carte menu featuring dishes that led Simon to his Masterchef title, and a seven-course tasting menu with exceptional wines to match. The open kitchen means you’ll spend every dining experience watching Simon create the dishes that brought him to the fore in 2015."

"Fine dining made casual with a modern spin on British classics, in the shiny First Street development just outside Manchester’s city centre. High ceilings tower over dark wood and teal furnishings, with cosy booths and dim lighting. An open kitchen gives diners a view of the MasterChef at work."

"Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4RA. Opened by former MasterChef winner Simon Wood, this is a large, welcoming venue. Whether you opt for the fine-dining a la carte, good-value set lunch or tasting menu, the kitchen allows fresh ingredients to shine."

"Five-star hotel The Lowry underwent a swanky new makeover in late 2019, including a new look for the two-AA-rosette restaurant and bar. Their luxurious dining & drinking terrace is the perfect place to relax out of reach of the bustle of the city centre. With a sunny view of the River Irwell and hospitality to beat, this is a luxury to be experienced in Manchester."

"Situated in The Lowry Hotel on the Manchester/ Salford border, this fine dining breakfast menu is unbeatable. The restaurant itself is glass-walled and overlooks the Santiago Calatrava’s Trinity Bridge. The decor includes purple leather chairs, semi-circular banquettes, Fornasetti plates and mirrors."

"Savour the best cuisine of both France and Yorkshire at the elegant Le Bistro De Amis. Pop in for a coffee and sweet treat, relish a freshly prepared salad or sandwich or treat a loved one to a meal from their A La Carte offering. Menu specialities include chargrilled venison, pan roasted chicken breast and twice-cooked pork belly."

"Take a loved one to the elegant and stylish Bertram’s Restaurant and enjoy adult-only dining with a difference. Start with drinks on the scenic Terrace Bar, followed by a sumptuous meal. Alternatively, opt for one of their popular afternoon teas – the perfect celebratory treat!"

"Enjoy exquisite food and service at The Coach & Horses, based in the heart of the Ribble Valley. Pub classics include Lancashire cheese & onion pie, while main courses showcase the best in local meat and fish. Alternatively, feast on their classic Sunday lunch with the whole family."

"Tucked away underneath the Olive Tree Brasserie, Elià is a trendy cocktail bar with a warm and chic atmosphere. The bar features 2 for 1 cocktail nights and regularly has live music and DJs to provide a soundtrack to your night, including indie and acoustic musicians. Sip on a classic cocktail or choose something creative and new, Elià is the place t..."

"Experience a taste of the Mediterranean at Olive Tree Brasserie. The restaurant's laid back atmosphere is perfect for an evening of indulging in vegan and vegetarian starters, mains, and even desserts!"

"Looking for a boutique hotel in Manchester for a foodie base?. When a hotel’s reception doubles up as a cocktail bar you know you’re in for a good time. After a friendly Northern greeting, continue up the statement stairs to a cosy reception area that’s all exposed red-brick walls, gilt-panelled mirrors and hanging plants."

"Less of a destination than when GRUB ran its street-food events here, this newly revamped brewery-tap (out goes communal seating in comes heaters) remains an essential stop-off on any Manchester crawl; if only to try Alphabet’s oatmeal-spiked pale ale, A To The K. In the warren of railway arch units around Piccadilly station, the brewery is jazzily decorated with the fever-dream graphic art that designer Nick Hamilton creates for Alphabet’s, at times, equally out-there beers (for example, Carry On Crampus cranberry bock; You’re So Vain salted caramel imperial stout). Alphabet has recently gone down the no-pints, card-only route. Two-third schooners are now its largest serve."

"The first Instagrammable place that we visited in Manchester was a trendy coffee and breakfast spot called Hampton and Vouis, which reminded me of a show home in a luxury property development. I really liked the pink colours and beautiful designs and if you’re looking for a perfect photo spot in Manchester that is not so busy in the morning, head there!. If you need to store your luggage in a safe place, while you’re exploring the city, I recommend using LuggageHero – they have a lot of storage locations and amazing rates."

"Taking great pride its award-winning speciality coffee, Hampton & Vouis is still open this weekend in the heart of the city centre to grab yourself a freshly-brewed cup to go. 31 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EW. You can find more information via the Hampton & Vouis website here."

"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."

"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"

"One of the city's hidden gems, Castlefield Gallery will be able to show its Obstructions exhibition in real life for the first time - for five days only. Obstructions brought together 15 artists from across Greater Manchester during lockdown. The gallery is open from May 19 and you can see more at castlefieldgallery.co.uk."

"With an eclectic collection that includes historic fine art and contemporary art works, a fine collection of textiles from across the world, sculpture, prints, wallpaper and more, there’s lots to enjoy at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Cornelia Parkers Exhibition, Whitworth Art Gallery. A highlight of the fine art collection is work by famous pre-Raphaelite artists including Holman Hunt, Rossetti, Millais and others."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"The Whitworth will partially reopen from Wednesday 19 May 2021. The gallery is expected to reopen fully from Thursday 1 July 2021."