Best Fine Dining in Thumbs Up

"A garden oasis nestled in Hardman Square, book a table for up to six guests (subject to availability) for the beautiful covered and heated ground floor terrace at The Ivy Spinningfields from 12 April and watch the world go by as you savour their seasonal specials and show-stopping serves. In addition, indoor reservations for the brasserie, roof terrace and glamorous late-night restaurant and bar, Ivy Asia, will be available from 17 May."

"An iconic celebrity haunt with beautiful and bold interiors, a retractable rooftop and downstairs bar of gorgeous green decor, The Ivy is an Instagrammer's paradise. If you're looking for pretty food, they've got it."

"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."

"If gorgeous food, a fine dining experience and an environment steeped in history are your thing, then make The French your next restaurant of choice. Based within Manchester’s grand Midland Hotel, The French became one of the first UK restaurants to be awarded the honour of a Michelin-star. Since reopening in 2013, and again undergoing refurbishment in 2016, the restaurant has made rapid progress towards once again becoming one of the finest eating destinations in the country."

"Chef-Patron Adam Reid is no stranger to fine dining and has worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants during his career. He even scooped the dessert top spot on BBC’s Great British Menu, with his signature dish Golden Empire. Diners at The French can expect the same creativity from Adam with the menu putting his stamp on modern British cuisine."

": With low lighting, deep booths, and its very own champagne snug, this is one of the most elegant restaurants in Dakota. Tuck into a refined menu of chateaubriand, steak frites and black pudding, kale and venison with blackberry, and short rib of beef. Did we mention that they even have suites upstairs?"

"Enter through the curious glass pyramid, down a rabbit hole into the subterranean restaurant. The décor here is like the dress code of a flash nightclub: there’s a strict ‘no colours’ policy. White, accented by more white, bare brick and a splash of cream."

"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."

"Named after chef patron Simon Wood, 2015 winner of MasterChef, this First Street restaurant offers unintimidating high end dining in a relaxed setting. From truffled tortellini to tomahawk sharers, you won’t leave hungry."

"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."

"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!"

"A specialist Chinese restaurant in Manchester’s West Didsbury, Green Tea is unique in its offering of food specifically inspired by the Benxi region of C ..."

"Although situated just outside of Manchester city centre, on Wilmslow Road, this restaurant definitely deserves a mention on this list. Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen offers so much more choice than your usual vegetarian restaurant. With veggie prawns, beef, and even duck, this restaurant has gone all the way with creating the perfect Asian dishes with bursts of flavour all suitable for all palettes."

"For those seeking vegetarian and vegan options, Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen is the perfect venue. Not only does this restaurant avoid using garlic, onion and leeks, it also caters to any sort of dietary requirements customers might have. The owners are a couple from Hong Kong who want to introduce healthier meal choices to the community."

"Planning a visit to the great city of Manchester, a visit to the National Football Museum is just ideal, especially if you’re who is a die-hard football fan. As the world’s biggest and best football museum, it packs everything about the history and culture of football. It covers all the depth of this beautiful game with attractive objects, exhibitions, and broadcasts recorded by BBC that reminds you of your team’s favourite moments."

"For the die-hard football fan in your family, this is a great place to visit. Discover the history of the beautiful game and see the many collections displaying famous kits and even trophies. The Hall of Fame showcases the sport’s greatest players and icons."

"Manchester is renowned for its football, the giants of Manchester City and Manchester United call the city home. Naturally then, so too does the National Football Museum. Some of the footballing world’s most important artefacts are here."

"Take a walk right down to the end of Oxford Road and you’ll find The Whitworth. An impressive and ornate red-brick structure, this popular Manchester art gallery certainly looks the part from the outside – and once inside visitors will find over 60,000 internationally important artworks to explore. Everything from weaving to sculpture is included within its recently refurbished walls – and best of all, much of it is free to explore."

"Found in Whitworth Park, the Whitworth Art Gallery is part of the University of Manchester and owns more than 60,000 works of art. It was first opened in 1889 and now showcases paintings by the likes of William Blake, Thomas Gainsborough, and Camille Pissarro. There is also an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as a wallpaper collection, which includes more than 5,000 examples of vibrant papers."

"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."