Best Restaurants & Bars in Deansgate 2026
Manchester's upscale dining destination - from rooftop cocktails to Michelin-quality steaks and molecular mixology
Updated weekly
About Deansgate & Spinningfields
Deansgate is one of Manchester's oldest thoroughfares, stretching from the cathedral to Castlefield. Once the heart of the city's textile trade, the street and its surroundings have transformed into Manchester's premier destination for upscale dining and cocktails.
Spinningfields, the gleaming business district that sprouted west of Deansgate in the early 2000s, revolutionised Manchester's dining scene. What was once industrial wasteland became a curated collection of restaurants and bars, anchored by The Alchemist which opened its first location here in 2010.
Today, the area blends historic architecture with contemporary glamour. Victorian courthouse Hawksmoor sits alongside the 19th-floor heights of 20 Stories. Peter Street's Albert Hall hosts a Bavarian bier hall, while hidden gems like The Liars Club maintain the area's element of discovery.
Corporate to Character
The challenge for Deansgate and Spinningfields has been maintaining character amid corporate development. The early 2010s saw criticism of sterile chain restaurants, but the area has evolved. Independent venues like Another Hand and The Liars Club provide counterbalance to the bigger names, and the food quality across the board has risen considerably.
Where Manchester Does Business
Spinningfields is where Manchester's business elite wines and dines clients. You'll find footballers at Hawksmoor, media types at Dishoom, and Coronation Street stars at San Carlo. The area's power-lunch culture extends into glamorous evening scenes at 20 Stories and late nights at Albert's Schloss.
Deansgate & Spinningfields Venue Map
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The Deansgate Hot List
Week of 22 February 2026
This Week
Alright Manchester, let's dive straight into the Deansgate Hot List for this week! Holding onto the coveted number one spot, for the first time EVER, it's the incredible Middle Eastern flavours of Maray Manchester! A massive climb from number five, they're serving up something special. But the action doesn't stop there! Prepare yourselves for this week's highest climber, soaring a whopping thirteen places all the way to number two, it's Grind! Talk about making a statement! Gusto Italian - Manchester is also making moves, reaching a brand new peak at number three! We've got another new peak position to celebrate, with Italiana Fifty Five Liverpool Road climbing to number nine! And let's not forget the electrifying rise of Electric Shuffle Manchester, jumping five places to land at number ten! Italiana Fifty Five Great Northern is also on the up, climbing six places! Finally, a huge welcome to the chart for Tampopo Albert Square, bursting onto the scene as a brand new entry at number fifteen! What a week, Manchester! Will Maray hold onto the top spot? Who will be the next venue to climb the charts? Tune in next week to find out!
Fresh Arrivals
1
new entry this week
Rankings updated weekly based on composite scoring methodology · Only positive movements shown — every venue here is winning
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Deansgate & Spinningfields FAQs
20 Stories is Manchester's most spectacular rooftop venue, located on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields with 360-degree views of the city. The Ivy Spinningfields also has an excellent rooftop garden. Both require booking for dinner, especially at weekends.
Hawksmoor Manchester is widely considered the best steakhouse, serving premium British beef in a stunning Grade II-listed former courthouse. Gaucho offers excellent Argentinian Black Angus in a converted church, while Blacklock provides outstanding value with charcoal-grilled chops.
Spinningfields is Manchester's business and upscale dining district, located just west of Deansgate. It's home to The Alchemist (which started here in 2010), The Ivy, 20 Stories, and numerous high-end restaurants and bars. The area transformed Manchester's dining scene.
For impressive date nights, try 20 Stories for rooftop views, Hawksmoor for exceptional steaks, or San Carlo for classic Italian romance. For cocktails before or after, The Alchemist offers theatrical drinks, while Dirty Martini specialises in 14 types of martini.
Albert's Schloss is a Bavarian bier hall housed in the iconic Albert Hall building on Peter Street. It's Manchester's first Tankovna, serving Europe's finest draught beers alongside hearty Alpine food, live music and entertainment. The atmosphere is festive and lively.
The Liars Club on Back Bridge Street is Manchester's best-kept secret - a tiki bar hidden behind an unassuming door with over 200 rums and elaborate cocktails served in ceramic skulls. Another Hand on hidden Deansgate Mews is perfect for those seeking an intimate dining experience.
Still have questions? The best answers come from locals at the venue.
Rankings recalculated weekly from live Google review data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity, recency, rating trend, and baseline rating. We balance established institutions with hidden gems to give a complete picture of the area.