Manchester’s oldest restaurants
Published 21 September, 2026
Manchester’s food scene is full of energy. But that means for all the exciting new openings, there are closures. I personally can’t believe my favourites Climat and 63 Degrees have gone, and now Another Hand too.
Does anyone remember Man Fang or Mario & Franco’s?
Who looks back fondly at memories of dates and dinners at Harpers, the Dutch Pancake House or Mash & Air?
However, let’s not be maudlin. This guide celebrates the restaurants who keep on keeping on. Those experts of hospitality who keep feeding us, decade after decade.
They may not necessarily be flash and innovative, but these long-serving restaurants are experts at keeping the customer satisfied. After all, if you can hold it all together through boom, bust and global pandemic, you understand a thing or two about food.
These restaurants are run by people who know hospitality inside out. Try them for a taste of culinary history that fits perfectly into modern Manchester.
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Greater ManchesterMore detailsMr Thomas’s Chop House
When it opened
Officially Manchester’s longest-serving restaurant. Thomas Studd and his wife Sarah established their Chop House in booming Cottonopolis in 1867, and it’s still going strong.
Why go now?
Mr Thomas’s Chop House serves up top-end pub grub in the famous tiled back room restaurant. Think Lancashire hot pot and home-made pies. It’s perfect cosy fayre for autumn but there’s also a sunny St Ann’s Square terrace.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsSam’s Chop House
When it opened
Talk about sibling rivalry. Samuel Studd opened Sam’s Chop House in 1872 in competition with his brother who had opened Mr Thomas’s Chop House five years earlier.
Why go now?
It’s still a family business – but the Studds are no longer on the scene. Go for the famous corned beef hash and a very special shepherd’s pie. Make sure you get a pint at the bar too – it gets crowded because there’s a life-size stature of L.S. Lowry there. You won’t be the first person to have a selfie with him.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsAdam Reid at The French
When it opened
Ok, so this one is a bit cheeky. The French opened in 1903 but obviously Adam Reid was a long way off being even a twinkle in anyone’s eye.
Why go now?
The French is an important part of Manchester’s culinary history. With maitre d’s and dessert trolleys, it was always the city’s destination for special occasion dining. Adam Reid continues that tradition but in a less fusty, more food-driven way. Dishes are posh but playful and the tasting menu is definitely worth shelling out for at least once.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsThe Rice Bowl
When it opened
This family-run Chinese restaurant has decades of history. Wing Lau opened The Rice Bowl in Manchester in 1960 after opening his first restaurant in Liverpool five years earlier.
Why go now?
His niece Jenny now runs the restaurant and it’s a Confidentials favourite. It’s not the sort of authentic experience people fawn over these days. Then again, not everyone wants duck tongues and chicken feet. Sometimes you want the nostalgic comfort of lemon chicken and prawn toast. The Rice Bowl fits the bill perfectly.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsRajdoot
When it opened
Rajdoot is Manchester city centre’s oldest Indian restaurant. This family-run curry house opened in 1966 and is still serving North Indian dishes, Nepalese specialities and tandoori favourites.
Why go now?
Rajdoot may be a bit old-fashioned but butter chicken and biriyani never go out of fashion. Besides, its colourful interior and warm welcome make it a Confidential top pick. It’s retro but in a good way. Total curry comfort.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsArmenian Taverna & Restaurant
When it opened
The Armenian Taverna is a Manchester institution and – significant cosmetic makeover aside – little has changed since it opened over half a century ago in 1968, with a wealth of authentic small and large plates offering as much for the veggie as the meat-lover.
Why go now?
At first glance, the menu might seem like just another restaurant offering hummus and falafel. However, Armenian food culture is definitely worth seeking out. There are Eastern Bloc influences with Ukrainian Kyiv and Borsch, Georgian dumplings and rich, almost gamey Armenian skewers.
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Northern QuarterMore detailsThe Koffee Pot
When it opened
If ever a colour scheme gave the game away… The Koffee Pot opened in 1978 and its orange and brown frontage makes that pretty obvious. It’s a trick though – The Koffee Pot opened on Stevenson Square and moved round the corner to Oldham Street in 2015 so its look is retro-chic rather than tatty original.
Why go now?
The Koffee Pot is Manchester’s coolest greasy spoon. I love the Big Yin Scottish fry up which is the polar opposite of an acai bowl and all the better for it. It also gives off cool bar vibes with late night tacos and cocktails. All this despite looking like a super-hip version of a Little Chef.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsCafe Istanbul
When it opened
Cafe Istanbul opened in 1980, making it the city’s longest-serving Turkish restaurant.
Why go now?
The hand-made pide are an absolute delight but it is the house specials that set Cafe Istanbul apart. Sultan’s delight – slow-cooked lamb with sweet sultanas and almonds – and sarma beyti – lamb wrapped in lavash bread – are unforgettable. Cafe Istanbul is casual and friendly and it’s a good choice for dining after the theatre, just down the road from the Opera House.
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Chinatown (Manchester)More detailsHappy Seasons
When it opened
Happy Seasons opened in 1982 making it Chinatown’s longest-serving restaurant.
Why go now?
The triple roasted meats at Happy Seasons are legendary. This trio of char siu, crispy belly pork and roasted duck, served over egg fried rice, is one of the reasons you see queues out of the door at this Cantonese restaurant. Still not convinced? Wine supremo Oz Clarke has been known to pop in when he’s in Manchester.
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Northern QuarterMore detailsKabana
When it opened
Kabana opened in the Northern Quarter in 1982, long before the cool young things moved in.
Why go now?
Kabana is basic but brilliant. People queue out the door for the charcoal-grilled lamb chops sizzling over hot coals and the excellent rice ‘n’ three. On a chilly afternoon, get yourself a lamb karahi (on the bone for extra flavour) and it will warm the cockles of your heart.
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Northern QuarterMore detailsThis & That Cafe
When it opened
This & That Cafe opened in 1984 and it’s known as the Northern Quarter’s rice ‘n’ three institution.
Why go now?
This & That is definitely worth hunting down (up the ginnel by Trof’s empty barrels). It’s Manchester’s most famous curry cafe and you don’t build up a reputation like that without serving some pretty special curries. Rice ‘n’ three is a Manchester thing and This & That is the place to try it.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsDon Giovanni
When it opened
Don Giovanni opened in 1984 setting the template for mid-range Italian dining in Manchester.
Why go now?
If you want a lively atmosphere, crowd-pleasing pasta and pizza, a few cocktails and a bottle of wine, Don Giovanni is a safe bet. It may not have the flair or authenticity of some more recent openings but it is dependable and a popular choice with the pre-theatre crowd, just up from The Palace Theatre.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsKoreana
When it opened
Alex Kim and head chef Hyun Kim opened Koreana in 1985. It’s not only Manchester’s first Korean restaurant, it was also the first Korean restaurant outside London.
Why go now?
Korean food has really taken off in the last few years. Why not see where Manchester’s fascination with bibimbap and bulgogi first began? Try the budae chigae army base sharing stew for a new (old) take on fusion food.
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsDimitri’s
When it opened
Dimitri’s opened in 1990, bringing Greek and Mediterranean food to the city back when tzatziki might be a noise you made when you sneezed rather than a delicious yoghurty dip.
Why go now?
I love Dimitri’s. Yes, it’s a bit naff. Yes, the decor hasn’t changed noticeably in decades. However, it’s somewhere I always have a good time. You may find better spanokopita elsewhere but not at this price on Deansgate. A great place for a relatively cheap night out with friends. Also, it’s TV history. It was the Corrie go-to fancy restaurant set whenever Kevin and Sally or whoever went on a date that wasn’t to the Rovers Return. If that doesn’t tempt you, I don’t know what will.
