The 10 best restaurants in Salford

The Black Friar stood empty and unloved for almost 20 years before reopening in summer 2021 after a substantial renovation project. Now a modern British restaurant and a traditional pub, it has established a reputation for hearty, thoughtful, home-made dishes that keep people coming back.

Owned and managed by Giuseppe Lombardo from Naples, Vesuvio brings the flavours, techniques and passion of Southern Italian cooking to Worsley in a big way.

The restaurant has built a reputation for offering some of the most varied and true-to-its-roots Neapolitan food to be found in Greater Manchester. Fans of Cicchetti Manchester might recognise Giuseppe’s cooking – he was head chef there before he left to open this place.

Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar has lit up Salford’s dining scene like a thunderbolt from Zeus himself since it opened in March 2025. It already has a host of loyal locals who love both its easy-going Mediterranean brunches and superb coffee as well as its modern Greek meze dining and well-chosen wines.

Kargo MKT is a huge food hall in Salford Quays where 20 different street food traders ply their trade. With a waterfront terrace and a party atmosphere, it’s one of the most popular places in the neighbourhood which, until recently, has never exactly been spoilt for choice with dining destinations.

Nell’s Media City is another outpost of the ever-expanding home-grown pizza empire. What sets it apart from the other Nell’s is the shuffleboard and karaoke.

Of course, it has everything we love about Nell’s too: pizzas the size of a UFO with a thin and crispy New York-style base; that double down pepperoni topping; ice cream sandwiches that are always a bit too frozen but nevertheless irresistible; and a top selection of beers and margs.

Following successes in Chester and Altrincham, this Porta opened its doors in late 2018. It brings a taste of Spain to sunny Salford with its simple yet elegant and super-authentic tapas dishes, and its laidback surroundings in a former bank on Bexley Square.

Sakura is a small, unassuming place in a parade of shops in Salford, more Chinese cafe than restaurant with the decor only one step up from a takeaway. But all the love goes into the food with broths and beef brisket slow-cooked for hours into rich, layered bowls of flavour.

Thai Soul Cuisine is Confidential Guides’ top under-the-radar recommendation when it comes to Thai food. Discover why it’s worth heading out of town for your next brisket massaman curry.

Another fab addition to the clutch of good, independent Italian restaurants in the city is Vero Moderno. Situated on the regenerated Chapel Street just inside Salford, it joins Salvi’s, Pasta Factory, and Lupo on our list of ‘proper’ Italians which swerve the standard carbonara and bolognese in favour of something a little more considered.

We heart sushi and Manchester-born mini-chain Zumuku Sushi serves up our favourite finger food with authentic flavours and flourishes, and even brings something to the table that our non-sushi-fanboy friends might like too, from bao buns to katsu curry to poke bowls.