Most Romantic Restaurants in Manchester for Valentine’s Day

Nothing says romance like a full spread of tapas. There’s just something about the Spanish favourite that ticks every box for Valentine’s Day – maybe it’s the luxury of having so many dishes to choose from, or the intimacy of fighting over that last garlic prawn. While Manchester is home to more tapas restaurants than you can shake a stick at, Evuna NQ has an authentic atmosphere and an inspiring menu to match. Brimming with Spanish charm, the small eatery is famous for its boutique wine imported directly from the continent. The menu is packed with all the classics – there’s calamari, Galician-style octopus, and Iberian slow cooked pork cheeks. Vegetarian options include Spanish omelette, spicy chickpea ‘croquetas’ and a vegan paella. While Evuna has a site on Deansgate, the Northern Quarter branch is surrounded by countless cocktail bars and live music venues for the ultimate romantic night. 

Possibly the most stylish eatery on our list, Australasia is an elegant affair and a favourite for celebrating special occasions. Hidden under a grand glass pyramid in Spinningfields, guests descend an escalator into a chic dining room that will impress any date. The menu itself can be as traditional or as unconventional as you please, either with set courses or a tapas-inspired wave of small plates. Steak, lamb and lobster tails accompany pretty plates of sushi and sashimi on the menu, which is strongly influenced by both Japan and Indonesia.

With a new theme every six weeks, there’s no predicting what will be on the menu at Six by Nico come Valentine’s Day. This ambitious restaurant is looking to re-invent fine dining and offer an exciting concept that’s also affordable – a rare find. Every six weeks, a brand new six-course tasting menu is created and exclusively served, with all the menus based on a different memory. The concept is the brainchild of Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone, and previous menus have ranged from the colourful (Thai Fusion) to the bizarre (The Chippie, complete with deep fried Mars bar). With the option of an accompanying wine flight and food that’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter, Six by Nico promises a fun and refreshing date night – regardless of what’s on the menu. 

When your partner questions why you’re leading them away from the bright lights of the city centre to the Green Quarter, you can reassure them that they’re in for a treat. The Green Quarter is by no means glamorous, but it’s blooming with independent eateries and breweries. The Sparrows is a wildcard on this list, perfect for adventurous couples who want an intimate setting and a delightfully different menu. Once you ring the bell and enter the unassuming black door, you’re welcomed into a warm space and greeted like an old friend by the staff. The menu is both comforting and sophisticated. The main offering is Spätzle, a pasta originating in Germany, but there are also dumplings – both Russian Pelmini and Polish Pierogi – making this a truly continental experience. The highlight, however, is the homemade focaccia, which comes in huge wedges perfect for cleaning your partner’s plate.

Everyone brings their first dates to the Dakota – there’s just something about the flickering candlelight and the cosy booths that make it the perfect setting for sparks to fly. It’s food offering centres around steaks cooked simply over hot coals, with the sophisticated menu also boasting the likes of red deer and monkfish. The lighting is dark and sultry, with Piccadilly Station feeling like it’s miles away as opposed to around the corner. With the lavish menu accompanied by a grand cocktail list, this is a place for those looking to romance their date with the finer things.

Salvi’s is a family-run establishment with a passion for its Italian heritage. Guests are led through the deli upstairs, lined with Italian cured meats and freshly imported mozzarella, into the basement restaurant, which is cosy and intimate, given its location in the heart of the Corn Exchange. Offering pizza, pasta and other Italian treats, Salvi’s source all their ingredients directly from the streets of Naples. The romantic stars of this menu are the antipasti sharing platter, a delicious array of signature meats and cheeses, and the fritto misto, a mix of battered calamari, prawns and courgette. And don’t worry if you can’t secure a spot at the original Mozzarella Bar – Salvi’s has several charming locations in the city centre, including the Northern Quarter and John Dalton Street.