The most special bars and restaurants for Valentine’s Day in Manchester

Dean and Jerome, the founders of Pastan, care about what people eat and make sure the pasta dishes they serve are healthy, natural and plant-based. The food shows deep respect for the planet and is full of gorgeous flavours and tastes. In 2020, Manchester gained this unique and caring restaurant that’s well worth going on a date to because of the quality and care that the team constantly puts into the food and restaurant. Starters range from loaded gnocchi to tasty Heura ’chicken’ nuggets and portafino, a mix of mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and olive oil. The Italian influence continues to be clear in the pasta dishes, such as the carbonara. However, there’s also a healthy version of mac ‘n’ cheese and a beautiful Catalonia dish made with cheese, tomato, apricot harissa and rosemary. The pumpkin and sage tortelloni is a must try too, as there are not many places to try this dish. The sauces and some of the pasta is gluten-free, plus everything’s 100% plant-based. Perfect for people with dietary requirements. If you want to impress someone, these fancy and fantastic pasta dishes will do.

If you’re looking for a place with lots of options, is exciting but not too expensive, and somewhere new, then have a think about Exhibition MCR. This new establishment has three splendid kitchens, each one with a different cuisine. The first is Baratxuri, who used to be based in Ramsbottom but is now taking its expertise in Basque fire cooking to Peter Street. Next is the Sao Paulo bistro, which was created by highly admired chef, Caroline Martins. Lastly, but certainly not least, is Osma, specialists in small plates. Sofie and Danielle, the brains behind Osma were named by the Michelin Guide and for combining their Oslo roots with Manchester, creating gorgeous open sandwiches and soups. If you want to treat yourself and your date, then this is certainly a great choice.

Created by the famous head chef Simon Shaw, this Michelin star restaurant has a beautifully crafted menu. This place is great for a date as you can share and enjoy many tapas dishes together and you can witness all the thrills of Spanish cooking thanks to the open kitchen. El Gato Negro recommends having five or six dishes for two people. There are five main tapas sections, the para picar (nibbles), fish, meat, charcuterie and vegetables. From the nibbles we like the bocadillo and bikini sandwiches the most. The first has ham, manchego and truffle butter, whilst the other contains chorizo, goats’ cheese and avocado. From tiger prawns and wonderfully chargrilled lamb skewers, to deep-fried goats’ cheese with honey, there is so much to choose from. Charcuterie, cheese and meat boards are very much worth having a try, too. Once you visit you’ll soon realise why this restaurant has a Michelin star. It simply has amazing food! A great choice for Valentine’s Day.

You cannot go wrong with Rudy’s pizza. These sublime pizzas coupled with friendly customer service is why any Rudy’s Neapolitan pizzerias are a great option for a date. You’ll be eating amongst a bustling environment with plenty to look at, such as the pizzas being made by the chefs in the open kitchen. We chose the Ancoats Rudy’s because of the growth Ancoats has had in recent years. This former industrial area is now full of amazing restaurants and cafés. From a classic margherita to the white based porchetta, the pizzas are varied and full of quality. In fact, the amount of choice on the menu, from wines to pizzas, starters and beers is startling. Be sure to check the specials menu for deals and other menu options.

Perhaps you prefer to do an activity, such as bowling on your date instead of a sit-down meal or maybe you want to bowl before a meal? Look no further than the Dog Bowl in that case – a very friendly bowling establishment in the city centre. In addition, these guys are working with NQ64 to deliver amazing retro games and have food supplied by the Yard & Coop, who make excellent fried chicken. The Dog Bowl has some amazing offers, too. Luckily, Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday this year which means you can get a beer, burger and a bowl for just £15! There’s also a very helpful happy hour, where a pint of lager is just £3.50. The Dog Bowl also does great student deals, such as cheap drinks and half priced bowling.

This amazing Spanish restaurant, situated in the heart of Manchester’s city centre, showcases a wide range of amazing dishes. The setting and service makes this a perfect date night venue. La Bandera has paella dishes that are shared between two people, making it a romantic option for a Valentine’s Day meal. La Bandera takes its inspiration from the Canary Islands, offering a unique style of Spanish cuisine. Influenced by the beautiful landscape, its shown in its lovely red and yellow spacious interior. The wonderful head chef, Canarian Ruben del Villar uses the best local and Spanish ingredients to design the menu. On that note, there are numerous sharing dishes to enjoy. Some of our favourite small plates include the baked aubergines in a tomato sauce with grated melted cheese, traditional Canarian white grilled cheese, Canarian mojos and honey, patatas bravas and Galician octopus.

For a charming and delectable Valentine’s Day experience in Manchester, look no further than Pollen Bakery. Nestled in the heart of the city at Kampus, Pollen Bakery offers an intimate and inviting ambiance that sets the perfect stage for a romantic celebration. Renowned for its artisanal bread, pastries and delightful treats, this bakery crafts each item with love and dedication, ensuring an exquisite taste experience. Imagine indulging in freshly baked croissants, decadent cakes or sharing a box of handcrafted pastries with your loved one amidst the cosy and inviting atmosphere. This is a perfect spot for Valentine’s Day brunch. From grilled goat’s cheese sandwich to white onion soup, from fish bun to eggs royale, there are so many amazing, Instagrammable dishes to pick.

For a Valentine’s Day experience in Manchester with a vibrant ambiance and amazing curries, Wah Ji Wah stands out as an exceptional choice. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers a tantalising array of Indian cuisine, elevating the romantic evening with a fusion of aromatic spices and diverse culinary delights. The inviting atmosphere, coupled with attentive service, sets the stage for an intimate dining affair. The restaurant is owned by Sanjeev, an experienced restaurateur and Manish, formerly a chef at Shanghai’s five-star Jin Jang Hotel and other high-end restaurants in London and the Midlands. The Wah Ji Wah platter is worth trying, it’s an assortment of Konkani snapper, Lasooni tikka, seekh kebab Gilafi and Kanda bhaji.

This modern British bistro in the centre of the city is one of the trendiest restaurants in Manchester currently. It focuses on making sure the food is environmentally-friendly and in line with the seasons. The vegetables are sourced locally from Cinderwood Market Garden in Cheshire. Available at lunchtime and dinner, the hand-rolled pasta and seafood cooked over coal are scrumptious. The wine list puts a spotlight on small-scale and low intervention winemakers from across Europe, making it an even more romantic destination to eat at. If you can’t decide which small plates to choose, there are seasonal sharing menus where the choosing is done for you at £40 per person for lunch and £55 per person for dinner.

This place might not be in the centre of town or a dinner destination, but Grapefruit Coffee is a great location for a romantic coffee date. The coffee shop is located in Sale, making it an ideal place to stop at after a walk in Sale Water Park. It’s also easy to get to from Manchester city centre by tram. These guys provide niche and tasty coffee with amazing bakes. From the miso caramel apple cinnamon bun to the typica mejorado, raspberry and pistachio bun and the amazing Manchester bun – the sweet treats here are absolutely delicious. The historic building is wonderful as well, sitting peacefully on a bridge. If you want to find somewhere for a romantic coffee date, this is the place.