Where to go for sushi in Manchester

One of the most sophisticated spots in the Northern Quarter, Cottonopolis is named after Manchester’s 19th-century nickname and nods to the industrial past of the city. Housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building, the food and drink here is a contemporary Japanese affair, including some of the most visually appealing sushi the city has to offer. The menu includes all the classic sushi dishes, with prime-cut sliced sashimi, nigiri and maki, alongside some more inventive takes on the cuisine, such as tacos made from crispy nori sheets. Far from a simple sushi restaurant, Cottonopolis also serves various Asian-inspired dishes, including miso lamb chops and karaage chicken, and a vast drinks menu showcasing the likes of kombucha and kumquat plum sake – no wonder it’s got a reputation for being one of the classiest spots in town.

Local institution Samsi has been offering an authentic Japanese dining experience from its Whitworth Street home since 1993. The light and airy space is adorned with cherry bonsai trees, and provides a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy the huge platters of sushi, made with premium ingredients. Alongside the classic items, there are several specials created by the chefs, such as dragon rolls, spicy salmon maki and vibrant rainbow rolls. These showstoppers aren’t the only thing on offer at Samsi, with the menu serving other contemporary Japanese plates including donburi, teriyaki and katsu dishes.

This Japanese restaurant in Castlefield is organised around open cooking stations – or teppan – for a fun and interactive dining experience. Sushi fans can watch their food being prepared before their eyes, as chefs get up close and personal, slicing food in mid-air with their nifty knife skills. There’s huge sharing sushi platters brimming with tempura, nigiri, California rolls and more, which complement the teppanyaki dishes, including premium cuts of meat and a selection of seafood – grilled to perfection. Wash it all down with a range of wines, cocktails and premium plum sake.

Set in a Victorian terrace in West Didsbury, The George Charles is named after the Armenian immigrant who originally owned the building – back when it was a greengrocer. Focusing on locally produced food, the gastropub cooks everything from scratch, with a menu full of brunch dishes, British classics and real ales. However, the team shares their kitchen with pan-Asian masters Unagi, who serve all the sushi classics, a selection of uramaki and fresh poke bowls. The winning combination of a rustic British pub with contemporary Japanese cuisine is definitely one to try.

There is no other restaurant in Manchester like Peter Street Kitchen, which matches contemporary Japanese food with a fiery selection of Mexican dishes. Set inside the iconic Free Trade Hall building, the modern restaurant offers a taste of luxury, whether it’s an intimate date night or a large group event. The colourful Mexican dishes are balanced against the clean Japanese menu, which includes creative sushi dishes of Yellowtail sashimi and salmon tartare, complimented by a range of cocktails, wine and sake. You could even treat yourself to the six-course Omakase menu, created on the day by the talented head chefs.

Born in Chorlton before expanding to Ancoats, Sushi Marvel certainly lives up to its name – by producing some pretty marvellous sushi dishes. You’re in good hands at this tiny Japanese joint, with the menu created by an experienced chef and the branding full of cute cartoon characters. The menu is focused on the sushi, offering everything from the inside out uramaki to hand rolled temaki. For the more exclusive palette, Sushi Marvel also serves some of the highest grade Wagyu cuts, and ‘otoro,’ an extremely rare cut of Bluefin tuna, known as the ‘king of sushi.’