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Did you know you can get authentic tapas in Manchester? Tapas originated in the bars of Spain during the 13th century and it’s certainly a dish that has stood the test of time.
If you are visiting this northern city, you’ll be pleased to know there are a ton of places that serve up Spanish tapas in Manchester.
Trying some of the best tapas in Manchester is a perfect idea for a romantic date night or dinner with friends.
Order a variety of dishes from patatas bravas to gambas al ajillo and feel as if youāve been transported to Spain.
These 16 best tapas bars and restaurants have everything from vegan tapas to excellent sangria.
Evuna NQ and Deansgate
š Address: NQ: 79 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1LQ. Deansgate: 2770279 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4E2W
ā° Opening times: Monday ā Thursday 12-11pm, Friday 12-10pm, Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 1-9pm
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£
š Dog-friendly? No, not inside. However, there are a few tables outside so if you are going on a sunny day, you can eat outside with your dog.
You are spoilt for choice at Evuna with two Manchester locations. Evuna serves some of the best tapas in Manchester Northern Quarter as well as in Deansgate.
They have developed a good reputation as one of the best places to eat tapas in Manchester. Coupled with an excellent and extensive wine list, this is a great place to eat out in Manchester.
The restaurant’s interior is effortlessly Spanish, boasting simple wood finishes. This basic interior makes the food shine through.
Their menu features a ton of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free tapas options. Not all restaurants cater to vegans but this joint serves some of the best vegan tapas in Manchester.
They’ve got paella to share including Chicken and Chorizo and Seafood.
A top vegetarian dish is the Spiced Chickpea croquettes served with mint yoghurt sauce. With so many incredible dishes you better come with an empty stomach.
In terms of drinks, they have a wide range of wine available (they are also a shop so if you want to buy some wine to take home, you can do so as well). They also make excellent sangria that you can get by the glass or pitcher.
One of the things we love the most about this tapas joint in Manchester is that most of the staff is actually Spanish and they use Spanish products so it feels very authentic.
Please note that although NQ and Deansgate are the two Evuna tapas places in Manchester City centre, they also have two other locations. One in Knutsford and one in Altrincham. They are just as good and might be more convenient for you.
š” LOCAL TIP: We particularly recommend the goat cheese croquetas. They are absolutely delicious! The garlic prawns are also a highlight of the menu. Finally, they always have specials on the board so make sure to look at those because they are always excellent.
š Is booking required? It’s not mandatory but Evuna being such a popular spot, it would be difficult to get a table without booking so make sure to book in advance.
El Gato Negro
š Address: 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
ā° Opening times: Monday- Sunday 12-10pm
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£Ā£
š Dog-friendly? Not inside but dogs are allowed on the tables outside.
You may not know it, but El Gato Negro was founded by Harvey Nicholās former executive chef. Talk about fancy!
With this touch of sophistication, you just know the tapas at El Gato Negro is going to be good.
This tapas restaurant in Manchester has a vibrant yet classy dƩcor. Warm cosy lighting makes this an excellent setting for a date night and the open kitchen provides a lot of atmosphere and entertainment.
El Gato Negro provides the perfect fusion of modern and traditional Spanish delights. You must try their Catalan bread with jamon serrano.
For seafood lovers there’s Chargrilled Octopus, Pan-fried Hake, and super juicy Tiger Prawns. Pick around five or six dishes to share between the two of you for the perfect filling meal.
But the food tastes so good here, no one is judging if you order a couple more!
š Is booking required? It’s preferable especially in the evenings and at the weekend.
La ViƱa
š Address: 105/107 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BQ
ā° Opening times: Monday- Saturday 12-10pm / Sunday 12-9pm
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£
š Dog-friendly? No
Located in Deansgate, La ViƱa is one of the best places in Manchester to get Spanish tapas.
This stunning restaurant and bar looks quite small from the outside but there actually are two floors so don’t worry if it looks busy, chances are you can get a table anyway.
It’s beautifully decorated and the building is gorgeous. It’s a cosy place making it a great spot for a romantic date.
They offer tapas as well as bigger plate (that you can share or not). The croquetas are always a winner but we highly recommend the fried aubergine with goat cheese as well as the pork belly.
These two dishes are absolutely delicious!
They also offer traditional sangria as well as a version with sparkling wine. If you take a pitcher, you will get about 3 glasses each.
š” LOCAL TIP: Make sure to order the aubergine with cheese. It’s absolutely delicious and even if you don’t usually go for the veggie option, you’ll love it. The garlic prawns are the only item on the menu that is not that great so you can skip this one.
š Is booking required? It’s quite a big restaurant so they might be able to accommodate you but it’s always better to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.
Campo Blanco
š Address: 1 Moss Ln, Whitefield, Manchester M45 6QE
ā° Opening times: Monday ā Thursday 4pm-10:30pm, Friday & Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 12-9pm
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£
š Dog-friendly? The bar area downstairs is dog friendly. They also have 2 dog-friendly tables but you need to let them know when you book.
Tapas connoisseurs, aficionados or anyone who just loves tapas, will revel at the offerings at Campo Blanco.
This tapas restaurant is in the town of Whitefield in Greater Manchester. Itās well worth the drive out to Manchesterās suburbs as the food and ambiance are perfectly matched.
Their tapas menu is huge, youāll have to visit with friends just to share the burden of having to decide!
The Goatās Cheese Bonbons are a popular favourite, as are the Chorizo in Red Wine and Spinach & Feta Empanadas. Make sure you also get a side of the Beef Loaded Fries, they are heavenly.
Campo Blanco isn’t just a top tapas restaurant in Manchester known for its food, its service is amazing too. Attentive wait staff make the Campo Blanco experience even better.
Please note that Campo Blanco also offers one of the most unique bottomless brunches in Manchester. It’s called Sangria session and allow you to add bottomless Sangria, beer or wine to your brunch.
š” LOCAL TIP: Campo Blanco always has its own hidden speakeasy at the back. It’s called Campito and is one of the best secret bars in Manchester.
š Is booking required? It’s fine if you don’t book for lunch but it’s definitely recommended for dinner or at the weekend.
Bar San Juan
š Address: 56 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9EG
ā° Opening times: Monday closed, Tuesday- Sunday 12-10:30pm
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£
š Dog-friendly? Not inside but dogs are allowed at the tables outside.
Bar San Juan is widely considered the best tapas restaurant in Manchester. Itās many localsā go-to destination for Spanish cuisine.
This Manchester restaurant is quirky and filled with fun knick-knacks. This place just feels quintessentially Spanish from the chairs to the walls.
Some of their most popular dishes include Papas Bravas and Croquetas San Juan.
Their meat dishes include the seafood delight that is Ventresca con Tomates.
Itās a tuna belly salad with fresh tomatoes. Or try the Morcilla de Burgos, its black pudding with rice, an apple compote, and roasted peppers.
Thereās a whole Veg Tapas section too with a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
La Bandera
š Address: 2 Ridgefield, Manchester, M2 6EQ
ā° Opening times: Sunday ā Thursday 12-10pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm
For some of the best tapas in Manchester city centre head to La Bandera.
This restaurant has a Mediterranean feel to it and a number of awards to prove it’s more than style over substance.
They were rated one of the ‘Top 3 Best Tapas Restaurants’ by The Sunday Times and awarded the Diners’ Choice Award in 2017.
This light and airy room is immediately inviting with its vibrant yellow booths and chairs, giving an immediate feel of the Spanish sun in so often gloomy Manchester!
They have a ton of tapas delights to choose from. For something warming and hearty, try the Garbanzos con Espinacas, itās a type of Spanish winter stew with chickpeas and spinach.
Or how about the Abanico IbĆ©rico, it’s succulent pork tenderloin on a bed of mango chutney.
La Cantina
š Address: 113 Heaton Moor Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport SK4 4HY
ā° Opening times: Monday 12-9pm, Tuesday 4pm-9pm, Wednesday & Thursday 12-9pm, Friday & Saturday 12-9:45pm
Another Stockport tapas joint is La Cantina. Head to La Cantina in summer or the warmer months and you can enjoy your tapas outside on stylish wooden barrels.
If you are in a hurry and want food on the go this is a great place for tapas takeaway in Manchester.
You cannot go wrong with their Tostas dishes. Thereās the Queso de Cabra, which is a beautifully creamy goatsā cheese and red onion jam.
For seafood try the Gambas al Ajillo, their juicy king prawns in a garlic and chili sauce are utterly moreish.
El Rincon de Rafa
š Address: 244 Deansgate (entrance on, Longworth St, Manchester M3 4BQ,
ā° Opening times: Monday closed, Tuesday ā Sunday 12-9pm
Right in the heart of Deansgate, El Rincon de Rafa is another of Manchesterās tapas hidden gems. El Rincon de Rafa is a Spanish staple in the Manchester restaurant scene.
Theyāve been providing exquisite food for more than 28 years now and being family run you can tell they pour their hearts into their restaurant.
They have some sensational tapas dishes which are perfectly presented. Try their Huevos Rotos, fried potatoes, eggs, and spicy chorizo.
The Lubina, pan-fried sea bass and Pollo Paprika, chicken with paprika in a creamy wine sauce are two delicious meat dishes.
Porta Wine & Tapas Bar
š Address: 216 Chapel St, Salford M3 6BY, United Kingdom
ā° Opening times: Monday closed, Tuesday & Wednesday 5-10:30pm, Thursday ā Saturday 12-10:30pm, Sunday 12-9pm
This Salford tapas restaurant is another excellent choice if you are craving Spanish cuisine.
Their reasonably priced food and incredible sangria have people coming back time and time again.
Porta’s interior is simple, sophisticated and a little olde worlde. They’ve got a cute little patio area outside where you can enjoy tapas in the sunshine in summer.
Some of their most popular dishes include the Croquetas del dia and the Albondigas, which are beef and pork meatballs, in a yummy tomato and red wine sauce.
For two people six tapas dishes are plenty and will leave you feeling content and full. The friendly and attentive wait staff only make the experience at Porta Wine & Tapas Bar more enjoyable.
Visit on a Friday or Saturday night and the atmosphere is buzzing with conversation and laughter. Youāll really feel as if you have been transported to Spain at this Manchester tapas restaurant.
Tast Catala
š Address: 20-22 King St, Manchester M2 6AG
ā° Opening times: Monday closed, Tuesday 12-10pm, Wednesday ā Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 12-10pm
Located on the upmarket King Street, Tast Catala focuses on traditional Catalonian cuisine. Their food is simple but elegantly presented, much like the restaurantās interior.
This is another of the best places for tapas in Manchester.
You’ll be able to find vegan tapas in Manchester at Tast Catala. In fact, they have a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Try the PadrĆ³n Peppers or the vegan and gluten-free Bravas Potatoes. You must also try their Catalan Style Rice.
Thereās the Seasonal Vegetable Rice, Duroc Pork Ribs & Seasonal Mushroom Rice, and the mouth-watering Native Blue Lobster Rice with Coral Mayo.
If you take a fancy to some of their dishes you can order from their online deli shop and host your own tapas night at home.
Nueve Tapas Bar
š Address: 9 Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6TN
ā° Opening times: Monday & Tuesday closed, Wednesday & Thursday 5pm-10:30pm, Friday 5pm-11pm, Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm
In the heart of Didsbury Village, this is an excellent tapas restaurant in Manchester. Nueve believes in preparing fresh and authentic tapas with top-quality ingredients.
They also pride themselves on their excellent beer and sangria pairings.
Enjoy your tapas the authentic way, at high tables or from the comfort of a squishy booth. Ordering around six plates for a table of two will be sufficient.
The Costillas are slow-cooked pork ribs with a red onion chutney and come highly recommended.
The Ternera a la plancha is exquisite chargrilled sirloin steak or how about the Croquetas de jamĆ³n?
Canto
š Address: Cutting Room Square, Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 5DH
ā° Opening times: Monday- Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday ā Sunday 12-10pm
Canto is owned and run by the same person who owns El Gato Negro, Matthew Healy. Though they share the same owner the two tapas restaurants have different vibes.
This hidden gem is in Manchesterās hip and happening Ancoats area next to the Northern Quarter.
Ancoats serve up tapas with a Portuguese twist.
The restaurant itself has a rustic but modern feel to it. Chorizo, octopus, and squid are all hits on the menu but there are excellent vegetarian dishes too.
Though tapas are the main draw, make sure you leave room for dessert.
Theyāve got creamy sorbet, Portuguese tarts, and scrumptious carrot cake.
This bright airy Spanish restaurant tries to use local ingredients that are always fresh. By using seasonal British ingredients theyāve created a modern twist on a Mediterranean classic.
Yuzu Japanese Tapas Bar
š Address: 39 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4EE
ā° Opening times: Tuesday- Saturday 12pm-2pm and 5:30pm-10pm, Closed on Sunday and Monday
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£
Want something a bit different? Why not try some Japanese tapas in Manchester?
Yuzu is ideally located in the city centre, on Faulkner Street, and offers delicious Japanese-style tapas. This means that you can find all the staples of Japanese street food such as Yakitori, Katsu, tempura, udon, teriyaki and more.
It’s one of the most authentic izakaya (japanese tapas restaurant) in Manchester and the perfect spot for lunch or dinner.
They also have some sake and other drinks.
The service is impeccable as well.
š Is booking required? Although not mandatory, it’s important that you book because it’s a rather small place and you probably won’t get a table if you don’t book in advance.
Sandinista
š Address: City Centre, 2 Old Bank St, Manchester M2 7PF
ā° Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 12pm to 3am – Thursday to Saturday 12pm to 4am
š° Price range: Ā£Ā£
Sandinista is a hidden tapas bar in Manchester City Centre, on Old Bank street.
Established way back in 2002, this spot has managed to keep its charm a bit under the radar, making it a delightful surprise for those in the know.
Living by the heartwarming motto ‘nuestra casa es tu casa’ (our house is your house), Sandinista welcomes you into a world of rich flavors and vibrant vibes.
And let’s talk drinks! If you’re a tequila lover or in the mood for a refreshing beer, they’ve got you covered with an extensive range.
But the real star here? The tapas of course!
Here you can get some authentic Mexican delights like bean chili, crunchy nachos, or the delectable sweet potato fritas.
Don’t even get me started on their mushroom and ham croquetas – pure bliss!
And if you’re in the mood for something a tad heartier, their tacos and quesadillas are legendary.
To top it all off, the staff at Sandinista are the friendliest bunch, always ready to recommend their favorites.
RevoluciĆ³n de Cuba
š Address: 11 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
ā° Opening times: Wednesday to Friday – 11:30āÆamā3āÆam, Saturday 11āÆamā3āÆam, Sunday to Tuesday 11:30āÆamā2āÆam
The RevoluciĆ³n de Cuba is one of the best places in Manchester to go dancing.
It’s known for its amazing cocktails and a good place for live music and dancing.
But did you know they also serve tapas? That’s right!
Their tapas menu is quite big and includes JamĆ³n Croquettas, Chimichurri Corn, Albondigas, Spicy Fried Chicken and many other classics.
If you were looking for a place that serve vegan tapas in Manchester, that’s also a great option since they have a lot of vegan tapas (they even serve vegan albondigas!).
Abeja Tapas
š Address: Pop up at different locations around Manchester
ā° Opening times: It depends.
This one is a bit of different tapas concept since it’s not a restaurant exactly but a pop up concept.
They used to be located at the Hatch under the Mancunian Way, have then relocated to a Stockport venue and now do pop up events in various locations in Greater Manchester.
Abeja Tapas is inspired by the flavours of southern Spain and the colours of the Mediterranean.
Their sharing plates are super popular, the Mixed Board is an irresistible combination of serrano ham, a selection of Iberico meats, chorizo and lomo.
For seafood enthusiasts, the Yellowfin Tuna Belly is a popular dish. Its line caught tuna thatās been preserved in olive oil.
You canāt leave Abeja Tapas without ordering some of their handmade truffles, they are boozy, decadent, and utterly moreish.
If you’d like to try Abeja Tapas, make sure to consult their Facebook page so you can see where they are going this weekend!
Now that you know everything about the best Manchester tapas places, it’s time to get some food!
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