Best Heated and Covered Terraces in Manchester

Our favourite places for al fresco dining

By Manchester's Finest | Last updated 19 December 2023

Whatever the weather, there’s plenty of outdoor spots in the city to enjoy food and drink without the worry of getting wet or cold! Take a look at some of our favourite outdoor terraces and heated spaces in Manchester.

The Refuge

Easily one of the best, and prettiest, terraces in the city – The Refuge benefits from being in a small courtyard right in the middle of a grand old building – meaning no wind, easy full cover and with the heaters, warmth!

Escape to Freight Island

We couldn’t do an outdoor terrace round-up without including Freight Island. Sit in one of the wooden booths overlooking Mayfield Park, in The Plant Room or under the canopy, there’s plenty of spots to enjoy food, drink and entertainment outside.

The Lowry Hotel

A 5* star terrace for a 5* hotel – the Lowry have a long balcony overlooking the River Irwell complete with massive awnings to keep you dry and heaters to keep you warm. Enjoy alongside some cocktails and a dedicated menu from the River Restaurant.

Ducie Street Warehouse

With a huge south-facing terrace round the back of Ducie Street Warehouse – this place is perfect when the sun is out. When it isn’t? You’re still going to be fine as they’ve got some truly massive parasols and loads of heaters to keep your tootsies warm.

Rudy’s

Both Peter Street and Ancoats are covered and have heaters – meaning you won’t have to eat a soggy, cold pizza whilst out enjoying yourself. In fact, if you wrap up warm and close your eyes, you could almost be in Napoli. Almost.

YES

With some very welcome corrugated plastic roofing, sturdy wooden beams and those proper hot infra-red heaters, YES have pretty much got it all sorted – no matter the weather. Even that twister from the movie Twister would have trouble penetrating this bad boy – and that thing nearly killed Bill Paxton.

20 Stories

Offering up one of the city’s tallest and most impressive terraces was never going to be an easy task – especially in Manchester, but the bods behind 20 Stories thought about all of that years ago – so we don’t need to worry. Fires, heaters, awnings and little greenhouse-type things – it’s all here to keep you warm, dry and happy.