The best restaurants in Altrincham

Away from the town centre, on a stretch of Manchester Road best known as ‘near the retail park’, there’s a stylish Japanese spot called Asuke Sushi. Unlike the place itself, the menu is sprawling, with sashimi, nigiri and uramaki sushi rolls, sushi tacos, poke bowls, bao buns, katsu, noodles and teriyaki dishes. Most of the plates are classic Japanese, but a lot of the sushi rolls are signature creations, crafted after years of research.⁠
⁠The drinks have a fusion feel too – there are the usual Japanese lagers alongside a selection of Portuguese wines and ports which, it turns out, pair incredibly well with Asian food.⁠ ⁠ It’s well worth the detour from the main drag – do book ahead though, they only seat 16 customers at a time.

Blanchflower pride themselves on making every single thing on their menu in-house, including the bread and pastries. No two visits are the same, and they seemingly manage to excel in complex, intricate brunch dishes just as masterfully as the classic bacon butty. And if you just fancy one of the aforementioned pastries and a perfectly poured flat white, they can do that too. With a prime spot right in the middle of the town, we’d recommend getting down early to beat the queues, especially on the weekend.

Once a working man’s spot, today 48 Greenwood Street has been transformed into an all-day dining and drinking destination, spread across two spacious floors with seating also available in the equally spacious outdoor terrace. And like any good al fresco spot in Greater Manchester, the outside area is heated so you can enjoy it even when the weather isn’t amazing. Whether it’s brunch, sushi or a Sunday roast, you can expect pretty, creative plates piled with flavoursome stuff. And in the evening the space takes on a party atmosphere, which cocktails, DJs and more glitter balls than you can shake a sparkly stick at.

Harcourt looks to transport the attitude of Hong Kong’s nightlife to the southernmost town in Greater Manchester, which might feel ambitious, but they have certainly pulled it off. Once there, customers will find an extensive selection of craft beers from breweries based in the region and beyond – your Pomona Islands, your Cloudwaters and the like – alongside an impressive menu of street food like typhoon shelter-style chicken wings, deep fried squid tentacles, some exceptional prawn toast and of course, those distinctive golden cubes of french toast. The atmosphere here is what makes it: low-lit, casual, pubby with just a hint of cool. A genuine ‘must visit’.

A traditional Brazilian approach to eating, the rodizio format is simple and ideal for meat lovers. Expect a constant flow of different cuts brought to your table, with the opportunity to specify how some are cooked. Eat until you’re satisfied, or stuffed to the limit. Spicy South American sausage, pork collar, skirt steak, and chicken thighs are among the highlights, as is the daily butcher’s choice which you should definitely ask your server for details on. Jardim is a particularly glamorous example of the rodizio, with the decor inspired by all things flora and fauna, with lots of dark wood and moody corners. No wonder it’s popular with the Cheshire football set.

This New York-style pizza restaurant serves 22-inch pizza – which are as comically oversized as you’re imagining – by the slice or by the pie. Crafted from locally-sourced British ingredients with a touch of NYC inspiration. Dive into thin, crispy slices of marinara and quadruple cheese, alongside more fully-loaded options like pepperoni honey or ham, mushroom and vodka sauce. On a sunny day, secure one of those distinctive orange beer hall tables on their (sort of) roof terrace, with majestic views of Altrincham Interchange.

Starting life in Chester, with a gorgeous little spot tucked right by the historic Roman walls, Porta now have three equally pretty spots this side of the M56, the first of which opened in Altrincham. All three are subtly lit, clad in dark wood, and have the ideal ambience for lazily exploring their thoughtful menus. People will tell you to try the tenderstem broccoli with romesco, which you definitely should, but don’t skip the zamorano cheese with quince either or whatever the croquettes of the day are – they’re always excellent. With great, regularly changing specials, Porta is reliably excellent, and the service is exceptional.

Masters of their craft, Unagi have rapidly become a go-to for excellent Japanese cuisine in the city, deftly straddling quality and affordability, and Alty is undeniably their flagship – a purpose-built architectural shed that Kevin McCloud would be proud of: all sleek angles, black cladding and a terrace out the front too. The food sashimi and nigiri are well crafted and super-fresh, and if you want great noodles, ramen and rice bowls, you’ve got those too.

They were Sugo, then they were Sud, then they were Rigatoni’s, then a different Rigatoni’s. Storied history aside, we couldn’t be happier that this South Italian kitchen has stuck around in our city, whichever name they go by. Operating from their original base in Altrincham, they offer a restrained menu of fewer than 10 mains in total, and a handful of starters and sides. When the offering is this good, that’s all you need. The house special of beef shin, pork shoulder & nduja ragu and the scoglio with an prawns, mussels and a spicy kick are enduringly unbeatable though.

The people of Altrincham are spoilt for choice when it comes to Hong Kong cafes. Temple Street specialise in steaming hot rice dishes cooked in the traditional claypot method with toppings like minced pork with salted egg and chicken with numbing-levels of spicy sauce. The brisket noodle soup hits all kinds of satisfying notes too. For the adventurous, the fried frogs with cayenne pepper make for a bold alternative to your regular lunchtime fare.

This family-run Lebanese and Syrian restaurant have a few spots, and Altrincham’s is on Oxford Road. They serve vast plates of scorched meat and fish, as well as a plentiful selection of hot and cold mezze plates, dips and bread. A sure-fire winner for a big group gathering, made even more so by the BYOB policy. For tasty, sociable dining it’s a no-brainer, and has been a favourite in the town for decades.