The best places for outdoor and al fresco eating in Manchester

There’s rooftops, and then there’s rooftops that are twenty floors up. 20 Stories, which sits at the top of the impressive No.1 Spinningfields, is a bar and restaurant with a modern British menu. So whether it’s a fancy roast dinner you’re after, afternoon tea or just drinks, this is a seriously impressive choice. Bask in the sun on the stylish terrace surrounded by plants and outdoor fireplaces, if the weather isn’t entirely on side. Plus they really aren’t joking when they say this is one of the best views of town in, er, town.

Serving high quality, generously-filled butties to one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods (not to mention a mean Caesar), Ancoats Deli is an ideal stop for grab-and-go or eat-in, with great coffees, snacks and treats also on the list, this is before we mention the artisanal tinned, canned and jarred produce sitting on the shelves. Their secret weapon? Their sun trap courtyard on Murray Street. Perfect for lunches that accidentally become evening drinks.

Certainly one of the most-loved restaurants in Manchester, and easily regarded as one of the best tapas spots, Bar San Juan has gained an impressive reputation over the years – with one of its most attractive traits being just how laid back and authentic it is. There’s nothing better than sitting outside this red and yellow fronted spot with a couple of jugs of sangria and plate after plate of outstanding tapas, from patatas bravas to Galician octopus. When you catch a sunny Chorlton afternoon, Beech Road could almost be Barcelona. Almost.

It’s no major surprise that one of the city centre’s sleekest hotel restaurants – Dakota Grill – has an equally impressive terrace. A high-end foodie destination on the fringes of the Northern Quarter, they’re all about cocktails, steak and seamless service. Out on the terrace – which is heated and features a Wimbledon-style retractable roof – you can enjoy fancy brunches, laid-back lunches, wine, cocktails and of course, loads of wagyu. If you’re celebrating, this one’s a must.

Dimitri’s, with its distinctive corner plot on Deansgate, has been a part of the city centre’s food and drink scene for decades. Inside is a reassuringly gaudy mix of primary colours, wood panelling, fake marble columns and foliage, and their pretty atrium provides that al fresco dining feel, even when the weather is being particularly Mancunian. The menu is a mix of Mediterranean dishes, but the received wisdom here is to just dive into the mezze plates – from moussaka to butter beans to Greek-style fries – and order plenty of wine for the table.

Known for its sheer magnitude, this former metalworks factory accommodates every single version of a night out you could possibly want, from pizzas and pints to cocktails and late-night raves. Their outdoor space is seriously impressive, incorporating outdoor kitchens, dedicated daiquiri bars, and a row of caravans you can book out for private shindigs. If the sun is shining in Piccadilly East, there’s nowhere better to go and soak it up, especially if you’ve got a large group to keep happy.

El Gato Negro, the ultra stylish tapas place on King Street, is split across three floors. There’s casual charcuterie dining on the ground floor and the restaurant proper on the first floor, but it’s up on the (hopefully) sun-soaked roof where things get seriously Spanish. These culinary cats are known for their tapas: usual suspects at the top of their game alongside more contemporary creations. Grab a coveted spot in the sun and peruse the cocktail menu while looking over the hustle and bustle of King Street.

Transforming the waste ground that sat neglected next to the old Mayfield train depot across the road from Piccadilly Station, Freight has made itself its own destination – a place to eat, drink, dance, sunbathe, eat again, drink (again) and then wend your way home from its twinkling lights as envious motorists observe from the Mancunian Way. Outside, it’s a sprawling biergarten, in the best European sense, with stepped seating to bask on, secluded booths and shared benches, with the greenhouse-like ‘plant room’ playing host to diners and cocktail sippers when it’s inclement, and ravers when there’s an all-dayer on.

With a consistently excellent menu of super-seasonal British dishes, Elnecot has been doing up-market dining in Ancoats since before that was a thing you went to Ancoats for. It doesn’t hurt that they have a sprawling outdoor seating area in Cutting Room Square, and if the forecast is good, Chef Micheal Clay will fire up the barbecue too. His hot dogs are truly elite.

Known predominantly for its late-night drinking and dancing spots, Spinningfields is also pretty accommodating for sunny dining spots. The Lawn Club, as the name might suggest, have gone to town on their outdoor dining options. The lawn itself is majestic and sprawling, and it’s covered in sunny spots and foliage-covered terraces, for whatever degree of al fresco dining the weather allows. The menu is your classic day-to-night fare, like brunches, salad bowls, sharers and burgers. 

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 with views of the canal, and ever-lively Canal Street.

Originally built by the Co-op (yes, that Co-op) in 1963 as a performance hall to entertain their staff, New Century as we know it today is a one-stop-shop for contemporary hedonism. At the ground floor you’ll find an impressive food hall with a number of kitchens representing some of the best independent caterers in town and a few small local producers. Elsewhere, pan-Asian and Japanese dishes are also available. In the summer months, it’s all about that stretch of outdoor seating in Sadler’s Yard, shared by the Sadler’s Cat pub and loads of ever-changing community gardening projects.

Whether in Altrincham, Salford or Didsbury, Porta has never let us down when it comes to simple but delicious tapas, pretty decor, and smooth service. Seriously, we love Porta – don’t get us started on their croquettes of the day, or that always-brilliant broccoli dish. The Salford location though, on Chapel Street, is particularly impressive, with outdoor seating spilling out into historic Bexley Square. A genuine treat.

Is there nothing this place doesn’t excel at? Impressive building, stunning interiors, top-notch food. What about when you want to go al fresco, surely The Refuge can’t possibly cater to that too? Well, it does. Their winter garden, a glass atrium full of flora and fauna, has all the perks of dining outside with none of the drawbacks, i.e. exposure to the actual elements. But on a sunny day, you can sip your cocktails in the fabulous courtyard. All historic tiles and twinkly festoon lights, is perfect for a street party with a bit of added glitz and glamour.

San Carlo is known for their elegant, modern Italian eateries in the city centre and the suburbs, but it’s their Alderley Edge spot that is arguably most set up for al fresco dining. ‘Il giardino’ is a lush, secluded garden where you can enjoy spritzes and long lunches right in the heart of the picturesque village. Inside the restaurant, the flora and fauna theme continues, with an overhead canopy of greenery and a retractable roof. In colder weather, they transform the outdoor space, making it a cosy winter garden.

Opposite Manchester Central and across an ornamental pond from The Bridgewater Hall seems an unlikely spot for a modern food hall to make sense, but make sense Society does. With a short but perfectly formed list of traders including Chaat Cart, Noi Quattro and Yoki Social Table, and the beers by Hebden Bridge’s finest brewery Vocation, it’s a consistently crowd-pleasing spot for some pre-culture refreshments. Plus, there’s plenty of outdoor seating to admire said ornamental pond.

Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy Chef Paco Perez’s Catalonian tapas in the sunshine. The dishes on offer, which he actually calls ‘tastets’, which as a rule, are a little more complicated than tapas – meaning you’re getting a complex range of flavours and textures in every single small plate. But there are classics too, from first rate jamon to perfect croquettas. Get yourself a spot in their seating area on the pedestrianised King Street and you’re all set for a very enjoyable afternoon.

The Wharf has been making the canal basin a destination since before Deansgate Towers were even a twinkle in a property developer’s eye. The vast, waterfront pub is a cavern of beams, Georgian windows and other assorted historic features. If it’s a cold day, you want to be cosied up inside in front of an open fire with a roast dinner. If it’s warm though, do not hesitate to grab a prime position out on the terrace. You can enjoy a menu of really good pubby favourites – your steaks and pies and gourmet burgers – while soaking up the ambience of what absolutely nobody is calling the Costa del Castlefield.