Gaucho

Few Manchester restaurants can claim a setting quite like Gaucho. Housed inside a striking former church dating back to the 19th Century, the city centre steakhouse has been part of Manchester’s dining landscape for more than 25 years. Following a significant redesign, the 205-cover restaurant brings a fresh look to the historic building while keeping some of its most memorable original details firmly in place.

Inside, warm timber, marble, muted natural shades and subtle gold detailing create a polished but comfortable feel, with Gaucho’s familiar forest green appearing throughout. The old church organ remains one of the room’s defining features, while the mezzanine provides another perspective over the main restaurant below. At ground level, an open kitchen puts the grill front and centre, giving diners a clear view of the cooking that has long been fundamental to the Gaucho name.

Steak naturally remains the headline act. The menu, overseen by Culinary Director Anthony Ekizian, covers prime cuts alongside Gaucho favourites such as Churrasco, but there is plenty beyond beef. King prawns arrive in sugo, scallops are paired with lemongrass, chilli and mango, while seabream comes with corn humita and flat iron chicken is served with macha and lime. Across the board, Latin American influences run through dishes designed around the grill, bold seasoning and quality produce.

Drinks have an equally prominent role. The 47-seat bar works as a destination in its own right, backed by a substantial selection of Argentine wines and signature cocktails. Gaucho Manchester is also home to an exclusive Belvedere Martini Bar menu, ranging from classic martinis to more unexpected creations, ad the frankly adorable ‘tiny tinis’. It’s fair to say that at Gaucho they know what they’re doing.