The best pre-theatre restaurants in Manchester

Manchester boasts a vibrant theatre scene with a colourful calendar of events, and to complement your evening, many restaurants and hotels offer exceptional pre-theatre dining experiences.

So, if you’re going to the theatre in Manchester, here’s a curated list of venues where you can enjoy a delightful express meal before the show.

Whether you’re catching a show at the Palace Theatre, Opera House, Aviva Studios or LOWRY, or you’re looking for fine dining, casual comfort food, or something in between, these venues offer a range of dining experiences to suit every taste, schedule and budget.

Restaurants near Palace Theatre Manchester

The Refuge

Located opposite the Palace Theatre, The Refuge offers a stylish and eclectic setting with a menu featuring small plates like char sui-braised pork collar and red lentil dhal. Vegan options are available, and guests can add a glass of fizz for £5. The venue’s “Refuge Introduction” menu includes a carafe of wine and a chef’s selection of six Voltini’s, providing a perfect start to an evening enjoying a performance across the road at the Palace Theatre or down the street at HomeMcr.

Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre

Giovanni’s

A mere 5-minute walk from The Palace Theatre, Opera House, and the Royal Exchange, Giovanni’s is an ideal spot for those attending shows nearby. An authentic Italian restaurant offering two or three-course pre-theatre menus with dishes like pasta, meat, and seafood. It’s a classic choice for a quick yet satisfying meal before the show.

1 Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre

Restaurants near LOWRY

Pier Eight at LOWRY

Located within LOWRY, this restaurant offers modern British cuisine with waterside views. Two or three-course options are available, perfect for both matinee and evening performances. The menu includes dishes like chargrilled nutty root vegetables with mustard and tarragon sauce, and desserts such as a dark chocolate tart with sour cherries or a lemon cake plate with tahini custard and strawberry ice cream.

The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford

Menagerie

Just across the River Irwell from The Lowry Theatre and only a 10-minute tram ride from Manchester Arena and The Palace Theatre, Menagerie is a vibrant venue offering international dishes and brunch plates. Show ticket holders receive discounts, making it a great spot for a lively pre-theatre meal.

One New Bailey, Manchester City Centre/Salford

Kala Bistro

A charming bistro that celebrates European-style cooking, Kala Bistro’s pre-theatre menu features elegant dishes such as coq au vin, seasonal vegetables, and indulgent desserts like crème brûlée. The intimate ambience and attentive service make this venue a relaxing and refined choice for pre-show dining. The menu is based around fresh, high-quality ingredients with a modern twist on classic European flavours. What’s more, it’s just a 10-minute walk to both the Royal Exchange Theatre and Opera House, making it a convenient dining choice for patrons heading to a performance at either venue.

55 King Street, Manchester City Centre

Restaurants near Opera House

20 Stories

Perched high above Spinningfields, 20 Stories offers stunning rooftop views and a three-course pre-theatre menu featuring British cuisine with international flair.

No.1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester

Louis

Louis Manchester offers an elegant dining experience that blends modern sophistication with classic Italian-American charm. The restaurant’s Taste of Louis menu is the perfect option for theatre-goers looking for a refined and delicious pre-theatre meal. Featuring a carefully curated selection of dishes, the menu includes indulgent options like the signature Louis Burger, handmade pasta, veal chop, and decadent desserts such as molten chocolate cake. With its luxurious velvet décor and live jazz music performances, the venue provides a vibrant and glamorous atmosphere, making it a fantastic pre-show destination for those wanting to enjoy a stylish, mouth-watering meal. Located in Spinningfields, Louis is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Opera House, Palace Theatre, and Royal Exchange Theatre, making it a convenient choice for pre-theatre dining.

3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3EB

Hawksmoor

Located just a 10-minute walk from both the Palace Theatre and Opera House, plus the Royal Exchange, Hawksmoor Manchester is well positioned for those heading to a performance in the city centre. Renowned for its steaks, Hawksmoor offers an express pre-theatre menu with two or three-course options. Post-theatre dining is also available, making it a versatile choice.

184-186 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre

James Martin Manchester

Situated inside the historic Great Northern Warehouse, James Martin Manchester is a fine dining destination that bears the name of the famed British chef. This award-winning restaurant offers a sophisticated pre-theatre menu with a strong emphasis on British produce, expertly crafted dishes, and elegant presentation. Guests can enjoy two or three courses from a rotating menu featuring seasonal favourites like pork belly with black pudding, wild mushroom risotto, and James Martin’s signature sticky toffee pudding. The venue’s sleek, industrial-chic interior adds to the overall experience, and it’s conveniently located near the Opera House and HOME theatre, making it ideal for an upscale dinner before curtain call.

Great Northern Warehouse, 2 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP

Restaurants near Royal Exchange Theatre

Annies

Owned by Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, Annies offers classic comfort food like fish and chips and pies. Their pre-theatre menu is budget-friendly and served on weekdays. The menu includes dishes such as traditional hotpot with succulent lamb and crispy potatoes, served with seasonal vegetables and pickled red cabbage

5 Old Bank Street (just off St Ann’s Square), Manchester City Centre

Lucky Cat Manchester

Lucky Cat Manchester, Gordon Ramsay’s Asian-inspired restaurant, brings the vibrant atmosphere of 1930s Tokyo kissas and Shanghai drinking dens to the heart of Manchester. Situated on King Street, Lucky Cat is within walking distance of the Opera House, Palace Theatre, and Royal Exchange Theatre, making it an ideal choice for theatre-goers. The menu features a selection of sharing starters, a delectable main course, and dessert, all for just £35 per person. Dishes include Korean-spiced black cod, wagyu sirloin with truffle ponzu, and the signature Jocky Fried Chicken. The innovative cocktail list includes the one-of-a-kind Lucky Negroni, where the gin in your drink is determined by a captivating game of chance. With its chic interiors and immersive dining experience, Lucky Cat offers a memorable pre-theatre dining option.

100 King Street, Manchester M2 4WU

La Bandera

A short walk from both the Opera House and Theatre Royal Exchange, La Bandera is perfectly located for theatre-goers looking for a taste of Spain. La Bandera is an award-winning Spanish restaurant known for its authentic and delicious tapas and paella dishes. Their pre-theatre menu includes a selection of classic tapas, as well as their famous seafood paella. The intimate yet vibrant atmosphere, combined with top-quality ingredients, makes it a standout choice for those seeking a Spanish culinary experience before heading to the theatre.

2 Ridgefield, Manchester City Centre

Gaucho

An elegant Argentinian steakhouse offering two or three-course pre-theatre menus. The stylish interior and quality cuisine make it a refined choice for theatre-goers. The menu includes options like a 250g churrasco cuadril rump steak marinated for 48 hours, served with chips or seasonal salad and your choice of béarnaise or chimichurri sauce.

2A St Mary’s St, Manchester City Centre

Hotel Gotham – Honey Restaurant

Nestled inside one of Manchester’s most opulent boutique hotels, Honey Restaurant at Hotel Gotham is an indulgent and atmospheric choice for pre-theatre dining. The restaurant exudes 1920s glamour, with plush furnishings and sweeping city views from the upper floors. The menu is contemporary British with a luxurious twist, showcasing beautifully plated dishes made from local ingredients. Diners can expect rich, inventive starters, hearty mains like roasted lamb rump or pan-seared seabass, and decadent desserts. With its proximity to the Royal Exchange Theatre and the Palace Theatre, it’s perfect for a lavish pre-show treat in a setting that feels like part of the performance.

100 King Street, Manchester City Centre