Knutsford Restaurant Guide

“Just don’t let them grow out of their premises!” – this small neighbourhood spot inspires limited but very enthusiastic feedback for its excellent cooking. Miarisuz Dobies is the chef (with his wife front of house) and – though the cooking is somewhat Frenchified – some dishes come with an interesting central European spin reflecting his heritage.

“My Sri Lankan colleague rates it as the closest thing he’s found to his mum’s cooking!” – Don Buddhika’s local restaurant has brought some unusually authentic cooking to this chichi Manchester ’burb.

Nick Johnson’s “wonderfully vibrant” transformation of a covered Victorian market into an artisan food hall has a “great atmosphere”, and the “mix of food from different suppliers means that in a group, everyone has something they want to eat”. “The novelty has gone but it’s still holding up standards” – although “queues are too long” and it can be “a battle to get a table”.

A “perfect little Italian restaurant with a fantastic buzz” serving “outstanding authentic pasta dishes – no frills, just great food” – accompanied by “jugs of good inexpensive wine”. It’s “great fun”, but you “need to book ahead” – or trek into Manchester, to the larger offshoot in Ancoats.

Ex-Manchester House chef, Aiden Byrne’s attractive pub is cutely situated opposite said St Mary’s Church in one of the scenic commuter towns on the Cheshire/Greater Manchester borders. Steaks, burgers, pies and the likes of lobster and chips typify its quality gastrofare; and they also serve pizza and snacks from their garden ‘shack’.

“French cuisine at its best!” – “the eclectic menu leaves you spoiled for choice” at this “comfortable restaurant (ideal for romance)” opened in 2000 by chef-patron Olivier Troalen, who arrived in England to work at the French Embassy in London before heading north, where he hopes to be acknowledged as ‘the Cantona of cooking’. “Service is speedy and you certainly won’t feel disappointed with either the standard or size of the dishes”.

‘Casual fine dining’ is the promise at chef Joseph Rawlins and Gaëlle Radigon’s “contemporary”-feeling establishment – a converted farmhouse, next to a fine, very ancient church (Europe’s oldest with a timber frame) not far from Alderley Edge. Wilmslow-born and Paris-trained Joseph produces a modern French menu, and fans say dishes can be “inspired”.

Patrick Hannity’s “charming old restaurant” in posh West Didsbury has hosted a steady stream of satisfied diners for 35 years, achieving “the highest standards” across the board. “Consistency with enthusiasm is still the hallmark of this much loved venue”; “the food is always good but unfussy – hence the loyal following over so many years”. Ahead of the curve on provenance, Patrick established his own 20-acre smallholding in Macclesfield Forest 15 years ago to provide vegetables, eggs and meat for the kitchen.

A Didsbury institution for its “creative vegan and vegetarian” cooking for more than 30 years, Simon Rimmer’s “excellent little restaurant” is surfing the wave of plant-based dining, and opened its first spin-off last year, in Stanley Square, Sale, last summer. “Dishes are divine and you’re always spoilt for choice on all courses”, with “lots of seasonal produce”. “Simon is often seen in his chef’s apron and is always happy to say hello – long may that continue!”.

“Always buzzing, with very helpful staff” – this “busy but reliable” pizza-stop in Chorlton is now – since the demise of its much-missed city-centre counterpart – the most commented-on branch of this small Mancunian pizza chain. It’s most often nominated for being “excellent with children”.

“Rooftop views towards nearby Robinsons Brewery and dishes using plants grown on the local multi-story car park” both add to the epic street cred of Sam Buckley’s famous hipster hotspot, housed within the vibey brick-lined first floor of an old Victorian warehouse, with huge windows. Feedback is very good all-round including when it comes to the sustainably sourced small plates that have earnt it such renown, but this is one of the few UK venues where a massive media profile is not reflected by a huge volume of feedback in our annual national diners’ poll.

“Theatrical presentation” is a longstanding feature of the Pear family’s stalwart fixture of four decades’ standing, whose ‘Dinner at 8’ package was an early adopter of the tasting menu format, with a 7-course menu delivered in a single sitting (you arrive at 7.30 pm). Fans say “Covid hasn't affected the consistent high quality of this unique dining venue. And to the famous ‘Dinner at 8’, can be added the growing popularity of their afternoon tea”: “a choice of gentleman’s or lady’s gives a useful mix of sweet and savoury, including the legendary homemade desserts. Ample portions (take-home boxes cheerfully provided), well served and a good range of teas''.