Warrington Restaurant Guide

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”.

“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.

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.

“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.

“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”.

“The Locke boys are still ‘smashing it’ in south Liverpool with fresh seasonal dishes...” say fans of Adam and Matt’s “top-notch local”, a short stroll from Penny Lane. “It’s a little crushed when it’s full, but worth accepting that for what you get”: “the food is always excellent and served by friendly staff”.

“Fantastic and friendly service”, “amazing food” and a “lovely wine list” is the winning combination at this modest but high-achieving local bistro launched five years ago in a row of shops by owners Chris Edwards & Owain Williams with chef Sam Grainger.

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!”.

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.

Opening autumn 2023 in the town's Cultural Quarter, this steakhouse, grill and bar aims to shake off the macho image of the genre, with a combination of chic interior design and a selection of plant-based and fish dishes alongside prime steaks. If successful, its founders plan to open branches across the northwest.

Founders Diana & Justin have backed up their passion for Californian-style coffee with a “relatively cheap” menu of sandwiches and nachos plus biodynamic wines, at the Altrincham café they opened five years ago in an “ideal location near the end of the M62”.

This “glitzy shed” has a strong reputation locally for its “great breakfasts”: “excellent omelettes and light dishes or more substantial fare, if that's what is needed to set you up for the day. Good coffee is served with iced water – a simple touch but so rare!". Later on, it’s “bistro in style with service all day” – there’s “reduced tapas-type options since Covid but still a choice of well prepared specials if you want more than a salad or sandwich”, plus “a carefully chosen selection of wines and beers or a fun choice of cocktails”.

This “fantastic local restaurant” makes a “great new addition to south Manchester’s restaurant scene”. The husband-and-wife team of Italian-born sommelier Andrea and Manchester-born chef Jazz met while working at Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill and combined their talents to open their dream venue, with each dish listed alongside an appropriate wine. “The small menu is well thought out – all the dishes are simply delicious, with fantastic wines”. “The ambience is romantic – the perfect setting to celebrate our anniversary!”.

“A cut above the average pub” – this popular old village boozer occupies an “attractive location” opposite twelfth-century St Wilfrid’s Church. Everything is “cooked superbly accurately and well seasoned, with delicious layers of flavour”. It’s “not cheap”, but nobody is complaining.