Harden's says
Never a man to stand still, Gary Usher opened the sixth outpost of his growing, crowd-funded north western empire in the heart of the city-centre; the venue will be open from breakfast onwards, and incorporate a 70-cover restaurant, plus a bar set out 'Barrafina-style' where up to 15 people can eat. Rather than feeling rustic, the site is a massive glass-fronted building with polished floors, with marble and lots of black to suit the glass feel.
Harden's survey result
Summary
This “outstanding” and “vibrant” venue from Gary Usher’s Cheshire-based Elite Bistros occupies a “smart location in the heart of Manchester” – a “friendly” but slightly more “formal” venue than its siblings – where it offers a “more than decent choice of good food and wine” served by “welcoming and gracious staff”. Top Tip – “good-value lunch (£17 for two courses, £20 for three)”.
Summary
Gary Usher’s “slick, very smart” operation was the best performing member of his well-known Elite Bistros chain this year in our annual diners’ poll. “Fundamentally a traditional bistro (whatever that might be these days?), but here it’s kind of different, with locally sourced ingredients assembled with care and consistency. Presentation of dishes is without pretension, as is the service, which is efficient and attentive. Kala has a lot going for it!” Top Tip – “good value lunch”.
Summary
“Outstanding food” at sensible prices hits the sweet spot at this “really enjoyable” three-year-old, the sixth venue in Gary Usher’s crowd-funded Elite Bistros group. “The service was excellent and the standards really high” – “I loved being able to watch what was going on in the kitchen”.
Summary
“Another of Gary Usher’s triumphant bistros”, this city centre two-year-old offers “great modern British cooking at a fair price, with excellent service” – the signature of the chef’s growing Elite Bistro chain. It’s casual, too. Top Tip: “the candied beetroot and sheep’s ricotta tarte fine was superb”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Kala?
King Street, Manchester, M2 7AT
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £43.00 | £49.00 |  |
|
|
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
King Street, Manchester, M2 7AT
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Manchester
British, Modern restaurant in Manchester
British, Modern restaurant in Manchester
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Spanish restaurant in Manchester
British, Modern restaurant in Manchester
British, Modern restaurant in Manchester
