Harden's says
This restaurant from former Noma chef Simon Martin is described as an 'informal dining experience serving a menu of ten to fifteen plates in quick succession'. The small (just 26-covers) evening-only venture opens in Manchester Life’s Sawmill Court this summer and is one of the city’s most hotly anticipated new openings.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Undeniably one of the UK’s top tables” – Simon Martin’s “fabulous airy space within the foodie hotspot that is Ancoats” shot to national fame in 2019 when it secured Manchester’s first Michelin star since 1977. On practically all accounts, “exemplary cooking” with an emphasis on fire and fermentation and British ingredients “comes out of that entirely open kitchen, and the team work methodically alongside each other to produce it”. “Flavours are knock-out and every dish is evocative of place and origin, with evident care and attention to detail. This level of refinement usually knocks all the oomph out of the produce (ahem, France, ahem) but here it only adds to it. Who on earth would carefully fillet and re-stuff a mussel? The result, in its bath of smoky butter, is amazing”. And “wine pairings are interesting and varied” too. “Being seated adjacent to the open kitchen and able to view the focused choreography of the chefs adds to the delight” – “there’s such a great theatre and occasion”. With stardom has come higher prices, however, and doubts are creeping in about the ultimate level of value it delivers. One in six now consider it notably overpriced. The remainder that “it’s not cheap, but you pay for what you get”.
Summary
“Best dining experience ever!” – Simon Martin’s Ancoats HQ won acclaim in 2019 for securing the city’s first Michelin star in 40 years… might there one day be another? Reports are uniformly full of the highest praise for the “outstanding experience” delivered here. “Fantastic Nordic-inspired dishes” are “assembled and cooked in full view and served by the chefs to create a unique and highly enjoyable culinary concept using exclusively British products”. There’s a “very interesting wine list pairing, but also a beer pairing which is likewise delicious”. “Top marks!” (In November 2021, the restaurant celebrated the hard-to-achieve award of 4 AA rosettes).
Summary
“You know as soon as you enter that this is going to be something special”; Simon Martin guaranteed his place in the history books in October 2019 when this dazzling yearling secured the city’s first Michelin star in 40 years. “In part of Ancoats which has risen from waste ground in recent years, Mana looks like an anonymous office from the outside, with triple-height net curtains over the large windows, and almost imperceptible signage”. The interior itself is “beautifully designed” (by Chester design practice, James Roberts): “light and modern, with a breathtaking, completely open kitchen – you can actually walk between the work stations as the chefs are plating up”. “The chef trained with Rene Redzepi and brings back to Manchester some of his magic” – “Nordic-style” cuisine from a seasonal tasting menu (which could be anything from 12-22 courses – shorter at lunch) that’s “challenging in parts” but little short of “exquisite”. “Contrary to fears that everything might be covered in moss, what’s striking is how many dishes seem like ‘real’ food – there’s a real flow to the menu, enhanced by excellent service, both from the actual front of house, and the chefs who come forward to serve some dishes”.
Summary
“You know as soon as you enter that this is going to be something special”; Simon Martin guaranteed his place in the history books in October 2019 when this dazzling newcomer secured the city’s first Michelin star in 40 years. “In part of Ancoats which has risen from waste ground in recent years, Mana looks like an anonymous office from the outside, with double (triple?) height net curtains over the large windows, and almost imperceptible signage”. The interior itself is “beautifully designed” (by Chester design practice, James Roberts): “light and modern, with a breathtaking, completely open kitchen – you can actually walk between the work stations as the chefs are plating up”. “The chef trained with Rene Redzepi and brings back to Manchester some of his magic” – “Nordic-style” cuisine from a choice of 15-course or 18-course tasting menus that’s “challenging in parts” but little short of “exquisite”. “Contrary to fears that everything might be covered in moss, what’s striking is how many dishes seem like ‘real’ food – there’s a real flow to the menu, enhanced by excellent service, both from the actual front of house, and the chefs who come forward to serve some dishes”.
For 32 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 Mana?
Restaurant details
Mana Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Yummy food with a number of oustanding flavours and dishes. Super friendly staff; and spacious layout (maybe a bit too spacious) with all tables facing the open plan kitchen so can see Simon and his team work. Simon also presents some courses, and so there's a chance to speak directly with him."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Sawmill Court, Manchester, M4 6AF
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 7 pm‑12 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑12 am |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑12 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑12 am |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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