Traditional turkey, Indian banquets, fizz and cocktails
We hate to keep mentioning it, but Christmas is closing in faster than Andy Burnham on a Bee Network bicycle. And, after the social-bubble-six-person-cancelfest of last year, we need to celebrate accordingly. We’re not saying don’t get the whole family round for a good ol’ turkey and trimmings do followed by a nap on the couch - but what if you went the whole hog and got somebody else to do it for a change?
Over on our sister site, Confidential Guides we’ve been squirrelling away for winter. Keeping note of some of the best restaurants in Greater Manchester that are ready and willing to welcome you and your fam on the big day.
We know you’ve probably not even started your shopping yet, but in a mere seven weeks, the baby Jesus will be knocking at the door with his beard and a great big sackful of roast potatoes, asking for chocolate oranges and Toblerones. We all need to be prepped and ready,
So without further ado, here is a definitive (and alphabetical) list of where is open for Christmas dining and/or drinking in Greater Manchester.
Christmas Day bookings will be busy this year, so remember to call restaurants to check if spaces are still available. Don’t forget to check restaurants’ websites for timings and menus that are subject to change at any time.
The Bird at Birtle
Serving a three-course festive feast, the posh pub owned by local restaurateurs, the Nutter family, is open from 12pm - 3.15pm for dining, and until 5pm in the bar on Christmas Day. After the shock closure of Nutters Restaurant in Rochdale, The Bird at Birtle could be one of your last chances to have a taste of chef Andrew Nutter’s famous food. Book early to get your bum on a seat.
The Bird at Birtle 239 Bury and Rochdale Old Rd, Birtle, Heywood OL10 4BQ
Bombay to Mumbai
The seven-course Christmas menu at this Bramhall favourite includes Bombay fish and chips and a resplendent achari murgh tikka - a chicken kebab marinated in pickle, yogurt and spices. Finish with a malai sandwich filled with clotted cream. The mega menu is £49.95 per person. Only open for lunch service right now, but Sandeep and team could still be persuaded to open for dinner service too.
Bombay to Mumbai 10 Fir Rd, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 2NP
The Bull & Bear
The Christmas Day menu at The Bull & Bear is £165 per person and is as extravagant as you’d hope from one of Britain’s top chefs, Tom Kerridge. Champagne and canapés including a pheasant and apple sausage roll will welcome you to the dining room. With potted lobster as an option for starter and rotisserie dry-aged dovecote sirloin of beef with all the trimmings for the main event. Surely you’ll have no room for Christmas Pudding and brandy sauce and a cheese course - followed by mince pies. We’re sure you’ll try though.
The Bull & Bear Stock Exchange Hotel, 4 Norfolk St, Manchester M2 1DW
Dakota
Dakota is technically open on Christmas Day, but unfortunately, Dakota Grill and Restaurant is fully booked. You can however celebrate on the terrace with cocktails throughout the day. Open for walk-ins only, Christmas Day at Dakota will prioritise hotel guests but get down early for a super fancy aperitif or after-party.
Dakota 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL
Ducie Street Warehouse
Another of Manchester’s coolest stays, Ducie Street Warehouse will be open as usual on Christmas Day. As an added bonus, the lounge will be soundtracked by its usual DJs from 5pm - 1am. Taking you into Boxing Day as stylishly as possible.
Ducie Street Warehouse Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP
Eagle & Child Inn
They take Crimbo seriously at the Eagle & Child Inn. From 1 Dec - 3 Jan Ramsbottom’s very own community pub will be serving a Christmas Fayre menu with a delicious selection of local winter produce. Christmas Day luncheon will be served in two sittings with fizz on arrival and handmade mince pies to finish off. £95 for adults, £45 for kids under 12 and £20 for kids under 5.
Also look out for the Boxing Day luncheon, Christmas afternoon tea, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations.
Eagle & Child Inn 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0DL
Elnecot
Open 12pm - 4pm on Christmas Day, Elnecot’s set menu is £95 per person including champagne on arrival and petit fours to finish the meal. Choose from a traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings or take on a tandoori quail with mustard seed potatoes, chilli jam and cauliflower. You’ll certainly need a Christmas log afterwards too, flavoured with cinnamon and almond of course.
Elnecot Cutting Room Square, 41 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ
The Galloping Major @ Oddfellows on the Park
Christmas Day at Oddfellows will be a casual, relaxed and informal affair. There is no dress code, so it’s a great opportunity to show off your new Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for M&S fluffy slippers and silky robe. There will be a four-course menu available in the Galloping Major restaurant and the Parlor Suite, with prices ranging from £110 - £125 per adult. Choose from four sittings, and look forward to being completely spoilt for the duration of your two-hour table allocation.
The Galloping Major Restaurant Bruntwood Hall, bruntwood park, Cheadle SK8 1HX
Gusto Cheadle Hulme/Gusto Didsbury
We’re reliably informed that both of these Greater Manchester Gustos are open, but unfortunately completely booked up for Christmas. If you’re desperate for a traditionally Italian Christmas Day, maybe San Carlo can help you out instead? Take a look below.
Gusto Cheadle Hulme Landmark House, Station Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 7BS/Gusto Didsbury 756 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DW
Indique
We know loads of families who love a good Indian feast on Christmas Day and the famous Didsbury Indian restaurant will be open from 1pm - 7pm on the big day, serving up a great selection of its uniquely delicious dishes.
Indique 110-112 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LP
Motley
At the time of writing, Motley hadn’t quite finalised its Christmas Day menu, but with the recent news that YOTEL has bought out the former QBic property, would it be wild to assume that Christmas conveyor belt sushi might be on the cards? Teriyaki turkey? Christmas pudding dorayaki pancakes?
Motley YOTEL Manchester Deansgate, 115 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2NW
Owens Restaurant & Bar
Owens confirmed that both the restaurant and bar at its Ramsbottom restaurant were fully booked for Christmas as early as the beginning of October this year. We just put this one in to be rotters really, but Owens might still have some spaces left for Christmas parties from 27 November - 23 December.
Owens Restaurant & Bar 10 Railway St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AL
The Perfect Match
One of Sale’s most popular restaurants, The Perfect Match’s Christmas menu is available from 12pm - 4.30pm. There's tiger prawns, slow-cooked rabbit and chestnut pappardelle and winter squash velouté on the menu - and that’s just for starters. Think traditional turkey or beef fillet Wellington for main course - with options like chestnut and mushroom pie and seitan Wellington for veggies. Thought you were getting through a Christmas article without the Crafty Cheese Man getting a mention? Not likely. He’s providing the fromage of course. £80pp for adults and £35 for kids under 12.
The Perfect Match 103 Cross St, Sale M33 7JN
The Refuge
Join The Refuge for one of Volta’s famously luxurious roast dinners accompanied by cauliflower cheese, rosemary-roasted potatoes and that most Mancunian of side dishes, Vimto-braised cabbage. Choose from butter-roasted turkey, Lancashire beef sirloin, wild honey and lavender-glazed Gressingham duck or a vegan Wellington with roasted squash and roasted nut stuffing. A cheeseboard awaits you after you retire to the public bar where you’ll even get a slither of chef Paul’s nan’s fruitcake. £120 per adult, £60 for 13 to 17-year-olds, £30 for 6 to 12-year-olds and under 6s eat for free.
The Refuge Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
San Carlo
Have a buon Natale the proper Italian way with the original dons of the Manchester dining scene. San Carlo’s Christmas menu could start with taglionini con aragosta with Venetian egg pasta, lobster and brandy cream. Try turkey with chestnut stuffing, pancetta-wrapped chipolatas and Italian gravy as your main, or rack of lamb if you fancy something a bit different. The whole menu is wrapped up for £79.95 per person.
San Carlo 40-42 King St W, Manchester M3 2WY
Wine and Wallop
If you’re a fan of Wine and Wallop’s casual cocktail lounge vibe, then you’re in luck. The laid back Didsbury wine bar will be open 11am - 3pm on Christmas Day perfect for if you fancy an aperitif before tucking in to your lunch at home, or if you’re in need of a digestif to finish off your Crimbo afternoon.
Wine and Wallop 97 Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UR
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