20 Stories: Manchester's highest restaurant and one of its best rooftop bars
"Manchester's highest restaurant, on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields. The view is the headline, the food is better than it needs to be, and the rooftop bar is one of the best in the city."
At a glance
- Address
- No.1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, M3 3EB
- Neighbourhood
- Spinningfields
- Website
- 20stories.co.uk
- Best for
- Special occasionsViewsDate nightCocktails
The good
- +Best dining-room view in Manchester, no contest
- +Rooftop terrace is exceptional in good weather
- +Food is better than typical "view restaurant" standards
- +Cocktails on the terrace are a Manchester rite of passage
- +Won Best Restaurant in Manchester at the 2023 awards
The caveats
- −You're paying for the view (it's not cheap)
- −Can be windy on the terrace
- −Books up months ahead in summer
On this page(3)
20 Stories is what happens when a restaurant decides the view is the entire point and then accidentally gets really good at the food too. It sits on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields with a wraparound rooftop terrace that, on a clear evening, is one of the best places in the entire city to be.
The Room
20 Stories sits on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields, the gleaming office tower that anchors Manchester's financial district. The dining room is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows that look out across the city in every direction, and on a clear day you can see from the Pennines to Snowdonia. The interior is moody and grown-up: dark woods, soft leather, low lighting, and a deliberate effort to let the view be the star.
The wraparound rooftop terrace is the headline. In summer it is one of the best al fresco spots in the city, with a long bar, comfortable seating, and a view that makes you understand why the restaurant gets booked months ahead. The terrace can get cold and windy outside the warmer months, so check the weather and dress accordingly.
The Food
The kitchen has settled into a Modern British approach with European influences, and the food is better than typical view-restaurant standards. The menu is split between a regular à la carte and a tasting menu for larger occasions.
A recent visit included a starter of seared scallops with cauliflower purée and crispy capers; a properly cooked rack of lamb with anna potatoes and seasonal greens; a sea bass with brown shrimp butter; and a crème brûlée that was textbook. The Sunday lunch menu is brilliant for the setting (large Yorkshire puddings, three meat options, properly cooked sides) and is one of the best value ways to experience the restaurant.
The cocktail programme on the terrace is genuinely creative and the bar staff know what they're doing. A glass of champagne at sunset on the terrace is one of those Manchester moments worth saving for. The wine list is broader and more expensive than the food demands, but there are good options across price points.
The Practicalities
Bookings essential, particularly the terrace in summer. Plan months ahead for a weekend dinner with a view. The express lunch menu is the best-value entry point. The location is at No.1 Spinningfields, two minutes from St Peter's Square Metrolink. Card only. Service is professional. Dress code is smart casual. Allow two hours for dinner. The view alone justifies a visit, and the food has caught up over the years.