Erst: Ancoats' best small plates and one of the UK's best natural wine lists
"Ancoats' best small plates restaurant and one of the best natural wine lists in the city. Effortlessly cool without trying."
At a glance
- Address
- 9 Murray Street, Ancoats, M4 6HS
- Neighbourhood
- Ancoats
- Website
- erst-mcr.co.uk
- Best for
- Date nightWine loversFoodiesSolo dining
The good
- +Genuinely great natural wine list with knowledgeable staff
- +Small plates that justify the format (most don't)
- +Beautiful, low-lit Scandi-inspired room
- +Sister restaurant to Flawd in New Islington (Wine Offering of the Year 2026)
- +Charred flatbreads with Vesuvio tomatoes are essential
The caveats
- −Small space, can feel cramped on busy nights
- −Small plates means the bill adds up quickly
- −Closed Mondays
- −Almost impossible to walk in without a booking
On this page(3)
Erst is what every "small plates with natural wine" restaurant wants to be when it grows up. The room is tiny and beautiful. The plates arrive when they're ready. The wine list reads like it was put together by someone who actually drinks the stuff (because it was).
The Room
Erst is small. That is the first thing to know. The dining room (on Murray Street in Ancoats, a few doors down from Mana) seats around 30 people across a mix of tables and a small counter, in a beautiful Scandinavian-inspired space that combines exposed brick, blonde wood, and a precise low lighting setup that makes everyone look slightly better than they did when they walked in. The aesthetic is restrained and intentional. There is nothing extra in the room.
It is also one of the cosiest restaurants in Manchester. The proximity of tables means you can hear conversations next to you, but the volume stays civilised even on busy nights. It works equally well for first dates, anniversary dinners, and serious solo eating.
The Food
Erst is a small plates restaurant in the most disciplined sense: short menu, sharing plates, seasonal ingredients, and a kitchen that knows exactly what it wants to do. The format leans Modern European with a focus on flatbreads (charred over high heat and topped with seasonal ingredients), sharing vegetable plates, and a few protein dishes that change with what is available.
A recent meal included an exceptional charred flatbread with sweet Vesuvio tomatoes, basil, and a generous slick of olive oil; a cuttlefish risotto so rich and full of flavour it could have been the only thing you ordered; charred sweetheart cabbage with anchovy butter and breadcrumbs; and a slow-cooked lamb shoulder with white beans that fell apart at the touch of a fork. The flatbread programme alone is worth the trip. Order more than you think you need.
The wine list is the other reason people come. The team have built one of the best natural wine lists in the country, with a focus on small European producers and a knowledgeable team who will pair wine to your food with real care. Tell them what you're eating, tell them what you like, and let them choose. They won't disappoint.
The Practicalities
Erst is almost impossible to walk into without a booking, particularly Wednesday to Saturday. Bookings open online and you should plan a few weeks ahead. The bar seats are sometimes available for walk-ins if you arrive at opening (around 5:30pm) on a quieter weekday. Closed Mondays. The location is a 12-minute walk from Piccadilly Gardens or a few minutes from New Islington Metrolink stop. Card only. Service is unobtrusive but knowledgeable. Allow at least two hours.