Dakota Bar & Grill in Manchester

Lovely restaurant, well-lit, great decor and waiting staff hard to beat. However, because this restaurant is considered trendy, it is way over-priced. Our bill, for 2 came to £211. I know, I appreciate there are other things involved like decor and technique, but I can't eat those. Let me break it down... We skipped starters. I had 2 bottles of Modelo and the wife had a coconut daiquiri. We ordered the Chateaubriand to share, one portion of fries, and one portion of carrots. A bottle of malbec to wash it down. We then had 2 desserts - apple & cinnamon terrine and sticky toffee pudding. Bottle of water for the table (£4.50). Add a discretionary 12.5% service charge...£211... Let that sink in. We had been given vouchers to the tune of £150 to use here as a joint birthday present. There was a brief hiatus at check in where we told we couldn't use them as they had already been redeemed. That was soon sorted out and good job too. First of all, we were presented with a bowl of tomato soup with treacle bread. Very nice, though we were special - everyone gets this. compliments of the chef. Quite tasty overall. The chateaubriand was uninspiring. A million years ago, we dined at a place in Oldham called the Highpoint. So named as it stood at the top of a cliff looking down upon the town. The chateaubriand was legendary - they would part cook it in the kitchen and then bring it to your table to finish it as you liked it, including brandy and flambe. This was theatre. At Dakota, it felt like we had a larger than normal fillet which had been sliced and spread about a plate to make it look better. I have disappointed by chateaubriand every since, however, it was our birthday treat and the wife wanted to try it. We ordered it medium. On close inspection, the centre pieces were still breathing - very rare. And because it was sliced, it cooled quickly, so we ate fast as rare meat cold becomes chewy, not tender. I didn't taste much in the way of seasoning, just meat. Hard to justify its £70 price-tag when it the taste is not elevated. Presentation was a bit lacking overall as well; a big empty plate apart from the random half tomato which no-one eats and a 2p sized circle of indeterminate sauce. Good job I ordered a separate peppercorn sauce in a metal pot or the plate would have looked like a desert island. (After inspecting pictures afterwards of other chateaubriands, ours looked the most miserly. Just 6 slices compared to 8s and 9s. I know the thickness of the slices will depend on the slicer, but check out the picture). Service was excellent. We were asked 3 times in as many minutes if everything was OK. I must object to people picking up my wine bottle though as though I have lost use of my arms. My wife drinks more slowly than me, so in order to even things out I wait until she's finished before I refill mine. If I'd have accepted all offers to pour for me, I would have needed a wheelbarrow to take me to bed. Despite ordering one portion of carrots, we received 2 and were charged for 2. We ate them both so had nothing to grumble about. Desserts were excellent. Probably the best value of the meal at £7 each. Compared to the water at £4.50, phenomenal value! Overall, poor value for money. I am sure lots of folks will enjoy the ambience but the expensive food for me was under par and that is what I focus on.

During our two weeks traveling in the UK and Ireland, this was one of the most memorable meals we had. Every detail, from the bar to the table, was meticulously attended to, with exceptional service that made us feel truly valued. They even went the extra mile by surprising us with a glass of champagne to celebrate our anniversary — a thoughtful touch that made the evening unforgettable. The food was absolutely delightful, and the ambiance was both sophisticated and inviting. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s worth every penny. I’d return to Dakota any day, any time—highly recommended for a special dining experience!

Went to celebrate my sisters birthday and James in the bar provided amazing service and was extremely accommodating and friendly. Will definitely be back!

Attended Dakota hotel this evening and had excellent service from Dom in the cigar terrace. Very tentative and very knowledgeable. Could not recommend enough.

Amazing evening at Dakota - Dom was the perfect host! We attended for a business meeting and couldn’t have asked for a better experience… I’d 100% recommend to anyone considering! (Request Dom ;) )

Visited for some drinks & food on the terrace with my daughter - we were looked after by James, Libby & Brad. Had a fabulous visit as always, thank you so much! Can't wait to come back ❤

Ristorante molto bello ed elegante dentro l’hotel Dakota cucina raffinata qualità del cibo altissima prezzi un pelino alti però vale la pena fare l’esperienza personale super gentile e super attento e super cortese

We were served by Manuela whose service was impeccable. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere just as comforting. Would definitely return!

I went for some birthday drinks with my girlfriend the other night and we were looked after by Liv. She did an amazing job with making sure that my girlfriend and I were looked after and she recommended some amazing drinks for us! Will definitely be going again !

Great spot for a cigar and a drink for any day of the week!Excellent service from Olivia!!! Definitely we will be coming back!

We had an absolutely fabulous family dinner at Dakota to celebrate my sister’s graduation! The food was stunning as always, we each had something different and every dish was delicious and presented so beautifully. My sister is a vegetarian and was well looked after with a vegi menu, she was also treated to a graduation plate and glass of champagne which was such a special touch. The whole team was amazing from start to finish, and really made sure we had a wonderful night. The reception team and Nigel at concierge were so welcoming too! 🖤

Tasty steaks, simple menu but good choice of sides. Truffle fries are a must Scallop starter was expensive for 2 small pieces Atmosphere lacking abit, place was half empty on a Friday night

My partner and I stayed at Dakota for the fourth time and as always, never fails to disappoint. Attentive staff, clean room and a spotless terraced area attached to your suite. We also had a fabulous meal at the steak restaurant with the hotel.

We hired the private room for an event and were so impressed with how well organised the restaurant were at serving so many people. The restaurant accommodated some requests to make some changes to the set menu which was really appreciated. The food was lovely and we would highly recommend it for a larger party! The ambience of the restaurant is really nice and I hope to return for a smaller, more intimate meal in the future.

Amazing food, cooked to perfection with Impeccable service. I had the Caesar salad day 1 and the ribeye day 2, both delicious and prepared to order. Olivia was a lovely host and super quick on service. My kind of eatery. 10/10

We love the Dakota Manchester the staff are so lovely especially Abbey on grill reception and Ben bar manager they made us so welcome food and drinks were amazing cooked to perfection we highly recommend this hotel bar and grill we felt so relaxed in fact we came back again the next day to do it all again Abbey and Ven are a credit to your company many thanks for everything you have both done for us we will definitely be returning many thanks Mandy & Martin Sherwin x

Had a great night out celebrating my wife’s birthday-food was excellent and we were looked after by Raph who was absolutely great too👍 Would definitely go again. Thank you.

We always come here for a dinner when we are in town! Food is delicious, fantastic atmosphere, and the staff is simply the best.

A very enjoyable evening with excellent food and drinks. The staff were great, Brad, Liv and Ben looked after us very well, always there if we wanted something but never intrusive. Can recommend this peaceful oasis in the heart of Manchester

Dakota Manchester you never fail to impress, impeccable service coupled with divine food made for a fabulous evening thank you. Despite the pressures of a busy/full bar restaurant ( football & bank holiday) the staff worked so hard to ensure the service level was maintained and it 100% was. Special thanks to James,Ben,George,Safa your amazing service did not go un-noticed, hats of too you all, what a fabulous team x

We decided to book for another one of their Taste of Dakota menus as we love them as much as we love staying at Dakota! It was Easter Sunday and we had time for drinks in the bar before our table booking. We had never seen the bar area so busy but the service was still exceptional and they are still able to make my favourite cocktail, a bramble, even though it isn’t on the menu anymore! We were shown to our table and were offered the signature dip with bread- we love this as it’s always absolutely delicious. The whole menu was absolutely delicious especially the belly pork starter- OMG it was one of the nicest dishes we have ever eaten! The whole evening was amazing as always- outstanding food, cocktails and service! Thank you so much!

It is a restaurant but almost has the feel of a night club. Alot of people but does not feel crowded, the night club feelin comes more from the lighting and the vibe of the place. Service was a little bit slow since our table wasnt ready. But the food was great, service was friendly and i had a great time.

I stay at this hotel 4-5 times a year for pleasure & business. Staff are very helpful & the hotel rooms are comfortable & clean. The main bar is great for relaxing and having a drink. Mr & Mrs Fussy 👌

Hotel beautifully decorated. Rooms clean and have an element of luxury. Staff in reception and concierge very helpful and friendly. Restaurant food and service sadly let it down especially for vegetarian. Left most of meals uneaten for breakfast and dinner, no recompense offered. Would stay again but not eat in the restaurant.

Came here on Sunday for a Sunday lunch as a family table of 6. The roast menu was so delicious, beef was perfect. Service is absolutely amazing we were so well Looked after. For food and service Dakota is the best in Manchester for a Sunday roast.

We stayed at Dakota Manchester for the first time on a busy Sunday evening. We chose to eat in the bar and grill after recommendations from friends and family. I'm so glad that we did. We were greeted warmly at the desk by Louis who looked after our every need the whole evening. We had enjoyed a drink in the stylish bar on arrival and were impressed by the decor. The restaurant also has the same relaxed yet opulent feel and the lighting is romantic and calming. The first dish to arrive was the complimentary warm bread with a gorgeous tomato and feta melt. Wow we polished off every last bit. Louis surprised us with a glass of sparkling Cremant as we were celebrating. Such a thoughtful touch! We then ordered the Chateau Briand with a delicious blue cheese sauce, house salad and fries. We were very impressed with Louis's wine knowledge and the Barry Bros Shiraz went perfectly with the steak. The food was presented beautifully and cooked medium rare just as we like it. A well dressed salad really gave a lovely freshness to the dish, as did the roasted onion puree served with the steak. Absolutely delicious! The restaurant was busy but we were very impressed with the service which was professional but friendly. It was nice to have a chat with Louis about the hotel and we enjoyed his local knowledge. An excellent evening that we thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks once again.

Lovely restaurant and the staff were brilliant. Extremely helpful and polite. Unfortunately though I have to agree with a couple of the other reviews about the level of salt. I really didn’t enjoy my fish but my partner had a wonderful steak. Ease back on the salt in some of the recipes as it does spoil what could be some cracking dishes.

Very enjoyable evening, food & wine 10/10 & the staff were knowledgeable & friendly . Cocktails in the bar arrival were also great .

Posto che serve ottimi piatti, soprattutto di carne. Il servizio è eccellente e l’atmosfera è sofisticata. La carta dei vini può essere migliorata ma è interessante. L’unica pecca è il conto, troppo salato per quello che è effettivamente offerto. Raccomando cmq il posto per uscite speciali o cene business

Lovely atmosphere but prices could be worked on, will be back soon definitely with friends, the place has a subtle serenity to it which is special in my opinion.

I just want to write a quick review to highlight some outstanding service by all employees but especially Bridgett, Kaitlyn and Henry. Who made me feel really looked after and they are an asset to your team. Well done. Lovely stay as always.

It’s such a warm welcoming experience every time I’ve been the staff are amazing and never make me feel in the way as I’m in a wheelchair and other places have made me feel uncomfortable, I just love coming here it’s a wonderful experience every time

My husband and I had a special night away for my husband's birthday which was lovely. We were disappointed with our meal in the restaurant however. It was quite salty and we couldn't eat much of it so that ruined the special night as the meal was supposed to be a special part of the experience.

We love this place in every way. This time meal was ruined by too much salt. Both my starter and main course. My friends steak also his side dish So disappointing don’t know if we will ever go back. As both my starter and main where probably pre cooked. The terrine and the curry sauce. So impossible to ask chef no go easy on the salt.

We travelled a lot of time And we like just to šot somewhere And have a good times just to sitvand enjoy the atmosphere ofvthe places

The best Resturant in Manchester. We had the 3 course Sunday lunch & roast beef, Yorkshire puddings were outstanding. I would highly recommend the truffle mash. Lauren Mackinnon made our visit truly special, she is so nice. Euan our server was so helpful & polite & not forgetting George Another amazing server always happy to help. I look forward to visiting again with my family. Michelle Nolan

When you book a table online there is a question about celebrating occasions, so I ticked a box that we are celebrating a birthday. When we arrived, again we were asked if it is a occasion so again I reply that we are celebrating a birthday. We are further totally ignored and the birthday is not even acknowledged. I am quite disappointed. The food was nice but didn't feel like a birthday meal at all.

I took my wife here for her birthday in the evening, we went with the tasting menu. It was great, the food was really nice and the service was exceptional. We enjoyed a cocktail in the lounge beforehand too. It felt like a luxurious experience, great for a special occasion.

We visited Dakota Bar and Grill recently to celebrate the only we know how, as Dakota will never disappoint. And yet again they out done themselves. we had drinks at the bar, stunning vibes, festive cocktails and very attentive staff! At dinner as we were celebrating we were made to feel extra special and the food and drinks were incredible! the menu had so much to choose from with some very unique flavours and combinations as well as the classics to choose from! Couldn’t fault it and we can’t wait to return to Dakota for our next big celebration!!

There were five of us having a family sunday lunch as part of a Christmas get together Beautiful venue and a good price for Sunday lunch at this time of the year, the prawn starter was delicious and everyone apart from me had the beef as a main which was a generous portion with lots of tasty sides. Unfortunately when my main came it was basically two pieces of fish on some salad leaves not the sea vegetables broccoli and leeks as advertised. When we pointed this out to the waiter the restaurant manager (we think) came over she offered to take my meal and prepare me another which I didn’t want them to do as I would’ve been eating at a different time than the rest of the party. I asked if they could just bring the veg that should’ve accompanied this dish. I was given cauliflower cheese and the roast potatoes and veg that went with the roast and a side of broccoli, so still not the dish that I should’ve been having. The restaurant manager again came over and discounted the meal for us all which was good but I cant believe someone thought it acceptable to send my dish out with just two pieces of fish on a few salad leaves when the other plates were piled high with food. The deserts were good and the overall experience was good but the non roast options should be as good in standard as the roast options and this doesnt seem to be the case.

Excellent service from James! I will Definitely be coming back. Quick service and a great experience

Very disappointed that I wasn't allowed breakfast! I was rudely told at the restaurant entrance that only guests that pre book breakfast were allowed. Wasn't told this at check in, and it wasn't on my booking confirmation either. I paid almost £350 for a King room to be told breakfast wasn't available, not what I expect from a hotel in this price bracket. The staff were very blunt when I questioned the reasons - sorry I didn't know the rules, I haven't stayed here before and I'm not a mind reader! Staff were generally all quite young and their inexperience in customer relations really showed.

Although the food was nice, the staff were less than accommodating. Tried to hurry us out of the venue, taking drinks away before we had finished etc! Not welcoming at all. Eaten at most places in manchester and this was defo one I won’t be visiting again.

Very disappointed with the King scallop starter..considering it was priced at £18 I was expecting a larger portion as advertised on their website..instead of 3 large succulent king scallops with oriental pork ...the dish consisted of 2 mini scallops hiding underneath one piece of crackling..very underwhelming..Apart from the starter the rest of the meal was excellent. The service is friendly, professional in a lovely ambient setting

Stayed here due to a work meeting, great entrance, loved the Christmas train Had dinner in the restaurant food was outstanding staff so attentive. Room spacious and well decorated, beds comfy. Breakfast good. Highly recommend the hotel, within walking distant of town centre. Special mention...

Very luxurious sumptuous place to have a pleasant business lunch. The menu is concise but diverse every angle making it easy to make your selection, in my case the venison, top notch. They were out of tenderstem broccoli for a side but suggested the cauliflower...

Dakota is one of our regular haunts. Tonight we had another fantastic meal (big shout for the Venison), an opportunity to pick from a great wine list, and wonderful service from the Bar and Grill team (our waitress Poppy was great). Just go!

Visited on Sunday 12th for a roast and a few drinks with my mother and we were both blown away. We began our experience in the Bar area for a few pre-dinner cocktails, a massive thank you to the entire team - especially Brad, Alex...

Visited Dakota on the 12th March with family. We had the Sunday lunch which was outstanding, I have been dreaming about this every since. George our waiter were very bubbly, friendly & the whole experience was just a dream. Lauren the manger on shift couldn’t...

This was the second time I have been to Dakota’s and once again, it didn’t disappoint. The Sunday lunch was outstanding and definitely worth trying. The service we received from the staff was second to none, especially manager Lauren and waiter George. Can’t wait to...

So hey, an amazing experience and our waitress Poppy with her smile and welcome was fabulous. The food... wow, it was delicious, I think! But, sadly not very hot? Reported to the staff and hey despite a recognition of our complaint a whole £3.60 deduction...

We had a lovely meal for my birthday. It was delicious and the restaurant is very nicely decorated. They serve tattinger champagne which is one of my favourites

We had an amazing tasting menu meal at Dakota last night on Thursday 2/11/23 . I had the wine flight to accompany the meal , that was also excellent . Every course was explained . Goats cheese tart , lamb shoulder , scallop , Chateaubriand...

Amazing mocktails, trendy interior, superb service and delicious food. Poppy served us and was lovely.

Me and my partner attended the tar race bar at Dakota Manchester, and I can not recommend highly enough! I was lucky enough to be given a £200 voucher from my workplace as a thank you, so decided to take my partner after years of...

Fantastic restaurant and bar. Food & service was excellent and Maia was amazing looking after us. Would highly recommend a visit.

Came in for sunday lunch and was absolutely amazed at both the service and the food! We were served by Poppy who made us laugh a lot and was very friendly. We both had 3 courses and were all cooked beautifully! Specially the goats cheese...

First time staying at Dakota hotel , fabulous rooms, enjoyed our evening meal , fillet steak was divine , our waitress was Bridget who was very friendly and attentive, will be coming back very soon

We had maia and she was amazing best experience ever had. Nothing but the best hospitality and would always come back

A fabulous visit for a celebratory dinner with family for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Staff were all excellent - attentive but not intrusive and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We had drinks on the terrace beforehand which, due to the unexpected warm weather, was...

Great service from our host poppy. Both my husband and I had a rib eye steak and sides which was lovely. Nice ambience. Always enjoy our visits.

I’ve travelled the world and the service here is about as good as it gets. Magic touches and impromptu wine tasting - excellent. 11/10. The food was amazing, easily some of the best in manchester, but didn’t quite make the world beating standard of the...

We were waited on by Maia and from the moment we arrived, the service was first class. The food here is always amazing and didn’t disappoint this time. Easily in Manchester’s top 5 restaurants, a must visit

Had a very nice beer with some of their horrendous pork scratchings, not a great start, they were uneatable and smelt of stale oil. Staff were nice and fun. I had venison which was delicious, my friend had ribeye, excellent. He had broccoli with garlic...

Impeccable service from the wonderful Haylie. Very attentive and took care of all my needs. Would highly recommend.

Absolutely torn the fact I'm giving 2 stars but unfortunately they changed the brunch menu and now the menu is so limited, literally had 5 items on. Their old menu was so much better and their old drinks menu was better too. We ordered eggs...

Visited last night and just say what great service and drinks we had. The Server Knew her stuff and was very tentative to out requirements. Cocktails was excellent and she knew all about them when we asked questions. Great Service from Safa that was working...

Lovely ambience and good food. Ellie was a fantastic host! She was very pleasant and jovial, she was exceptional!

Amazing service from Ellie, she made our day, the experience was just amazing. The food for was good. They accommodate my non-alcoholic needs which is rare these days.

Ellie is a real rockstar. I came with a group of 5, and Ellie made us all comfortable even though we only a reservation for 3. She answered all questions, was friendly and warm and attended to us timeously. The ambience was also great. If...

Me and my friend came for a birthday dinner and we were blown away by the service at Dakota. We were served by our lovely waitress Poppy, who was very attentive and chatty and gave us some excellent recommendations such as the ravioli and a...

Although it can be a little pretentious here, I feel, I do absolutely love the ambiance and more importantly, the food. It did feel a little rushed, the first course arrived before I’d even taken my coat off, quickly followed by the second course and...

Our waitress Maia was outstanding. She was very friendly and helpful, a true professional. She gets our highest grade.

Fabulous cocktails and food. The service is also excellence with friendly people at arrival and very helpful waiters.

I used to absolutely evangelise about the Dakota as a go to spot to stay; for business meetings; for a meal; and for drinks. Going to the terrace for a drink with my partner was the most drawn out experience. Somewhat felt like we were...

Last fine dinner in Manchester after a week in which a burial of a best-beloved Manc happened. Food was great, music in the dining room was overwhelming techno.

Brad was great. Great service! Top hotel and service The hotel was a good comfortable area to sit in

Beautiful restaurant with great food and service. Gluten free no problem. The service by Jordan and Henry was excellent. The food was fantastic, 2 filets thick and cooked to perfection. ribeye and a fish dish were all great. Spent 2 hours plus having a leisurely...

Had an absolutely fantastic with family on the terrace. We were served by the manager Ben, and Anna. Thank you so much 🥰

Enjoyed our private dining room, fantastic food and amazing service from Maia! Perfect venue for a 50th bday thanks you

It's a really nice place, great atmosphere, good service. Unfortunately the food for vegetarians is pretty limited and what I did get wasn't too great with flavour. Very expensive.

I feel like all I do is write reviews about how amazing Dakota is, but how can I not? Yet again a fantastic meal, we were served by Manuela and she could not have looked after us better! This is the first time trying the...

Having eaten at the restaurant before I had high expectations on our return . The hostess was really welcome and helpful and our waitress seemed very nice but it felt a little business like rather than with any warmth . Had a lovely side chat...

Wow! Me and my partner dined in the restaurant as a part of a two night stay. The food was absolutely amazing, steaks cooked to perfection with beautiful tasting sides. A massive Thankyou to Ellie our server was full of energy and was great to...

We are from Hull but were in Manchester and chose to have Sunday lunch here having never been before (have been to Leeds Dakota). We booked over the phone with a super friendly lady who I think was called Estelle. We had a couple of...

This is my favourite place to go for food , the staff are always so pleasant ,kind they always have a smile and the place is so welcoming, I am in a wheelchair so find it hard to get around other places but here it’s...

We attended as part of a wedding party last Sunday.. Where do I start.. The staff were truly excellent, professional & friendly.. The restaurant beautiful.. The food hit every spot possible.. Having spent years in catering management and enjoying dining out I could not find...

Excellent hospitality. George V was a fantastic host and provided great service to all of our family and guests

We came on my birthday for Sunday lunch. The location, service and generally the food were five star (especially as others have written the Venetian dip starter). we were mainly served by Tia who said we wouldn't find many mentions of her as she was...

Just had a lovely Anniversary meal in a wonderful restaurant. We had the Dakota 6 course tasting menu which was extremely good value at £50pp, the Chateaubriand was worth the money alone. My highlight was the lamb Shoulder terrain which I could've eaten a full...

Went to the dakota bar and grill for our 38th wedding anniversary and boy it didn't disappoint we ordered the flight menu with wine accompaniments and the food and wine was spot on our waitress Jennifer was really good explaining the food and the wine...

Really beautiful bar and grill restaurant with outdoor Terrace. Went back the next day as well to try out the Steak which was highly recommend. Service was great, food was exceptional and the venue was beautiful. Highly Recommend

Perfect place and atmosphere for great food and food experience. The menu is not gastronomic but what is served was perfect.

We collated our anniversary and birthday here. The decor is stunning. I was especially impressed with Estelle who did everything possible to fill my request to make the day even more special before I arrived. On the evening I was served by Mia who was...

Amazing evening and fantastic friendly service from Saf and James . Drinks and food were outstanding . Can’t wait to return!

Dined in the grill last night to celebrate a joint birthday, Manuela, liv and aimee made us feel so special, and abigail and tia explained all of the courses perfectly, We then moved through to the bar where we were looked after by Brad, Ben...

I hired the terrace on Saturday 29th July for our 5D Members Q3 meet up in which 40 guests in total attended. I have to say, not only was the food delicious, service flawless but the whole team were very professional with a lovely flare...

We attended an event held at Dakota over the weekend & the staff involved went above and beyond to cater to us. It really made the event run smoothly and left us wanting for nothing. Myself and my partner stayed over night where we had...

Comfortable, upscale decor and low lighting. Love the tomato appetizer! Steaks were not of USA quality, just OK. The potatoes were very overcooked = dry. Good service for dinner but like last year, the breakfast service was lacking. I should not have to go look...

James gave excellent service in the terrace bar. Best bar in Manchester! had a fantastic experience!