Erst. in Manchester

We had an outstanding lunch at Erst, and were lucky enough to sit outside in the sun. The food was delightful, lovely presentation and exceptional flavours. The service was also on point - A new favourite spot in Manchester!

What a wonderful menu and tastes. Will be back.

First time at Erst and would absolutely recommend. Food was the highlight - flatbread, sea bass, steak and beetroot - incredible!

This is the best kind of restaurant that's really all about the food. Relatively simple dishes, every one packed with flavour and quality ingredients, nothing pretentious or overly expensive. Best dishes were the rump, beef fat flatbread and the beetroot, other dishes were delicious too though. The atmosphere and service were also top notch, relaxed, friendly and funny whilst still attentive and smart. If you're weighing up Erst vs any more expensive taster menu restaurants for a special occasion I would heartily recommend it. We had a great time and will be back with friends and family.

Well, that was definitely worth the weight I’ve been talking about coming to this place for well over a year now after hearing many people recommend it The venue itself is cool with a great vibe The food is just another level The service is really friendly and the server is really know what they are talking about And the client, they all seem to be the friendly so that wants to speak to each other while seated A definite must on this menu for meat eaters and vegetarians is the beetroot I am still thinking about the bread 24 to 48 hours after consuming it I have to head back soon to try the other two flavours Honestly, some really unreal food not ridiculous either didn’t break the bank really happy we went can’t wait to return

Not one to usually leave reviews but our time at Erst was perfect. Delicious food, super friendly service and a lovely ambience. Notably, the pea soda invention was amazing!

We went to Erst for a belated anniversary dinner—a visit we’d been eagerly anticipating—and it truly lived up to our expectations. We ordered the scallop crudo, beetroot ajo blanco with green chilli, cold roast pork collar, and chicken liver pork ragù cavatelli. The progression from light to rich flavours was clearly intentional and thoughtfully arranged. The scallop crudo was incredibly fresh and vibrant, a perfect opener that awakened our palates and set a refreshing tone. The beetroot with ajo blanco was another standout—the creaminess of the ajo blanco paired beautifully with the earthy beetroot, and the green chilli added a gentle layer of complexity without any heat, enhancing the dish in a subtle, elegant way. The pork collar was melt-in-the-mouth tender, with a beautifully balanced sauce that brought everything together. The only slight drawback was the cavatelli, which we felt was a little over-seasoned compared to the rest of the meal. We finished with the pistachio polenta olive oil cake with crème fraîche, which was a lovely, understated dessert—light yet satisfying, with a delicate balance of nutty richness and creamy tang to round off the meal. Overall, it was a delightful experience. The attention to detail in both the food and the menu’s structure really impressed us. We’re already looking forward to coming back when the menu changes to try even more.

A Hidden Gem with Culinary Magic This small, unassuming place completely took me by surprise. The variety of food they offer is impressive, but what truly stood out was the leek dish I ordered—pure art! It was heaven in my mouth, perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor. What amazed me most was how they manage to take simple, everyday ingredients and transform them into something truly special. You can feel the care and creativity behind every plate. It's not just a meal—it's an experience. If you're looking for a cozy spot where food is elevated into art, this is the place to be.

Tercera vez que visitamos pero primera por la noche. Nos encantó la comida - cada plato era delicioso y algunos una sorpresa completa. Fantástico servicio, no tuvimos prisa y un zumbido encantador. Muy recomendable.

First time visiting Erst. I feel like there are almost too many small plates places in Manchester but this is definitely amongst the best. Uncomplicated yet sophisticated and most importantly delicious food.

Delicious food, great and helpful staff, nice and calm atmosphere. There food is about beauty in simplicity. Took one star off as it says there, on Google Map, that there’s parking which is not true, also, when I came I was said that they open in 30min despite ,again, here it says that the restaurant was open.

november 2024 finally back in manny trying everyones favourite natural wine bar erst. out of the 2 flatbreads we've ordered, the one with red pepper felt more flavourful as the one with beef fat is a bit 🤷‍♀️ (could neither taste the fat nor the chillies whoops 🙊) also not the biggest fan of their gnocco fritto 🤔, they're served cold (intentional?) so can't really enjoy the fried bit and the ricotta and squash are both just very light and plain flavoured ingredient on a soft fried gnocco is just a bit... venison tartare and ox skewers are both quite good. hogget leg not as gamey and tough as i thought they would've been 👌🏼 and you know olive oil and chocolate are my dessert buzzwords so they are going in my belly for sure 🔥 - grilled flatbread, beef fat & urfa chili - grilled flatbread, red pepper & oregano ✨ - gnocco fritto, squash agrodolce & ricotta - venison tartare & girolles ✨ - ox heart skewer & ras al hanout butter ✨ - hogget leg & puntarelle alla romana - olive oil cake, ricotta ice cream & candied cedro ✨ - chocolate sorbet, sea salt & olive oil ✨ would revisit: maybe reservations: yes price range: £50-100 pp

First time at Erst, came with my husband after hearing good things! Wanted to try something new and it did not disappoint, we got a variety of 6 plates between us, a bottle of wine and 2 desserts. All of which was spectacular. Our server was incredibly attentive and enthusiastic to answer questions and recommend some items to us. If you want proper food without the snobbery or unnecessary embellishments, then Erst is for you!

Really delicious food, great seasonal menu. I will definitely go back!

Very overpriced for average food and extremely small portions. Not even an option for side dishes. The food was underwhelming to say the least. Service was okay, not particularly attentive as I had to call staff over multiple times instead of being asked. Beer is out of a can. The restaurant is small and very cramped and the music playing was horrible and not at all romantic or relaxing. The bill came to almost £130 for 5 small plates and a couple of drinks. Not particularly impressed and won’t visit again.

Todo sobre este restaurante es tan bueno y tan humilde con tanta calidez de cada miembro del servicio, que te hacen sentir como en casa y todo esto está acompañado de deliciosa comida y bebidas! Vale la pena cada libra, ya estoy planeando mi regreso.

¡Nunca deja de decepcionar! Gran comida y gran servicio! ¡Gracias! Sin duda recomendaría. El campo de remolacha es fantástico!

excellent - would definitely recommend and will go again. All the dishes were really good but the mussel rice is and pasta ragu were outstanding

La comida era genial, especialmente el plato de remolacha y el pan plano. La chuleta de cerdo también era bastante bueno para el precio. Servicio amable y buen ambiente/diseño del restaurante.

The cost performance is not high. The food is just so-so

I go to Erst to try things that I’ve never had before. The menu is always full of soft, beautiful flavours, with some dishes seem so simple but they’re done so well. My favourite restaurant in Manchester!

Amazing dining experience. Can't wait to go back.

Food was soooooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Esta fue la mejor comida que mi esposa y yo hemos tenido en varios años - la comida es tan, tan buena... el ambiente es encantador... el personal es amable y conocedor, pero nunca intrusivo... y el vino es increíble. No dejes comentarios a menudo, pero esto fue especial. Muchas gracias por una noche perfecta.

Everything was spectacular - our server was excellent and talked us through the dishes and wine list in passionate detail, his recommendations were spot on, and the orange wine was delicious. Beautiful calm atmosphere, we were one of the last sittings, but never felt rushed and had a lovely relaxed evening. Thank you!

The staff were very polite and helpful. I had specified that I was severely deaf and they all spoke clearly to me and I was given a table where I could hear as well as possible. They are really excellent staff. I loved the food and it was pretty perfect! Thank you for a great night!

难齿the best restaurant of manchester

The best place in Manchester, had some of the most special occasions spent here! Food and chefs are incredible, Knowledgeable and most accommodating, friendly service who create the most magical atmosphere! If you havnt already been! GO!

Visited ERST in Ancoats, a Michelin-recommended spot from 2021, and it truly delivers on atmosphere and service—a great choice for couples looking for a cozy, intimate dining experience. However, if you’re coming for a hearty meal, you might want to reconsider. Here’s what I tried: 🥂 The Food Experience: • 🦪 Oysters (£3.5 each) – Fresh but on the smaller side. Cleanly prepared, but not particularly outstanding for oyster lovers. • 🥖 Flatbread & Beef Fat – Highly recommended by the staff, and it didn’t disappoint! The bread was incredibly soft, with a rich, indulgent beef fat aroma—one of the highlights of the meal. • 🦌 Venison Tartare & Girolles – The absolute MVP of the night! Raw venison with mushrooms, perfectly seasoned with no gaminess—just tender, flavorful bites. A must-try! 💯 • 🍞 Gnocco Fritto, Squash Agrodolce & Ricotta – Sounded creative, but tasted underwhelming. The squash’s sweet-and-sour flavor lacked depth, making this dish a miss for me. • 🐟 Salt Cod Brandade & Braised Leek – A creative dish with mashed cod and braised leeks, but the execution fell flat. Not something I’d order again. ✨ Overall Verdict: • Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – One of the best date-night spots in Manchester. Warm lighting, great music, and attentive service make for a top-tier dining experience. • Food: ⭐⭐⭐ – Dishes are highly refined and shareable, but portions are small, and prices are on the higher side. Expect to spend £75-80 per person if you want a full meal. (I skipped their £65 steak, but maybe next time!) 📌 Who Would Enjoy ERST? ✅ Perfect for couples who want an intimate setting, light bites, and a good wine selection. ❌ Not ideal if you’re starving or looking for big portions—this is more about quality over quantity. 💡 Final Thoughts: If you’re after romantic vibes and beautifully plated small plates, ERST is worth a visit. If you’re just looking to fill up, your wallet might take a hit. Choose wisely!

Such a great place. Food is so simple, but delivers so many beautiful flavours. Service was very attentive. Never felt rushed but always noticed. I’m not a fan of wine, but when in Rome… good wine list with a helpful server to find a suitable wine for both the meal and personal taste. Favourites during my visit had to be the Game Chou Farci, Gnocco Frito and the Beef Fat Flatbread. Would recommend this for any visit to Manchester.

I found this place on the Beli app (restaurant review app). It was simply perfection from the vibes, to the food, to the staff! I walked in on a Thursday night for a late dinner and sat at the bar. The server/manager (?) was immediately warm and welcoming, and offered me recommendations. I had the steak tartare and beef fat grilled flatbread. Then finished with the chocolate tarte for dessert. Everything was divine. Not only was the food amazing, but the kind staff hand-wrote a list of other fantastic spots to visit during my time in Manchester. Nothing better than getting recs from locals! I will absolutely be back next time I’m in town. Thank you, Erst for a lovely experience my first time in the UK!

Afternoon anniversary treat. What a lovely experience. Numerous dishes of deliciousness. Fantastic food quality. Attentive friendly service. Awesome 👍

Great food. Perfect venue for date

This lady asked me to give a fake good review and when I gave them he said I will be paid for it and then at the end she refused me to pay.

The restaurant is good. Food was varied and tasty. Service was excellent

Very luxurious restaurant staff are polite and foods smazing service is spot on would recommend you try it

Amazing little find, food is delicious and large selection of wines.

The whole experience of being in the restaurant was just amazing whould love to go again

Best food ever enjoyed my visit

Erst in Manchester offers a delightful dining experience with its modern, minimalist ambiance and exceptional food. The menu features innovative, seasonal dishes with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, expertly prepared to highlight natural flavors. The wine list is carefully curated, complementing the food perfectly. Service is friendly and attentive, making for a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. A must-visit for those seeking high-quality, creative cuisine in the heart of Manchester.

Excellent venue great service and food

Nice place to go with good food and good service. I highly recommend it. Service with a smile. 😀

Very friendly staff. We found them attentive and helpful. The food we had was gorgeous. I would definitely come here to eat again.

Fine dinning at its best with a great Atmosphere to sosk up .

It's a good restaurant, very clean and the food are very delicious 😋😋🍲the best restaurant I have ever gone too in London

Perfect place for a quiet meal. Lovely atmosphere.

Amazing service and food, cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough…..I’ll definitely be coming back….

Dining at ERST is like stepping into a culinary haven where every detail is thoughtfully curated to perfection. This gem specializes in small, seasonal plates paired impeccably with a stellar wine selection, creating an experience that's both sophisticated and approachable.

It was a real pleasure for us , to fine dining at this amazing restaurant , with its warm atmosphere, delicious and well-presented dishes and the warm smiles of the waiters. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We will definitely be back. S.Georgios

I had a lovely meal here with some work colleagues recently. The food was stunning and the staff were very helpful and professional. I would highly recommend this place.

I recently visited Erst and was thoroughly impressed with every aspect of my meal. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a modern yet cozy decor. The staff were friendly and attentive without being intrusive.

The very best so far. Services are topnotch.

This place checked ✔️ all the boxes for me and mine,would definitely be visiting again.

i like, customer service is so good my miss and i enjoyed the moment

Delicious and rather inexpensive as well ❤️❤️

Wanted to try it out as my girlfriend was really eager to go there. She really loved the food as do I.Definitely gonna come back and highly recommend to everyone. Thanks for

Great food offers and exceptional service. Be defiantly back !!

The food was delicious, i had an amazing time with my family ☺️, i can tell the staff love their jobs they were wonderful

Loved the food and tempts me to dine there again and again

The food was delicious and the staff very friendly

Excellent food/drinks and cosy/romantic atmosphere!

This place is amazing, very delicious meals they serve there and for very affordable prices.

Amazing place and amazing food, the atmosphere is so relaxing and chill. We actually asked to talk with the chief to tell him how delicious his food was. It was presented beautifully and tasted amazing, he was so friendly and down to earth. The staff are so so helpful and kind, nothing is too much for them, the service was amazing. We will definitely be back

Lovely place , recommended for sure

Delicious small dishes. Nice variety & good vegetarian options. We sat at the bar and the staff kept an eye on us giving us a good service. Would come back! The only downside were two women behind us who seemed to be there for drinks not for food but were very drunk already. Didn’t feel like the place for such a night. Hope the staff take that into consideration. Other than that, excellent restaurant and you could tell everyone was working hard.

Delicious food, pleasant atmosphere and super polite staff

Been here many times, wonderful food, wonderful staff, great vibes, recommend!

This restaurant is my favourite, very nice and well organised the manager and the staff are well polite, 👍

Great food, value for money and friendly staff

Preciosa comida servida a un buen ritmo con un servicio atento pero no abrumador. Cómo debe ser un pequeño restaurante.

If they are aiming for fine dinning, then it is anything but. Food is ok, maybe somewhat refreshingly experimental to a certain extent, but the prices are a bit of a push to say the least... Place looks cheap, bistro like with cheap materials and surfaces, poorly lit (if that is your thing). Staff are dressed like they just came out of a workshop, really no effort made but pushy for more dishes when you order. On top of the overpriced small portions, they also slap on a service charge!? Only went in because of the AMEX offer and seemed table next to us were the same. Wouldn't go back to spend my own money.

Fabulous dining experience - all the way from the attentive and knowledgable service, approachable yet interesting wine list, and phenomenal food. Every dish knocked it out of the park with small twists and high attention to detail.

Top 5 restaurant in Manchester easily and in a great location. Food and service are great

Oh my days… one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Food - insane. Drinks - insane. LOUIS! was the star of our evening. Amazing recommendations on everything, made us feel so special and looked after. He suggested we try his own homemade (!!) aperitif which so so delicious and complex. Thank you to Louis and the chefs for such an amazing amazing evening :) and a big shoutout for the Hogget leg — melted in our mouth, with some amazing char going on around it. Super recommended!!

El paquete está muy bien pensado. La selección es estacional , el ambiente es bueno y la factura es modesta. Las copas de vino de vertido gratuito son generosas y se ofrecen degustaciones. La comida es encantadora, las temperaturas son puntuales en , plato colorido en su mayoría compartiendo . Todas las cosas sociables emocionantes. Choux Farci era menos texturado, lleno de carne de cerdo, una carne picada más gruesa habría comido mejor, muy bien sazonada. El ala del patín era un poco de bebé, suave y gentil. Panna Cotta había terminado con el azúcar y las ciruelas estaban un poco desinfladas. Pero sobre todo disfrutamos de la noche.

We had a fabulous time at ERST Restaurant! The staff was extremely helpful and created a great vibe that made our experience truly memorable. The food was absolutely delicious, and we can't wait to come back and try more of their amazing dishes. Highly recommended!

Fantastic afternoon, can’t praise the staff enough. Food and wine were amazing. Can’t wait to return. Thank you

Visited Erst Manchester last night for dinner, and it was fantastic. Relaxed atmosphere, great crowd, and perfect bar seating for catching up over wine. The food was incredible. The grilled flatbread with beef fat and Urfa chili is a must—so good. The Gnudi in brown butter and wild garlic was out of this world, and even the beetroot dish (yes, beetroot!) with ajo blanco and green chili completely won me over. The lamb belly and heart skewer with date? Melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Finished with the Seville orange tart and rhubarb crème fraîche—an unreal combo of flavours. The natural wine selection was fab too. Just a brilliant spot for dinner.

Loved loved loved every single dish. Combination of flavours are just 🤯 overall a very ‘wow’, ‘wawww’, ‘mmmm’ expierence. Don’t know if the acoustic isn't right or British people are just very loud haha, but quite noisy for me. Either way, very grateful for the incredibly fast but friendly and impeccable service 🫶

Went to erst the first time a year ago and was blown away!!! We came back tonight and it was just as good if not better. The staff are amazing - shout out Andy who took care of us so well! Super friendly, puts you at ease..: and taught me what kohlrabi is!!!! The service is just the cherry on top though as the food speaks for itself. Complex, balanced flavours, in a sexy and cosy setting. Recommend!!!

We came here for my boyfriend’s 30th birthday - we were wanting to come to Erst for so long so there was no better occasion! The food, wine and ambience were perfect, but the service was exceptional. My boyfriend unfortunately fell ill during the dinner and Louis was an angel, checking in on us and bringing water outside to where my boyfriend was sat. We were so sad to leave earlier than intended but the time we were there was lovely. Special shout-out to the flatbread with lardo - can’t stop dreaming about it! We’ll definitely be back whenever we visit Manchester again.

Shout out to Joel, our exceptional waiter, who went above and beyond to make our anniversary dinner unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable, and attentive. The quality of the food was outstanding—every dish surprised and delighted us. Even those that seemed adventurous on the menu turned out to be an explosion of incredible flavours. Thank you for creating such a special and memorable evening for us!

Underwhelming and overpriced. Plates were okay but largely lacked a depth of flavour. Basque cheesecake was certainly not basque - solid and stodgy. Had high hopes for this place, but it’s not worth the hype.

Great delicious food, nice wine, cool and calm atmosphere and nice staff - what more do you want? Really enjoyed the food it with punchy flavours, favourites were the two flatbreads (the tomato one shouldn't be slept on), the fish with the squid ink sauce was so tasty, and the pork and clams was delicate and great

Thanks to all the staff at Erst for our magnificent meal today. We were first arrivals and made to feel at home, but it soon filled up and there was a lively but not overwhelming buzz to it. We had six plates plus a dessert and came away with our taste buds feeling like they’d had a spa treatment. Olives, sardines and green tomatoes in buttermilk, gnocco and squash, and the kohlrabi/pear/dates were all great, with the flatbread and peppers/walnut bringing all the flavours together. And the lamb rib with coco beans delivered at the end was amazing. Afterwards the baked cheesecake hit the right balance of sweet/savoury & the fig panna cotta was heavenly. The beetroot lemonade washed it all down well. The service was excellent: attentive and happy to talk through the choices. All in all, it was a wonderful meal.

The hake and sirloin were both amazing!

We visited here for our Anniversary over the weekend and had high hopes for the small plates. Stand out was the Beetroot dish which has been on their menu for 5 years and deserves to be on there for another 5, interesting flavours that work very well together. However, we were disappointed with other dishes, the hake was cooked perfectly however, the cuttlefish was very salty. The beef flatbread which is highly spoken of on the reviews was fine, it was cooked well but the flavour was underwhelming, after trying the flatbread from Another Hand this does not compare. Anchovie dish was OK, glad it is now served on bread rather than by itself. The basque cheesecake was interesting, given the strong flavour of Goats cheese I think it would only appeal to a small audience, for me it was a little dry. The panna cotta however was very nice, the grapes did not taste of palma violets. The wine menu was comprehensive but dissapointing for us, the majority of the wines were from 2020 onwards, we expected the 'from the cellar menu' to include more aged wines at least from 2016 onwards. Additionally, the menu needs to be updated on their website as it did not reflect the menu we were given in the restaurant. We were looking forward to trying the Onglet & Bordelaise and was shocked to see this had been replaced by a pork dish at a whopping £28..

Honestly, it is one of our best food experiences in the UK. Service was great with fantastic recommendations for the wine Food was scrumptious with seasoning on point Seasonal menu with great great vegetarian options Ambiance/atmosphere great as well Highly recommend !

De primera. Volveremos. Vinimos en una recomendación y no sabíamos qué esperar. Algunas influencias del euskera, una gran carta de vinos y un excelente servicio

Fuimos a almorzar y lo pasamos muy bien. El personal era encantador y muy bien informado sobre la comida y el vino. Destacaron el jerez con refresco casero, el pan plano de nuez y la merluza con sepia especiada y alioli. Definitivamente me gustaría ir de nuevo

Stunning dishes and great drinks.

Deliciosa alcachofa a la parrilla, remolacha con ajoblanco y merluza con sepia. Por mucho una de las mejores comidas que he tenido este año.

Delicious grilled artichoke, beetroot with ajoblanco and hake with cuttlefish. By far one of the best meals I’ve had this year.

By far my favourite restaurant in Manchester

One of, if not the, best restaurants in Manchester. Service, food, drinks, everything is top drawer

Oisters were lovely! rose wine and house lemonade were great. Nice to sit outside.

Disappointed with the anchovies they were very salty, I’m aware that anchovies are expectedly salty, but as a chef you would think one would pair it with some bread or crackers? And there’s no bread as sides to order for choice! I had to eat it with the bread with beef oil and … Is this what the chef expects? Perhaps, the staff could advise on certain dishes and pairing? It is always said, one eat with the eyes first, unfortunately the hake dish we ordered certainly is lacking in that area.

Nuestra segunda visita y tan buena como la primera. El pan plano con grasa de ternera podría volverse vegetariano 😋 y la remolacha es un básico para agregar equilibrio, y a este carnívoro realmente le encantó. Teníamos Coppa dAbruzzo, pepino, melón y orégano con pecorino. Sardinas a la parrilla, judías borlotti con melocotón y tomate, merluza con sepia. El premio del día fue la carne asada fría, alcachofa y parmesano. Los vinos naturales son deliciosos, y yo no era un converso fácil. Sorbete de chocolate con aceite de oliva y sal marina - increíble. El personal y los propietarios son encantadores y personalmente creo que es el mejor restaurante de Manchester. Me encanta gran producto y ethos Bravo

Went for our wedding anniversary. Both the service and food were top. We had accidentally ordered a wrong carafe of wine, but we had it easily exchanged and the waiter told us that he would hate to have us sit there drinking wine we didn’t enjoy :) We would definitely return

Fantastic food, amazing service - everyone was warm, friendly and went above and beyond (including finding red wine stain remover when I spilt my drink all over my dress!) Great vibes all round