The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle in Manchester

Love, love, love this place ... consistently good in all respects.

An unusual restaurant with a fusion middle European style. Can be tricky to find. Google maps helps with that

One of my favourite restaurants in Manchester and the best pasta I've ever had. Vibes are relaxing and not too formal. Service is incredible. Price is surprisingly reasonable for the quality of food and service.

Food and drink was fantastic, very helpful staff.

A hidden Gem ! The venue is off the beaten track but well worth the exploration. The food and service both excellent. Try everything on the menu awesome as the nights get colder

The best service I've ever had. I called the restaurant for a last-minute large booking, and Ian was so helpful that it's impossible to express my gratitude in words. In my 10 years in the restaurant business, I don't remember receiving better service and care.

You wouldn't even know it was there, it is like a speakeasy. The food was excellent and the team who provide the service excellent, too. The dishes were reasonably priced but tasted just amazing.

What a fabulous restaurant. From an incredible friendly welcome. To fantastic food and service. The full team knew the menu and knew the wine list. I am coming to Manchester again in December and will definitely book again.

Thoroughly enjoyed, food and service was faultless

Truly fantastic. Staff who know what good service is without being stuffy, food that is amazing quality and downright reasonably priced for what it is - fantastic speck board (definitely get the burrata) and the spaetzle is also a must have. Amazing atmosphere hidden behind a door under the railway arches. No complaints at all.

Zhongfu! I don't want to write it in English because foreigners may have different tastes and food cultures. Two galaxies for the service staff! First of all, the restaurant space is very narrow. The restaurant is located in an industrial park, so there is only an inconspicuous entrance. When you enter, you pass a curtain, which is the dining area. You don't need to think about the view, because the restaurant is a secret room with four walls. . The food choices are very limited, the price is not low, but the portions are very small. We Asians ordered four kinds of food, including two main dishes, two drinks, and after eating we had to eat two slices of bread when we returned home. The food is very average, just fast food level. One order of slow-cooked beef only had four small pieces, three of which were old, woody, salty, and burnt, and the other one was normal, so I thought it was mixed with meat cooked at different times. Many people liked it I kept talking about the Guanciale gnocchi. The menu said it was pig cheeks, but I couldn't find them at all, only a few pieces of lard. I'm not full, but I don't dare to bark anymore. The bill was £58.85, not expensive, but totally worth it.

Really good meal for a special night out. The handmade pasta is incredibly well made. The pierogi and goulash are definitely highlights!

Absolutely love the sparrows it’s my favorite restaurant in Manchester without a doubt and have always come back for every occasion! In our most recent visit, the food was gorgeous as always (the focaccia is perfect, love the bolognese with either spatzle or gnocchi, pelmenis and the fermented cucumbers + yellow French beans) and drinks are delicious (love the sparrows tale). I love the panna cotta they do here as well!! Also the space is gorgeous and so unique. The only thing on this particular visit was the service was a little strange on the drinks side, but I’m gonna put that down to it being Saturday evening rush. Would recommend this in a heart beat to literally everyone!!

Another incredible meal here. The food was just divine, we found the basic späzle and sage just out of this world and the service was incredible, we never wanted for anything. Crab ravioli with saffron was also delicious. 10/10

Outstanding food, brilliant and attentive service and in a great atmosphere - the sparrows is a hidden gem in Manchester's Green quarter. The food comes fairly quickly but the service is not rushed. I'm looking forward to returning to try more dishes!

Absolutely fabulous food. Loved everything about the venue, feels cosy very warming and well the Saki what an experience. This was beautifully explained by the lady owner . Hopefully will not be my last visit

Unique intriguing delicious with lovely informative host in a lovely restaurant. Great value for money and a super evening 👍

Amazing food, service and atmosphere, recently visited for the second time, we cannot fault it. The servers are knowledgeable and passionate, the food is incredible.

Would definitely visit again. Interesting & delicious menu. Great venue that is unassuming. Great for a date night.

A wonderful dinner experience for our first visit to Sparrows. We ordered a chorizo spatzle, a crayfish and crab meat ravioli, fermented cucumber and finished off the meal with a pineapple carpaccio with lime sorbet and a roasted plum with vanilla ice-cream dessert. The dishes are all very tasty. The pineapple carpaccio is very refreshing. Will definitely come again to try other dishes!

Even though preceded by a great reputation, we were blown away by The Sparrows. We had a booking for Tuesday at 8:30pm and the small but cosy room that makes up the restaurant was packed. After a short wait, we were seated by an incredibly attentive maǐtre d’ who spoke us through the menu and, once we had chosen our order, defined what dishes would come out when to best complement each other. Delicious, inventive and brilliant value. Would visit again.

Amazing food, really lovely atmosphere and wonderful service. Excellent wine and spirit menu. Special thanks to Rachel who was charming and made our lunch extra special. Outstanding !!

My favourite restaurant in Manchester hands down. Came back for a second time last night and was served by Colin who was fantastic. We sadly didn’t get the name of the gentleman on the door but we remembered him from our first visit, and he was once again lovely and attentive. The food is incredible but we sadly couldn’t finish it all! They did however give us top tips for reheating our pierogi the next day. 10/10 experience.

This place was incredible. Everything we had here was perfect. My new fav place to eat in Manchester.

Updated: this was our second time visiting. Again a lovely experience. The menu hasn’t changed but we knew what to get as we still recognised our favs. A true hidden gem, quite literally, to find it just follow Google Maps and its just a small black door with a sign on the side. Once you’re in though you are transformed to a tranquil Japanese inspired space. The staff are lovely with excellent recommendations. It’s small dishes so you are advised to order two dishes per person and they come as separate courses. The cocktails are excellent too. Perfect if you like Sake as there are two excellent options. The food is European inspired pasta dishes all of which were perfect. Overall, one of the best restaurants we have visited in Manchester and highly recommend

I wasn’t excited at the first when told about the location. Entrance is not very visible from the road when driving past. Entry is by buzzing a bell, almost like into a secret club.. However, it all changes when you step in. Inviting host, interesting interior, friendly professional staff. Food was delicious and original. Loved portions as we could taste different meals and still find space for pudding. Definitely coming again!

Chilled and unpretentious vibes, lovely staff, fun space. Decent vegan options. Obsessed with the focaccia and the sauerkraut!

Loved the place, food was amazing, service from all the staff was great, and the atmosphere was ideal, felt like it was busy but was not overcrowded, lighting was a happy medium, music fit the vibe.

This restaurant is a great find. We were accomodated at the last minute by the team who really went out of their way to find us space. Menu is excellent and the food is very high quality. The staff take care to guide you through the menu to ensure you select the meal you prefer and recommend additional appropriate dishes. Food is served in good time in a great atmosphere.

My favourite restaurant. Can’t recommend enough

Well known hidden gem. Can easily miss the entrance but what a stunning place inside. Been a huge fan since their first opening at another location but this is a step up. Food always amazing. Great service. Great drinks menu. Just go.

Lovely treat for our anniversary. Standout dishes for me were chorizo spätzle (pictured) and cinnamon spätzle desert. Top class food and service :)

Just one of the best eating experiences I have had in a while. Simple set up that makes you feel at home. Great mix of people and ages just consumed in the experience. Very reasonable for inner city grub. Food feels very fresh and authentic med. Saka wasn't my thing but great to have something new to try. Someone knew their wines. Fantastic selection.

Returned here tonight after living abroad and have been coming to the Sparrows since it was in the old location. It's still brilliant food, service and a lovely vibe. Great to see it doing so well :) Looking forward to the next visit!

Overall excellent. Take a look at the menu before you go as it is quite specific. The highlight is the German style pasta but all of the food is fresh and carefully made. The service is helpful and friendly and the place has a really cozy atmosphere. Two things I would like to see are slightly more choice of sensibly priced wine (it quickly gets to £40 a bottle) and personally I would like more choices of "starter" with substance as there is a lot of bits and pieces like pickles and tomato which taste good but feel a bit like sides. I know the concept is sharing but be good to offer a few more complete smaller dishes that could be eaten before the pasta. Overall a great place to eat!

Went to their sister pop up down the road. Food was brilliant, service was friendly and fun and we had a lovely time - definitely worth a visit!!

Loved our meal here - food was delicious and all the servers were friendly and attentive. Very easy to recommend. Would absolutely come back next time I’m in Manchester.

**Restaurant Review: The Sparrows, Manchester** Nestled off the beaten track, The Sparrows offers a quirky and delightful dining experience, specializing in continental pasta and spätzle. This charming eatery is a hidden gem in Manchester, perfect for those seeking something unique and comforting. The menu boasts an impressive selection of starters and sharers. The burrata is a standout, perfectly creamy and complemented by a wild garlic pesto. Their focaccia, seasoned with salt and rosemary, is another highlight – a must-try for bread enthusiasts. When it comes to the main course, The Sparrows truly shines with their homemade pasta. I opted for the pappardelle, a fresh egg pasta that's hand-rolled and delightfully tender. The sauces on offer cater to a range of tastes – from the simple elegance of butter and sage to the rich and hearty bolognese. On my visit, I was particularly impressed by the special of the day: chanterelle mushrooms and garlic, which added an earthy depth to the dish. The atmosphere is cozy, with low lighting that subtly detracts from the industrial feel of the corrugated roof. This creates an intimate setting perfect for a relaxed meal. Service at The Sparrows is exceptional, with attentive and friendly staff ensuring a pleasant dining experience. However, there is room for improvement in the timeliness of the drink service, as drinks could arrive a bit quicker. Overall, The Sparrows is a fantastic restaurant that I would gladly return to whenever I'm in the area. The unique concept, delectable food, and warm service make it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable meal in Manchester. For more details, visit their website at [The Sparrows](https://thesparrows.me/).

Fantastic experience with excellent pasta and side dishes. I have no words for the focaccia. Our waitress' choice of wine was amazing. Would love to go again when I visit Manchester again.

You can definitely see why this place gets some of the best reviews in Manchester. As soon as we walked in we commented that it was the service was the best we'd received in a really long time. The food was incredible, the staff were amazing and we will 100% be coming back as soon as we can. 1000000/10.

I accidentally made my reservation a month early but Ian and Vanessa were so accommodating and managed to get us seated! We loved everything l, but the gnocchi was incredible! Huge thanks to Ian and Vanessa for making my partner’s birthday so special!

Excellent fancy little place with some genuinely interesting menu selections.

I went solo for dinner, and the food was really nice and cheaper than I was expecting. I had help from the server with the menu and recommended which dishes to be served together. I had Foccacia, Burrata and a daily pasta special to start, then some Bolognese Gnocchi, Pelmeni dumplings and then finished off with a Panacotta. The only part that didn't quite meet expectations were some of the people, most of the servers were really really nice, but there were a couple of folks not dressed in the (typical?) black serving uniform, in white that I felt weren't that polite and had kind of a superiority air about them. I also feel like the atmosphere is better aimed at couples. Great food and I think it's worth going for the experience, but I'm not sure I'd go again.

Lovely, cozy place. Easy to find for those who want to find it 🙂

The restaurant is open under the bridge and looks like a warehouse. When you ring the doorbell and open the door, you will see two different worlds. It is simple and yet designed with craftsmanship. It seems like nothing, but warmth emerges when you are in it. The person who greeted me was a lady with a strong Italian accent. It was a pleasure to listen to her introduce the food slowly, her final voice rose, and the questions turned into affirmatives. You completely believed her. The owner of this shop sells Italian pasta, but it also crosses into the fields of Germany, Poland, and Portugal, echoing the ethnic integration of the kitchen like the United Nations. I sat at an angle where I could see everything going on in the kitchen. It was very bear, very hot, and very picturesque. , The point is, it's so delicious. The Speck board has aged ham, focaccia, pickles, and a side of burrata, the combination is perfect and the portion is just right. Chanterelle papardelle mushroom noodles with yellow French beans is also a must-have, refreshing and not burdensome. The waitress asked me how I liked the red wine she recommended. I replied, the white wine is great, but I have some reservations about the red wine. She didn't say anything and immediately brought another bottle of red wine. You can try this. You conquered me like this, and this lyric suddenly flashed in my mind. What a "Red Bird" restaurant🤓🤓🤣🤣, gave me a great Sunday night.

Excellent - no other words needed

Excellent service in a really great setting, a hidden vibe and a comfortable environment. The food is delicious, highly recommend the Bolognese.

Amazing decor, atmosphere and vibe. The food was wonderful.

Best restaurant in Manchester and always a great experience. Really good value, high quality food and brilliant service. Highly recommended. Much better value than more showy places in town. Simple menu, everything done to perfection.

Loved our evening here! Gorgeous little place tucked away and the staff were welcoming. One of the chefs came to take our order and then used our choices to pair items together to make different courses based on the complimentary flavours of the dishes we’d selected. The food was faultless, loved every bite! Great value for the amount of food we ordered.

Love this place. The attention to detail, the service, the delicious food. It’s such a special dining experience but in no way pretentious. Hope to go back soon 🤩

Best food I have had in ages. Menu not easy to understand. Courses a little expensive for size of them. Desserts delicious and good value. Friendly staff.

A beautiful restaurant with service to match! My fouth visit and will be back again soon.

Went last night and the food was absolutely beautiful. We shared 8 dishes and had 2 foccacia between 4 of us and my goodness it was all unbelievably good. I must say the staff are a credit to the restaurant, from the moment you are welcomed to the moment you leave the attentetive nature of the staff makes the whole experience wonderful. I must say our server Marcus was excellent he explained everything so well and was there topping up your glass the minute it was empty....honestly he made us feel so special. I can't wait to return....thank you

This place was fantastic! The food was great. There was good variety and everything was full over flavour. They used great ingredients particularly in the tomato and yellow bean sides. The spätzle was great, we had never tried it before but it was light and it held the sauce well. The bolognaise sauce was the best we’ve had in the UK, nice and rich. The Russian dumplings were also fantastic, small, crispy and would be ideal for snacking. We also ordered a second focaccia because the first one was so good and gone too quickly. The service was impeccable. The food is brought in waves with staff recommending which two dishes to bring at a time. It was a great way of eating because it meant the table wasn’t cluttered with lots of dishes and you could appreciate each dish on its own. We were served at various times by 6 different staff members but it wasn’t chaotic, the service just flowed perfectly with staff there when you needed and not bothering you while you were eating. All the staff were really warm and friendly too. The atmosphere in the restaurant was great. Despite the high ceiling it felt intimate but still vibrant. The price was very reasonable too. Overall it was just a perfect meal out.

Enjoyable lunch. A few things to consider.... very little space between table (chair often kicked by passing customers and staff). Menu difficulty to read.... very small font and poor restaurant lighting. Recommended to order 2 dishes per person but 1 would have been sufficient for us. Wrong order for 1 of our group so he was waiting while the other 5 were eating. Long wait for food and between courses. No dessert as we didn't have enough time due to slow service. Food dropped onto arm by waitress clearing dirty cutlery. Food very tasty but let down by numerous minor issues.

Such a cozy place with delicious food ❤️

The guanciale spatzle is mind-blowing

Very tasty spätzle and dumplings in a classy venue in Manchester. Friendly service.

Our no. 1 place for whenever we visit Manchester

FLAWLESS service & hospitality complimenting beautifully considered and perfectly executed food and drink. 11/10. Such a beautiful atmosphere. Love love love this place and will be spreading the word. We sat in the bar area and it was a delight.

Rly good service , nice staff , and found one and only alcohol I can drink. Hhhh . Perfect experience.

Delicious pasta but the portions sizes were just too small to justify the price of them.

Came on Tuesday night had a lovely meal and the service was exceptional I will definitely be back cannot recommend enough!!

Delicious food in a relaxing, refined atmosphere. Nice selection of wine and drinks, simple but tasty food.

The service was good and the atmosphere was fine but unfortunately the food was underwhelming. Overpriced for average dishes.

Very cozy inside and scary outside, specially in a rainy day, like most of the days in Man.

Found it by chance .won a voucher .went earlier in the year.and then returned yo celebrate a birthday.food is excellent.if not the biggest menu but delicious.large selection of wines & drinks.reasonably priced ,very helpful friendly staff.its very cosy inside there's no window's & low lighting.. Which adds to it as there's no distraction.dogs welcome.dress code relaxed .different mix of ages & nationalitys .you don't see people on there phone ,everybody is chatting with whoever they are dining with.which is nice .i would thoroughly recommend a visit.

The overall is nice. Good service. Many drinks for selection. The food is also good. There was a bit mess up about our reservation which caused us to wait outside almost an hour. Please make sure to make a booking and reconfirm with them for your safety sake.

All I can say is WOW! From the unassuming exterior you step into a beautifully intimate interior filled with a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Staff are wonderfully professional and friendly. Food is on another level and has to be experienced to be appreciated. An absolute gem of a place which is totally unique in Manchester. The Sparrows should be mega proud of what they have achieved here ❤️

Fabulous : wonderful birthday treat from my sons in this beautiful restaurant . Exceptional, delicious food service and atmosphere This is magically invisible in the bustle of Manchester making the experience so unique ! Highly recommend

Impeccable service, wonderful food and an intimate, welcoming environment. Absolutely tremendous experience.

Absolutely loved the food here! Not many vegan options, but the ones they do have are phenomenally good! Lovely staff, great atmosphere. Will be going again and again I'm sure!

Came here for dinner last night and it was such a beautiful restaurant, can't believe I haven't been here sooner! The food was amazing, and the service was great. Really lovely restaurant, can't fault it at all. One of the best places to eat in Manchester.

This restaurant is exceptional. Not just the delicious food and superb wine, but even more so the service. Every member of staff was just delightful. We enjoyed every moment and can't wait to come again.

The staff were very friendly and the ambience was cozy, tried the butter and sage spatzle

It was a nice experience as a one off but we wouldn’t go back. The service was quite substandard. We waited almost 2 1/2 hours for five dishes and by the time the next one came, we were still hungry. I only one of the waiters and waitresses seemed happy. The rest didn’t seem that bothered. The asparagus special was amazing and one the best dishes I’ve had. That may be because we were really hungry and it was the first one we had though. It was also £18, which seemed very steep for five pieces. The dumplings were fine. Very fresh but the Dip with it didn’t do anything for it. Was nice to try the spatzle but for the prices, I wouldn’t be getting it again. The dessert was also very lack lustre and a nothingness. For £90 The atmosphere was fine. I didn’t like being able to look in the kitchen in the way that they framed it. It was all a bit too industrial. It seemed too much like a pop-up stall than a restaurant. The quality of the food was great and you could really tell a difference Compared to a normal restaurant standard. For £96 though which included one alcoholic drink, I think there’s probably better value elsewhere. I would recommend everybody try it at least once though and form their own opinion

Beautiful anniversary spent here xoxo

Beautiful tasting food, every dish was full on flavour. Great to see the dishes being matched with other. Service was friendly and helpful. Very impressed.

This place is perfect. Incredible food, drinks and service. Best place in MCR

It’s a pain when you read reviews and it’s all gushing, amazing and wonderful! It really doesn’t give a true reflection of what it really is and I am often left disappointed when it’s not those things. The food was ok. Just food to eat, no food orgasm no taste explosion in your mouth. Ordinary. A little mean with the ingredients. I had a dish with chorizo. If there was one slice cut up in to tiny pieces it wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Why be so mean? It meant that the dish was bland. Plenty of the cheaper ingredients which made it cleggie and stick to the roof of your mouth. The goulash was tasty. The best dish by far was the tomato and red onion side. Now that was delicious. I won’t be coming back. Over priced and underwhelming. Great carpark tho. Very helpful not to have to worry about the parking!

such amazing food and cosy atmosphere , service great and very professional. love the minimalist decor and each dish is very well thought-out and complimentary really is such a different restaurant leading the way in manchester , really worth a visit and the price for the quality and experience been about 3 times and i dont dine out often best dishes i recommend: - vegan leek pelmini : sooo garlicky and alot more complex in flavour than beef + pork. beetroot dip is to die for - tiramisu : best in manchester in my opinion - such a treat if u like a boooozy tiramisu do wish the cucumber pickles were a bit stronger but they had a nice crunch since the first visit i have missed the older male server (didnt get his name) but he is out of this world !! (pics from all 3 visits)

Absolutely lovely place with fabulous service and utterly delicious food.

I’m really sad to say that The Sparrows has lost its sparkle for me. As one of my favourite restaurants I have been here many times over the years. After almost a year, we went for my boyfriend’s birthday last week and we were really disappointed. We felt like the tables had been crammed in, the service wasn’t up to usual standards with food coming out with 40min breaks in between. We were pretty much over it by the time they delivered us goulash at nearly 9.30pm. The staff seemed to need more training with them reaching over and pouring tap water into my sparkling. It didn’t seem like anyone was receiving food at one point and you could feel that something was ‘off’ in the kitchen. I’m really sad we had this experience because the food tasted good but the menu hasn’t had a variation in a long time and compared to other restaurants in the spot light right now, The Sparrows fell short.

Incredible meal; great service; relaxed atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone. Everyone should try the Spatzel 👌

When the taxi dropped us off our first impression was where the hell have we come too. It doesn't look inviting from outside and then you need to ring the door bell, but once inside it all changes. The service was top notch as was the food and drinks. All explained well even to how many dishes to order etc. well worth the experience and the food was amazing..

This place is truly special and delicious. Perfect spot for a date 😊

Such a beautiful hidden gem. The food was amazing and atmosphere was relaxed and exactly what you’d want when going for a meal out.

Sunday lunch for four. We booked two weeks in advance. This place is always busy so booking recommended. Outstanding vodka Martini. The special of potato mezzaluna with fresh asparagus was lovely. All dishes were delicious. Good service, but the waiter was unsure if he had brought us the correct bottle of saké. Lovely Swiss cheese board to share as dessert. Kasia is an enthusiastic host. Our second visit and definitely not our last

Really special place to eat and entertain. Been a few times now and never disappointed

Noodles are of a high standard.

Visited with friends at the weekend. Opted for the mezzaluna special and pierogi - both really excellent. Nice Swiss cheese selection for dessert. Great service and intimate atmosphere.

It was our first visit there for lunch over the weekend. The place is at an absolutely unusual location and as soon as you enter, you are pleasantly surprised by the decor and feel of the restaurant. Friendly staff, great service and delicious food.l- their buratta was the highlight for us, but all good was great and the drinks too- enjoyed the warm sake. The only off putting thing towards the end was the sudden drop in service when they got busier. We had to wait a lot for the dessert menu, last round of water top up and the bill. Also I felt their specials dish that day was over priced (18£) for the quantity. But overall a great experience.

An unassuming restaurant inconspicuously between a couple railway arches. A doorbell is your key through the front door. Classic and simple interior with comfortably homey tables and chairs. The food is very well done homemade pasta and dumplings. We started with the spaetzle with butter and sage. Simply delicious. They had a special of gnocchi with wild garlic and burrata. The wild garlic had a delicious fresh bite and the gnocchi was cooked perfectly. Pappardelle with bolognaise is exactly like grandma would make. My wife loved the cheese on the bottom! Simple salad was nice, though a touch heavy on the black pepper. Admittedly I was most excited to try the Pelmeni and they were slightly disappointing though not bad. They had a nice garlic crumble but beyond that we’re a bit bland. Lovely fresh focaccia is recommended to sop up any sauces. The smoked sausage may have surprisingly been our favourite. Really delicious and flavourful. With all the accomplishments to mix and match. Tiramisu was a nice and optionally boozy ending.

Delicious food. We especially enjoyed the spätzle, salad, pasta and pierogi. The service is excellent.

One of my favourite restaurants in Manchester, it’s the perfect place for date night. Lovely relaxed atmosphere with great food and friendly service. We have dined here a few times and it’s always been a perfect experience. The food is delicious, I would advise to select a few dishes and share, that way you get to sample more of the menu. Cocktails are good but the wine options are even better!

Fantastic setting, feels incredibly warm considering it's set in a railway arch. The food was packed with flavour, with great definition and distinction. The wine list is extensive, well curated and perfectly suited to the food and the service was prompt, efficient and sincere. I have been singing your praises to al my friends! I look forward to visiting again in the future.

Definitely would recommend this place! One of the best pastas I’ve had in a while, attentive staff and amazing atmosphere.

Incredible restaurant with a really interesting menu, cozy setting and excellent service. One of Manchester's best. Update 22/03/24: Still one of my favourite places in Manchester! The pasta is some of the best I've ever had and it's great we can bring the doggo. I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone.

What can I say - is five stars enough? Greeted promptly by a warm host. We were guided to our table and the atmosphere was sultry. The service was highly interactive and conscientious - keen to inform us on the sake and pairings. Overall, I would highly recommend The Sparrows to anyone with even the poorest of taste buds as you will not be disappointed, as the food speaks for itself.