Wood Manchester in Manchester

Food and atmosphere excellent- would recommend. We opted for the a la carte rather than tasting menu, all three dishes and sides were excellent - highlight for me was the steak tartare. We seem to run in to problems not with service per se, there was some issue with food ticket system which meant a delay between starter and main which was considerable, staff were apologetic and a free round of drinks was offered which mitigated the problem. We did wait 30 mins to be seated at our table and had a drink in the bar area whilst we waited, this might not be an issue for some folk but personally I prefer to be seated at my booking time. A few small issues which didn’t detract from the overall experience, and still rated the food and overall experience highly!

Bad service - won’t be coming back

What a special restaurant from start to finish greeted by lovely staff very attentive and knowledgeable, especially Huma & Will! The food was a true explosion of flavours in your mouth! We had the chefs tasting menu paired with wines:an absolute delight! A little out of the centre of Manchester but well worth the walk to this fab place! Ambience, seating and style was perfect! I’ve watched Masterchef for many years and Simon Wood has excelled since he won! Highly recommend Wood for a special occasion! If you’re a true foodie you must go!

Looked after well. Explained all the dishes.

Sadly I am writing a review for a special celebration that did not happen. Over two months ago I booked a 70th Birthday dinner at 8.00 pm for six people on Wednesday 25 September. Late in the morning of 18th September I received a telephone call informing me that my booking was cancelled as they had a booking for a private function on the date I had chosen. I spoke to the manger to ask why my booking had been taken and why it was cancelled at such short notice. His response was 'human error'. In my conversation with the manger I discovered a number of human errors - firstly the fact that my booking had been accepted, secondly that it had taken this long to discover the original error and thirdly at least one other table of guests had also been cancelled. I try not to be cynical, but I do wonder when exactly the booking for the function took place. I guess the final straw in an annoying situation was the suggestion that I would perhaps like to rebook a different day. The lesson learnt for me about Wood is that you need to check regularly that your booking is secure, or it might, due to 'human error', mysteriously disappear.

Triumphant! My wife and I came here last night to celebrate our first wedding anniversary with great expectations, and they truly delivered. The service was flawless - warm without being invasive, enthusiastic without being fake, and with a genuine serenity. We had to go for the tasting menu to really get the full experience of the style and creativity behind the dishes, and that turned out to be a superb choice. It demonstrated finesse and real character behind the concept, and although it could have done with a lighter, more refreshing dessert following the rich meat dishes, it still sang with a sense of identity and belonging. The wine pairing was a real talking point: approachable enough to work in harmony with the dishes, but complex enough to make a real talking point. This was a wine pairing made by someone who puts the dining experience before flex. The manager Will was the perfect host and serves with personality, and made our anniversary a sensational occasion. Thank you!

I really enjoyed it. The team were top notch, from the booking, through to the call beforehand and arrival, the passion from front of house and presentation of the dishes by different team members. It was a real experience. The food was delicious, full of flavour.

We went out for a meal having heard so many great things about Wood. However, we came home hungry despite having ordered a starter and a main each and a shared dessert. The main does not come with accompaniments, you have to pay separately for these hence if you don’t, the main doesn’t fill your belly. Fish dishes perfectly cooked, however the meat dishes were dry, despite the sauces. Wait for the main course was 45 min, which is a tad too long for such a fine dining restaurant. Service was nice, especially after we had to wait for such a long time for our mains. Dessert (‘bueno’) was nice, especially if you like VERY sweet endings to your meal. Ps. My husband would like to also add that the scallop starter was superb especially the broth (apologies if that isn’t the right term) & would award it the highest mancunian complimentary comment: it was mint mate!

What a fabulous restaurant. The food was exquisite with just the right attentiveness from the staff. Highly recommended.

There’s always a bit of apprehension on a second visit: will it be as good as last time? We needn’t have worried, it was. We took advantage of the half price tasting menu summer offer. What a treat! Each course was a celebration of having tastebuds. The sashimi hake…stunning. Ham, eggs & chips…pure culinary invention. The lamb rump….exquisite. Strawberry & macadamia dessert…one more please and the crumpet, cheese and cider…inspired. The staff are all knowledgeable, welcoming, friendly and unpretentious. Are we going back? Definitely.

My wife and I have visited Wood several times, however we hadn’t been for a couple of years. We had received vouchers from family and put these towards booking in for the ‘Taste of Summer’ menu. From the second we stepped through the door, the experience was excellent. The front of house staff were friendly and approachable, who welcomed you to the restaurant like old friends. We enjoyed a drink in the bar area before being taken to our table and we enjoyed one of the best meals we have eaten in a long time. Simon has put a lot of thought and effort into creating his menu and it clearly shows. His business partner is a coeliac like myself, which has meant his menus come with the benefit of being able to be made gluten free, by someone who understands the condition. We enjoyed a five course meal, including carefully created dishes using: sashimi hake, pommes anna with bacon sauce, a beautifully cooked piece of lamb served with rumbledethump, strawberries and cream and finished with a ‘scrumpet.’ The descriptions I have given do not do the menu justice and I highly recommend looking it up for yourself on their easy to use website. Special commendation should be given to Simon, as during the whole time we were at the restaurant, he was not being your typical head chef. There was no fussing obsessively over the pass, but he stood calmly doing vegetable prep, allowing his well trained and loyal staff to take centre stage. His name may be on the door, but it wasn’t all about him. If you’re looking for a high quality, well made and enjoyable dining experience, look no further than Wood.

We went in over the pride weekend so it was quite dead, but presumably expected. We had the summer menu as it was on a half price offer for £40 each. It was very nice and the whole menu was available gluten free without any hassle which is very good and quite rare. The food was good but we have had better taster menus before but I don't think I would have been happy paying the full price of £80. Lamb was a tad rare for my liking, almost completely raw in the middle, still tasty though. Service was excellent I can't fault it, I'm unsure whether I'd go back at those prices though.

Where do we begin! My fiancée booked this to celebrate my 30th birthday as I had been wanting to visit forever so I was very excited when we arrived. We walked in and felt at ease with the vibes of the place, not pretentious at all and really relaxed but welcoming. We were immediately greeted with a happy birthday and sat in the lounge to order our drinks before being taken to our table. We got chatting with Dan while ordering our drinks and said how intriguing it was to watch the open kitchen and the pass to which he then said ‘I’ve got an idea, why don’t we sit you at chefs table so you can experience it while you dine!’ And it absolutely did not disappoint! We ordered our food which was truly outstanding, everything was explained to us in detail, sometimes by the chefs themselves and we had the absolute pleasure of watching chefs Zara, Cameron and Danny at work which was truly mesmerising. Head Chef Zara even came over to speak to us once service had finished which was really lovely. Everything about this restaurant was amazing, special thanks to Dan who really went the extra mile for us both! We will definitely be returning with some friends and family in tow to show them how incredible this place is!

Where do we begin! My fiancée booked this to celebrate my 30th birthday as I had been wanting to visit forever so I was very excited when we arrived. We walked in and felt at ease with the vibes of the place, not pretentious at all and really relaxed but welcoming. We were immediately greeted with a happy birthday and sat in the lounge to order our drinks before being taken to our table. We got chatting with Dan while ordering our drinks and said how intriguing it was to watch the open kitchen and the pass to which he then said ‘I’ve got an idea, why don’t we sit you at chefs table so you can experience it while you dine!’ And it absolutely did not disappoint! We ordered our food which was truly outstanding, everything was explained to us in detail, sometimes by the chefs themselves and we had the absolute pleasure of watching chefs Zara, Cameron and Danny at work which was truly mesmerising. Head Chef Zara even came over to speak to us once service had finished which was really lovely. Everything about this restaurant was amazing, special thanks to Dan who really went the extra mile for us both! We will definitely be returning with some friends and family in tow to show them how incredible this place is!

Dear Anton, head sommelier, you were the most miserable, vacant and un-empathetic person ever to serve me and my wife in any restaurant. Upon casually commenting to the unhappy fellow that the vegan tasting menu left us feeling hungry and unsatisfied (not acceptable for a meal that cost £80pp) he proceeded to inform us that his opinion is that it was a reasonable amount of food and that we - the customer - were simply incorrect. Let me be clear, it was minuscule. Enough for a hamster perhaps but not two hungry adult human beings. He also arrogantly said that he’d a LOT of tasting menus, and patronisingly implied that we probably had not. Therefore he must know better. Anton, we have been fortunate enough to enjoy tasting menus all over the world in London, New York Washington DC and Mexico. Including but not limited to Pied a Terre, Galvin La Chapelle, the incredible ’Elizabeth’s’ in Washington DC and Eleven Madison Park, (an outstanding fully plant based triple Michelin star restaurant) and on zero occasions at these establishments did we leave hungry, nor did we leave rattled by a very rude man with as much charm and enthusiasm as a rusty doorknob. The food was unimpressive too - below average. That might have been why the restaurant was so empty on a Friday night in the city centre. It was a shame, as Anton’s manner was a stark comparison to the other waiting staff who were very lovely indeed actually. Alas, Anton must have been having a very bad day and our anniversary dinner was negatively affected. We will not be returning.

The "Taste of Summer" menu was delicious and full of surprises

I've dined here a couple of times at the WOOD, its a lovely restaurant and the atmosphere is great. Each time I've visited I've eaten with people who have different dietary needs, may it be vegetarians or people who eat glutton free and they've easily been able to find many options of dishes for them. The pork which I last had was beautiful and the Hazelnut, Chocolate and Praline was some of the best I've tasted. Although it should be known that some of the main dishes are on the bit of the small portion size. The service was fine, nothing extraordinary, it was understandably busy every time I've been, so the wait times for food and drink were quite long. We were also left alone for a lot of our stay, which I can imagine people liking, but I prefer a tad more interaction

Went to Wood for my birthday dinner, when we came in we were greeted by staff and they were very pleasant and friendly. We were seated in the waiting area while we waited on our table and ordered a bottle of wine, the table we were sat at was very wobbly and the wine was shaking out of the glasses as it was being poured. Little things I usually wouldn't take heed of, but with the higher pricing of the wine and food I feel it's noticeable as part of the experience. My partner and I are vegetarian so decided to order several of the vegetarian dishes to share as we didn't fancy one of the vegetarian main courses. I must say I can't knock the food on flavour, everything was cooked exceptionally and the ingredients were truly used to extract the best from them. I will however say the portion sizes are extremely small for the price of the plates. The Pomme Anna was four very small sticks in a jar, the broccoli side was in the smallest container and although extremely delicious there was very little of it to enjoy, and the cous cous/rice portions with the courgette main were tiny. Another thing to mention is most of our food was quite cold nothing was hot. I really did enjoy the flavours but I don't think we would rush back, it lacked in areas that you expect more of from fine dining.

It must have been the best oyster I’ve ever had! It took it from a 4 to a 5 star. The dessert as well. Great combination taste wise and beautifully presented. Through those two dishes I was in heaven. The rib of beef was good and well presented as well, but the wild mushrooms on truffled toast was a bit too heavy for my liking. It was too cold in the room, and the service could have been better. It didn’t seem that coordinated or interested in their guests. Though the guy at the entrance was really friendly. This was in June.

An excellent experience and top notch food, Simon and the staff were great and very knowledgeable about the food they served. A wedding anniversary which we will always remember. Many thanks.

Food was extremely tasty however, service was very slow, 3 course meal ended up being nearly 4 hrs long. Fortunately in good company but even when flagged staff were a bit blaze about it and blamed two "larger" tables which had arrived after us....looking around there must have been only 8-10 covers on this evening. Considering the spend per head, was a bit of a disappointment!

Delicious flavours and seasoning in every dish. Milk bread and butter set the scene. It was gorgeous.

Absolutely love coming here. We spent a good 3 hours here talking to the brilliant staff, chatting with Simon, sampling the wonderful selection of drinks and eating the most outstanding food. Such a fantastic choice of delicious food and drink, with recommendations from the staff also. It's a lovely modern restaurant with a welcoming and relaxed feel and plays great music! Worth giving Dan at front of house a shout out as well for being warm, friendly and a lovely guy

Partner took me here for my 30th birthday tonight and booked seats at the chefs table where we had the tasting menu. A really nice mix of food where I tried some new things i wouldn't normally have ordered - favourite dishes were the lamb rump and the jersey jacket. Great to watch the chefs work from our seats - definitely adds to the atmosphere and we got to speak with Simon a few times through the evening. The real stand out of the evening was the staff/service which made it a really special and enjoyable evening. Nothing to fault with any of the staff, and a special thanks to Dan and Ciaran.

Dinner located opposite Manchester's Home complex. There's quite a choice of restaurants in the city to choose from. Looking at various menus online we decided we liked the look of here and booked it last minute.Have we chosen the right restaurant? For those that don't know,it's run by chef patron Simon Wood who won Masterchef back in 2015. After walking about 20mins across the city from where we were staying,we were warmly greeted at the door.Inside a beautiful,modern,spacious dining room. . There's Chef's seasonal tasting menu or A la Carte. We decided to pick and choose our meal. Four starters to share between us. Cornish squid,Rag pudding,The best bit of the chicken and Sticky glazed short rib.They were all delicious but the short rib was on another level and very moorish. . For mains,a beautiful Halibut fillet with rich, sticky ox cheek, diced smoked ox heart and tongue bound with bone marrow, finished with fume and Buddha's hand Oil with sea vegetables. A Poached Lemon Sole & Caviar Fumé,cream sauce with keta and caviar, baby fennel and a lovage and fennel salad. Served with a side of Deep Fried Pommes Anna. OMG, like no other we have ever had before. Also a side of Blacksticks Broccoli Tips. For dessert we shared BBQ Peach & Kombucha Cheesecake .A set cheesecake cream, blackberry compote, BBQ Kombucha, peaches and oat clusters. Did we choose the right restaurant? Of course we did. This was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences we have had in quite a while. The staff were all friendly and hospitable, especially our lovely, smiley server Maddie. Not forgetting the very talented Simon and his team. A night we will certainly remember for a long time.

Excellent meal at Wood for our wedding anniversary, we have previously been for a cheese experience but last night was the first time we’ve eaten here in the evening. The food was a top tier and the service friendly. We took our 6 week old baby and the staff were extremely accommodating and made us feel very welcome. A true 5 star night.

Amazing place to go to with some stunning food. Ordered off the main menu and was blown away by each course. The eel was a new food for me and utterly delicious The mains of fish was so fresh and creamy at the same time, with the surlisong show stopper being the broccoli a dish I assumed to be so simple but was extremely morish and I highly reccomend it as a side. We also both very much enjoyed the Lotr inspired 'elven bread' as an extra side. It definitely needs to be added to the full menu 😋 The ice cream at the end came wirh a selection of sweets that you can choose to put on, some of the nicest ice cream I've had The service was wonderful with friendly amd knowledgeable staff who made sure we were well looked after. There's also some great options for both drinkers and none drinkers alike giving a decent selection of well thought of mocktails 10/10 and would love to visit again to try thr tasting menu

Had 17 dishes between three. Mostly exceptional but couple were bland and not value for money. Service was outstanding

Recently celebrated a 60th birthday here, all the staff were fantastic and made us very welcome at the Chefs table, food was delicious with very good portions, the whole experience felt special.

We enjoyed it here alot, well worth a visit. Good staff and friendly and very helpful.

Had a fantastic evening. The mocktails are delicious! Everything was scrumptious.

Lunch of small plates with divine tastes and nice ambience

Had the Tasting menu at wood. Something we'd been waiting on for a while! My wife was very happy to see its return and under a new format. We asked for wine recommendations and we decided to go with the waiter's suggestion which paired perfectly. Everyone was helpful and we could observe Simon cooking and having fun with his team. We've always loved coming to Wood and are always welcomed like we're a part of the team. We look forward to our next visit.

Style over substance. Not worth it. Went on Saturday and they were short staffed. Took us half an hour to be seated after our reservation time. Food came out at different times so all went cold. No flavour apart from huge amounts of salt. My lamb was very poorly cooked. Gave feedback and they didn’t care. Deserts were flavourless, how you make chocolate not even that great is a huge achievement. I do have to say the staff were top notch. Very friendly and professional, obviously just a serious lack of leadership in a difficult situation.

We came following our engagement. We have no complaints over the quality of food. We both had the taster menu and each course was delicious. However, after being seated at 7:30 we did not leave the restaurant until 11:15. We chose the wine pairing and after being served with our first course we were told that our first drink would only start with the second course. We ended up with three glasses of wine on a five course meal. The service was poor. The redeeming waiter was ciaran who seemed to be the only one actually servicing customers, whilst others stood around. There were numerous complaints on the night we were there. There was no “special” feeling as there often is at fine dining restaurants. We paid fine-dining prices for mediocre service.

Fantastic food and service from Simon and the team. A great variety of dishes, all delicious. The milk bread and short rib are a definite highlight. Very good wine list too, with one of the best playlists in Manchester! A great dinner, every time.

We enjoy fine dining restaurants, but unfortunately Wood did not live up to expectations. I'd describe the food as nice (note not delicious) and the prices were too high for it to be just nice. Main dishes are around £35, but it's recommended to order 3 sides between two (totalling £34). £11 for a side dish consisting of one carrot felt too much. The service was unrefined, with the servers being lovely, yet rushed which ruined the atmosphere a little. Wouldn't return.

Absolutely amazing experience! From the moment we stepped in, we've been well taken care of. Service superb, attentive just enough, very kind and knowledgeable. Food master class, extremely tasty and portions were just big enough to get you filled. Drinks were good, we didn't try any wines, but I think it's safe to assume they would make a perfect pairing with your food. Pricey but worth it, 100% recommended.

Had a great time eating at Wood, Simon personally ensured we had the best service. Food was delicious and elegantly presented. Hen of the Woods main stood out. Lovely atmosphere, would highly recommend!

If you’re lucky enough to Have a night out in Manchester make it a meal to remember by going here. Outstanding service and food out of this world!

Best place I've been to in Manchester Food is brilliant and service fantastic this is the 4th time and it keeps getting better

Been many times and its always been excellent

Love this place awesome food,fantastic friendly staff, great atmosphere. What more could you ask for.

Had an amazing time for my birthday. The food was absolutely delicious and extremely pleasing on the eye. The accompanying wine flight introduced me to wines I wouldn’t normally choose, but will do in the future. The whole experience was fabulous from start to finish. Can’t wait to return.☺️

Wow what can I say?! We visited on a Thursday night and had a wonderful experience The young staff were welcoming and knowledgeable and it was a real treat and big help to have the wines explained in a non patronising manner The decor and ambience is cool Manchester and not stuffy at all The food as expected was sublime and the subtle touches that give a nod to Simon’s growing up locally bring a real story and enhance the experience , particularly the ham, egg and chips! It was a really pleasure to also meet the man himself who has a constant eye over the restaurant to make sure standards are kept Honestly if you haven’t been yet… go !

Had a great time here with friends, great atmosphere and a lovely night. We went for the cheese and wine tasting menu which was so nice. I will definitely visit again.

Food disappointing, staff lovely. Overall not value for money.

First visit to Wood yesterday. We were greeted with a warm and friendly welcome by the staff. We had the £25 three course small plates lunch. Beautifully presented and tasty food. Good service by knowledgeable waiting staff. Overall, a lovely dining experience in a beautiful restaurant.

Fantastic experience, the staff was lovely & welcoming explained every dish to me will definitely be returning!

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal here! Staff go above and beyond and are so lovely! I will definitely be back

What a place! The location, the decor, the welcome, the staff, the service and of course the food all out of this World. Warm welcome, knowledgeable sommelier who exudes positivity and tells you a fabulous story about the wine, I could listen to him all day. The food is served and explained and is of an exquisite nature. I often don’t even read the ingredients and just try it - and I’m never disappointed. You’d be surprised how small dishes can fill you so much. A fabulous place, and a credit to Simon Wood. We will be back again and again.

The very young staff do their best to give a warm welcome. Service is friendly but staff lack experience. Drinks and food come at different times, and even though not busy service was slow. The food was tasty, but miniscule. £25 for three small plates sounds good, but each are little more than a mouthful. You need at least one set to equal a small starter. Mains are just under £40. This sounds ok, until you see the size ( duck breast is a quarter of a breast), and you need 2 sides (£10 each). The sides then don’t go with the main dishes so whilst nice you are eating a mishmash of food. If you are happy to spend £25 for a starter, £60 for a main ( taster size), want to sit at a scuffed table then this is the place for you.

Not busy on a Thursday night which was surprising. Flat atmosphere. Staff polite but disinterested, tried to push the most expensive things on the menu. Food was mostly tasty and well presented; but really small portions. Starters were little bigger than an amuse-bouche. Mains were expensive but you needed to add 2 sides for a normal restaurant portion so that meant the mains were around £70 each. Duck was not cooked enough, fat not rendered and meat too under. They returned the same duck overcooked! Deep fried Pommes Anna, was just lazy; batch cooked and then fried. This is not good when lots of the competition is so much better at that price point. The wine list was overpriced and pedestrian. Like the food, ok but not worth the money. On this experienced, we did not bother with dessert as we wanted to get home and have something more to eat, which isn’t acceptable for such an expensive night out. I went to Wood when it first opened and it was average. Same lay-out, less tables and same furniture (altho showing some wear). I returned as I read some positive reviews, but I’m not sure they went to the same restaurant as me. This looks like a restaurant on its last legs, either up your game or lower your prices if you want to stay in business.

I’ll start with our food was fantastic! This is our second experience at Wood. The first one was fantastic but the second one was a real let down. we had to wait about 20 minutes before our wine arrived. ( there was only four covers dining in the restaurant, so it wasn’t busy) I had to pour my own wine. When the food arrived, the sides were brought 10 minutes before the mains therefore were slightly chilled. When the food was placed down in the wrong manner, lent over my partner to put the food down which fell all wrong. we had to ask for the dessert menu. we moved tables because the restaurant was blowing cold air. we weren’t asked how our evening could gone? The basics of good hospitality were definitely missed.

The place is nice and spacious. The staff is very attentive and you can tell they help each other out. We ordered some small plates to share and they didn’t disappoint, plus the presentation was beautiful. Wild mushroom toast was so good, we re ordered again. The gurnard was delicious as well and egg chips and ham. For mains we shared the bbq bone rib 900g that was absolutely delicious and the meat was cooked perfectly and tasty as it was the sticky glazed short rib that you could eat without the knife by the way it shredded. For sides we had the deep fried pommes anna that was so crunchy/crispy. The dessert selection was so alternative and we were “stuffed” but of course, we had a dessert to share though. We ordered the hazelnut chocoate one and it was just the flavours that you’d expect the waitress described but better. Had a bottle of Albariño with the food and please don’t crucify me but red wine gives me randomly a massive hangover. Thank you so much for making our night amazing since we were about to cancel our booking due to some bumps in the road. Recommended 100%%%

A wonderful evening! My birthday treat, right from the warm welcome , to the cocktails through to the bread with Jerusalem artichoke to the two plates of rag pudding, and Parisian gnocchi to our main courses of halibut and ox cheek, the duck dish and vegetables, to the shared dessert of the chocolate parfait/mousse/hazelnut, it was all exquisite. Really. Service, especially from Sam the sommelier,, was impeccable. Wine was wonderfully and knowledgeably recommended. Only minus for me was the noise. Music not to my taste and not needed. Would come back. Thank you, Simon, for making my birthday special , from . Ruth- born in Oldham, grew up in Saddleworth x

Slow service, waiting nearly na hour for food. They have unfortunately mixed halibut fish giving me small plate starter instead of large one. Kitchen forgot to prepare chicken yet they manage to add it to the bill. We did not even order desserts just wanted to pay and leave. No atmosphere inside, I tend to look at people sitting near me what food they got/how it looks this time there was nothing to look at :( tables next to me were empty, no food around, no smell 😔

Unbelievably pretentious but great food and service

Have wanted to visit WOOD for some time and was treated for a meal there by my lovely wife for my birthday! We received a very warm welcome on arrival and were seated in a great spot overlooking the restaurant and kitchen. I was really pleased to see Simon Wood there in person as wasn’t sure if he would be working, having enjoyed watching him win on Masterchef! My wife’s rum cocktail was delicious, we were also treated to a couple of Negronis on the house which were best I’d ever tasted! The rest of our meal was delicious and we really enjoyed the sommelier’s enthusiasm and knowledge for wine, my favourite course was probably the stone bass which was amazing! Would love to come back and try more of the food again, I’d definitely recommend a visit!

Fabulous birthday lunch, the food was delicious and the service excellent will definitely be going back for the taster menu Thank you for the birthday sweets

Amazing tasting menu experience

Very nice meal, attentive and friendly staff. Great wine.

Wonderful food and great service. A marvellous wine list and not too expensive. If you’re in Manchester do go.

Beautifully crafted meal - The Mushroom toast and Stonebass were particular favourites of ours. Very friendly staff who went that extra mile to curate a lovely meal.

In these times of rising prices and people having to really think before they decide whether to chuck considerable money on a meal out, my experience at Wood left me pretty annoyed. First to say, most of the food was very nice but that’s all - it wasn’t spectacular and if you’re going to attach those prices to dishes that are merely ‘very nice’ you need at least to have reasonable sized portions. My husband and i ordered 4 small plates between us. These were TINY, literally 2 mouthfuls. Like free samples but anything but free. We also ordered some bread and chicken liver parfait. 2 brioche fingers that were each the size of my little finger and parfait in a container that was the size and depth of a jam jar lid. This was a ridiculous £9.50. We ordered puddings purely in order to fill up a bit; these were similarly minuscule. I opted for the soft scoop ice cream (plenty of it but was it home made…? Incredibly bland) with a few tasty ‘sweet shop’ toppings. My friend sent her chocolate mousse with hazelnuts back, finding it tasted not remotely chocolatey but just sugar, sugar, sugar. It was struck from the bill and my friend had a free glass of champagne instead. Even people who are lucky enough not to struggle financially don’t like to feel the Mickey is being taken when they eat out. Wood may survive and thrive as long as there are enough affluent people who are more interested in the restaurant’s ‘reputation’ than whether that restaurant is thinking about value. Wood makes decent food. Its portions and spirit are mean. We won’t go back and won’t be recommending it to any mates.

Pros - A super warm welcome as soon as you enter, all of the waiting staff, the sommelier and chefs are very friendly. We spoke to a few of them and they all commented on how they love working there and enjoy being part of the chef’s vision. The food is incredible, we opted for a range of small plates and then followed with dessert and a small cheese board. Every single dish was an utter delight. Even as it gets busy, the tables are spaced cleverly so you have a sense of privacy and space between you and other diners. Cons - It’s not a con, but if you have a big appetite be prepared for the size of the portions. Small plates are, as they state, small so don’t expect your plates to be overflowing. We didn’t opt for the ‘big’ dishes, but others did around us and they looked a healthy size for this type of restaurant.

1st time here great will come again

Fantastic food with excellent service, in a very relaxed atmosphere. The staff were super attentive, polite and friendly. We even had a good chat with the sommelier about desert wine. An absolute gem of a restaurant - we loved it all, and we’ll definitely be back.

I’ve given some real thought towards posting this as I rarely leave negative reviews and understand the impact they can have. However, there were several elements of our experience that I feel should be highlighted. Firstly, we did receive a very warm and kind welcome from the front of house staff who saw that we were celebrating our engagement. Sadly, it was downhill from there. We were seated at 8pm and it was almost an hour before anyone even came to take a drinks order despite our attempts to catch their attention. I’ve never been to a restaurant of any standard with service this slow. There was also no apology for this. In terms of the food - enjoyable, but the portions were SO small. I’m no stranger to small plates at higher end restaurants but we left so hungry that we had to get a second dinner elsewhere. Fair enough for the starter portions/bread, but we ordered two vegetarian mains and they were both absolutely tiny - particularly the celeriac shawarma (see photos). I really don’t believe that this can or should be classified as a main. I’ve wanted to come here for ages and this could have been a really special experience, but overall the service and portion sizes really let it down.

Great staff and fantastic food with great mocktails and beer

This restaurant is a testament to impeccable taste and service. The dishes are clearly crafted with dedication and passion by the talented kitchen, showcasing the best of seasonal, local ingredients. The attentiveness and dedication of the front of house team elevates the experience and ensures you feel valued and cared for. The atmosphere is best described as refined elegance, with subtle nods to Simon Wood’s love of rock music adding a touch of unexpected charm without compromising the sophisticated ambiance. It's a unique and memorable experience that you’re excited to return to. I have now dined at Wood on several occasions for different purposes and it has delivered perfectly every time. So much so that when passing now (even solo!) I’ll take a moment to stop for a drink in the cosy lounge, and maybe a enjoy small plate too. Thankful to have this special place in Manchester. Standout dishes in 2023: Hand Dived Scallop, Rag Pudding, Pommes Anna, Venison T-Bone, Truffled Mushroom Brioche, Beef Short Rib, Woody’s Goodies, Cheese Course

Outstanding dining experience . What a great menu concept, with the opportunity to select, share and create your own personal menu from a great selection of small and large plates. Our first time at Wood and we will be back to try the rest of the menu. There is a friendly, welcoming vibe at Wood . All the staff were very helpful and we were looked after from the moment we walked through the door. Nice to see Simon working and finding the time to chat with customers. All the food was sensational. Rag pudding not to be missed.

My friend and i visited the restaurant last Saturday night,my pick as somewhere i wanted to return. Staff were nice and welcoming on arrival. It did take a little while to order drinks and a few of the wines were not available,one of them being on the sommeliers choice,but the wine we had was then lovely. We went through to order food,my friend is vegetarian with a meat allergy so cross contamination is an issue. As staff went through the menu with her,a number of the dishes were not suitable despite being labelled vegetarian due to being cooked near meat or in animal fats. I ordered the squid as a starter, which was tasted beautiful and nicely presented. I ordered the duck with cranberry/plum, i asked the waiter if there was a sauce as the plum/cranberry element was missing.They were supposed to be in the skin of the meat.The meat came with a bao and tiny salad. Overall,it lacked flavour and the elements of the dish just didn’t work for me as the taste wansnt there (i know they are common items seen together). Staff listened to my views and brought me a second dish,with it as a sauce which was better but still just ok.Staff did try to help resolve the matter but it was hugely disappointing, especially as the dish was approximately £35,which was removed from the bull. Unfortunately,my friend found her meal quite bland too. Overall,i was disappointed with the experience. Food was too bland for me and it is overpriced. Staff were relived when we left!

We had a wonderful evening, cocktails, delicious food and outstanding service. You can choose a lighter menu for £25 which is incredibly good value or go a la carte and enjoy discovering new combinations. Our favourites: stone bass ceviche, the bits of chicken and the gorgeous poach pear dessert. Well curated wine list and a stunning selection of cheese. Staff is young, friendly and professional, with special mention to the sommelier, Sam just thank you!

Little food and expensive. Handsome waiters ;)

Another bee Good Food good and fin a good time

From the moment my husband and I arrived we felt comfortable and welcome. Love the Decor and the seats are so comfortable. All the staff are superb Attentive, helpful, interactive, knowledgeable & fun. There teamwork is admiral. This creates a wonderful dining experience in itself, then there's the food. Wow!! Absolutely delicious from start to finish. Thank you Wood Manchester for making our evening beyond fantastic

Can’t say that we were fans of Wood unfortunately. The portions were small, really small, even for a fine dining place. I had the duck as a main, which was a single, tiny strip of duck meat, maybe the size of a snickers bar (at best). With the price (34 gbp for that duck) and portion sizes in mind, we couldn’t help but notice that the overall atmosphere/vibe of the place was a bit off as well. At least to our tastes the interior and music choices were both, too modern and not well put together. This would normally not be an issue for us but given the price point we would have expected something more thought through. What I will say, is that, although not extremely attentive, the staff was sweet and the food (the little of it) tasted good.

We have never been, my friends have recommended WOOD and try using January offers as a test. They enjoyed the food. What they didn’t mention was the portions of the £25 offer menu were small. Indeed they were very small portions, in fact a bit too small. We were a little surprised as they were smaller than some of the other restaurants we have visited, that have small plates in their menu and of similar prices. In terms of value for money, it’s not really, by comparison. However, the taste was excellent. Service was superb, and so is the environment, we did enjoy the whole experience. Will we return? Maybe.

Visited Wood for my birthday with my partner. Overall, we were both so impressed with our visit! We loved the atmosphere, the music, the staff and the selection on the menu. They were playing nostalgic pop rock music and it just felt so relaxed and non-pretentious, really added to our enjoyment! The staff were all super friendly and couldn’t do enough for us! The food was absolutely delicious, very wide selection - we were struggling to choose! Highly recommend the venison tartare, the pork main and the salted caramel tart! Also the cocktails are fantastic!

Awful food. How can these people call themselves chefs. 0/10. Avoid.

Top class service and food, staff were fantastic

The meal and evening was outstanding, I had an issue with one of the courses but it was handled exceptionally well.

The new menu not the tasting menu and I have to say it was lovely!! The food.was outstanding and cooked to perfection presented well and bursting with flavour!! The staff were friendly, welcoming and very efficient! It really is a fantastic dining experience and totally worth a visit!!

Really lovely food, service and ambiance. Went for my partners birthday and we had a lovely time. All of the food was so delicious! The service was fab too. They were attentive, made conversation and explained things as they arrived. They made us feel welcome and comfortable here and we would come back!

Food was excellent. Atmosphere was lovely. If we are ever back in England would definitely go again. Don’t care about the controversy. It is a business not a charity. Why do people always want to get free stuff? It was my anniversary when we went to Wood but would never ever ask for something free. I think posting it was a great idea. Maybe people will think twice before asking for free stuff at a time where business are trying to not go broke .

Really excellent menu with a diverse range of dishes, everything we ate was packed full of flavour and beautifully presented. Great cocktails and wine suggestions too! Friendly and attentive service and it was so good I've booked to go back in January with some friends! Thankyou team Wood for a brilliant evening ❤️

The food certainly looks appetising, so there is no doubt the food is good. However, when a customer politely asks a question, which could have easily been given a polite response, it would be great if the owner wouldnt post a response online, shaming the customer, while showing the restaurant name. Sadly this is very unprofessional. This is not part of any hate campaign, its just constructive feedback that its not a great advert. Maybe something to take on board.

We’ve been to Wood 4 times in total - twice to the restaurant and twice to the Homage cheese lounge. Both times were amazing, memorable experiences. We sat at Chefs table and had an a brilliant tasting menu, served and introduced by chefs, who were quick to welcome us back on our second visit. The food was exceptional - I still dream about the milk bread. It’s well curated, thought out and really fits chef’s vibe and ethos. The sweetie shop was a brilliant end to the meal - who can resist homemade classic sweeties?? The cheese lounge was fantastic - our servers both took care to ensure things were to our liking and were so knowledgable about the wine and cheese they were serving us. We visited for a special occasion and we did let the restaurant know. Simon personalised my menu which is a lovely souvenir to take home, especially as a fan of his and something to remember our night with. I can’t recommend Wood enough. Every chef is on the ball and really seems to care about their food and what they are serving. I love how Simon’s rocker vibe shines thru in a high end environment - a cocktail inspired by My Chemical Romance and the orchestral versions of rock songs really appealed to me. I can’t wait to return to Manchester and visit Wood again.

Eaten here a few times this year when we are in Manchester on our trips from Edinburgh . Simon and the team are nothing short of the best of the best . Food , service , wine and cheese all first class and the little extra nods to the arrive cycle ( complimentary drink on arrival , signed tasting menu to take home and the various kitchen team welcoming us back ) really make for a great all round first class 5 star experience . Worth every penny .

Incredible dining experience. The French Onion was one of THE BEST things I’ve had. I literally can’t stop thinking about it. The staff are so welcoming and knowledgable. Such a wonderful atmosphere with excellent food.

Food was really nice but we were so hungry when we left that we had a Five Guys on the way home. Definitely not worth spending a couple of hundred quid on.

Amazing service, wonderful insight to the food, wine pairings, and general resonance with you as a customer. Welcoming, relaxing and without pressure of expectations.

Horrible manager of this establishment trying to out customers on social media for exposure. Embarrassing. Customer service is just as important as the product and he has none.

Sat at the chefs table which was a great experience, almost felt like a private restaurant as the main dining room was behind us. Service was 2nd to none as soon as a glass was empty it was refilled. Staff were very knowledgeable answered all questions. Interesting to see the chefs working in front of us Will definitely return for the steaks I saw being cooked but weren't on our set menu Some of the dishes weren't to my taste but that's purely personal preference.

Firstly, I can't praise the service staff high enough. Very friendly and efficient. The Maître d' was particularly helpful and sorted out a booking problem we had ( our fault! ), very professionally and calmly. The food ? Some good, some not so good. The venison tatar was delicious but I would have liked a bit more venison. The Rag Pudding was also delicious. The monkfish was the best I've ever tasted. The cod was very well cooked but went cold quickly. The soft scoop ice cream dessert was a bit of a joke. This equated to some tasteless soft scoop ice cream ( as advertised), with some confusing sprinkles you could select to have on top. Not really worth the money.

Thank you for the hospitality and service that I received when visiting your Manchester restaurant last Friday for a pre-theatre meal. Food and Menu The menu is simple but is effective and is easy to read. It is a small selection of dishes but there is something for everyone whether you are a Meat lover, a Chicken dinner person, the fish fan and the Vegetarian. For Starters there is Chicken Sweetbreads, Smoked Salmon and more. For Mains there is the Lamb Sausage, Monkfish, Chicken and Meat dishes too. In addition you can also add a dish of Vegetables such as Carrots or the Sweet and Sour plate. There is also Pomana Potatoes too. For Dessert there is the Lemon and Basil pudding. There is also the Caramel and Kogi Tart too if you have a sweet tooth. If you are a lover of cold desserts then there is an eclectic selection of Ice Cream flavours to choose from. For the Starters the Chicken Sweetbreads were scrumptious to eat. The Chicken was soft and moist. It melted in the mouth. The Sweetbreads were cooked nicely giving it a slight bite. It was dancing on a plate. The Salmon was delicious. The pieces of Smoked Salmon were matched in harmony against the flavours of Cheese and Cucumber balls with Caviar. It was a light dish with lovely flavours and textures. For the Mains the Lamb Sausage was a hearty dish that was comforting to eat. The Sausage was cooked to a high standard. It was crispy on the outside oozing with Lamb inside. It was also sublime in its presentation. The Pomana Potatoes were a great addition to the meal too. Crispy pieces of Potato on the outside that were soft and fluffy in the middle. For the Dessert the Caramel and Kogi Tart was heaven. A great tart with soft buttery pastry and sweet Caramel on the top. It was gooey, sweet, and indulgent. In addition the Ice Cream went perfectly with the Tart and the texture was superb giving it a biscuit texture that reminded me of a Cheesecake. The presentation was exquisite too. Drinks There is a small selection of Mocktails with different flavours to quench your thirst. I had the Berry and Apple one that was refreshing, fruity and punchy. It complemented the food well. Service The waiters were friendly, attentive and accommodating to my needs. There was a wait for food but it was worth it as the food was freshly cooked and it was beautifully presented. It was a great experience. Lighting and Access The lighting was decent at our table. The furniture was exgravant with stylish comfy chairs and lovely cutlery. This enabled us to enjoy the meal in a relaxed atmosphere. In relation to access at this restaurant then there is a small step in order to enter the building. It is on one floor with no additional stairs. Parking Parking is available at Q-Park on First Street which is a multi-storey car park. Payment is required. There is also pay and display parking which is free for those whom have a Blue Badge. Pricing As Wood is a fine dining restaurant therefore the dishes are pricey. However, there is no harm in visiting here once in a while especially as the staff are warm and welcoming, the food is tasty and presented to a high standard. If you love British food that is full of flavour and is presented in an artistic way then Wood is the place for you.

Very disappointed. This was my 2nd visit to Wood. The first visit was great and we enjoyed ourselves very much. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for this visit. I booked our table for a special occasion and we had invited friends visiting from Switzerland and i gushed about their upcoming experience. Well I ended up with egg on my face! Strap in! Seated immediately, drinks ordered all going well. We ordered, decided to have some breads to start. Buttermilk bread and the ‘Good butter’ mackerel pate and duck pate. I wish I’d taken a picture but to say it was small serving wouldn’t really explain it. The pate’s were served in the smallest containers the size of a tin of lip balm with 1/3 of it being the clarified butter. The ‘good butter’ wasn’t good it was tasteless and unseasoned. It had shavings on top and when we asked one of the servers what it was they didn’t have an answer ‘I think its tongue’ I’ll check. They never came back. We laughed it off looking foward to our main dishes. I encouraged my husband and one of our guests to go for the bbq bone in rib of beef. The server advised they cook this medium rare, both asked for medium. When the beef dishes arrived it looked impressive it was a large cut. But the issue became apparent quickly, the beef was not medium, in my opinion not even medium rare but rare and cold. (Image attached it’s been in the fridge but it’s still rare in my opinion) The sides of which we ordered 6, were so small it was a joke. I should also mention that when our dishes came my husband ordered another drink, that don’t turn up. He had to ask a further 2 times. At no point did we see our server again or were we asked about or food. We planned to order desert and another bottle of wine but we agreed as a table to call it quits. I had to grab the attention of our passing server to clear or table. At this point I asked for the bill and for the meat and bones to be boxed (for the dog) At this point I explained our issues, said I would pay the full bill but I was disappointed we hadn’t been asked if our main dishes were ok. The servers demeanour completely changed, the table was cleared, she returned with the boxes for take out and practically launched them on the table and marched off. Now I was pissed! I sought out the restaurant manager to give some feedback. He advised he would come to the table. In the interim the bill arrived. When he approached his first words were I’ve removed the service charge. 12.5%, he then advised that I should have sought him out to give feedback on our mains if we had not been happy and not waited until then end. I’ll take that one but they should also should have asked. I raised the finish on the beef and he said he would take the box to the kitchen. I watched him and what he actually did was make a circuit of the restaurant and return to say that in their ‘professional’ opinions the beef was medium but as a ‘gesture’ a further reduction made £11. Images of the bills attached At this point I decided it wasn’t worth my effort to discuss it further. Wood I won’t be back.

Went here for lunch, excellent welcome, lovely glass of champagne, seats very comfy. Staff talked through options on menu, had the wine to accompany the food, excellent choice. Food delicious cooked by owner, ice cream to die for! Fantastic experience a must for all that visit Manchester! The wine expert very knowledgeable and took to time to explain the regions and his favourites and nothing was too much trouble! Excellent all round, most enjoyable afternoon.., Honestly, this is one of the crown jewels of Manchester, if you're from Manchester, If you're a tourist, if you're a northerner if you're anybody come here experience it, it's lovely its bloody grand. Support this business support the staff support, Manchester x

It was our 27-year wedding anniversary, so we wanted to have a great night enjoying food and excellent service. We got that and more having a 6pm table setting. They do not offer a chef tasting menu now, but you have the option to make your own taster menu and share all our food with each other. All the food was outstanding, but the standouts were the French onion soup, Rag Pudding, the pork selection with glazed carrots, and the ice cream desert with the sweet shop selections was a fitting end. We tried version tartar for the first time and were very impressed and surprised with the freshens and textures of it. Amazing.. The service was excellent, with 2 young ladies being very open and engaging at all times. When they were busy, other colleagues stepped in to assist, so we were always attended to.