Erst

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

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!!!

Lived up to the hype. I’ve been wanting to try Erst for a while but something always stopped me I didn’t believe it would live up to the hype, however I was very wrong. This is one of the best meals I’ve had in Manchester for a long time. The restaurant is cosy and modern with just the right atmosphere for you to relax and buckle in for a culinary journey. The waiter was exceptional he was very personable and knowledgeable explaining every dish with passion and detail and helped us navigate through dishes we’ve never tried such as a full artichoke. The food was amazing we had 5 dishes plus an oyster to kick off the proceedings. Every dish was well thought out, full of flavour and you could taste the quality of the ingredients. In particular the beef fat flatbread was out of this world, my gf actually had tears in her eyes it was that good (she loves bread). A very special meal for a special occasion I’ll definitely be back to try their ever changing menu and you should try it too! Perfect for any occasion, I’d say it’s on the higher price scale but still very reasonable for the quality and setting.