Dishoom Manchester is a restaurant that pays homage to the Irani cafés of Bombay, offering a menu inspired by Bombay comfort food. The restaurant is housed within a former Freemasons' Hall, providing a unique and atmospheric dining experience. The menu features a variety of dishes, including the signature House Black Daal, which is slow-cooked for 24 hours, and the Nalli Nihari Biryani, a lavish café special. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal options are available, catering to a diverse range of dietary preferences. The restaurant also offers a selection of beverages, including traditional chai and a range of cocktails. Dishoom Manchester is open daily, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner, and evening drinks.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.8 9,620
- Tripadvisor 4.5 1,420
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-25.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Attentive Service Many reviewers praise the friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant and memorable visit.
- Exceptional Food Quality Dishes are bursting with flavor, beautifully presented, and offer a modern twist on traditional Bombay cuisine, making for a memorable dining experience.
- Good Vegan Options Dishoom offers a dedicated vegan menu with flavorful and creative dishes, catering well to those with dietary restrictions.
- Great for Special Occasions The combination of excellent food, attentive service, and a vibrant atmosphere makes Dishoom a perfect choice for birthdays and celebrations.
- Stunning Atmosphere The restaurant's decor transports you to a bygone era with its thoughtful design, cozy lighting, and colonial-era details, creating a unique and inviting ambiance.
Criticised
- Can Be Very Busy Dishoom is a popular spot, expect queues or the need to book well in advance, especially during peak hours.
- Dark Ambiance The low lighting, while creating a certain atmosphere, can make it difficult to see the food and may not appeal to everyone.
- Inconsistent Food Quality While many rave about the food, some experience inconsistencies in dish quality, with certain items being too oily, sweet, or lacking in flavor.
- Inconsistent Pricing Prices might be different than expected from online menus, potentially leading to unexpected costs.
- Pricey for Portion Sizes Some diners find the portion sizes small relative to the price, suggesting it might not represent the best value for money.
The longer read
Dishoom Manchester is highly praised for its unique Bombay-style Indian cuisine, exceptional service, and stunning ambiance within a beautifully renovated historic building, often described as transporting diners to a bygone era. Many reviewers highlight the restaurant's distinctive atmosphere, noting the meticulously designed interior, cozy lighting, and colonial-era touches that create a memorable dining experience. The building itself, a former masonic lodge or bank, is frequently mentioned as a key part of the restaurant's charm.The menu features a diverse array of dishes, with several items consistently receiving high marks. The House Black Daal, lamb shank biryani, chili chicken, and gunpowder potatoes are repeatedly mentioned as must-try dishes, celebrated for their rich flavors and authentic preparation. The breakfast menu, particularly the Farsi Omelette and vegan options like the Vegan Bombay Breakfast and vegan sausage naan roll, also receive considerable praise. While the food is generally considered flavorful, some reviewers note that certain dishes, like the Ruby Chicken, can be overly sweet, and a few find some items to be overpriced for the portion size. However, the overall consensus is that the quality of the food justifies the cost.Service is a standout feature at Dishoom Manchester. Numerous reviewers commend the staff for their friendliness, attentiveness, and knowledge of the menu. Specific servers, including Akos, Monica, Rafaella, Alberto, Ben, and Chops are frequently mentioned by name for providing exceptional service, offering helpful recommendations, and going the extra mile to ensure a pleasant dining experience. The staff's ability to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as dairy intolerance, is also appreciated.While the majority of reviews are positive, a few recurring concerns emerge. Some reviewers mention that the lighting can be too dark, making it difficult to see the food. Others note inconsistencies in portion sizes or occasional issues with food quality, such as dry chicken or clumpy rice. A few reviewers also point out that prices listed online may not match the actual prices in the restaurant. Despite these minor drawbacks, Dishoom Manchester is widely recommended for both casual meals and special occasions. The restaurant's popularity often results in queues, so making a reservation is highly advised, especially for dinner. Overall, Dishoom Manchester offers a memorable dining experience characterized by its exceptional food, attentive service, and unique atmosphere, making it a standout destination for Indian cuisine in Manchester.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 161 537 3737
- Website
- dishoom.com/manchester?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Yext&utm_content=D7-Manchester&y_source=1_MjMwNDkyMDgtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
| Mon | 8:00 - 23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8:00 - 23:00 |
| Wed | 8:00 - 23:00 |
| Thu | 8:00 - 23:00 |
| Fri | 8:00 - 0:00 |
| Sat | 9:00 - 0:00 |
| Sun | 9:00 - 23:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.8 against a median of 4.9 across the 1 places to eat we hold for City Centre, where the most-reviewed is Chopstix - Cardiff.
Still deciding?
- What are the most popular and recommended dishes at Dishoom Manchester?
- What is the dining atmosphere and interior design like at Dishoom Manchester?
- Do you need to make a reservation in advance to dine at Dishoom Manchester?
- Does Dishoom Manchester offer good options for vegans or those with food allergies?
- What is the typical price range at Dishoom Manchester, and is it considered good value for the experience?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.