
Adam Reid at The French
A modern British culinary gem in Manchester, offering an exquisite tasting menu rooted in Northern traditions with elegant flair.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Adam Reid at The French

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A modern British culinary gem in Manchester, offering an exquisite tasting menu rooted in Northern traditions with elegant flair.
"It's an experience that will remain seared in your memory for many years to come."
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential due to high demand. Plan well in advance.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Don't miss the unique and delicious non-alcoholic drink pairings, which many enjoy.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern British
Price
$$$
Address
16 Peter St, Manchester, M60 2DS, United Kingdom
Website
the-french-manchester.co.uk/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

10-Course Tasting Menu
Indulge in a culinary journey with dishes like beef tartare, Orkney scallop, and green rhubarb dessert.

Modern British with Northern Roots
Experience unpretentious fine dining that celebrates the region's best with a modern twist.

Exceptional Service
Knowledgeable staff explain each dish's inspiration, ingredients, and offer thoughtful drink pairings.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential due to high demand. Plan well in advance.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Don't miss the unique and delicious non-alcoholic drink pairings, which many enjoy.
Perfect for Celebrations
Ideal for special occasions, anniversaries, and birthdays for a luxurious experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential due to high demand. Plan well in advance.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Don't miss the unique and delicious non-alcoholic drink pairings, which many enjoy.
Perfect for Celebrations
Ideal for special occasions, anniversaries, and birthdays for a luxurious experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Adam Reid at The French for its outstanding tasting menus, impeccable service, and beautiful ambiance, often calling it a '10 out of 10' experience and a must-visit for special occasions. While many dishes receive rave reviews, a few patrons noted less memorable items like smoked eel or cold cuts, but overall satisfaction remains exceptionally high. The restaurant is frequently lauded for its innovative take on Northern cuisine and its ability to create a luxurious yet unpretentious atmosphere.
"Very little to fault with this restaurant and I’m at a loss as to why this excellent Manchester culinary institution doesn’t have a Michelin star.
We had the 10 course tasting menu and every dish was outstanding. The beef tartare, Orkney scallop and red deer dishes will remain seared in my memory for many years!
I also appreciated head chef Blaze’s gracious engagement and time with with us and for explaining the inspiration behind the menu and recipes; which is a unique tribute to North West England ingredients and livestock. Particularly interesting are the long standing collaborations between the restaurant & several high quality local farms for produce; which could clearly be tasted in the food.
The interiors are designed around the original features of the 1903 restaurant - The French - with contemporary features integrated tastefully into the overall design. Overall the restaurant has the air of understated and subtle luxury.
If you’re in or around Manchester and have a passion for food, or a special occasion or both, this restaurant is an absolute must visit."
Hisham Malaika
"Celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary with a wonderful meal. The presentation was amazing and the food delicious! The head chef Blaze was so welcoming and our sommelier Dimitri did not miss a beat! I'm not sure why you dont have a michelin star but you deserve one or two!!! I'll never eat at mana again after experiencing The French! Thank you so much for making our evening super special!"
Adamia Barnes
"Visited on 13/08/25 for our anniversary. Words can’t describe the experience we had, from the moment we walked through the door we was greeted by the sous chef with the warmest welcome
our glasses filled with the finest wines by Dimitri who kept a close eye on us to make sure we was getting the most out of our experience, quite literally waited on hand and foot
Adam and his team created dishes beyond what we had ever imagined possible, the attention to detail in explaining the food whilst the flavours teased your senses, each mouthful complimenting the last and the next.
This place is art in the finest form, a night we won’t forget. Thank you to The Fench."
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
While many reviewers believe it deserves one or more Michelin stars, the restaurant is not currently listed with any stars in the Michelin Guide.
The signature 10-course tasting menu is highly recommended and offers a comprehensive culinary journey.
Yes, it's frequently chosen for anniversaries and special celebrations due to its luxurious ambiance and exceptional dining experience.
Yes, they offer unique and delicious non-alcoholic pairings that are highly recommended for those who don't drink alcohol.
The ambiance is described as luxurious yet understated and unpretentious, suggesting smart casual attire is appropriate.
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Located in the Midland hotel, The French is one of the most elegant and romantic restaurants in the city, making it ideal for a special occasion such as treating your loved one on Valentine’ Day. After all, it was the location of David and Victoria Beckham’s first date!. New head chef Adam Reid is keen to make fine dining accessible to everyone with his new lunchtime menu – although the evening tasting menu stays true to the refined dining the restaurant is renowned for, albeit with a contemporary twist.
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hotel, this intimate restaurant features a moody colour scheme, striking chandeliers and central booths. The eponymous chef offers a multi-course tasting menu which is a playful homage to the North of England; dishes are well-presented, provide generous flavours and showcase the personality and enthusiasm of the chefs. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with all things Michelin, from new restaurants and Guide launches to chef interviews, recipes and our latest Best-Of Guides.
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Behind a curtained entrance in the lobby of The Midland hotel is a fine-dining restaurant with Mancunian pizzazz. The Grade-II listed dining room is grand, with soaring ceilings, elaborate cornicing and dazzling chandeliers, but background music ranging from The Kinks to Pulp gives a relaxed feel. Head chef Adam Reid won the BBC’s Great British Menu with his apple-based dessert Golden Empire, and puddings will be a highlight of your four-, six-, or nine-course tasting menu.
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137, The Orient, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8EQ. Cafe Rouge are a chain of French restaurants. “Whatever the time of day, we have a dish to suit your mood; from steak frites and boeuf bourguignon to a selection of croques, baguettes and vegan options too – all on our menu of classic French food with a contemporary twist.” They offer breakfast and brunch dishes such as the Grande Breakfast (two free-range eggs, two Cumberland sausages, sweet cure bacon, beans, mushroom, tomato, black pudding, sautéed potatoes and sourdough toast), Pancakes (three warm pancakes topped with your choice of sweet cure bacon, banana and maple syrup, or fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pineapple with fruit compot, and French Toast (two slices of sweet brioche bread topped with your choice of sweet cure bacon, banana and maple syrup, chocolate sauce, banana and hazelnuts or fresh seasonal fruit, honey and vanilla crème fraîche).
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Such a wonderful experience” – this famous Grade II listed chamber has been at the heart of the City’s dining culture for over a century (Charles Rolls first met Henry Royce here in 1904 before going on to found Rolls Royce). Under chef Adam Reid’s ten-year stint, it has yet to recapture the Michelin star (the city’s first) that it lost in 1975, but his twelve-course tasting menu (for £130 per person, £145 per person on Saturday night) is consistently rated as “good” to “outstanding” in our annual diners’ poll. Top Menu Tip – “wonderful afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly; a massive choice of tea and coffee (bottomless) and really good selection of savory and sweet treats” served in the nearby ‘Tea Room’, overlooking St Peter’s Square.
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Acclaimed chef Adam Reid took the reins of the lauded Manchester restaurant in 2016, after it was launched just a few years before by chef Simon Rogan. Since then, the chef has been awarded 4 AA rosettes and won the BBC’s prestigious Great British Menu competition with his signature dessert, Golden Empire. Delivering a clever mix of contemporary dishes and elements of his Manchester upbringing, Reid’s menus feature ‘A warm Northern welcome’ in the form of bread, butter and broth, ‘Little bits of something fancy’, like the surf & turf sausage roll, and ‘Today’s tea', which encompasses dishes like Cumbrian shorthorn loin cooked in its own fat with swede, seaweed and fish eggs.
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An “intimate hotel restaurant created in the Belle Époque age and brought up-to-date with a moody colour scheme, striking chandeliers and booths down the centre of the room,” is how Michelin described Adam Reid’s much-loved restaurant in The Midland Hotel. Set on the ground floor of the iconic, Grade II listed Midland Hotel, this intimate restaurant features a moody colour scheme, striking chandeliers and central booths. The eponymous chef offers a multi-course tasting menu which is a playful homage to the North of England; dishes are well-presented, provide generous flavours and showcase the personality and enthusiasm of the chefs.
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Adam Reid at The French is a partnership in more than name alone, with Adam leaving his mark on every aspect of the dining experience, from the new flexible menus, more relaxed approachable atmosphere and his pièce de résistance – the chefs counter. Showcasing Adam’s creative culinary talents, the menu proffers modern British food that persistently delivers amazing flavours, using excellent seasonal produce available. There are several options for dining at The French than ever before, from the signature six and nine-course menus to the new four-course menu made up of fewer dishes for a speedier service.
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Manchester-born Adam Reid is a Great British Menu winner and a chef whose signature restaurant at The French continues his high-flying trajectory, with 44 AA rosettes to his name. Not only is the Grade II-listed dining area nothing short of stunning, thanks to its grand, sparkling chandeliers and luxurious booths, but modern, British dishes use some of the finest seasonal produce available. Examples of plates that'll have you most definitely drooling include the Cornish catch of the day with curry squash sauce and mussels, plus a meadowsweet custard with baked apple, sugar biscuit and prune juice.
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Why: Let’s leave geography students to argue over whether Manchester’s part of Lancashire or not and instead enjoy the cooking of BBC’s Great British Menu winner, Adam Reid. Reid is Chef Patron at The French, the celebrated restaurant at The Midland Hotel, arguably Manchester’s grandest hotel, inherited the restaurant from Simon Rogan (of L’Enclume fame) when he suddenly left last year and the shift in style under Reid has been well received and cemented the restaurant as a must-eat-at for the North West. Where: The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
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The arrival at the Midland of Simon Rogan, winner of two Michelin Stars and a Good Food Guide "perfect 10" for L'Enclume in Cartmel, proved to be a game changer way beyond the hotel's French Restaurant. Beneath the spectacular modern chandeliers in startlingly new and contemporary surroundings, his acclaimed menus, displaying brilliant inventiveness and deploying audacious flavours, have not only restored the grand Edwardian hotel’s fine dining reputation but lifted the gastronomic status of the entire city. Service from staff "imported" from Cartmel is superb.
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One of life’s great pleasures is to indulge in The French’s ten course tasting menu, lovingly prepared by head chef Adam Reid. OK, it costs a cool £85 a head and yet the whole experience is incomplete without the matching wines for an additional £75 (for eight glasses) or, splashing the cash the Superior Wine Flight at £90 per person for six-courses and £150 per person for ten. These are all chosen by head sommelier Filippo Zito, ever-present along with Reid and restaurant manager Kamila Plonska since the restaurant’s arrival at The Midland Hotel in 2013.
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Criticisms, well, sometimes the piano (as nice as it was) bordered on intrusive, and it's far too old school for most people, which again, probably comes down to its tradition. So, expect formality, a slightly serious side, silver domes, real fine dining and silver service, which to be honest, doesn t exist anywhere else in the city, even in the very top eateries. This isn't really a fault, its just that I'm only 32 and, other than my better half, was by far the youngest diner in there, and this kind of style is possibly 10 years before my time.
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Modern British cuisine served in a formal setting.Expect tasting menus and seasonal produce delivered by Adam Reid.Located in Manchester’s Deansgate area. Immerse yourself in Manchester’s vibrant food scene with a trip to the French, where 4AA Rosettes head chef Adam Reid will impress everytime. Crafted using locally sourced ingredients and inspired by classical British cuisine blended with modern innovation, Chef Reid dishes up unforgettable experiences like Twice-Baked Souffle infused with Smoked Salmon or Roasted Squab paired…
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Expect to be greeted by a cool soundtrack—think The Beatles or Oasis—handpicked by Reid himself at Adam Reid, setting the mood for an exceptional dining experience. The tasting menu is a journey through upscale Northern comfort food, featuring dishes like Cumbrian shorthorn loin cooked in its own fat, paired with swede, seaweed, and fish eggs, or a warm cheese on celery root, enhanced by giblet gravy and English mushrooms. The wine list is expansive and expertly curated, complementing the complex flavors on the plate.
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A post shared by Adam Reid at The French (@thefrenchmcr) on Mar 30, 2017 at 10:48am PDT. Great British Menu-winning chef Adam Reid has relaxed the rules of fine dining at The French, where the flexible lunch menu offers snacks and small plates, alongside a six course set tasting menu. Diners can choose from a range of dishes according to available time and budget, including fried broccoli with cheese and truffle, Cornish cod with brown shrimp butter and asparagus, or cinnamon sugared doughnuts.
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Hidden behind a curtain in a corner of the grand lobby of the Midland Hotel, there’s more than a feel of Alice in Wonderland as you are transported through mirrored doors into the dining room of The French. Soft grey and sage green tones give everything a muted luxurious feel and there are two huge cylindrical chandeliers which throw light back and forth via the mirrored panelling around the room. Chef Adam Reid’s cooking is inventive and playful but executed with real precision and flair.
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First opening its doors in September 1903, The French is one of Britain’s first Michelin-starred restaurants, awarded its first star back in 1974 with the publication of the first guide. Early 2013 saw Simon Rogan realise his desire to re-establish The French by undertaking a modern revamp incorporating the site’s Grade II listed status. Not only does The French feature in the Waitrose Good Food Guide at Number 14, it is the only restaurant in Greater Manchester to make it into the guide.
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The imposing Midland Hotel exudes Edwardian elegance and grandeur, standing proudly opposite Manchester's Central Library. The hotel hosts several dining destinations, but most notable is Adam Reid at The French, a renowned fine-dining spot that boasts an impressive total of four AA Rosettes. Manchester-born Adam Reid, a former winner of Manchester Food Festival's Chef of the Year award, is the mastermind behind the menu, which features his characteristic "contemporary British" style.
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Part of The Midland hotel in Manchester city centre, the premier dining destination of esteemed local chef Adam Reid, has lavished with praise and accolades such as four AA Rosettes since opening in 2017. Adam Reid at The French specialises in modern British cuisine, artfully presenting seasonal tasting menus that showcase Reid's Northern heritage. The setting is a luxurious, Grade II-listed dining room, offering plush seating and an atmosphere of quiet sophistication.
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Set in the iconic Midland Hotel, the cosy booths, stylish décor and relaxed atmosphere of The French by Simon Rogan makes for an opulent date night. Worthy of any special occasion, quality food is at the heart of this operation with meticulously crafted tasting menus. The French’s absent Michelin star is well documented, but the infamous missing star isn’t all bad - diners can experience Michelin standard food without the waiting lists and price tag.
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This aptly-named restaurant is led by chef-patron, Adam Reid, at The French who has obtained an impressive number of awards and accolades over the years, including 4 AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. Reid has also won the BBC’s prestigious Great British Menu competition with his signature dessert, Golden Empire. Enjoy fine dining in a historical, grade II listed dining room, with immaculately presented food plates and impeccable service.
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Simon Rogan is long gone, but his protégé Adam Reid continues to turn heads at this flagship restaurant within Manchester’s vintage ...". Those visiting Manchester with families will find a good selection of child-friendly pubs, restaurants and cafes to choose from. Perhaps you’re looking for a family owned Italian restaurant, or a British pub serving traditional Sunday lunch, there is plenty of choice even if you’ve got some picky eaters.
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The French restaurant at Manchester’s famous Midland Hotel (where Rolls met Royce, as the story goes) has long been regarded as one of the finest places to dine in the city. It no longer serves a classic French menu, Mancunian Adam Reid has spent a decade making it his own, but it is an essential if you are working your way around the city’s best restaurants. Modern British is the term used but this is distinctly modern Mancunian.
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Head to The Midland Hotel to discover Adam Reid at The French, an award-winning upscale restaurant serving modern cuisine by chef Adam Reid. The restaurant uses only seasonal produce, and the menu offers a choice of four, six, or nine courses, all of which showcase classic British food with a contemporary twist. This is where you want to go for a special occasion or a fancy night out, and it's essential to book in advance.
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Esteemed chef Adam Reid has been cooking at The French for over a decade now, having joined there in 2013 and taking over as chef-patron in 2016. Over the years, he’s gained the restaurant 4 AA Rosettes, as well as winning Great British Menu with his signature dessert, the Golden Empire. Despite the dining room’s opulent surroundings, the restaurant has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which is reflected in the menu.
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Adam Reid brings sublime fine dining renowned across Manchester and beyond for its exquisite flavours and excellent British cuisine. As much as anywhere else in Manchester, the Oxford Road Corridor is packed with great examples of modern cafe culture. There are plenty of terraces and beer gardens to enjoy outdoor drinks in the sunshine around Oxford Road.
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Adam Reid at The French is the flagship restaurant of the historic grade ll listed Midland Hotel in central Manchester. He took over as chef-patron in 2016 following Simon Rogan's departure. Just like the rest of the hotel the interior of The French is pretty grand and classical - high ceilings, plush sweeping banquettes and old school elegance.
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Adam Reid At The French‘s food is well-known across the city and beyond for its exquisite tastes. The menu of modern British cuisine showcases the creative culinary talents of Manchester’s own Adam Reid, with a choice of four, six, or nine courses. Adam Reid joined The French back in 2013 as Head Chef, before taking over as Chef-Patron in 2016.
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Ideal for a set tasting menu of modern British (not French) cuisine …. For those seeking a serious touch of luxury, Adam Reid At The French provides a fine dining experience that is hard to surpass. Located in the historic Midland Hotel, the restaurant offers a modern British menu that has earned it four AA rosettes.
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Mancunian 'grand dame' rejuvenated for a new generation of diners. The ‘French' has played a leading role in Manchester's social history, along with the monumental railway hotel in which it is discreetly ensconced. As readers have noted, the Grade II-listed, oval dining room makes any meal … Read more
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For an unforgettable dining experience, book a table at The French, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manchester. The ambience is intimate and sophisticated, providing the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. The menu features exquisite dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
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The grande dame of Manchester hotels, The Midland’s restaurant was given a new lease of life in 2013, when L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan took over this iconic space. Rogan has since departed and chef Adam Reid is now in sole control of its journey into the 21st century.
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If you're visiting Manchester for a treat, then reserve a table at this restaurant. Ran by two-Michelin starred chef, Simon Rogan who achieved his stars at his flagship Cumbrian restaurant, you will have an experience like no other. Choose from six to ten courses.
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Perfectly marrying old and new, The French’s Grade II listed dining room provides an opulent yet welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Adam Reid at The French is famed for its immaculate service and food and is proud to be one of Manchester’s favourite restaurants.
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The French, located in the historic Midland Hotel, is a Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in modern British cuisine. Hawksmoor, located in a former Victorian courthouse, is known for its steaks and classic cocktails.
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The French, however, got its own Michelin star as long ago as 1977 – and is today run by the acclaimed Manchester-born chef Adam Reid, who has preserved this consistently popular restaurant’s reputation for excellence.
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Culinary rock and roll from Simon Rogan’s protege, Adam Reid, and head chef Blaise Murphy, formerly of Mana. Enjoy fine-dining in Grade II Listed Victorian surrounds – with a side order of Mancunian attitude.
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He ran The French and Mr Copper’s House and Garden at the Midland Hotel between 2013 and 2016. The chef and the hotel parted ways three years into a five-year contract.
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In 2013, the hotel brought in chef Simon Rogan, who at his Cumbria restaurant L’Enclume has two Michelin stars. He left Manchester in 2016 after none came.
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