El Gato Negro has been one of Manchester’s best restaurants since Simon Shaw moved it from Ripponden to King Street, and it hasn’t dropped a beat. The tapas here are proper – not the lukewarm supermarket stuff you get elsewhere, but perfectly executed small plates that make you want to order the entire menu. The croquetas are legendary: crispy outside, molten inside, gone in seconds. Patatas bravas come with a sauce that’ll have you mopping the plate with bread.
The King Street space works brilliantly across two floors. Downstairs feels buzzy and social, upstairs is a bit more relaxed. Either way, the vibe is spot on – smart enough for a date, casual enough for a catch-up with mates. Order a few plates each, share everything, and let the kitchen do the work. The drinks list leans heavily into Spanish wines and sherries, which is exactly what you want alongside this food. El Gato Negro is the kind of place that reminds you why Manchester’s restaurant scene punches well above its weight.
