The El Gato Negro Tapas Manchester Restaurant is a must to eat in Manchester.

Located on King Street, not far from the city centre and less than a five-minute walk from the Hotel Gotham Manchester where we stayed, the Tapas restaurant had a fantastic atmosphere and great food.

On three levels and outside dining when it is warmer, the restaurant offers an excellent tapas dining experience.

The El Gato Negro Tapas Website

Our home in Manchester is a historic three storey townhouse on King Street, in the heart of the city. Beautifully converted, it opened in 2016. The ground floor features al fresco pavement dining, and an evocative bar and dining space. The middle floor offers a mix of restaurant table and seating options, plus the chef’s table for extra thrill and theatre by our open kitchen. The top floor features a stunning terrace with retractable roof.

Booking

We booked online, and you have to give your debit or credit card details to reserve a table.

There is no charge if you cancel 24 hours before your booking. However, if you don’t turn up or don’t cancel in the timeframe, your card will incur a £15.00 charge per person.

Click on the link to make a booking: Book a Table at El Gato Negro

The Menu

As with our experience at Tapas Restaurants, the menus are not extensive, but what’s on offer will be tempting even for a fussy eater.

There are a selection of nibbles, fish, meat, charcuterie and vegetable dishes to enjoy, and the suggestion is to have 5 or 6 dishes for two people to share.

El Gato Negro Tapas Manchester

Beef short rib with ginger glaze and sweet potato purée

So we decided to go for five dishes to share as a main and then two desserts.

  • Pan-fried hake fillet with smoked tomato, red pepper and garlic sauce £13.00
  • Meatballs in tomato fritarda sauce £7.50
  • Beef short rib with ginger glaze and sweet potato purée £12.00
  • Harissa-spiced chicken with mojo picón (red pepper chilli sauce) £9.00
  • Patatas bravas with spiced tomato fritarda sauce and aioli £7.00
  • Spanish sticky toffee cake, with lemon and cinnamon cream, toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream £7.00
  • Hazelnut delight: chocolate meringue with Nutella cream, hazelnut ice cream £7.00

Click on the link to read the food & drink menu: The El Gato Negro Tapas

Harissa-spiced chicken with mojo picón (red pepper chilli sauce)

The drinks menu was decent with draught beers, cocktails, gins and a decent wine selection. However, as we were eating at a tapas restaurant, the best thing was no PROSECCO on the menu!!!

We were going to go for the Cava, but as it was a special occasion, our kids surprised us and bought a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvée NV, Champagne, which was waiting at the table.

Staff & Service

Could fault anything with excellent service from start to finish.

Tips

  • Book in advance as the restaurant gets booked up quickly.
  • If you don’t go for a dessert, six dishes would be the right option to take when eating for two.
  • If you are in Manchester, you need to eat at this fantastic restaurant.

Overview

Overall the food and service exceeded our expectations. We will return to eat again at El Gato Negro Tapas Manchester and intend to try the Liverpool Restaurant soon.