Reviews of The Refuge. (Pizza) in Manchester (Greater Manchester).

The Refuge

0 Reviews

357 Comments

Pizza

Eclectic restaurant

Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA, United Kingdom

Description

Information of The Refuge, Pizza in Manchester (Greater Manchester)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

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Map

Open hours of The Refuge

Popular times

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Reviews of The Refuge

B. B.

The restaurant is set within the Kimpton Hotel and the décor and atmosphere is stunning. Such a beautiful old building that gives you a sense of Manchester's history. The food is Tapas style so you order 3-4 dishes each, the food was delicious as were the drinks. Service was bit slow but they were very busy, not that this affected the experience as the dining area is very spacious. I can't wait to go back and try their Sunday Roast.

G. W.

I love Sunday roast! This week I booked to try out with my date at night. It was good. Very good service. We ordered the Sunday roast to share which is £39 for chicken pork and beef for two people. Very good value. I like their beef and chicken. The Yorkshire pudding is not crispy enough but overall is good! Value for money. I also like their renovation! High ceiling! Definitely recommend for date and family dinner

M. F.

Quick coffee this time but have been in for beers. Already good and the atmosphere is very chilled and relaxing after the hustle and bustle of town. Lovely architecture.

D. P.

Excellent bar with a fabulous interior in keeping with the building itself and its history. From ornate tiled floors and pillars to the windows and ceilings. Vibrant, yet chilled atmosphere during the afternoon/early evening. Superb service and table service is offered, an expansive selection of beers and spirits especially if your a gin or ale drinker. Friendly knowledgeable staff and an all together wonderful experience.

M. H.

Fantastic space, good selection of drinks, friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Sadly let down by the food. We were there on a Saturday night, most of the dishes were at best average. The best dish is the Onglette, but it was heavily over salted.. the puddings were not good at all. Photo is of a crème brûlée that was odd and gelatinous and came with a stale bit of weird pastry. If you are coming only for drinks, it is a must, if you want to eat, don’t, move on. For drinks only, loved it.

A. C.

Lovely location, worth a visit. Food was ok, some very nice bits but some average ones too. Service ok, but had to flag them down a few times for drinks.

L. S.

Amazing small plates, I wanted to try every dish. The refuge also has stunning interious that don't disappoint.

S. H.

Nice vibe, polite staff, helpful and friendly. For such a large venue it’s still intimate. Chose to sit in the bar in the orangery bit. I hadn’t been in here since the palace hotel. It certainly has the bones of the old place but feels contemporary. Lovely cocktail try a queens peach ! The coffee was good abs food was perfectly fine too. This place was a strong all rounder.

R. M.

Lovely place, helpful, friendly staff, nice coffee, great surroundings and atmosphere. The toilets were slightly disappointing, drainage smell. Otherwise we enjoyed our visit.

N. E.

Amazing setting in beautiful big hall. Nice food but nothing that special. Flatbread and black garlic dip were the most tasty, the dip actually really yummy. Gypsy pie was super sweet, and the contrast between a rock-hard crust and the almost runny center was quite big. Staff was really friendly and sweet, allthough maybe they were serving too many tables as waiting times were quite long. Music was good, but really really loud, as it was echoying around very sharply in the big hall, making having a conversation almost impossible.

L. M.

Divine food and cocktails! Really interesting, unusual dishes on the menu which makes it hard to pick, but they were all very tasty.

Y. B.

A pretty place for good food and drink. Friendly staff. Sharing plates menu, but everything was delicious. We went for drinks and dinner on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There was a DJ on Thursday evening at the bar area, so it’s a little loud near the bar, but not too loud at the dining room.

G. B.

We were flying with Tui to a 5 star hotel in Greece. Due to leave at 15.50 on Friday we were finally bused off Manchester Airport terminal 3 at 01.00 Saturday and taken to the run down South Manchester Hotel, peeling wallpaper and toilet behind the door so tight you you loose a kneecap if your partner opens the door. At 14.00 on Saturday we were bused here for a buffet lunch wow this is a nice place with super greeting and customer experience. Great buffet lunch and nice atmosphere. We are being collected at 16.00 and hope to fly at 22.20 tonight arriving in Greece for breakfast on Sunday morning. This hotel is a quit classy oasis of calm in a sea of terrible delivery by Tui. Never again for Tui but we will be back to book onto this hotel as paying guests and not just flight cancelled nomads

L. L.

Amazing space, lovely food and drinks. Service can be slow. We ordered drinks and 2 lots of sharing roast platters and the roast arrived before the drinks!

P. G.

First time visit to this cathedral of past commerce and does not disappoint. Wonderful open hall tiled columns and terrazzo floors . Long bar well populated by draft beers and lagers. Prices reasonable for a premium venue. Circa £5.50 for a pint of very nice Cider. Seating selection comprised of leather armchairs, individual tables and chairs and perimeter seating. Overall definitely a place to visit and return to. I didn't try the food, but an adjoining table had some sort of well filled wrap which looked and smelled delicious. I'll be back.

C. S.

Would be a perfect date night type spot, very good food and atmosphere

M. H.

Fabulous place, food to die for, great selection of drinks. Atmosphere was fantastic, definitely be back

m. g.

Love the Refuge. Tapas are delicious. There is a good mix of different flavours and influences from across the globe.

C. L.

I really enjoyed it here. It is a gorgeous high ceilinged room. Fabulous cocktails. Lovely atmosphere and really great staff. Location perfect for Palace Theatre n Oxford Road Station. I would have given 5 stars but when we tried to book to eat they told us they were fully booked. Which is fine. But they could have told us we could eat the same food that the restaurant provides in the bar. And there was plenty of room there. Regardless I will return

R. A.

So glad I booked here for some small plates! We shared 6 between us and was spot on. We tried the chicken wings, the Dahl curry, chargrilled tenderstem broccoli (my favourite), cod croquettes, gunpowder potatoes and a fish curry. Thanks

A. F.

I celebrated my 50th birthday with friends at The Refuge and it was absolutely fantastic choice for this special occasion. Staff was lovely and very helpful. Beautiful space, good atmosphere and very tasty food! Booking was also very easy through the website. I felt very grateful for the experience and dining at The Refuge. Thank you

j. h.

Love this place. Very eclectic and good for a relaxing drink . Big arm chairs to sink into . . Bit out of the way but worth a visit if you want a relaxing drink whilst in Manchester. Its good that the building looks like it has not been touched since it was a working premises. Lots of character.

C. W.

I had coffee two mornings in a row. Very attentive service. The bar attendant on Friday 23rd July in the morning shift us very caring and nice. I did not get his name but he was a great employee for this restaurant. The restaurant itself it Instagram quality. Not to be missed even if you just come for a cup of coffee. During evening there are bouncers by the door, some may find it intimidating. But that also means the status of the place. Give it a try yourself and share sone pictures on your social platform, you will feel the elevation (I am half joking, of course).

Q. B.

The building and its interior is stunning but food was average. The pork belly was hard, the mussels had sand in them, the fish was cold. Somehow it was very noisy but after VA while, we were used to it. Service was not the most attentive one. Still a good night out though as the place was so beautiful!

l. w.

Lovely restaurant ,we ate in the volta ,and enjoyed a really great selection of food the staff are pleasant and explained about the menu and food choices very well .this is a beautiful building steeped in history with a eating area outside as well as many inside with a hotel above .I can highly recommend this lovely place .

C.

Great quirky bar, cocktails are amazing really good and lovely friendly staff . Lovely and clean too .

P. A.

Would have got five stars, but our room was next to the railway station so it was noisy. Room was lovely, good breakfast and lively bar, would definitely stay again but not in the same room.

C. C.

Aesthetically pleasing place to visit. Great food, lovely staff. We always enjoy the Sunday roast when we visit here.

C. G.

An interesting concept, be ready for everything to be a sharing plate, but the food is tasty. But the venue is loud so not good for an intimate evening, we went on a friday. Was disappointed to discover the cutlery was dirty. The service was slow too.

M. C. M.

Ideal place for cocktails and good music, either seated inside or at their little open terrace. The decoration is just... wow!

G. H.

Simply one Manchester's best places. Full stop. Amazing decor and character, great food and DJs and events, run by people that know what a good night is. I could come here every week.

f. c.

Highly recommended. Excellent restaurant and bar.

C. W.

Aways excellent drinks and atmosphere. Only issue is bar staff serve what and who is in front of them and don't monitor customers waiting times.

c. d.

Nice quiet environment for a quiet mid afternoon cocktail...lovely decor and the bar tender did a lovely impression of Tom Cruise in cocktail...would recommend for somewhere special or a quiet midweek drink in loveky surroundings.

J. P.

We had an overnight stay booked in the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, and made a booking for dinner at The Refuge due to our package containing dinner credit. We initially had a drink in the bar, where the service was slow and disappointing, but luckily, when we went through to the restaurant, things massively improved. Our waitress was very friendly, and explained the menu concept. Essentially, it’s sharing plates similar to tapas, with a few larger and more expensive dishes for those who wanted it. We ordered an assortment of delicious sounding dishes, and after a short wait, the first dishes started to arrive. The first to the table were the chicken wings which were the best I have ever had, along with the lamb flat bread, which was equally tasty. Some of the other stand out dishes included the incredibly tender ox cheek, the delicious lamb shawarma and an array of vegetable side dishes which were all on point. We just about had room for dessert, which were very tasty, but slightly paled in comparison to the stunning mains. The flavours were out of this world, and I would highly recommend an evening at The Refuge!

J. H.

Always amazing everytime we visit, food is delicious and service is fast and friendly. Lovely setting indoors too. A reservation is always recommended as this place is very popular and availability goes quickly! Don't miss out!!

M. B.

Dined last night which coincided with the launch of their new menu. The food was insanely good, the style is small plates which come when they are ready. The pork belly was so nice and the chicken thigh tagine was amazing. Even the roasted cauliflower was delicious. 100% will go back.

S. W.

Small plates with good options for both vegetarians and omnivores. Plates arrive when they are ready which usually isn't an issue, though we had a particularly long wait of about 20 minutes.

K. B.

Absolutely stunning place inside. Outside looks old and crumbly but indoors it's beautiful! Great service and menu choices. Definitely worth a visit and right by the Palace theatre so good pre/post show!

J. B.

We arrived for afternoon tea in the winter garden. Lovely place, lovely service afternoon tea was nice too. The only criticism is that there were more cakes than savioury and no sandwiches Which for me would have been better, maybe that could be a choice?

L. G.

Thanks so much to the team for making our anniversary stay so special, from the cocktails, to evening food, breakfast and Sunday Roast all high quality, great atmosphere and a superb team who were so attentive and friendly

K. O.

Dined here with a large group recently. Really attentive staff, amazing food with so many different tastes and delights, wonderful drinks and an amazing atmosphere. Loved it and would recommend!

j. t.

Love this hotel second visit not disappointed great nights sleep i live in countryside used to quiet this hotel is so quiet beds comfy will be back again

P. W.

Service a bit slow. Food was fine but nothing stand out. The Jacobs ladder beef short ribs was probably the favourite. Beautiful venue though

C. W.

Always like this place good beers and good cocktails, however they could do with more bar staff at peak times. Lovely old building and an interesting cosy kind of feel to it for a large room with high ceiling.

D. R.

Very friendly good food .lovely building. Bar staff and restaurant staff were excellent 👌

J. B.

Literally the best place in manchester. Beautiful building/setting,great drinks and service.Absolute gem

P. N.

Nice place very spacious. Food was good. However, music was far far too loud. We met up with relations we hadn't seen for some years, and had to shout to be heard, couldn't hold a proper conversation.

J. D.

Stunning venue worth a visit. Very helpful and friendly and helpful staff where nothing is too much trouble. Service was quick, and food and drinks were delicious.

K. J.

We had the gorgeous Sunday roast platter for 2 and a few cocktails on a Sunday evening. We loved the ambiance and my husband who is into his music was very impressed with the music they were playing. Would recommend!

K. O.

Great bar snacks! Lovely host Steph.

C. M.

I was hoping to give 5 starts, but I can't ignore my disappointment in having to pay £5 for 'local sourdough' that is not even a sourdough. Basically two slices of shop bought bread from Sainsbury's around the corner (that's what it felt). With so many good bakery's around Manchester a restaurant like yours should not serve something like it. Also, the bread portion served to the table next to ours was way bigger. Can't understand the rationale for the size difference. On the other hand all the food was delicious. Having been at Volta before I think the standard was equal. But in this instance the negative aspect is what it stays when you are a 'bread lover'.

J. K.

Really nice place. The steak was delicious, and the whole place has a nice laid-back, spacious feel. Friendly service too.

b. t.

I was at a work function in the ballroom. The food down there was amazing. I only had breakfast upstairs, where you can dine in the evening, it was buffet but still good. As good as a buffet can be.

P. R.

Been to Refuge for food twice and the food never disappoints. They serve small tapas of various food. 2-3 dish per person should be enough unless you are very very hungry. We ordered 5 to share between 2 and didn't finish everything, some of the dishes have/need flat bread which was filling. The beetroot starter was really good with the flatbread fattoush was nice and fresh, and the spicy lamb flatbread was actually spicy but nice. Vibe is good as always and staff were friendly and gave some recommendations.

M. F.

If you want a proper gin head here :)

P. B.

Dropped in for a couple of drinks. A totally unique experience, ambience and relaxing. Had a couple of nice gins in a classy setting.

C. c.

This place is one of the best too chill and relax. Oh and on Sunday you gotta try the roast share platter it's divine. Heck the food is always amazing here. Love relaxing here with a nice cold coke 👍

R.

A beautiful bar and restaurant. We came here for food before the theatre and were not disappointed. We ordered about 2-3 of the voltini plates each which was more than enough and we didn't finish it all. My friend is a coeliac and so can't eat gluten. The waitress brought out a flip book with which of the dishes were gluten free or could be made gluten free which was really helpful. It's a bit on the expensive side but it's worth it for the setting and the food.

P. B.

Dog friendly. Our favourite place in Manchester, we would give it 6 stars if we could. Absolutely outstanding building, experience and service here, such a class joint. Biggest roast dinner I’ve ever seen, beef was very fatty though, also they need to give out sharper steak type knives as their knives are useless for cutting meat. Apart from that, a faultless experience. Will be sampling a stay at the attached hotel next time we stay in Manchester too.

P. A.

Nice place. Loved the interior and atmosphere, lighting and music both great. Service was fantastic and drinks are very good. The food ideas are exactly what I like but I think it needs a bit more deliberation to get some mixes right. Like burrata and ceviche weren't quite right. However, thr Pork belly and lamb steaks were both amazing.

J. C.

Delicious food in a fantastic setting. The building used to be an old assurance company, and they've kept most of the interior intact, which makes for a stunning dining room. All of the food we had was incredible - we just asked the chef to bring a selection and it didn't disappoint at all. I really recommend the Keralan fish curry and the chickpea dhal. Service was great - definitely looking forward to coming back here again.

D. W.

We enjoyed a weekday lunch at this beautiful restaurant while Christmas shopping in Manchester. I was very pleased with the variety of vegetarian options and everything we tried was prefect. The service was excellent and prices very reasonable.

C. M.

Wasn’t staying in the hotel but booked for breakfast one morning. They couldn’t guarantee a booking as hotel guests would have to be prioritised first. Luckily, we came super early before 9am and we were able to get a lovely table. Think it was £16 for all you could breakfast. Fantastic choice of hot options and an extensive pastry section. Staff and service was excellent.

A. D.

It's a nice place and some of the portion sizes are good. It does state in the menu to order 3-4 plates per person as it's like a tapas style menu but I would say that some of the prices are expensive for what you get. Staff were nice and friendly, the toilet's for the men I would say we're small especially considering the size of the venue itself. Other than that it is a nice place if you like fine tapas style dishes

K. H.

Gorgeous decor historic building. Great drinks such a nice place to while away a few hours especially on a Friday I'm told

S. G.

Beautiful building with pretty illuminated "garden". Had the Sunday roast for 2 which was plentiful and delicious. A little pricey but worth treating yourself to the ambience. Would recommend for a cosy date with a loved one.

A. L.

Absolutely love this place because it's just so beautiful! Love the original decor. It's spacious (high ceilings, loads of floor space), airy and cosy. There's a nice relaxed vibe here. Don't think there's a strict dress code but most were casual or smart casual. Drinks were okay. In the evenings, it can get busy and noisy but in the afternoons it's a nice place to chat and socialize. Definitely do stop for the ambiance and view. And whilst you're here, definitely go next door to the hotel section and admire the #architecture there as well. Useful #tip: head on up the staircase and have a wee wonder around the rooms and corridors. There are some nice shots to take if you're a keen #photographer

A. e.

Very impressed with the tapas style small plates. The 28 day aged Rib Eye steak could be one of the tastiest things I’ve ever eaten!

R. S.

Fantastic Sunday roast! I read an article about this place having a great roast and it didn't disappoint. Everything I ordered tasted amazing. There was a wait for a table when I arrived which I was fine with. They have a nice bar attached and I got to try some nice local craft beers. I would recommend booking if you have a large group or are short of time. The atmosphere was very casual and chatty. I would same it felt more like a student or adult gathering place than family place with kids. Which I am more than happy with. Great staff and great food.

M. W.

What a lovely place! The food was delicious and so was the drinks. Lovely cocktails and wine. The service was impeccable too. We will definitely be back 👍

D. K.

Nice food & nice vibes Really loved their Sunday roast - think it was so far the best i’ve had - was worth the long wait (cos it was just so hard to reserve lol)

A. W.

Great service good food plenty of it

M. F. (.

Beautiful hotel and lovely stafg

A. M.

Lovely interesting place. A huge choice or beer, wine, spirits and cocktails. The food looks interesting with various veggie and vegan options. There's a huge seating area, separate restaurant, games room, atrium and even outdoor area. Really worth a visit for an upscale drink.

S. S.

Great restaurant and bar inside the palace hotel. Really nice original tiles and nice booths to sit in. Staff were friendly. We had the small tapas style plates which were all delicious.

A. L.

I've lived in Manchester since 2007. I've never been inside this building. I had a great time, the staff were super friendly, and happy to talk about the place. It's warm, calm and airy. There is lots of seating, the menu looks great etc. Make sure you let the staff know you're about - they might miss you. Coffee is super cheap, the toilets are clean etc. Overall a super visit.

D. M.

Went here due to train being cancelled. Glad we did huge bar and drinking space, definitely be back.

M. F.

It's a pretty cool bar in which to hang out. Drinks don't seem too pricey for the place and bar staff serve you quite quickly. The inside consists of glazed tiling - possibly also glazed bricks and is highly decorative and awesome. Huge high ceilings just add to the ambiance, and on Friday nights they seem to have a DJ - playing middle of the road music it has to be said. Well worth a visit.

t.

The setting is fantastic. A lot of detail has been put into the building and sympathetic to the original design. Lots of rooms to walk in and out of makes it an experience in itself. We were here for Sunday lunch and found the service below average. Received our meals after a 50 minute wait, asked if we wanted any condiments that never arrived. Food was average, nothing special. The only reason I would return would be for the setting.

C. W.

We had a family dinner for a big birthday in the private dining room of the restaurant. The food was lovely (as always) and the staff have been brilliant and very kind. The private room is very nice too, comfortable for 12 of us who have all had a lovely time. Thank you to all the staff for today.

C. M.

The best sunday roast dinner in Manchester. Ever. Beautiful setting, food and service absolutely love this place. Can't recommend highly enough.

a. m.

Fantastic dinner, small plate dishes were very good. Only one dish was "ok" rest were very good. The January 1/2 price offer makes it even better

E. W.

Beautiful food, beautiful surroundings, lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend.

N. O.

Not the best Sunday Roast, but not the worst either. Hence the 4 stars, but the setting and the building itself is amazing, that part is worth 5 stars. We would probably visit again and that's the ultimate measure of a restaurant.

C. F.

We were last here in October 2020 and the food was great and the service, excellent. Tonight we returned to find the same standard of food, but the service fell way short of "good". We will definitely return as it felt like we just caught a bad night and maybe some staff were absent, but some of the slow service was down to poor priorities rather than staff shortages. It's still a great place to eat.

D. K.

One of my favourite places in Manchester. New Vegan options are excellent too. Great for drinks too!

R. d. L.

The Refuge’s Keralan fish curry, Spiced lamb flatbread, Gloucester Old Spot pork belly, and Curried sweet potato are gifts from the gods! And did I mention that the place is stunning and the service outstanding? Don’t go to Manchester without adding this gem in your itinerary!

Z. W.

After a very busy weekend up in Manchester we decided to grab a roast at the Refuge after reading many great reviews, I’d 100% recommend booking beforehand as it’s super busy. We had the sharing roast dinner platter which was INCREDIBLE, perfect portion size. What really made our lunch was our fantastic waiter Lucus, they were attentive, funny and the service was super quick! Both Lucus and the roast cured our hangovers so we were ready to get back to roaming the city.

A. B.

Superb staff constantly smiling and engaging, food was really tasty. What's not to like

M. B.

Stopped by to have a quick drink, did a tour of the Hotel a few months ago and thought why not try this place out for an afternoon tipple. Good relaxed atmosphere in elegant surroundings, mostly groups meeting when we went. Would recommend this place for a quiet drink mid afternoon. A lot busier at weekends though.

M. H.

Cracking spot just a 10/15 min walk from Manchester Piccadilly & a few mins over to the canal. Huge beautiful bar at the front & a nice dining room at the back. Strongly recommend grabbing a few drinks to relax on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon & then enjoy some food

N. P.

The curtains can't be closed which is a problem on the rare sunny days we have, but the staff are very kind. The tables have plugs sockets so quite good for a working lunch, however it's only "pub" food (chips with black garlic aioli not great) and no larger meal dishes Mon-Thurs. No table booking needed so just pop in and enjoy

K. T.

Overall it was a lovely evening. We had the vegan sunday roast and some cocktails. The pastry was lentils and butternut squash and very flavoursome. The dish was £15 but it was a very hearty sized dish and couldn't finish it all, so good value for money. The service was very attentive, drinks where tasty, dog friendly and the building was beautiful. Would recommend vegans to eat the roast!! Will be going back to try the regular menu.

S. H.

A beautiful building with lots of character. I’ve visited two times now, once for afternoon tea and once for a bite to eat in the bar area. Afternoon tea was beautiful, with a big selection of sweets which were all delicious. You also get to enjoy this in the winter garden which is a bit like a giant greenhouse with a black & white patterned tiled floor. The food in the bar area was great for sharing and a bonus that it is a dog friendly venue! The service was quite slow both times, but the staff are always pleasant. A few more check backs from the staff and it would be 5 stars!

G. R.

My favourite bar in Manchester. Incredible food, one of a kind setting, and brilliant service. Would absolutely recommend the Sunday roasts!

B. L. (.

Came about this place after finding an article online about best Manchester based restaurants that do roast dinners. Initially I thought it was abit expensive, but the quality of all the meat and trimmings and how tender and perfect everything was absolutely justified the price. We ordered drinks which took a while to arrive but didn’t really bother us considering it’s a busy place but they took it off our drinks off the bill anyway which was very pleasing how considering the staff were. Beautiful place and will be back. Thank you!

L. M.

Perfect spot to have drinks and food in trendy Manchester. Art deco style.

L. K.

Extremely satisfying. Grab a volta beer, whitebait, flatbread, and you are ready to go. I truly recommend fried bass and pork belly. Very good place.

D. D.

Utterly fantastic bar in Manchester. The inside is fantastic and well worth a visit. I believe it was an old insurance building once upon a time. The drinks menu is interesting and original. Don't expect to find 'Pornstar Martini' here. I have yet to try the food but if you're looking for somewhere different, relaxed and civilised to go for a drink- try this!

J. B. J.

Fantastic food..... Don't eat all day and save yourself.

M. K.

OK. Nice venue, but very long waiting times at the bar. 8 people waiting when we arrived, 4 staff serving and took around 15 - 20 minutes to be served.

V. W.

We got the Sunday roast platter for two and it was delicious! The only let down was that the potatoes were too hard, otherwise it would have been a perfect roast.

S. H.

I love it at Refuge and the music but thought for 5th March they could have had women DJs international women's day.. and Suffragette City... why not? It wouldn't hurt?

A. S.

Stunning interior although there's usual a wait at the bar. Really enjoyed the food. Good Vegan/Veggie offering.

h. a.

Pretty place - both inside and outside.

M. B.

Lovely building. Friendly staff. 3 of the 6 small plates were good - sea bass, oxtail and sweet potato curry. Lamb flatbread nice but not hot enough and a bit dry. Beetroot pakora stodgy like, fish curry little flavour, too mild - mediocre. Service was slow. Wanted another drink, we were empty for a while. Meat came out before vege dishes which I found a little odd. The charity on the bill should be optional, they re-did the bill when I asked to remove it - awkward (for the staff) and time consuming (for the customer). It should be an add on if you want at the end, I choose my own charities thanks vm! Also it seemed to be snuck in between other listings on the bill. Wasn't obvious on menu this would be done.. See pic. Overall a little disappointed as expected more from the reviews of this place.

A. W.

Love the decor a lot. Food is great except the BBQ chicken which is a tiny bit overdone but it's alright. Highly recommend this place.

R. A.

As usual, food was so good. Service really attentive and the private dining room no e to be able to have as our own space

E. M.

proper sound place proper jazzy n that, wanted to boogie i’ll give it a go next time, some fellas were swing dancing and that, was mesmerising mate, like looking at a black hole i tell you. Mega place find me in there a few times tearing it up.

a. c.

Stunning surroundings, like going back to the roaring 1920's.

M. J.

Beautiful surroundings but be prepared to wait at the bar queues horrendous

T. Q.

Fabulous building, quick service with an extensive lager choice but no bitter or stout option.

L. W.

Great atmosphere. Cocktails were perfectly made. Friendly staff.

A.

My favorite place for a drink after work, great ambience, super friendly staff, heaven on Oxford Road 👍🏽🥳❤️⭐

L. M.

10/10 great drinks and venue. Ben on the bar superb for his banter and hospitality

S. T.

This place is beautiful, it's situated on the corner of the amazing Principal Building. We just went for drinks and it's got a great bar with pretty of ales on tap and cocktails too.

R. P.

Great food and atmosphere. Super dog-friendly, even provided a dog bed for us!

l. a.

Loved it always great to meet people here it's a great atmosphere and lovely surroundings and the staff are amazing x

A. Y.

Atmosphere was brilliant - very relaxing and a comfortable space to be in. Food was delicious :) more on the expensive side for lunch, though the 'people's lunch' was very good value for money at £7.50! The lamb shawarma was £11, but filling and tasty.

R.

Had Christmas day lunch here and it was fantastic from start to finish. Staff were amazing, atmosphere was magical and food was really really good Thank you!!

J. C.

Lovely decor, good service and fab if you want a drink in laid back surroundings.

S.

Fabulous lunch , in an amazing building, what isn't there to like!!!

P. D.

Bit expensive and beer only okay. Mussels were only okay and some bread would have been nice but apparently that's extra. But the pork belly was incredible

D. B.

This was so perfect! Staff were the best and friendly Dog friendly too which is a massive bonus 💕 Shame it wasn't wheelchair friendly with the massive steps into the building because the restaurant is massive instead. Really well decorated and food was incredible. No tables were cramped together giving everyone space and privacy.

H. S.

Really quite incredible interior! Excellent place to grab a drink with an amazing restaurant serving a well thought out and interesting selection of dishes. Service was excellent plus the resterant / hotel staff are really friendly and attentive. Highly recommended!

m. c.

Wonderful place with amazing original features, I was on my own and it was an evening so I didn’t feel comfortable enough to have a drink. I took some photos and then left quickly but I’d love to go back as it’s so beautiful. Probably best in a group in the evenings as it’s so busy but I think it might be quieter during the day.

D. W.

Not so great dinner, with very limited options. It gets EXTREMELY noisy because of the loud music of the bar. Breakfast service is not great, and there are some items missing, like ham and cheese.

T. D.

Lovely surroundings, great food and cocktails....

J.

Ok but some of the food quite disappointing. Chicken wings bizarrely tasted only of fish, beetroot pakora not flavoursome and didn't work, flatbreads served cold, chicken leg would have been delicious if it had been warmer. However lovely setting, good music and friendly attentive staff. Wouldn't bother with the food but recommend for drinks.

C. L.

Beautiful place. Inside decor amazing. Lovely ambience

J. H.

Beautiful ambience, lovely unique foods. Worth checking out especially if your staying in the principal .

V. G. (.

Gorgeous venue very good service nice espresso martinis. The chips(£5 for a handful) although nice thick crispy on the outside and fluffy inside come with a little fish in them. The description on the menu has (ve) 🤷🏻‍♂️ also the flatbreads had a smell of grilled meat. sorteth thy self please!

D. M.

Top rated Sunday Roast with excellent service. Highly recommend the Roast Sharing Platter.

D. G.

Stunning bar, full of history and character with a laid back atmosphere. The food is as perfect as the drinks

A. M.

Love love love everything about the Refuge. The food is fantastic, drinks are reasonably priced and the staff are fantastic 👏 😀

S. J.

First visit ever and slightly disappointed. Friday night, been a nice day weather wise, so plenty of people out and about looking for a nice cold beer. So having to queue for over 15 minutes to reach the bar is a tad excessive. Why there was only 4 barstaff on (one who was less experienced or a trainee). On the plus side, the DJ was blasting out some classics.

M. D.

What a place! Really glad we stumbled in here, just noticed it while passing. Amazing architecture and design - obviously. But also really good beer and tapas style food, including plenty of vegan options.

A. D.

There is something that strikes your soul when you enter buildings like this. Almost Cathedral like in its splendour. The various owners of the Assurance building have thankfully preserved this Victorian architecture and given it new purpose. Sunday Lunch was fantastic and the Manchester Union beer perfect accompaniment. We had the different meat options and were far from disappointed. Beef was superb. Veg was cooked perfectly too. Not the cheapest meal in town but the surroundings justify the extra. Staff were very friendly and attentive (thanks Tom). You can't lose based on this experience.

S. H.

Honestly couldn't fault our experience at the Refuge. Loads of vegan food, amazing service and such a beautiful venue.

M. P.

Very nice space with excellent food and a good choice of classic cocktails

R. S.

Fantastic value. Fantastic service. Been coming here on and off for the last 3 years and has never failed to deliver. Keep up the good work ... brilliant chilled place for all types and a great place for a “second office” or a date ....

j. h.

So lovely how they have kept the original features - pleasant jazz music - just a good chill place

M. C.

1st class, an excellent bar!!! The atrium is beautiful, the tunes are sublime, the cocktails are hit and miss!!!

c. r.

Perfectly stunning building with glazed tiles galore! The bar and food menus are top notch and this place is perfect for a quick drink or a full evening.

E.

Voltini style dining. Portions were small, so you’d have to order a few plates if you’re going in a group. Pricings are a little on the high range. But I Guess you’d be paying for the atmosphere. Architecturally beautiful and a lovely place to snap some instagrammable worthy shots. Perfect to chill or grab some coffee.

A. M.

Amazing place, wonderful food, great service, stunning building and decor. Separate bar/ lounge and restaurant. Little pricey but good for special occasions. Booths available.

R. J.

Decent, a little quiet, but a good hotel bar.

T.

The best Sunday lunch I have ever had. The Vimto braised red cabbage was a nice Mancunian touch and was delicious. Service was great and the decor is history and stunning. A great evening.

I. L.

Ultra trendy comes at a heavy price £36 for 5 drinks

M. P.

Really nice place. Not that bussy and a lots of space to relax. Great chips and drinks

j. m.

Lovely place staff etc the afternoon tea not great which was shame in such a beautiful building would go again but try different food

H. C.

Great vibe with good music and a good selection of beers. Food is very good. Service from the hosts at the door and in the restaurant was excellent, but the barmen could cheer up a bit

V. L. (.

Afternoon tea was amazing!!! And the staff are very friendly and accommodating

J. D.

We'll be staying at the hotel despite living in Manchester asI have to use my points. But the restaurant is staffed by incredibly ditsy dopey cheap unprofessional student staff. The 55 year old DJ tried hard to play some decent music. Chicken wings with caramelized sugar around them were interesting 😳 I'm sorry to say that this venue is all about a has-been reputation because the reality lets it down - very very down.

p. b.

Great friendly helpful staff well worth popping in for a meal

p. h.

First visit ...def going back. Gorgeous building and delicious menu and food.

K. T.

Love everything about this place. Great food and great cocktails

G. J.

Beautiful bar in a historic building in the centre of Manchester. Great selection of drinks and some beers. Nice place sit for a few hours with a drink. Could do with seats at the bar!

S. J.

Beautiful place, beautiful interior, really comfy sofas, good beer, friendly staff. Love bars like this!

A. S.

We were staying at the Kimpton Hotel and The Refuge is part of the hotel. Good atmosphere. Lively.

M. W.

Beautiful restaurant and very nice wait staff. I went for the Sunday roast and got the vegetarian roast. It was very good.

L. C.

What a great last minute venue, no problems getting inside, a great range of home made drinks, however a long queue, ha and free kitkats

P. C.

It is a must visit there for lunch with your friend! High recommended!

G. H.

Amazing staff, incredible building and great food. So friendly and had a lovely vibe to the place. What more could you ask for? Feels special but not snobby. They really have the balance right. Great place to visit for drinks/food if you’re seeing a show at The Palace Theatre, Manchester. It’s next door! I had my 21st there and the hotel rooms are stunning. ❤️

W. I. M. C.

Pretty good! Brilliant food, class service, all round fantastic. A bit expensive, but that comes with the territory.

S. C.

Beautiful historic venue, very convenient for the palace theatre right nextdoor. Great range of bar food with lots of vegetarian options too.

I. E.

Had a lot of fun how and would definitely come back here. Drinks and atmosphere is amazing

S. W.

Such a gem. The building is stunning, the food is delicious and such good value. The team are always super friendly (but not in your face). Very chilled and welcoming atmosphere. I felt very comfortable visiting in September during the pandemic – they're really on top of it and have loads of space to easily keep your social distance (you have to mask up on arrival and anytime you're up from the table). I can't believe it's not more expensive or hard to get in. Always my favourite place to take visitors to Manchester!

V. V.

Stunning decor. Great atmosphere for "come as you are".

R. C.

Really great food and good music! Only downside was we were sat at the back of the outdoor area without much heat so had to eat wrapped in blankets. Otherwise was lovely - will definitely be visiting again when indoor seating is open!

A. B.

Gorgeous outdoor area with a cover so perfect it the weather isn’t great. Staff are all super friendly and attentive. We had a few small plates which were very tasty and arrived quickly. Only downfall was the lukewarm latte but I would go back.

R. E.

Great good, great cocktails, stunning building and fantastic atmosphere. Would highly recommend.

I. R.

Really stylish place. Good range of drinks and cocktails and good staff.

D. H.

Great food and vibe but the service was below standards

d. f.

Beautiful building . Relaxed atmosphere . Wonderful cocktails .

H. G.

Shared a yummy roast dinner for two. The meats were cooked to perfection and there was a good selection of veg. Great value for money.

A. W.

Amazing architecture. Regarding the service; pleasant enough but be proactive! Tea and cake for £5 good value.

C. D.

Walked passed this place a number of times but never stepped in. Quality cocktails and a great start to a wonderful day. Reasonably priced and the staff are bob on.

P. B.

Great place, we loved it.

M. “. P. B.

Great bar, stunning venue and great atmosphere. The only disappointment was the slow service at the bar, the barstaff not very friendly and were not good at making note of who was next to be served.

J. G.

Pretentious hole but nice.

D. H.

This has to be my favourite bar in the UK. Beautiful old building that's been refurbished. Not had food here but nice atmosphere

M. S.

This was a special treat and our first meal out since the pandemic began. The service was first class, everyone was very attentive and covid safe and the ambience in the courtyard was lovely. The food was hot and delicious, a real treat. And despite the obvious measures such as masks and enhanced cleaning it felt like a “normal” night out. Thank you.

R. A.

Had such a lovely experience here. The food and drinks were amazing and the staff were so friendly! Our waitress Nilanee (sorry if I butchered the spelling!) was amazing! She was so friendly and attentive all night. Will definitely be coming back!

M. B.

Went for food and drinks about 8pm on Sunday. Staff were pleasant, helpful and attentive. Chose the Sunday roast and loved it. Would have preferred more beef and less broccoli but i'm just trying to be picky.

D.

Nice restaurant and bar, good service. Food plentiful but needs to be warmer.

C. D.

Great place to eat, lovely atmosphere

N. H.

Top quality food and service. One of the best places to eat and drink in Manchester. Really good ambience and atmosphere and plenty of room to park our pram at the side of the table

O. M.

Beautiful building but the tapas were only average and very overpriced for what you get

a. s.

Fantastic meal. Each dish was very tasty and a little bit different to what we have had before. Beautiful atmosphere and building.

K. P.

Lovely unique place to go for coffee or drinks didn't try the food but it looked good

B. S.

Very attentive and friendly staff. The most comfy couches too!!

M. E.

Had the most incredible food and drinks at volta by refuge yesterday! The food was amazing and there were plenty of vegan options from harissa broccoli to charcoal cauliflower and chickpea dahl - all of which were delicious. Champa who served us was amazing and she made us feel so welcome and treated, such exceptional service! They made my birthday feel really special and accommodated us in the bar for an after dinner cocktail which was also delicious with complimentary lemocello. The architecture of the building is beautiful and the place has been done up so well from an old assurance building - it feels like one of the most beautifully done up building in Manchester and is a great place to take people. There's nowhere quite like it.

D. L. G.

Awesome food and service! Hope to come back soon!

N. V.

Super cool hotel with all the feel of industrial era Manchester. Big room, lots of marble, tiling and mahogany. Great service and feed. Will be back.

A.

Such a beautiful establishment. There's a great selection of beers to offer as well as multiple food menus and rooms to choose from. This is genuinely one of the nicest bar/restaurants I've ever been to. The building is full of history and style. There's usually a great DJ on too, playing easy music throughout the day/evening. Would recommend this place for many occasions, especially those in which you wish to impress

N. B.

We celebrated my wife’s 50th on the 7/12/21 I can only rate the refuge as 5* excellent

P. A.

Nice upmarket bar for cocktails. Refined atmosphere. Very close to Oxford Road for those catching a train also.

N. A.

Great food excellent service ... the steak at medium rare could be served a bit more medium than rare ....otherwise the pork belly was delish and the broccolini is to die for would order 12 plates of that stuff next time

D. L.

If you like to eat a range of small dishes, 3-4 for each person then this restaurant is for you. The dishes are split up by meat, vegetarian and seafood. Really beautifully presented and each tasted amazing. Good range of drinks on offer too. The venue itself is stunning to sit and relax in. The staff were friendly and attentive.

S. B. K.

We love the Refuge. Ashamed to say we haven’t actually eaten there yet....we had plans to but 2020/2021 occurred....but we have had drinks here often on visits to the city pre-Covid. Looking forward to getting back inside that stunning room/rooms and hopefully sampling the food as well as chilling over a few good drinks!

D. A.

Lovely chilled vibe. Beautiful building. Great gin and tonics...

L. A.

Amazing place!! Incredible food. Cannot recommend highly enough. Go on a Sunday for the best roast dinner you'll ever have!

k. O.

The food is delicious, I had a panna cotta for dessert which is one of the best I’ve ever had. Bravo chef !

B. S.

The decor was great and it looked like a nice place, but the service was extremely slow and the food was underwhelming. On the upside there were plenty of vegan options for the vegans in our party.

D. B.

Very nice place, and very busy when we last went. Good place for drinks, but very limited for food (there is a restaurant but bookings were required for that)

T. B.

Food lovely, service great. Felt very safe they are absolutely following all the rules :) liked the fact you were told to wear your facemask until you sat down, and you must put it back on if walking round. Well done a lot of places dont do half of what you are doing. It keeps people safe 100% coming back highly recommended. Thank you.

c. v.

First of all the venue is stunning ! Boxing Day Buffet wax being tried for the first time and it didn't disappoint .

A. T.

Amazing atmosphere and top notch Sunday roast.

A. F.

Beautiful setting with a bar that is hipster central. Barely a sock to be seen in the place! Not awful pricing, pint under a fiver

P. F.

Fabulous hotel and the decor and atmosphere is amazing. The staff were friendly and efficient and cocktails were delicious and didn't cost the earth! Little let down by the menu in the restaurant which was tapas- the food was lovely but just didn't seem fitting for a hotel with such a fabulous history. Felt a bit gimmicky but I'd say give it a go.

J. S.

Very friendly staff and nice atmosphere clean tables and fast service I amended my booking twice with no problems restaurant happy to accommodate each time thank u much appreciated! Will visit again

P. R.

building is beautiful and the food was delicious! The only fault is that we ordered loads of sides for a sunday roast because we didnt know they would have come with the meal anyway and the waitress let us order 8 sides without telling us we that didnt need to! Convinced this was just to charge us a bigger bill...

E. S.

This is my absolute favorite place in Manchester. It offer's everything you need, culture, amazing food and flavors, brilliant cocktail's, beautiful venue, Tom the waiter in the restaurant is just fantastic! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is relaxed. I would come here alone if my fiancee was away on business. I absolutely love it and feel completely comfortable there!

C. D.

Such a shame, great venue, security staff friendly, approachable and helpful but the wait at the bar is dreadful, not enough people working behind bar. Would like to have given a better rating

R. H.

I love the relaxed and friendly atmosphere they have cultivated. They made our celebration so special.

S. J.

Great food and setting, a little pricey for what's on offer but all in all a good night.

E. A. H.

Very nice atmosphere and good little munch in the middle of the day.

M. R.

Relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. Good selection of beer. Looking forward to going back.

P. H.

A nice quite place for work related meetings in the morning. Very reasonable prices for food and drinks. Beautiful indoors garden to sit around. Definitely a nice place to hang in during the cold and steady months of the winter. Just note when breakfast bar closes. If it does, there's always something to nibble on in the bar area.

J. G.

Great for breakfast.

M. E.

Lovely room and great atmosphere. Music was great but gin was a bit steep but well worth a visit.

Y.

My son brought me here for Mother's Day and we had a wonderful time. The food is amazing. Loved the atmosphere too. The only thing I would say that let the experience down was the fact staff don't seem to aware that if you order a cocktail when your seated you would like to enjoy it and finish it before the food is served. Waiting staff really should be aware of something so basic.

V.

Beautiful building, very well appointed, with disabled access. Food very good and staff most attentive. Would reccomend to all.

A. S.

Genuinely fantastic food, and the service is just as good too! Such a friendly bunch with brilliant sharing plates. Check the prices before you go!

S. S.

Great dining experience. They recommend 3-4 plates, they are quite small but very tasty! Try a bit of everything and you'll be fine. The lamp rump was delicious, cooked to perfection it melted in your mouth. The money from water goes towards a charity (see my pics for more details) I can't believe I've never heard of this place before! I will definitely be back

G. W.

Amazing Sunday Roast, but service wasn't the best this time.

N. B.

Probably my favourite place to go in Manchester, it's so grand but really welcoming. The Sunday roast is incredible, great drinks selection and a really cool atmosphere.

m. c.

Really good food and cool bar area

A. h.

Staff are friendly and the hotel is beautiful. Good selection of drinks.

D. F.

Fanatic decor. Incredible food, as well as service.

T. A. A.

Stunning architecture, lovely staff and very tasty food. Loved the idea of having a mix of smaller dishes - like a selection of the very best starters. The dishes are very eclectic, so we couldn't identify a single theme other than "very scrummy"! The surroundings are impressive and despite the incredibly high ceilings and a busy sitting, it still felt intimate and was easy to chat. The prices are reasonable and it's all very relaxed - you can dress up or dress down, doesn't seem to matter. We had an excellent Agliano red wine and would highly recommend their gooey gorgeous sticky toffee pudding to end a lovely evening!

S. W.

This is a nice place with Tapas "style" food which was really quite nice. Beautiful building. The only downside is that the music is very loud and couple that with a lot of people talking loud over the music, it is quite a noisy place. You can book a quiet room for a period of time which is what my friends and I organised for today. We had it for 3hrs. So we had nice food and a good chat without having to ball and shout to each other. Worth a visit.

A. A.

Beautiful building. The food is excellent with big portions. Really good service. Staff are friendly and professional.

G. T.

Great coffee and interesting heritage interior

A. R.

The ambience was lovely and cozy. The dim lights were romantic and the music was chill. The food was great and alright for the price. Drinks are "okay" - ish as they are pricey. Overall, I think I found one of my favourite places.

A. M.

Amazing venue with wonderful architecture and decor, would recommend having drinks and then dinner. The food was so interesting and very different from most restaurants. Having tapas meant we could try lots of dishes and nothing disappointed us. My only gripe was that they let dogs into the restaurant. There was a loose dog wandering around my feet and then it jumped up on the seat next to me. The staff should have said something or at least told the owners to put the dog on the lead. I will return but hope the staff are more conscientious and aware next time.

A. C.

What a treat this place is. Food was delicious with more than enough with 3 dishes each. Great cocktails and staff were friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Will absolutely return!

J. I. D.

Amazing place with many different food. Totally recommended

M. k.

Been here with clients when I’ve been up in Manchester but also came for my birthday last year. Brilliant place and vibe even when being caught in the rain in the mini garden out back. Sunday roasts spot on

r. u.

Stunning interior with a large bar area with a good range of drinks including craft beers. The Sunday roast was great as were the platters. Service and price were also great.

K. B.

Absolutely loved my night here. Very attentive and lovely staff working there. Nice environment. Look forward to visiting again.

M. L.

Stopped here for lunch, never been before but will be coming again. Good range of food on the menu served in stages that meant you weren't overfaced with your order all in one go. Helpful waitress who advised on the setup but wasn't pushy. Tables we were sat at a good distance from others so no feeling of being crammed in. A good lunch had by all.

L. C.

A good use of the space and both the bar and restaurant look great, it's well designed and helps to create a relaxing ambience. The food was decent if not earth shattering and a touch on the expensive side for what it is. There's a good variety on the menu.

S. K.

The Dining Room: Lovely place, it definitely has the look and the feel to make you comfortable and at home. Had chicken liver parfait and picanha steak, both were excellent. Lovely staff as well. Definitely worth a visit... or few.

C.

Amazing bar very well designed. Great seating areas. No idea how the pool and foosball tables work though there were no balls or balls were missing. Food menu looks amazing but haven't tried yet.

J. C.

Atmosphere was great, relaxing place to be & a quirky interior and the food was incredible. The chef was let down by the front of house staff who seemed disinterested and miserable, and also seemed more keen to clear empty tables than serve people waiting for their orders. There was also a very long wait for food and drinks to be served.

L. H.

Beautiful Seedlip cocktail in the Refuge Winter Garden. Friendly and helpful staff in a stunning location.

R. A.

An amazing building houses this lovely spacious bar and restaurant, with lots of great spaces to sit and drink. There's even a small games area! A spacious dining area, served by friendly and attentive staff. There are also private dining areas if you wish for small groups. The food is delicious and varied, served as small dishes designed to be shared amongst friends. During the day it is a great place for coffee and work. In the evenings a small DJ set up plays great chilled music to create a great atmosphere.

A. L.

One of the best meals out I've ever experienced and certainly the best roast dinner. Excellent service and fresh produce beautifully prepared. Thank you.

A. F.

Lovely old building

O. F.

Fantastic roast. Sharing platter for two was excellent in a grand setting.

J. F.

Good food and service in a stunning building.

D. P.

Love this place, a must if you're visiting Manchester!

M. L.

Excellent food, wine and cocktails. Refuge is so totally consistent in its excellence. Very enjoyable.

K. B.

I adore the food here; brilliant imaginative veggie choices, and the beautiful interior alone is worth a visit. I'm knocking a star off though as the wait at the bar for a pre dinner drink has been awful every time I've been - it's not cheap, so pop more staff on! And the restaurant staff are friendly but service can be patchy - food is quick, but I had to actually pack up and go get the bill myself last time which isn't what you'd expect at this price point. But do go for the food and interior design!

R. V.

Brilliant meal bit expensive but aren't they all

G.

Absolutely tasty small plates dining! Every dish we tried was delicious. Normally I try to stay away from hotel restaurants, but this one is worth breaking the mold for. The atmosphere feels more like a small, intimate restaurant, the service was knowledgeable, friendly, and prompt, and the food was spot on. We tried the pork belly, picanha steak, whitebait, beetroot, and daal, and all were amazing.

T. C.

Tasty, affordable lunch menu. Service was great, someone is there the moment you want something but aren't overbearing either. Staff are brilliant, a manager, Nathan gave my mum a guided tour of the building after finding out she used to work there. Made her day and now she wants to bring her work colleagues together for a meal at their old workplace.

D. K.

Been there after a work do with some colleagues and it was brimming due to being a Saturday. Tried some dark matter rum which is hard to find in Manchester, really nice so I bought some online. Went again with some friends a month or so later but was quieter due to it being a Sunday. We played some pool and table football lads vs gals which was fun. Very nice place

A. W.

This was a great place to have dinner after an afternoon show at the palace theatre which is across the road. We were a little early for our reservation so had to either stand at the bar or stand to the side and waited for some free seats in the bar area. The line to get served at the bar was over 15 minutes ( Saturday evening). The meal in the dining room was fantastic, is small dishes, went with 6 items plus bread, standout was the beetroot pakora, lamb and pork belly! Dining room staff were great also.

T. K.

The refuge staff are some of the happiest people I have ever met in a restaurant. The service was fantastic, despite how busy it was in there. Our waitress, Rikki, was very knowledgeable about the menu and a great host. We did think that the roast dinner was a bit different to what we're used to but it was very, very good!

F. S.

Incredible food. Staff were friendly and on the ball, very quick service. Fantastic food in a stunning building.

L. C.

Amazing place from the decor to the food. The staff were brilliant and i loved how much they knew about the history of the building! We love it that much, we'd booked to stay in the hotel next week before our desserts had even arrived :) Great recommendation from our taxi driver, we will definitely be regularly returning!

L. B.

Had dinner here at the Refuge last night, we all ordered the sharing platter roast dinner. I can honestly say it was the best roast dinner we had tasted for a very long time, delicious !! Everything on the platter from yummy red cabbage cooked in vimto to three meats, cauliflower cheese, parsnips and too much more to mention. Beautiful place - so spacious and relaxing , can't wait to return I loved it.

R. D.

Absolutely fantastic Sunday roast. Great value, superb cosy atmosphere inside and out. Lovely staff, will be coming back again soon. 👏❤️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

G. d.

Really nice place. The bar area is nice and spacious. It gets a bit busy at the weekends but never over crowded. There's a bit where there's kind of an indoor garden which is quite nice. There's good cocktail choices too. I've only ever walked there but I guess there is parking at the hotel where it's based. Will go again for sure. Normal sort of prices.

A. E.

Absolutely amazing food. Luke was super knowledgable and attentive yet spatially aware. Made our anniversary really special. See you next time <3

H.

Visited on a number of occasions for drinks in the bar area. Large impressive space, nice relaxed atmosphere with DJ. Also visited the restaurant with family and two young children, we were provided a great private dining room with plenty of space for all. Food is excellent, fast service with helpful friendly staff. All staff engaged with the children and made us feel very welcome, even providing pens and paper to entertain them. The Den area is fantastic with a large screen showing Christmas films during our visit, pool and bar football available free of charge. Even dogs are welcome here ! Would 100% recommend this place.

D. L.

Bar service slow, food service slow, food good. Wouldn't rush back.

M. v.

The building is the star of the show. I'd say if you want to see a bit of Manchester'architecture glory from the inside, then do yourself a favor and stop by the refuge. Staff are not friendly or helpful but the building is is worth the experience. The restaurant concept is better than the food itself (tapas) but it's passable, although really not worth the price tag. Their events calendar is definitely getting better and their club nights are great. Just don't have high expectations and all is fine!

S. N.

Omg best roast meals got the sharer roast for two and couldn't finish it so good! Price is quite high but is reflective of quality! Would recommend if here for a visit the decor is so nice (1920s) and lovely atmosphere too

D. S.

We celebrated our engagement at Refuge and it was 5 stars. Food is on point, atmosphere is perfect and the service is bang on. Tom served us, great guy 👍🏻

I. H.

Always a great place to come for a drink after a busy day, generally cosy and quiet even though it's very spacious. It can quite busy on a Friday and Saturday night but where isn't in the city centre. The interior is stunning; some old features have been retained: columns, the decorative ceramic inlays, the grand vaulted ceiling. It has been updated with rich furniture and luscious colours, with a few contemporary and industrial touches. I'd recommend it here simply for this alone. Plus the winter garden behind the bar is a lovely place to grab a seat. The only negative aspect I've encountered is the bar service. Most times it's taken a while to be served, even when not particularly busy. On one busy night I must have waited about 15 minutes to get served. There seems to be several staff members behind the bar but only one or two ever seem responsible for serving, irrelevant of busyness. There's also scanty and inconsistent table service

E. B.

Delicious food. Went with a party of 5. They urged us to order three plates per person, but we ordered 2 each initially and we were all satisfied. Reasonably priced for the very high quality and outstanding ambience: filling dinner for ~£15. Or drop in and grab a drink: no other bar in Manchester can compete for amazing atmosphere.

A. R.

One of Manchester iconic buildings and the sympathetic restoration only adds to the experience of the visit. The surrounds are fantastic and the food was amazing. Prices were reasonable for the quality of the food and the bar hadn't fallen into that trap of "nice surroundings so the price increases"

W. S.

Came here with a friend for cocktails. Great atmosphere, and truly stunning decor. Cocktails were something of a mixed bag though - on the expensive end, and mine wasn't made so well (though friend's was lovely). Maybe just an off night?

C. P.

Great venue, tastefully decorated, ideal for meeting up with friends, or for business. Went to the Photography Exhibition and stayed for a coffee and a browse around. Next time on my return I'll reserve a table!

J. B.

Once seated my friend and I were told several dishes were sold out "..because it was busy yesterday." As first time patrons this wasn't a good way to make a positive first impression. The meals we had were good and filling. Unfortunately the chips were not 4 star quality as mentioned by another reviewer just typical shop bought frozen sticks (ultra thin). The building, layout, seating areas mean I'll return and hopefully we'll have the pick of the whole main and dessert menus. Give it a whirl.

G. G.

Had a fantastic meal which was delicious. Menu was extremely imaginative & every dish was excellent, with amazing table service. Wish I could say the same for the bar staff, who were inattentive to say the least. Gave the restaurant a generous tip, tip for the bar staff was must do better. We'll be back.

T. T.

I visited to make the most of the extended Eat Out to Help Out offer. Since it’s tapas, I chose the following: Salt Cod Croquettes: hot, chunky and with a delicious mayo dip. Tamarind-Glazed Chicken Wings: Nice but small, with a mild, tasty coating. Baby Squid, Chorizo, Piperade, Grilled Corn: deliberately served tepid, but I’m not sure why. The chorizo dominated any other flavours. Curried Sweet Potato, Spinach, Toasted Almonds: this veggie plate appealed to me the most, although it didn’t really complement my other dishes. Fries- self-explanatory! I probably could have done without them. My friend got a very generous portion of Crispy Whitebait, and so I had her leftovers to make an unconventional fish and chips. The service was prompt and cheerful. The building is magnificent. I’d happily return!

H. G.

Gorgeous food, decent value for money, good drinks, great Service, lovely atmosphere. Great for works nights out, quiet 121 meetings with a work contact for coffee or an evening meal with friends. A huge selection of tapas style dishes.

I. W.

Fabulous place and a great meal. Service was absolutely brilliant from our waiter Tom Thoroughly enjoyed our evening in lovely surroundings. We will be back!

S. M.

Beautiful building, very airy and light. He winter garden is particularly lovely. Food was great. Tapas style sharing plates that were consistently good. Good service too, not too formal. Recommended

M. P.

Wow - the interior of that café / restaurant was just stunning! A mixture of old and new, industrial and traditional, the kind of orangery in the middle fitted perfectly in. Great places to sit and have a cup of coffee, tea or drink. Unfortunately all tables in the restaurant were reserved when we came - we would have loved to try the Sunday roast!

S. C.

Love this place great drinks, DJs and seating areas. Nice outdoor area too. Food is exceptional. Great place to spend a Saturday night with no need to go anywhere else. Close to Oxford rd station.

V.

It is always a pleasure to visit this place as it is so elegant and spacious. I have not tried the food. What I don't like is the loud music early in the evening from about 6. At that time people still want to have a chat rather than dance i think, even if its a Friday evening... The volume should be at a level that people shouldn't have to yell to each other to be heard...

P. M.

Wonderful place! I love your coctails menu, your food menu and your staff is always lovely and very helpful. Sunday roast for 2 is sooo yummy. I'm not sure about the tiles all over the place, however that's what make this place unique 😉 for those who want to shake their booty there is a DJ every weekend 😎

R.

Great variety of dishes and good wine list in a wonderful building. Great bar area.

R. B.

went here for Sunday roast with friends and the portion size was huge. Great decor and service from staff. Large space and good for large groups. i recommend making a reservation though when i went it was not too crowded.

O. H.

I have been here twice and loved it both times. When they say say eclectic, they mean mixed and when they say mixed, they mean welcome one and all. Although eclectic is the discription of the cuisine, it could definitely be said about the atmosphere, there is something for everyone. It's a great and busy bar but what a waste of an opportunity if you don't eat. The food coming out of the kitchen is very good and if you like lamb, gather 5 - 6 of your bests, choose a night to celebrate, whatever, book a table and order 'The Big Hit'. Order it in advance, because it takes at least 45 mins, It's meat and several veg, bread and salad, not to mention 2 dips at the start and it is lovely!

K. F.

Amazing architecture. Gorgeous food . Plenty of choice. Probably only need 3 to 4 plates between a couple. Perfect place for a date or a meal with friends. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful.

L. y.

Nice place to eat. Is it also possible to drink at the bar, where you can play babyfoot or billiards!

R. M.

Quick service. Great atmosphere. Not too crowded, we got a seat upon arrival at 5pm

H. P. (. P.

Stunning interior. Worth a visit just to soak up the ambience. Don't think they need a DJ banging out the tunes of an afternoon, that should be saved for the evening. Otherwise a place to see and be seen. Trendy and funky.

S. A.

I love this building and general setting. It’s beautiful whilst still being very chilled out however it takes an age to get served even if you go in for coffee in the morning and it’s dead. Also some days they say that they serve food (even light snacks) in the winter garden but some days they say they won’t even when they don’t have tables in the restaurent so you never know whether you can just pop in for food or not, they could do with being a bit more consistent. Aside from this though on the most part the staff are really friendly and accommodating. Definitely worth a visit!

S. B.

Security really friendly and helpful. Beautiful building and fabulous pop ups serving great food. Lovely afternoon

M. M.

We went for a Sunday roast while visiting Manchester - the place is stunning (esp the winter garden), beautiful decor and a really interesting building. We got the roast sharing platter and while a little on the pricey side, everything was delicious. The portion was huge (could easily feed 3) and the service was great too. It wasn't too busy when we were there so a lovely relaxed Sunday afternoon!

G. O.

What a beautiful place. The marble pillars and decor from Victorian era is stunning. Lovely designed outdoor indoor areas. Huge bar with seating for all. The drinks are good and friendly staff

V. K.

Amazing building, having your brunch and coffee in such a place takes you back in time. The Sunday roast for two was brilliant and the chocolate fundue was the best closure of our day. The prices are very reasonable and the service very good. Definitely adding this to our favourite places.

C. M.

Love this place! Wonderful atmosphere. We've been there for drinks after work a couple of times and it's always really vibrant. We particularly enjoy the interior garden.

j. e.

Large bar. Had a singer and disco. Don't know if that was because it was Christmas. Range of customers, couples, groups, old, young. We stayed for one on way home. Not too long a wait and price you'd expect to pay in town.

V. B.

Such a cool place! You can sit in the pub side of the building if you can find a table. Or you can dine in the restaurant. The building is impressive. Love the decor. And we were looked after by amazing staff. Cannot fault it!

S. D.

Fantastic interior design and layout, lots of space even when busy. The bar staff are constantly busy, and sometimes the drinks service can be slow, but otherwise a very nice experience.

I. G.

A nice place to have a different dinner, with the possibility to choose within a full selection of tastes. Cheap.

H. A.

Lovely staff, very nice ambiance good music and great coffee and Nohito. Very reasonable price too.

M. M.

Pork belly and lamb were soo good. Would definitely come back to the restaurant. We came straight from the theatre after a show, but the bar was so busy we didn’t bother about getting a drink. Would return for a drink here at a less busy time.

C. K.

Beautiful bar with nice drinks and food options

M.

Absolutely amazing venue , great food, great cocktails and nice atmosphere. Will definitely return.

H. B.

Great building and the winter garden is really nice. Cool atmosphere on a Saturday night

S. B.

Fantastic historic building with incredible historic importance, beautifully renovated and cared for, and featuring glazed tiles throughout, that are so reminiscent of the region. The Refuge bar is stunning, and the conservatory in the centre lovely, just hate Manchesters obsessions with fake plants. Its particularly upsetting when the Principle has such a fantastic little florist on its own premises, yet features a fake tree and some fake orchids - totally unforgivable, but other than that - fantastic!

I. T.

Nice building and atmosphere, would visit again.

L.

Great service and food. Beautiful building. Verrrry small portions for the price compared to other tapas places. Still a good stop if you're anywhere near the Palace Theatre or Oxford Road train station.

A. D.

Brilliant bar and serving staff, chilled atmosphere, all high end drinks and cocktails, bar snacks delicious

D. W.

Great staff, great drinks and excellent atmosphere champa was particularly attentive and took care or us from door to bill would highly recommend

A. M.

The glamour of Manchester indeed. Manchester's grandest venue and it does not disappoint. The waiting staff are very attentive and the menu from Volta is a great start but I think could offer more choice in the future. Cocktails were great and would definitely return.

P. R.

Huge bar with pleasant surroundings. Two main areas, one a big room holding the bar, several tables and sofas. The other set within is a glass enclosed winter garden with a more relaxed vibe. Also there is a room with free table football (x3) and pool. Outside there is a further atrium which was being set up as a bar area ready for the evening. There was a restaurant but didn't eat so cannot comment.

M. S.

Saturday night dinner here was fantastic. Great vibrant venue with a wide range of dishes to try. We there were some mistakes with our order but these were recognised by the very attentive staff, corrected and even provided complimentary drinks and extra dishes as compensation. Thankyou!! We shall be returning.

J. C.

Lively bar, within very grand building.

R. R.

Had coffee and pastries, was lovely. The decor is amazing!

J. H.

This is set in an impressive space, the service is excellent, the cooking is good but the menu is variable, with some dishes not at all great and overpriced. The menu is a bit of a puzzle and a rewards the skilled or lucky! Also food is largely designed for sharing and can work for larger groups of people but not great for couples or solo diners - which isn't great for a hotel. Just as an example of issues with the menu - i had 4 bite size lumps of cheesy fried bread for £6 but a generous plate of lamb schawarma only cost a couple of quid more. There are restaurants nearby that are better quality or better value and this falls inbetween two stools.

R. H.

Came here for Sunday lunch. The restaurant itself is beautiful but the food was a little disappointing. Quite pricey and not the huge roast dinner that was anticipated. Decent food nonetheless and a good selection of drinks. Great service too.

E. B.

Fantastic decor which has been renovated to a very high standard. DJ was playing on an early Friday evening adding to the atmosphere but without inhibiting conversation. Would highly recommend if meeting for drinks.

B. D.

Had pre-theatre meal in their tapas style cafe bar. Good food, good wine beer and cocktails. Comfortable and interesting setting with many original features of the old Refuge Assurance building. Service started wel but slowed towards the end of the meal.

C. R.

Beautiful restored building, the winter garden is lovely for drinks. Good menu adapted from Volta but is different from their menu - great for Volta lovers like me! Staff are really nice and friendly here too.

N. K.

Swanky place nice vodka martini

j.

Without doubt one of the best looking bars in town.. so why are the staff here all so miserable?.. not one looked like they could raise a smile and simply looked like they didn’t want to be there. I went to the bar twice and watched for the 10 minutes I had to wait both times and they just looked totally pee’d off. I wasn’t the only one either.. two other couples also commented on it while leaving the bar area. We went in pre theatre and intended to get something from the bar menu to eat but after I’d ordered and paid for drinks was told that they weren’t doing the bar menu that evening (Friday at 6pm) as the restaurant was busy?... so?, why advertise a bar menu on your website and then not allow people to order from it when they get there? If I’d have known that I’d have gone elsewhere.. shame really as we were looking forward to it but just left feeling let down. Doubt we would chance going there to eat in future in case they decide not to serve any again!.. would go in for drinks as it is a really nice place and is handy for the Palace theatre...would hope next time though the bar staff will have cheered up a bit.

T. M.

Wonderful spot to have a drink in Manchester.

D. H.

The menu has changed to just tapas style food now which isn't as good as when they offered the legs of lamb etc. The decor is beautiful but they have a PAINFULLY SLOW SERVICE. Do not go to the bar; go to the restaurant. Every time I visit, I wait at least 10 minutes at the bar for a drink. Not sure if I will continue to visit.

T. B.

Had a really top meal here. Service is really good and the food is top. More of tapas place but we really liked it. Atmosphere and the way they have presented the place is what really makes it cool.

S. C.

Pleasant surroundings and popular. However on our visit we were told they were waiting for a delivery of rhubarb gin so we ordered an alternative drink only to be told they were also out of elderflower tonic. Both I would thought are must stock items. Staff thin on the ground at midday on a Tuesday. Will try again and see if our experience was a blip.

T. T.

viaited twice in one week ... sat in the outdoor seating area ..the setting, food and service were amazing will be visiting again once indoor eating opens ❤❤ would definitely recommend 😊

涂.

great service and good price for the amount of food served!

M. S.

Food was amazing! The service was just as great from the door man to the waiting staff! I will be returning

K. H.

My favourite bar in Manchester. Massive grand open space, with lovely deco and plenty of seating. Decent drinks menu with some unusual beers. Great place to hang out with your mates, dates or on your own reading a paper and listening to the DJs

J. B.

Very nice, calming atmosphere this time of the day.

J.

Stunning building and really relaxing atmosphere. Few Sunday brunch drinks and amazing Mexican pop up tacos.

T. C.

stunning place to enjoy Sunday roast the food was absolutely the best I've had service impeccable and the building stunning architecture inside 😀👌

M. H.

The history of the building and its architecture remain a strong feature of this new and modern venue - very calm and relaxed atmosphere, great uninterrupted service and a nice selection of food and drink. A peaceful haven in the bustling city.

M. P.

Love this place, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the drinks are always good! We came recently to try out the food and was impressed with the variety of Tapas on the selection. Would recommend equally for a drink or a meal.

D. R.

Such an amazing place - a mixture of bar and club at night, a coffeehouse and kind of living room at daytime. The mix of 50s style furniture, victorian architecture and the enormous bar itself makes for a warm and cozy, vet stylish place, peaceful and relaxed during the day, lively and vibrating at night. Drinks aren't cheap, but not overpriced either, and the staff is enormously kind - at least the ones I met. My wife actually thought about going back to Manchester during a bad weather period, staying at the Palace Hotel (to which the Refuge belongs) and spending a few days there without actually leaving the building - this is how much we liked the place. And the name suits the place - a real refuge for all kinds of people, for sure!

B. K.

If you come here on Sun, don't forget to have Sunday roast. I went there on Sunday evening and Wed lunchtime. Two Spanish staff were very friendly and helpful. They suggest nice meals. However, the staff wasn't very good on Wed lunchtime. I will go back again when I'm in Manchester.

A. M.

Great decor, cocktails are not limited to the menu (except they won't make you a porn star martini). The food has been excellent on every trip, especially the lamb shwarma, mutabal, pork belly and arancini! Our waitress was sweet and friendly and even got my friend a bottle of lanson as he was 30!!! All around great venue for food and/or drinks, especially if you want an ACTUAL bar and not one of these bar/club hybrids. Recommend to anyone.

D. K.

We had the Vegan option with some fish selections for those in our groupwith broader tastes. The flavours of everything served was very good, our service was relaxed and the overall vibe was great. I will be visiting again when I return to Manchester.

C. H. (. H.

Very classy building from the day's when Manchester merchants owned half the world's cotton fields. Five stars just for the building. Good beer, didn't try the food but it looked good. A place for celebrity spotting.

S. L.

Actually I like the napkin there lol

J.

Not particularly great. The mains were unimpressive when they arrived, especially compared to their descriptions and prices. The crème brulé was almost totally raw when it arrived. Apologies were made and a discount added to the bill (which is why the review isn't one star), however I won't be returning. It's a nice building but the restaurant doesn't live up to it.

L.

Great food AMAZING building!

M. M. D.

Absolutely adore this place - the atmosphere is so incredibly classy, cozy, jazzy. We keep coming back during week days, as it gets crowded at weekends and the music is a lot louder and not as smooth.

D. C.

Waitress very nice and helpful. Tapas dishes tasty and a good selection. Building stunning. Went with a visitor from Scotland who was impressed with the good and the surroundings. Thanks Refuge.

C. B.

Friendly staff and lovely setting. Great cocktails and good beer selection.

G. B.

Do not order the lemon and ginger tea (unless they change it after this review) - way too much tea in little water, it was extremely spicy and unpleasant to drink. Other than that, nice atmosphere.

S. H.

Great place, excellent food

N. B.

very nice place and well designed. The food comes as tapas basically and made to share, very nice cuts of beef and the shwarma was lovely. the decor is great and this is definitely somewhere you would come to impress someone

S. G.

A great meeting spot. Top coffee, fast WiFi and never too busy.

A. H.

I love coming here. The refurbishment that has been done in the space is spectacular and this place has become a must pit stop when I have visitors over to see Manchester. Wonderful atmosphere and good food. Particularly nice to stop and have drinks in the garden room.

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