"Manchester's longest-held Michelin Bib Gourmand — Simon Shaw's Josper-grilled Spanish tapas over three floors of a King Street townhouse."
About El Gato Negro
El Gato Negro began in Yorkshire and moved to Manchester in 2016, when chef-patron Simon Shaw took over an elegant converted townhouse on King Street in the city centre. It has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the city's longest unbroken run, the guide's mark for exceptionally good cooking at fair prices.
The format is modern Spanish tapas across three floors, with The Black Cat rooftop bar on top for cocktails. Shaw's kitchen mixes traditional and modern small plates built on quality Spanish and local produce, served to share.
The Kitchen
The menu is built for sharing. Salt cod croquetas, patatas bravas and Iberian pork sit alongside grilled meats and seafood off the Josper charcoal oven, plus seasonal seafood rice dishes. The cooking is precise rather than showy — small plates that taste of their ingredients.
Pricing is the point of the Bib Gourmand: tapas plates run roughly £6 to £14, and a sharing dinner for two with wine lands around £80 to £100. Order a spread, pace it across courses, and finish with a drink upstairs.
The Room
The townhouse spreads tapas across three distinct floors, refined but relaxed, with The Black Cat rooftop bar crowning the building — one of Manchester's favourite spots for a cocktail before or after dinner. The mood is lively and social rather than hushed.
The King Street address keeps it central, a short walk from the main shopping and business district. Booking ahead is wise for weekend evenings and the rooftop; the ground floor takes some walk-ins.
Best for a First Date
The buzz, the sharing plates and the rooftop bar make El Gato Negro a strong first date or a relaxed birthday in central Manchester. The central address and quick small plates also suit a business lunch.
Not for
Not for diners after a quiet table or a cheap dinner — El Gato Negro is a buzzy, multi-floor tapas townhouse where small plates add up quickly across a meal.
Frequently Asked
What is El Gato Negro known for?
Modern Spanish tapas and a long-held Michelin Bib Gourmand. On King Street in Manchester since 2016, chef-patron Simon Shaw serves sharing plates over three floors of a converted townhouse, topped by The Black Cat rooftop bar.
Who is the chef at El Gato Negro?
Chef-patron Simon Shaw, who brought the restaurant from Yorkshire to Manchester's King Street in 2016 and has kept its Michelin Bib Gourmand running longer than any other restaurant in the city.
What should I order at El Gato Negro?
Share a spread: salt cod croquetas, patatas bravas and Iberian pork to start, then grilled meats and seafood from the Josper charcoal oven and a seasonal seafood rice.
How much does dinner cost at El Gato Negro?
It is fair value for the quality. Tapas plates run roughly £6 to £14, and a sharing dinner for two with wine lands around £80 to £100.
Where is El Gato Negro and should I book?
At 52 King Street in central Manchester, with The Black Cat rooftop bar above. Booking ahead is wise for weekend evenings and the rooftop, though the ground floor takes some walk-ins.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at El Gato Negro
Book ahead for weekend evenings and the rooftop bar; the ground floor takes some walk-ins. Three floors plus The Black Cat above.
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Practical Information
Address52 King Street, Manchester M2 4LY
NeighbourhoodKing Street, Manchester city centre
CuisineSpanish
PriceTapas plates run roughly £6–14; a sharing dinner for two with wine lands around £80–100
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingThree-floor townhouse with rooftop cocktail bar
ReservationAdvised for evenings
