"Ancoats' natural-wine star — Patrick Withington's Bib Gourmand kitchen sends keenly priced Mediterranean small plates from an open kitchen."
About Erst
Erst is a natural-wine bar and small-plates restaurant at 9 Murray Street in Ancoats, the most food-led corner of Manchester. City natives Patrick Withington and Will Sutton opened it as the neighbourhood room they wanted to eat in themselves, and the Michelin inspectors rewarded it with a Bib Gourmand for marrying style and substance at a keen price. The cooking is modern Mediterranean, sent in sharing plates from an open kitchen, set against a short, lively list of natural wines.
For Manchester's other modern tables, compare the small-plates cooking at Higher Ground, the wine-led Climat and the Ancoats neighbour Elnecot. Erst belongs to the city's modern-dining scene.
The Kitchen
Withington's kitchen runs a short, frequently changing menu of modern Mediterranean small plates built for sharing — the underlying themes are great value and bright, punchy flavours. Diners single out the charred flatbreads and the cuttlefish risotto, plates that come off the open kitchen at the back of the room. Plates land at roughly £8 to £16, so a full meal sits around £35 to £45 a head before wine, and the natural-wine list is the keenly priced draw the Bib Gourmand was built on.
The Room
The room is small, lively and laid-back, with a faux-industrial Ancoats look, an open kitchen and a counter, built for energy rather than ceremony. It works for a relaxed dinner, a seat at the counter or a few plates over a bottle of natural wine, and the pace is sociable rather than hushed. It is a popular neighbourhood spot, so booking ahead is sensible, particularly at weekends.
Best for a First Date
A lively room, sharing plates and a keenly priced wine list make Erst an easy first date or a relaxed team dinner in Manchester. The counter seats also carry a comfortable solo dinner.
Not for
Not for a hushed tasting-menu night or a formal celebration — Erst is a loud, sharing-plate natural-wine bar built for energy and value, not ceremony.
Frequently Asked
What is Erst in Manchester known for?
It is a Bib Gourmand natural-wine bar in Ancoats known for modern Mediterranean small plates from an open kitchen and a keenly priced natural-wine list. Diners single out the charred flatbreads and the cuttlefish risotto.
Who is the chef at Erst?
Head chef Patrick Withington, who opened the restaurant with fellow Manchester native Will Sutton as the neighbourhood room they wanted to eat in themselves.
What should I order?
The menu changes often, but the charred flatbreads and the cuttlefish risotto are the plates regulars come back for, alongside a glass from the natural-wine list.
How much does it cost?
Small plates run roughly £8 to £16, so a full meal lands around £35 to £45 per person before wine — the value the Bib Gourmand recognises.
Where is Erst located?
At 9 Murray Street in the Ancoats district of Manchester, the city's most food-led neighbourhood.
Do I need a reservation?
It is a popular neighbourhood spot, so booking ahead is sensible, particularly at weekends, though the counter can suit a walk-in.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Erst
Book ahead, especially at weekends; the counter can suit a walk-in.
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Practical Information
Address9 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester
NeighbourhoodAncoats
CuisineMediterranean small plates
PricePlates ~£8–£16; ~£35–£45 pp
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingDining room and kitchen counter
ReservationRecommended
