Manchester restaurants: Four great places to eat named in Opentable’s 100 most popular list for outdoor dining

One of the best things about summer is being able to enjoy an alfresco meal in one of the many outdoor dining spaces that open for the sunny season. There are loads of great places to choose from in Manchester – but there are four in particular, which have been included on Opentable’s top 100 most popular outdoor dining restaurants.

Opentable compiles the list by looking at over 1.3million customer reviews for restaurants across the country. Each one has been selected, not only for the great food, but also the views and overall outdoor dining experience.

The four Greater Manchester restaurants are located all over the region. They include Bar San Juan in Chorlton, Volta in Didsbury, The Old School BBQ Bus in Hollinwood and The Thomas Egerton in Bolton.

Bar San Juan

Bar San Juan is no stranger to the top local restaurant lists that circulate social media. This tiny tapas restaurant on Beech Road, decorated in warm colours and Spanish patterned tiles, has gained a reputation over the years as one of the best of its kind in Greater Manchester. It even got a shout out from actress Michelle Keegan when she appeared on the popular food podcast Off Menu.

They have a varied menu of traditional meat, fish and vegetarian tapas dish, that fall with a very reasonable price range of between £3.80 for crispy fried potatoes and aioli and £9.50 for the pan-fried diced fillet steak.

The Old School BBQ Bus

Fans of Come Dine With Me may remember The Old School BBQ Bus from the professionals series that aired last year. They have an unusual set-up in the most unlikely of places – an genuine yellow American school bus on an industrial estate in Hollinwood – but it is hands-down the best place for authentic BBQ in Greater Manchester. The meat falls off the bone and melts in your mouth, with the perfect amount of char. They even make their own moonshine.

Their menu consists of every conceivable BBQ meat, which you can get as a platter for £52, as well as other US favourites like hotdogs, burgers, tacos and wings. They have an outdoor seating area, bar and playground, as well as a covered area inside a marquee attached to the bus, which also has a stage for comedy and music events.

The Thomas Egerton

This pub in the village of Egerton, just outside Bolton town centre, is surrounded by beautiful countryside, which makes it an excellent destination if you want to enjoy a quality pub lunch in the sun. They have a spacious beer garden with plenty of seating, as well as a great selection of beers, ales and ciders – something which this part of Greater Manchester is renowned for.

Their menu has a wide selection of classic dishes, such as pie and chips and fish and chips, but there is also a dedicated grill menu for the carnivores and several burger or wrap options. Prices for mains range between £12-24, with the most expensive by far being the 10oz rib eye.

Volta

There are so many cafes, bars and restaurants on Didsbury’s Burton Road these days, most of which have outdoor seating during the summer, it almost feels like you’re in a quiet European village, not a South Manchester suburb. And according to Opentable reviews, Volta is the one to choose. They offer a range of small plates inspired by cuisines from around the world.

Prices at Volta range between £5.50 for a roasted aubergine and miso dip to £12 and £16.50 for the Iberico pork Secreto. They also have an offer of three plates for £15, which is available weekdays until 5:30pm. There is also an impressive selection of wines available, as well as classic cocktails and aperitifs – which will definitely make you feel like you’re on holiday in Europe.