Restaurant Review: Gorilla Manchester

Manchester's club of the moment, Gorilla, is the hottest venue in the city right now, hosting some of the biggest club nights and live music events. Situated under the railway tracks on Whitworth Street West, Gorilla is a bar, kitchen, live venue and club space from the people behind Trof and The Deaf Institute. 

Gorilla comes in two venues; the cool, sophisticated and relaxed bar and restaurant serving an array of food and drinks, and the 700 capacity club/live space which has already had the likes of Bonobo, Miguel Campbell, Martha reeves & the vandellas,  Jamie XX and so many more gracing the stage at their sell out events. Check out what they have coming up here.

Instantly on arrival we were whizzed through to the mezzanine bar called the gin parlour, a relaxed and sophisticated den dedicated to the consumption of glorious gin - nice. Naturally we had to sample their luscious cocktail menu so we promptly ordered a couple of 'Jayne Mansfield's', consisting of Eldorado 3 year rum, Strawberry and Prosecco. Extremely delicious. In fact too delicious…

Pretty much every table was taken, full of a heady mix of working professionals, students, couples old and young and big groups of friends. The diversity of customers was reflected on the menu, from specialised burgers and dogs, grills and mains, sharing snacks, lush sandwiches and a selection of fine desserts.

We opted for a sample of starters of grilled lime and chilli halloumi, sour dough bread with hummus dip and yoghurt aiolo and smoked bratwurst chipolatas and sausages. If you're hungry then you will not be disappointed. Proper heart-warming grub, and of the finest quality. It left us needing a short rest before we tried to fit in the mains.

We tucked into a spicy bean burger on toasted sesame bricohe bun, carrot chutney, tzatziki, butterhead lettuce and seasoned fries. As well as a Chermoula Chicken Kebab In a toasted African spice rub, served with a puy lentil, tomato & green herb salad, harissa yoghurt & grilled flat bread. Both dishes were tremendous, genuinely out of this world.

One of the great things about Gorilla is that all their meat is free range or freedom farmed and locally sourced with bacon from Cheshire pigs, Cheshire laid eggs and sausages hand made with their own recipe. All the ingredients sourced are in the most sustainable, responsible & ethical way they can. You can eat as guilt free as a carnivore can (plenty of vegetarian options too)... apart from the calories.

The staff were cool, relaxed and happy to chat to us and other guests on the night. It was bustling, but in a good way rather than overly hectic. If you get there early there’s also the chance to take advantage of their after work drinks from 5-8pm where cocktails and a carafe of house wine are a mere fiver. Not to mention they also serve THE MOST delicious looking breakfasts every day until 4pm (for those who are a little late rising).

So there you have it. Gorilla. Another hidden food gem in Manchester. Skiddle give them five stars!

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Looking for more things to do with Manchester? Check our Insider’s Guide here.