The day is finally arriving when we’ll be able to, once again, head out of our homes to eat food and drink drinks at restaurants and bars.
From Monday 12 April, you’ll be able to visit venues to order food and drink outside. There’ll be no substantial meal rule and there’ll be no 10pm curfew. Hallelujah.
But with restaurants’ diaries understandably filling up fast, it’s a bit tricky to know where you’ll actually be able to get a table.
Here, we’ve rounded up places that still have availability for bookings and the times when you have your best chance of securing a table, as well as places that will have tables available for walk-ins.
This list was correct when it was last updated on 17 March.
Elnecot
Apart from the first weekend after restrictions ease, Elnecot has good availability for tables in April. They’ll have their outdoor tables in Cutting Room Square and will also be accepting walk ins.
Book here.
El Gato Negro
After being inundated with requests after they opened their terrace for bookings, El Gato Negro announced last week that they are taking bookings for their ‘pavement terrace’ on King Street.
Even these are filling up fast with tables only available in the daytime and later on in the evening for the first few weeks of April.
Book a spot here.
Canto
Also taking part in the ‘tapas on the terrace event’ is El Gato’s sister restaurant Canto. There will be 50 covers on Blossom Street, looking out onto Cutting Room Square.
Both events will run 12pm to 10pm in the run up to the restaurants’ official reopenings on May 17. Fridays and Saturdays are busy but other than that there are tables available.
Book for Canto here.
Tapas on the Terrace
The Refuge
Having recently announced their transformed outdoor terrace, The Refuge by Volta still has some limited availability for online bookings. These bookings will be for dining only but there will be limited opportunities for walk-in drinks, especially towards the end of the night.
They’ve also told us that there is availability that opens up each day as people change there plans, so it’s worth checking back regularly if you fancy dining at The Refuge.
Escape to Freight Island
Freight Island has had huge demand for bookings since they were announced so as you’d expect, availability is quite limited. However, they do have evening slots free each week from Sunday to Wednesday, so you should still be able to get a table if you book soon.
They’re currently taking bookings until 16 May via their website, where you can also sign up to the mailing list to get early access to bookings next time around. Book here.
Hatch
Hatch is taking bookings for half of their available tables and saving half for walk-ins. The two opening weekends are sold out but there are still lots of options throughout the week. Take a look at what’s available here.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is taking outdoor table bookings for food or drinks only. Friday and Saturday evenings are quite full but there is still decent availability during the daytimes and plenty of tables during the week. Walk-ins will also be available.
Book here.
Rudy’s
Taking bookings at its Ancoats and Peter Street restaurants from April 12, Rudy’s is totally booked up for the first weekend after reopening but apart from that there is still decent availability for lunchtimes and throughout the week. You can book a table via their website here.
Crazy Pedro’s – NQ
Crazy Pedro’s NQ has JUST released more availability for Bottomless Brunch bookings, most of them are just before 5pm if you’re struggling to find free spots. They’ll also have space for walk-ins on the day too.
Tampopo
Tampopo will be opening the outdoor seating area at Albert Square restaurant from 12 April. There’s still plenty of availability at the moment. You can book a table here.
Salut
Wine bar and shop Salut will be open for drinks, small plates and sharing boards in their outdoor area from 12 April. It’ll be walk ins only and you can find out more on their Instagram.
Oast House
The Oast House has midweek availability for table bookings but they will still be accepting walk-ins on the weekends at their large Spinningfields outdoor areas.
Book a table here.
Scene
Scene Indian Street Kitchen is taking bookings for their outdoor terrace, they’ve got lots of room at the back looking over the river and heated seating areas at the front too. They are fully booked the first Saturday back (April 17) but apart from that they have lots of tables available. You can book here.
Common
The outdoor tables on Edge Street will be returning and Common will be open for walk ins only from Tuesday to Friday 4pm until late and from 12pm on weekends.
The Beagle
With tables available in their conservatory, The Beagle in Chorlton is taking walk ins only from Tuesday to Friday for drinks and slices of Nell’s Pizza.
Hatch
The first couple of weekends at Hatch have sold out completely but there are a few tables left here and there during the first few weeks of opening. They are also saving half the capacity for walk ins so even if you’ve not booked, you should still be able to get a table.
You can check availability here.
Con Club, Altrincham
The Con Club restaurant in Altrincham will be reopening for dining in April and will be accepting walk ins in their outdoor area.
For their latest updates, visit their Instagram page.
The Botanist, Media City
Levanter, Ramsbottom
Levanter is taking bookings for their covered and heated outdoor space on Square Street. Aside from the opening couple of weekends, they still have good availability, especially midweek and on Sundays. Towards the end of April there are still some tables available on Fridays and Saturdays, and May bank holiday weekends still have availability too. Book at levanterfinefoods.co.uk.
Nutters, Norden
Fine dining Rochdale restaurant, Nutters is taking bookings for their terrace for nibbles, desserts and drinks. They opened the phone lines to start taking bookings at the weekend so there are still plenty of tables available. To book, call 01706 650167.
Sugo, Altrincham
From 13 April, Sugo is taking bookings at their Altrincham restaurant only. The Ancoats restaurant isn’t opening until May for indoor dining. For Altrincham, there is very limited availability in April but if you’re desperate for a helping of Sugo, we’ve just seen two tables open up for dinnertime on 15 April and there’s one late table on 21 April too. There’s some more availability in May.
Book a table for Sugo Altrincham here.
Volta, Didsbury
Volta announced they were taking bookings this week and they have already filled up pretty fast. The first week and first couple of weekends are pretty full but there’s still the odd table here and there, and there is more availability for evenings during the week.
Book here.
The Hive, Stretford
The Hive has created a brand new covered and heated outdoor area outside their restaurant and bar in Stretford Mall. They are taking bookings from 15 April.
Book here.
Do you know somewhere else that should be on this list? Feel free to get in touch on Instagram: instagram.com/eatmcr.
