Best Restaurants & Bars in Media City Salford 2026
Waterfront dining at the BBC and ITV's northern home - modern venues with quayside views
Updated weekly
About Media City
Salford Quays was once Manchester's industrial docklands, where goods from around the world passed through on their way to the city's factories. When the docks closed in the 1980s, the area fell into dereliction.
The transformation began with The Lowry arts centre in 2000, followed by MediaCityUK's arrival in 2011 when BBC moved significant operations north. Suddenly, this was where some of Britain's biggest TV shows were made.
Today, the waterfront buzzes with the media industry. The restaurants and bars serve everyone from production runners to presenting talent, creating a unique dining atmosphere that reflects the creative energy of the area.
Purpose-Built Development
Unlike organic neighbourhoods, Media City was master-planned. The result is polished and convenient but can feel corporate. The best venues here add personality to the sleek surroundings.
Media Hub
This is BBC and ITV territory - you might spot familiar faces from TV news, drama, and entertainment shows. The Coronation Street set is nearby, and cast members are regulars at local venues.
How to Get There
From Manchester Oxford Road:
- Metrolink:MediaCityUK (15 mins from St Peter's Square)
- Bus:Multiple routes to Salford Quays
- Driving:10 mins, parking at The Lowry or NCP
Metrolink Ticket Info
Metrolink single. The Quays route is scenic along the waterfront.
Local tip: Walk along the waterfront from The Lowry to MediaCity for the full experience. Best views at sunset.
Media City Venue Map
TLDR: Media City Quick Picks
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The Media City Hot List
Week of 22 February 2026
This Week
Welcome back to the Media City Hot List, where we count down the spots you're loving this week! And holding firm at the top for the first time is Munchyhub! Yes, the restaurant is the place to be, folks!
But the action doesn't stop there. Hideaway Brewing Co Ltd is making a serious play for the top spot, climbing up two to number two! And talk about a mover! Nell's Media City is rocketing up the chart, a massive leap of ten places all the way to number three! They must be serving up some seriously good pizza over there. The Matchstick Man is also on the up, proving that a good pub never goes out of style, rising four places to number four.
BAB Korean Food continues its steady climb, moving up one to number eight, a brand new peak position for this Korean gem! House of Habesha is also on the rise, up two to number nine. And Reflexion Salford Quays is making moves, up one to number thirteen, it's great to see them on the up.
So there you have it, folks, this week's Media City Hot List! Will Munchyhub maintain its top spot next week? Will we see any new entries shaking things up? Tune in next week to find out!
Rankings updated weekly based on composite scoring methodology · Only positive movements shown — every venue here is winning
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Media City Dining FAQs
MediaCityUK is the purpose-built media hub at Salford Quays, home to BBC North, ITV Granada, and numerous production companies. The waterfront development includes restaurants, bars, and The Lowry arts centre.
Yes, particularly for waterfront dining and a glimpse of the media industry at work. The restaurants cater to the broadcast crowd, offering quality options for business lunches and after-work drinks.
The Metrolink tram runs directly to MediaCityUK from Manchester city centre (15 minutes from St Peter's Square). There's also parking if driving.
Modern and corporate during the day, livelier in the evenings when production crews finish. The waterfront setting adds appeal, especially on sunny days when outdoor terraces fill up.
Still have questions? The best answers come from locals at the venue.
Rankings recalculated weekly from live Google review data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity, recency, rating trend, and baseline rating.