The Refuge

Featured reviews

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  David S

  ·1 month ago

  “Everything about this venue was top tier. The fabulous ambience and surroundings, the super friendly and fun staff and the absolutely amazing cocktails and food. Cannot fault anything about this place! Special shoutout to Karolina for taking such good care of us!”

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  E M

  ·2 months ago

  “We had a beautiful birthday meal & drinks at Refuge. It’s a beautiful venue, great atmosphere and the food & drinks were delicious. We had two non-drinkers in the group who were both very impressed with the alcohol free wine selection which tasted amazing. We were served by Klaudia who was very lovely, attentive and knowledgeable, thanks for making our evening so special 🙏🏽”

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• S

  Simon Fox

  ·3 months ago

  “Visiting Manchester for the weekend, had booked Refuge for lunch. Fantastic decor and atmosphere, and great vibe. Our server Wade was brilliant, so welcoming, informative and personable. Great recommendations and made the experience even better. The beetroot dip was delicious with the whipped feta alongside. Spring salad was also a fresh and delicious treat. If you've got space at the end the rhubarb and custard cheesecake was sublime.”

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• S

  Sandy Moustafa

  ·3 months ago

  “I came on 10th July to celebrate my birthday in Winter Garden Afternoon Tea and the experience was incredibles, the atmosphere was whimsical and warm. The service was great, thanks to Tony and Jean made my big day more special, they were always attentive, helpful and friendly. Recommend this place to celebrate your big day or dinning in😊”

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• S

  Sammie

  ·3 months ago

  “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Exceptional Lunch at The Refuge, Manchester Our lunch at The Refuge was one of the highlights of our stay in Manchester. The setting itself is absolutely stunning—elegant, grand, and effortlessly stylish, with beautiful interiors that perfectly capture the glamour and heritage of the city. What truly elevated our experience, however, was the outstanding service from our server, Wade. From the moment we were seated, he was attentive, warm, and genuinely engaged. He anticipated our needs without ever being intrusive, checked on us at just the right moments, and made us feel welcomed and valued throughout the meal. His professionalism and keen attention to detail exemplify hospitality at its finest. The food was equally impressive—beautifully presented, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. Combined with the remarkable ambiance and Wade’s exceptional service, our lunch became far more than just a meal; it was an experience. Manchester has many wonderful dining options, but The Refuge stands out as a destination in itself. A sincere thank you to Wade and the entire team for delivering such memorable hospitality. We will certainly return on our next visit to Manchester and highly recommend The Refuge to anyone seeking outstanding food, impeccable service, and an unforgettable atmosphere.”

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  matt smith

  ·5 months ago

  “Where do you start… probably with the fabulous Mina — concierge, problem solver, and always ready to help with a huge smile… just don’t try stealing the concierge trolleys ! The building itself is incredible. The reception is a work of art, and the rooms are just as impressive. It’s well worth reading up on the history of the building before you stay — we were lucky enough to have the Directors Boardroom and it was absolutely breathtaking. Breakfast in the stunning Winter Garden was another highlight, made even better by the uber-helpful and lovely Jean. Think it can’t get any better? Try the Sunday lunch. Perfect food, the best gravy, and all served by the magnificent Morgan. Last, but certainly not least, Fran — who found us wandering around the building and gave us amazing insight not only into the hotel itself, but Manchester too. You can have the best building in the world, but the staff are the true lifeblood of a hotel — and Kimpton absolutely nails this. At the risk of sounding cliché, you arrive as a guest and leave feeling like a friend, and Fran and the whole team make sure of that. If you’re planning a city break or business stay in Manchester city centre, this would be my go-to place every time. Huge thanks to the whole team — and if we haven’t mentioned your name personally, thank you too. Can’t wait to be back later this year!”

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  Lucia from SVK

  ·6 months ago

  “We had a wonderful dining experience. From the menu, we tried the Holy Grain sourdough, Wild mushroom parfait, Spring salad, Jerusalem artichoke, Tenderstem broccoli, Lobster mac ’n’ cheese, and Crème caramel. Everything was delicious and beautifully prepared. The food arrived very quickly, which we really appreciated. Our server, Hannah O., was friendly, attentive, and gave us helpful recommendations. Overall, we were very satisfied with both the food and the service. The total bill for food and drinks came to £120.”

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  Natalie Leon

  ·6 months ago

  “Come here for Sunday roast. Request the Winter Garden Terrace and Hannah O. as your waitress. Beautiful vibes, delicious food, and a sweet and hilarious waitress. Hannah O was kind, helpful, and her service was amazing. Perfect timing. Cheeky jokes. Loved her! The Sunday roast was delicious and hearty and filling.”

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  William Foster

  ·7 months ago

  “Stopped by The Refuge for lunch with my partner. The venue itself is beautiful, set inside the historic building with high ceilings and plenty of character.It has a lively atmosphere and the interior design really stands out. The food was decent, though not particularly memorable.We ordered a couple of small plates to share and while the presentation was nice, the flavours didn’t quite stand out as much as we expected. Service was polite but a little slow at times, possibly because it was quite busy during lunchtime. Drinks were good and the overall experience was pleasant enough. Overall, it’s a nice place to visit for the setting and atmosphere, but the food and service could be a bit more consistent to match the impressive surroundings.”

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• D

  Dawn Stemmer

  ·8 months ago

  “Thank you all at The Refuge We had such a special experience at The Refuge and I wanted to leave a note of genuine thanks. Our visit was a celebration day, and from the moment we arrived we were made to feel warmly welcomed and truly cared for. Hannah, our waitress, was exceptional, attentive, curious, and wonderfully engaged. She gave us time, care, and presence, and made our lunch feel relaxed, joyful, and unhurried. What unfolded at the bar was an unexpected and very touching bonus. Through a conversation sparked by my drink order, Callum took the time and creativity to design a cocktail inspired by a long-standing favourite of mine - and then went one step further by naming it “Dawn ’til Dusk”, in celebration of my first book, which is a fundraiser supporting people living with and recovering from Long COVID. That level of interest, playfulness, and generosity is rare. It turned an already lovely day into something memorable and meaningful. The Sunday Lunch was delicious, as were all our starters. My husband and I highly recommend the Liquorice Ice-cream and custard tart. Everything was served with care and attentive staff. Thank you to the whole team, but especially Hannah and Callum; for making us feel so genuinely spoilt. It wasn’t just great food and drink; it was kindness, connection, and care, beautifully delivered 💛”

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