Cheshire


<p>Dreaming of summer in Europe? The fields of Provence, the beachy hideaways in Ibiza, the earthy pasta joints of Puglia? Well, dream no more. Because we&#8217;ve rounded up our fave places in Cheshire that&#8217;ll truly whisk you away to far-flung shores&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-la-popote"><a href="https://www.la-popote.co.uk/">La Popote</a></h2>


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<p>How about drinking Champagne in a courtyard surrounded by the fragrant scents of lavender? Nab a table at Michelin-listed La Popote &#8211; a French-inspired neighbourhood joint in Marton &#8211; with a menu that&#8217;s pure France. When the sun&#8217;s shining, diners gather around tables outside, smoothed with pristine white tablecloths, and are served high-end dishes conjured by chef Joseph Rawlins &#8211; a cook who brings his years working in Paris to the table. Magnifique!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-porta-chester">Porta, Chester</h2>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/NK750_11731_HR-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/NK750_11731_HR-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/NK750_11731_HR-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/NK750_11731_HR-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/NK750_11731_HR-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/NK750_11731_HR-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Now with offshoots in Altrincham, West Didsbury and Salford, the kitchen at this stylish and acclaimed original restaurant in Chester prepares plates of precise and elevated tapas. Guests gather around tables squeezed together, tearing off rich pan con tomate into bowls of aioli, scooping up vinegary boquerones on forks and spooning scallops from their shells. All best washed down with the house rose. A space that could easily pass for some buzzy, brilliant little tapas bar in San Sebastián or Seville. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rigatoni-s-altrincham"><a href="https://www.letsrigatoni.co.uk">Rigatoni&#8217;s, Altrincham</a></h2>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="903" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_0638-903x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3816" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_0638-903x1024.jpg 903w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_0638-265x300.jpg 265w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_0638-768x871.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_0638.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 903px) 100vw, 903px" /></figure></div>


<p>Once Sugo, then Sud, now Rigatoni&#8217;s, this rustic and earthy pasta kitchen takes its cues from sun-dappled Puglia – the heel in Italy’s boot. Run by a duo of brothers with Italian heritage, it promises authentic and restorative bowls of pasta that hum with the flavours of Puglia: sunny tomatoes, nduja, soft waves of garlic. My fave dish?  Scoglio &#8211; a generous mound of plump mussels-in-their-shells, squid rings and prawns over pasta in a chili and ginger broth, best eaten with a spoon. An Altrincham classic worth travelling to – and revisiting over and over.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-el-gato-negro-manchester"><a href="https://www.elgatonegrotapas.com/">El Gato Negro, Manchester</a></h2>


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<p>There’s something remarkably cool about this Simon Shaw restaurant on King Street. Crumbly brick walls, leather bar stools, and a buzzy open kitchen doing wonderful things with Spanish produce have seen it garner lively, loyal diners that return again and again. But the ace card when the sun&#8217;s out has to be its roof terrace offering one of the most sophisticated respites in the city. Here, diners perch on leather armchairs ordering plates of charred octopus, garlicky prawns and slithers of serrano. Squint hard enough and you might just believe you&#8217;re in Barcelona. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manor-house-hotel-amp-spa"><a href="https://www.manorhousealsager.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21042888425&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADRHjPIOC77hqx8xZLtCzXuaMNa_m&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwl_XBBhAUEiwAWK2hzoVkjmu2Yq-ZDImKza2sv0rN_mmeKz_GZMtHqkeAqPnard7FOjlqcBoCGt8QAvD_BwE">Manor House Hotel &amp; Spa</a></h2>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/SUNSET_01-3.jpg" alt="Guests in a swim up bar at Manor House" class="wp-image-3808" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/SUNSET_01-3.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/SUNSET_01-3-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure></div>


<p>Who&#8217;s a fan of a balmy Balearic getaway? If you&#8217;re dreaming of long, lost afternoons in a space that could easily pass for an understated and elegant Ibizan hideaway, make tracks to this bolthole in Alsager. Unfolding out the back of the country pile is a mellow and effortlessly stylish spa, home to two swim-up bars and swinging day beds. Guests float around the pool, pulling themselves up at the bar for a rose in the sun, and snoozing on days beds opening to views of sprawling fields. Our verdict? Manor House is leading the charge in perky, playful and stylish spas. </p>


Where to go in Cheshire to make you feel like you’re in Europe

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