Australasia Restaurant, Spinningfields Manchester

Australasia Restaurant, Spinningfields Manchester is one of the most luxurious bar and restaurants in Manchester. Located right in the centre of town amongst the other elite bars, you enter through a glass archway that takes you to the most beautiful bar below. It’s like a secret hideaway for special cocktails. Further inside you’ll see the most beautiful light and airy restaurant within a a subterranean venue.

You can visit Australasia just for drinks but if you’re looking for a special occasion meal, then Australasia is for you. The decor inside is absolutely beautiful – as luxurious as you would expect and the staff are completely attentive and welcoming. The food menu is based on Modern Australian food with Indonesian and Japanese influences.

We were seated in a beautiful booth in a quiet corner, the perfect position for looking up towards the bar and down to the kitchen to see the many chefs proudly preparing their dishes. It was really interesting to see the chefs at work, actually, as there were so many there and it looked like such a collaborative effort.

Both the drinks and food menu are extensive and are a mixture between innovative choices and the more traditional, too. We tried speciality Australasia cocktails such as a Rose and Lychee Martini (absolutely beautiful) and a Thai Bride. My sister also tried a non alcoholic cocktail of a Mango and Lychee cooler (we were taking advantage of the unusual ingredient of Lychee!) and she said it was one of the best mocktails she’s ever had and complimented our choice of food perfectly.

As the menu is somewhat Asian inspired, we chose a couple of dishes to share between ourselves, starting off with steamed edamame with chilli and lime salt (£4.50) and fresh wasabi made in front of our very eyes! This was closely followed by Mango, gem and avocado Californian rolls (£6.50) and Yum yum squares with spicy tuna and avocado (£6.50). Each of these were absolutely delicious and without a bet the best sushi inspired meal I have ever had, with a fresh, Californian handmade feel.

 We also shared a small plate of Sweet potato and teriyaki dressing (£4.50) and probably the best steak I have ever had; 28-day aged British beef, grilled on the robata fillet steak (£28.50). I would 100% order this again from Australasia, it was presented beautifully and tasted even better. With the sides we had chosen alongside recommendations from our lovely waitress, it made for the perfect special treat meal.

After we finished our mains we were completely and utterly full and initially turned down seeing the dessert menu. However, after a little persuasion from our waitress and a few sneaky glances at other customer’s sweets (which looked incredible), we were convinced to take the plunge. And we were SO pleased we did! She recommended we try the Passionfruit cheesecake (£8) which we ordinarily might have forfeited for a chocolate dish, but I am SO glad we went for it! With tea to compliment it, it was absolutely delicious and the perfect portion for two to share. I mean, just look how beautiful it was!

Australasia Restaurant, Spinningfields Manchester is absolutely fantastic. It totally earns its place as one of the top restaurants in the area and is the perfect place for a birthday meal, a romantic date or simply if you fancy treating yo’self like my sister and I did. The drinks are wonderful, the food is even better, and the environment is a pleasure to be in. I’ll be back!