Delicious carbohydrate heavy food with excellent service. It's in a delightful open plan space under a railway line, you arrive at a door a wall and a doorbell, no major fanfare but something different and slightly quirky. The inside is nicely spaced out with pleasant wait staff who take you to your table and enthusiastically inform you of the dishes of the day. All of the dishes we had were small portions, hence being recommended to order 2 or 3 per person. All were ranging from good to delicious. The reason I am unable to give 5 stars is that with the 2 to 3 plates per person the raises the cost per head up towards the point where you do expect total perfection, some of the dishes were, some not so much Having said that I wouldn't hesitate to return to have more in the future.

Brilliant experience, great fun and superb food and service. What a cool space! 4 of us trusted our entire order to our waiter, who chose brilliantly. We had loads of dishes to share, one bottle of wine, 2 beers, and it came in under £50/head. Highly recommended.

One of my top meals out of all time. All dishes were incredible - can't really say any more! Great vegetarian and vegan options. Drinks were excellent. If you're a martini fan, treat yourself to the High Glen martini! Can't wait to go back to try the selection of sake with the food next time. Service was perfect, really friendly and helpful staff who went out of their way to provide extra information on ingredients. So ready to visit again!

The Spärrows has been great! As I am originally from Germany, it was a great pleasure to find this place. Staff appear well educated about the menu and service standard is high-end but still personable. Food was exceptional. All meals seem to come in a similar size, therefore Ben recommended to kind of build our own structure of multiple courses which we appreciated. It is fun to get creative within your own experience! Ben was definitely the highlight of our dinner! We even received free birthday shots! Can't wait to be back again!

Fabulous. Family owned, and it shows. The care taken is exemplary. The food beautiful. The drink selection wide and interesting. Difficult to find, I think probably on purpose. Housed in an end railway arch, with a tiny sign. All the staff about to go on a works holiday to Italy, so closed for a month. Don’t tell anyone about this place…!

After having a very very cold bus trip for 4h this restaurant was our salvation. From the outside one does not know what to expect, but once the door was opened we really got surprised. The warm and nice atmosphere inside made us enjoy the delicious lunch even more. The Spätzle tasted truly authentic, but at the same time had a touch of originality. We strongly recommend the Spätzle “Guanciale” (sadly not on the photos), which are a beautiful mix of different countries traditional plates. All in all this restaurant is something different and offers a nice variation of very interesting dishes and drinks. We strongly recommend it :)

The Sparrows was absolutely incredible! I've always heard good things and have been looking forward to going for a long time now. The interior was simple and beautiful, the staff were really kind, polite and attentive, the whole place had a really good atmosphere and felt perfect for any excuse to dine there. The food was stunning, really simple presentation that showcased the dishes perfectly. Each dish was amazing, great flavours, fresh and surprisingly not that heavy for four pasta based plates. Good selection of beers and wines, and the tiramisu at the end was a great final touch. Couldn't recommend this place enough and can't wait to go back and sample more. As the menu changes with the seasons there is always a reason to go back!

Amazing food and atmosphere. I guess this place has to be recommended as it isn't your mainstream restaurant. In any case, you won't regret going as the food is good and also has tons of flavour. Perhaps the portions are on the small side, so if you're really hungry, you might need to order quite a lot of the options.

Amazing food in a beautiful small but high ceiling restaurant. The food was delicious, my favourite dish we had was the desert pasta. Our servers were very friendly and attentive.

Probably the best Italian restaurant in Manchester. Focaccia is soft and perfectly matched with olive sauce. Dumplings are not traditional Italian ones but very tasty, the covering is crispy and the inside is soft. I have never eaten gnocchi before because l didn't think it would be delicious food, however, this restaurant completely proves l was wrong. How can I miss this type of pasta!! It's tender and absorbed the sauce, every bite you enjoy the flavour filling out your mouth.

Visited for my birthday. The staff and service were exceptional. The food was very tasty and good value. I loved the cosy ambience. It is a perfect date spot. Will definitely be returning and can't wait to try more on the menu!

Wonderful birthday treat here. Not much to look at from outside but inside a lovely atmosphere. Tasty food and excellent friendly service. Quality over quantity venue. Good choice for special occasion.

Everything is just perfect. The vibe, service and the food was just perfect. Very friendly staff. Good value for money. pasta lovers need to come here.

Probably one of the best meals out I’ve ever had! Food and drinks were absolutely outstanding. Service was faultless - the staff are lovely, super knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations, including wines. Would highly highly recommend, well done Sparrows for creating such a fantastic restaurant!

A true hidden gem, quite literally, to find it just follow Google Maps and its just a small black door with a sign on the side. Once you’re in though you are transformed to a tranquil Japanese inspired space. The staff are lovely with excellent recommendations. It’s small dishes so you are advised to order two dishes per person and they come as separate courses. The cocktails are excellent too. Perfect if you like Sake as there are two excellent options. The food is European inspired pasta dishes all of which were perfect. Overall, one of the best restaurants we have visited in Manchester and highly recommend

The best restaurant in Manchester and it isn’t even close. The service, the wine, the vibe - all unmatched. The food is incredible and the pace of the whole experience is perfect. Great value for money, too.

My oh my, what a fantastic place! There are a few downsides, but the overall experience is amazing, but the amaizng food is what makes this place special! A fantastic warm welcome, and our coats were hung up and led to a table by the most welcoming of welcomes we could ask for. Amazing, niche Sparrow themed decoration and a very pleasant enjoyable vibe inside, everyone was enjoying their time which helped to elevate the mood. The staff are wonderful, polite and well trained. Although we had 4 waitstaff through the evening so there was a bit of inconsistency and no one wore nametags so sadly can't sing the praise of the staff who are honestly wonderful. The recommendation on food and of the special that night led to an even more pleasurable evening. On billing, we were overcharged by £4 in error, but when we pointed the mistake and explained how it was a mistake, it was corrected in a professional and warm way. The food... phenomenal. Everything was superb, no faults at all. Fantastically priced and scrumptious. The spatzle is to die for, and the salmon pasta special of the day was honestly one of the most mouthwatering dishes I've ever had. The chefs should be very proud. One downside to the menu, is that the prices of food and drink are inconsistent. You can have an entire 3 course meal here for the same price as a bottle of wine. Begs the question, is the food underpriced? The cocktails are amazing, but we finished them in two sips as 90% of the glass is one large ice cube, so best to have a bottle of wine. Our main downside was that they're limited to space (which is not their fault) and being sat in the middle of the room (on table 4B), meant all the waitstaff and other guests hitting both our chairs constantly, which leads to the other downside, there is sadly a catch-22 to the entry, you have to press a doorbell that the entire restaurant can hear, which while fine, began to grate on both of us as it goes more often than you'd think, however, when the door is left open, there is a terrible draft that when it's cold outside really does chill to the bone quickly. Both of these sadly bring down the experience as they're constant little annoyances which are very minor but do spoil the experience overall. The reason i've left a 5 star is because, despite, all the downsides that I've mentioned, which are so minor, it's a fantastic place and the food is honestly so brilliant, it deserves every award going. I hope the owner(s), are extremely proud, and with a bit of tinkering of the downsides we experienced, it could be easily Manchester's best restaurant.

Absolutely lives up to its reputation. Loved all of the food, and would definitely visit again. The location and speakeasy sort of atmosphere is amazing and I have already recommended it to many of my friends and family. Can't wait to visit again.

We were in last night and were in awe of the atmosphere. We showed up without reservations and were somehow able to get the last available table. Every person we encountered was so warm and inviting. We were given excellent recommendations for food and wine. The käse spätzle, pelmeni, focaccia and chanterelle pasta special we ordered were phenomenal. My partner had a sudden migraine and we had to leave in a hurry and pack all of our food to go. The very kind woman who helped us at the end I assume was the owner or manager and she put such care into packing our takeaway and suggesting the best way to reheat our spätzle. On our way out we experienced very warm goodbyes from all staff. I wish there was a more direct way to get in touch to thank you for your care and we would have loved to spend the rest of our evening there.

Delicious food. We booked in advance and we're glad we did as it gets quite busy. A cosy spot although no windows - but it works well as a warm wintery place to eat and escape the cold. Service was really good - attentive and friendly. The wine list was quite good too! We'll happily return for more of this beautiful food.

Great spot to try a variety of pastas, dumplings and stews from various countries. Extensive wine lists. Waiters and waitresses are welcoming, and very knowledgeable in the menu. Explained to us every single item on the menu. Every dish that we tried were amazing. Highlight of the night was the panna cotta. Exceptional texture, interesting flavour combination. Absolute must try 10/10 Would revisit the restaurant for sure.

They take great pride in making you enjoy their food. Finally some Italian food (and not only Italian ) that is not the usual pasta-pizza-risotto. The menu and the drinks selection are excellent and the quality superb.

I took my partner there for his Birthday and it was perfect! The service was amazing and the waiters were lovely and attentive. The food was incredible! It's some of the best pasta I've ever had!! Truly delicious and we were well catered for as vegetarians! It was also a lovely touch that the dessert came out with a candle and a note for my partner. We had a lovely evening, we will definitely be going back! Price wise it's more than your average meal out but it is well worth it.

It was so so great and mouthwatering! I immediately fall in love with this place. Sooo tasty pasta, tea, lemonade and of cause dessert, so kind and nice manager and waiters! So recommended for others! You need to taste all food and see this cozy atmosphere!

Absolutely divine. Incredible food and ridiculous wine selection. The service was excellent and the atmosphere is to die for

Something is off today. The special pasta with chanterelles has excess salt and unwashed dirt. Gnocchi overcooked. skip the orange wine (no taste). We spent at least 40 minutes waiting to be served. I understand they've won some awards but this is NOT the same crew. Spent £40pp

A very lovely place It has a vibe of a hotel resto and bar, which is really nice Great for celebrating milestones The food were delicious The staff were very helpful and lovely We'll be back for my birthday celebration! Can't wait!

Wow. The Sparrows always gets great reviews and for such good reasons. Our first visit with two friends from out of town - on a beautiful, Costa del Manchester day. We walked out of the Northern Quarter and walked a bit further, and a bit further. And eventually found a doorway under a railway arch. Ta da! Cosy and cool on such a hot day. We took a seat out back in amongst their planter herb garden for pre-lunch drinks. Oddly (but brilliantly) they have a little Sake bar. Lunch was delicious- Spätzle is a German pasta and it’s their signature. Served with a selection of fresh sauces. Alongside other, great dishes such as Goulash. Some Italian influences and some other, plain different sides such as French yellow beans with Panko breadcrumbs. The staff were great; quietly confident and assured about the menu - answering all our questions/ allergy issues really well. Clearly, Spärrows is quietly going on about great business. I could go on. Instead, just go and eat. Loved it.

Food is delicious and the team will quite literally plan your courses in an order which best suits the palette. I loved eating here and would come back in a heart beat.

Really excellent quality food made by craftsmen. It is not often that one finds oneself pondering as to whether to share knowledge of this little gem for the fear that they may do what most restaurants do when they find oneself on the crest of a wave... and that is expand their operation and kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

Amazing place! I would recommend to anyone. Best meal I’ve had in Manchester in recent times. Such good value for money and beautiful interior.

Incredible restaurant with a really interesting menu, cozy setting and excellent service. One of Manchester's best.

I write this review as someone who has lived in the Stuttgart area, with a Polish wife (exceptional at cooking, just check my waistline..), familiar with the Swabian-Italian and also Polish menu available. I was amazed by how little signage there was to find this place, but will explain why they don't need it! After all, there is a reason they are Michelin recommended. As a gamble, I brought parents and wife here for mothers day. The service was nothing short of exceptional. The waiting staff knew the menu, the gastronomy (yes I'm serious) of flavours, and were able to guide us through the menu, with combination recommendations. Having lived in these cultures, I didn't need a guide, I needed an authentic gastronomical experience, and that is precisely what I received. The Käsespätzle is the cornerstone of Swabian food, as are the Bratwürste, so I ordered both. The taste and presentation was like that of a high-end restaurant in Stuttgart, but at around half the price. Half way through the meal, with the succulent and soft, slow-cooked goulash having also been a hit, we decided to order more! Then came the onslaught of large, generously filled Pierogi and Russian pelmeni. Having an incredible Polish cook as a wife, and capable cook of pierogi myself, I felt like this needed to be impressive to maintain my opinion of the food. Well, I won't ever feel I did a good job with pierogi again... The filling (mushroom/kapusta kiszona) was authentically, expertly textured, generously filled. The pastry was perfect thickness, lightly salted and slightly crisped through frying as would be expected in Warsaw. I'll admit, I've never had pelmeni in Russia, but I can only assume the same quality applies because these were equally (actually preferred by the wife) lovely. There is plenty of parking, wine-list (and knowledge of) is excellent. Stop reading my flapping review and just book it, you will not be disappointed!

Fantastic! Dishes were very well made and flavour was great. Each dish was clearly perfected. Service was excellent and helped with ordering enough dishes to try. Little gem recommended!!! Would suggest the board and buratta to start

I loved it here. The staff knew everything about the food and drinks. We haven't been before and they provided great recommendations and they were spot on. Lovely atmosphere inside. Relaxed but still felt quite sophisticated without being pretentious. I loved the food. Everything we had was delicious. I would normally go for something a bit more exotic when I go out because I think I can cook European food really but I am really pleased we came here. I would definitely come again.