Arguably one of the hottest tables in Manchester right now, The Refuge by Volta occupies a cavernous, large space at the heart of The Principal Manchester. Conceived by DJs-turned-restauranteurs Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford, The Refuge is divided into different zones — a massive dining room serving small plates and sharing dishes, a bar for drinks or all-day coffee and a winter garden under a glass house of sorts perfect for cocktails and coffee. I bagged a table in the main dining room and ordered a variety of seemingly Middle East-inspired sharing plates, referred to as Voltini (Volta’s small plates). These included a lamb rump with tapenade, salt cod croquettes, sake-cured salmon, pan-fried sea bass, lamb tagine meatballs as well as interesting additions like dal makhani, curried sweet potatoes and beetroot pakoras.
Verdict: A trendy place to see and be seen, with an amazing food offering, best enjoyed with a bunch of friends or colleagues.
Hours Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, starting from 6.30am to 11.30pm.
Price Meal for two without alcohol GBP 70 (₹7,000)
Contact The Refuge by Volta, Principal Manchester, Oxford Street, Manchester. +44 (0) 161 233 5151
