Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Manchester/Greater Manchester
  4. Manchester
  5. Manchester
The Pen and Pencil, Manchester,

The Pen and Pencil

4.3
4.3
864 Reviews
£25 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 18 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for groups
  • Great for brunch
Sitting on the corner of Hilton and Tariff street in Manchester’s lively Northern Quarter, The Pen and Pencil takes its name and inspiration from the infamous mid-20th Century bar on East 45th Street in New York.

Open seven days a week from 10am until late, the restaurant and bar not only offers a variety of beverages including cocktails, beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, but focuses on its strong day time offering with great breakfast, brunch and lunch options as well as quality coffee and freshly blended smoothies.

The Pencil and Pencil has an array of events throughout the month with a resident DJ to get the party started every weekend, a weekly quiz night on a Tuesday, and its sell-out Bottomless Brunches! It also offers a private room for corporate event and celebrations..

Unfortunately, we are unable o serve guests with Coeliacs due to the risk of cross contamination.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 10:00 am–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Phone number
    0161 660 3303
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    The Pen & Pencil Manchester, situated on the corner of Hilton St and Tariff St in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, features an 80 cover dining space across two rooms alongside an expansive bar, with a cocktail menu of the highest quality.
  • Area
    Manchester
  • Parking details
    Spaces for on street parking. Multiple local parking lots within 1 minute walking distance.
  • Public transit
    5 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly
  • Entertainment
    Quiz night every Tuesday.DJs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

What 864 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseEnergetic

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Manchester/Greater Manchester

    Great for brunch

  • Manchester

    Great for brunch

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Pen and Pencil in Manchester is a vibrant spot praised for its "excellent food and drinks," "amazing staff," and "gorgeous breakfast." The atmosphere is perfect for casual evenings or brunches, with standout service. Although service can sometimes be slow, the venue's "nice ambiance" and tasty offerings make it a favorite among visitors.

864 Reviews
  1. Emma

    Manchester

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Was recommended by a friend, French toast was lovely but I got food envy with my son’s pancakes !! Nice place - will return

    Is this helpful?

  2. Gerald

    VIP

    Manchester

    149 reviews

    5.0

    149 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Brilliant as ever. Great service from the staff. Nice breakfast.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Eleri

    Manchester

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing veggie breakfast and great service. The only thing that let it down was that the cherry tomatoes were raw and the scrambled tofu almost tasted chemical? It was inedible. The rest of the breakfast was superb!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Andrew

    Liverpool

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Pen and Pencil. The food is amazing, the staff are great and the ambience is perfect for a casual evening. One of our favourite places to go in Manchester

    Is this helpful?

  5. Georgia

    Manchester

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 January 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Food took 45 mins to come for mushrooms on toast and a burrito. Not asked if we want anymore drinks. Food was good once it arrived

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kerrie

    Manchester

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 23 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food but exceptional service, waitress got a big tip from us

    Is this helpful?

  7. Peter

    Manchester

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food superb, great January offer so the value for money was incredible and the service perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Yvonne

    Manchester

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 20 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely lovely breakfast. I’ve been in the venue before and used the back room as a venue for my daughter’s baby shower but I’d never had brunch there! Gorgeous and very friendly staff!

    Is this helpful?

  9. oliver

    Manchester

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    New Menu is really good, breakfast Quesadilla is so good

    Is this helpful?

  10. Roger

    Manchester

    16 reviews

    1.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 6 January 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    I cannot criticise the food. Never got it. Hiked across town through rain and sleep to walk into an empty bar/restaurant and to be told quite bluntly "what booking, kitchen closes at 7pm, always has done" - as if I should know that.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Pen and Pencil is rated 4.3 stars by 864 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 18 times today
Google Map for The Pen and Pencil

57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ

Additional information

  • Area
    Manchester
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 10:00 am–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Spaces for on street parking. Multiple local parking lots within 1 minute walking distance.
  • Public transit
    5 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Quiz night every Tuesday.DJs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan
  • Phone number
    0161 660 3303
  • Private party facilities
    The Pen & Pencil Manchester, situated on the corner of Hilton St and Tariff St in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, features an 80 cover dining space across two rooms alongside an expansive bar, with a cocktail menu of the highest quality.
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo