A decade of Spanish flavour and a lasting impact on Manchester’s dining scene

El Gato Negro Manchester is proudly celebrating 10 years on King Street, marking a decade since the much-loved Spanish restaurant made its move to Manchester city centre and became a cornerstone of King Street’s culinary revival.

Since opening its doors, El Gato Negro has evolved into one of Manchester’s most respected restaurants, renowned for its authentic Spanish flavours, warm charm and consistency. The restaurant has proudly retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for almost ten years, making it the longest holding restaurant in the city, a testament to the team’s dedication to quality. Over the past decade, El Gato Negro has continued to grow and evolve, introducing new menus and seasonal specials, expanding with an extensive al fresco dining area on King Street, and launching a second site in Liverpool.

Reflecting on the journey, Chef Patron Simon Shaw highlights consistency as a key factor in the restaurant’s long-standing success, something guests regularly comment on.

He said: “I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we opened El Gato Negro on KIng Street. One of the first highlights for me was acquiring such a wonderful building, which has now become as iconic as El Gato Negro itself and a real part of the King Street landscape. Feeling that we’ve played a role in the renaissance of the street is incredibly special.”

Just one year after opening on King Street, El Gato Negro was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an accolade the restaurant has proudly retained ever since. This achievement reflects the tireless work of Simon, Head Chef Milan Sojka who has been at El Gato Negro for 7 and a half years and the wider team whose focus on authentic Spanish cuisine remains central to El Gato Negro’s identity.

The restaurant has won a number of other accolades over the years including Leading Restaurant of the Year at the This is Manchester Awards, several wins at the Manchester Food & Drink Festival Awards, City Restaurant of the Year at the Lancashire Life Food & Drink Awards in 2016 and Best Restaurant at the City Life Awards for two years. El Gato Negro has also been named on the Good Food Guide for 2025 and 2026, as well as in the Hardens Guide since 2023.

The team has been led by Milan who said his ‘favourite dish was Octopus’ on the El Gato Negro menu.

Simon added: ‘I wanted to bring great Spanish food to Manchester, with my journey going back more than three decades. It started with great products, which allow you to create great dishes. Spanish suppliers are incredibly passionate about what they do, and that really shows. A trip to San Sebastian 25 

years ago, discovering the pincho bars was a real game changer. The way flavours and textures are packed into tiny mouthfuls was mind-blowing. I was completely hooked.”

Those influences are woven throughout El Gato Negro’s menus and will be showcased in a special 10-course tasting menu created to celebrate the restaurant’s milestone birthday. The menu will feature some of El Gato Negro’s most loved dishes, including a selection of signature croquetas, Patatas Bravas, and Black Ink Rice with avocado purée and fried baby squid.

Looking ahead, El Gato Negro shows no sign of slowing down. With a continued focus on innovation, modernisation and welcoming new generations of diners, the restaurant’s future remains firmly rooted in Manchester.

Simon said: “I’m excited to see El Gato Negro continue to play a part in the city’s thriving food scene, which I genuinely believe is the strongest outside London. I want to keep welcoming future generations through our doors and enjoy continued success, with Milan leading the kitchen.”

A decade after opening on King Street, El Gato Negro has become part of the fabric of the city. Built on consistency, creativity and a deep love of Spanish food, the next chapter will see the restaurant push forward with new dishes and fresh ideas, remaining right at the heart of Manchester’s vibrant food scene.

Items from the 10-course tasting menu will be available as specials from 23rd February for one month.

Tables can be booked here.