Cafe Continental

One of the best restaurants I have been to. Everything was top notch from the food to the service and staff. Was treated ridiculously well from being welcomed by the staff opening the door for us to staff offering to clean our spillages at our table. It had an Italian family feel with all the family members chipping it. Got the feeling they all cared and they are all so well mannered. Our waitress knowledge about the dishes was incredible and then we get to the food... absolutely unreal. The rib was so juicy and flavourful but the 2 stand outs was the garlic bread with truffle and the chive croquettes. But honestly everything was so tasty could have ordered the entire menu! Everything is quite rich and indulgent so you don't need more than 3 plates. But omg it's worth it. Oh and don't skip desert! Brilliant and will be coming back again!

Had a wonderful Anniversary dinner at Cafe Continental last night, we’ll definitely be back again and have already highly recommended to our friends and family. The food was delicious, great flavours and everything tasted really fresh. We ordered the short rib, giant prawns, tuna ceviche, oysters, straciatella flatbread, goats cheese, leek and manchego croquettes, and the ox cheek lasagne. Everything came out really quickly, and portions were very healthy! My personal favourite was the prawns, the sauce they come in is so rich and tasty. The staff were brilliant as well, really friendly and helpful. The restaurant runs like a well oiled machine, but we didn’t feel rushed at all considering it was a busy Friday night. We were also treated to a glass of Prosecco for our anniversary which was a lovely touch. Overall highly recommended this restaurant for a cosy date night or meal out with friends/family!

Food mostly amazing, every dish incredible bar one. Staff only cared about upselling and selling you drinks service feels rushed this probably explains the issue i had that is explained later. We ordered lots of food and our entire table was taken when they bought more food the staff just stood there and stared while we are in the middle of eating. So we moved plates around put bones on plates that we probably didn't want bones on just to make room, they couldn't of bought another table or slowed down the speed of the food we were receving? No help at all? Many more solutions than just making us feel uncomfortable. Everything we ate was practically a 9 or 10 out of 10 which I clarified to the waitress before saying the steak was extremely dissapointing a lack of seasoning, flavour and the outside was burnt to crisp, basically charcoal and not in the flavour way, it was very bitter. Wasn't looking for a refund for anything and wanted to clarify we enjoyed the rest of the food to the waitress as to reasure we didn't want a refund for the whole meal, etc. Anyway, no apology, not even a staff member to maybe ask what could be done better next time. Female manager on shift avoided us for the rest of the shift and after spending £150 a cold goodbye. Great food overall but won't be coming again, maybe try once but service is way below par and the supposed star of our meal was a massive a regret.

OMG….I've watched and read many reviews on cafe continental and really hoped that it lived up to the hype and boy does it !!! I can’t put into words the experience we have had, the staff, the service, the drinks and the FOOD were absolutely outstanding. Special shout out to Ada who took care of us. The only thing I could possibly say is the portions are huge, we ordered 7 dishes and struggled to finish it all but so glad I got to try all the dishes I have been salivating over for months !!! Couldn’t ask for more, just wish I lived closer, we have travelled from Sunderland and it was so worth it 100/10 !!!!

Not sure what the hype is about. 🫠 The restaurant was loud, and the staff were just okay. Nothing stood out. Food: • Oysters: Just average. Fresh enough, but nothing special. • Tuna Crudo: Texture was off. Chewy in places, not exactly tender. • Fried Twice Chicken: Maybe it was fried twice, but it was not crispy. Soaked in sauce, overcooked meat, and bland ranch on the side. • Flatbread: Clearly reheated. Overcooked and soggy in the middle, likely because the tomato sauce had been sitting on it too long before serving. • Tiger Prawn: Overcooked. Disappointing. • Beef Short Ribs: The meat was tender, likely due to sous vide cooking, but it lacked seasoning. The gravy tasted like a generic store-bought version. • Cabbage: Undercooked. Only the edges were soft while the base was hard and nearly raw. Served warm, not hot. Service: • The food runner slammed plates on the table and pushed them around as if it were a cafeteria. Very poor service. • When we placed our order, we were told dishes would arrive in a specific sequence. That did not happen. Timing: • Our booking was for 7:00 pm. We arrived and sat down at 6:55 pm and ordered promptly. • The first dishes, fried chicken and flatbread, arrived at 7:08 pm before any cold starters. • Cold dishes followed, then the short rib and prawns arrived at 7:13 pm. • By 7:14 pm, every single dish had been served. I had not even finished my small glass of white Rioja, which tasted like a basic supermarket wine. It was a Wednesday night, the restaurant was not full, and yet service felt rushed. If the aim is to turn over tables this quickly, it reflects poor management. We did tell the restaurant team the feedback and they kindly offer 25% off the bill, which then came up to around £79, so originally the billing was ard £110. This action was appreciated but hope they will take in the feedback. But sadly we defo will not give it a second chance. I was genuinely looking forward to this experience after hearing so much about it. We even drove 40 minutes to get there. Sadly, it did not live up to the hype. It was not worth the money, especially when there are far better restaurants in Manchester that offer real quality and proper service.

I'd heard about this place for a while via TikTok and YouTube videos...and I finally got to try it out myself on a rainy Thursday lunchtime in September...and I am so so glad I did!!! Let's get the minor negatives out of the way first...Stalybridge is a bit of a pain to get to...it's a 30 mins drive from Central MCR...and the place was almost empty when I was there. But from the second I walked in I was greeted warmly by one of the waitresses who showed me to my table and asked immediately if I wanted a drink while I waited for my dining companion to arrive. I ordered a bloody Mary and she asked me how spicy I wanted it before coming back in 2-3 mins with one of the best bloody Mary's I've ever tasted. From there it only got better...my friend arrived and we ordered some oysters, garlic bread, king prawns, fried chicken and hangar steak...plus a bottle of red. The bottle of wine was served at perfect room temperature...and the food was brought out at the perfect time thoughout the meal...all with the warmest and attentive service. And the actual food? In a word - WOW. 🔥🔥🔥 Everything we ate was simply divine...the oysters were fresh and came with a really vibrant dressing...the prawns too were fresh...with firm and bouncy flesh...no mushiness at all. Plus they were huge for the UK...and the sauce they were covered in was...I actually don't have the words to do that sauce justice...it was so so tasty! 😍 The fried chicken and the hangar steak both kept that bar...both dishes were executed perfectly and the sauces were unbelievable. I honestly have not been paid for this review...but I can understand anyone thinking I have because it's so positive. But believe me...it's this positive because Cafe Continental is just that good!!!

Came to visit after seeing videos online, as soon as the members of staff opened the door and greeted us it was 10/10 service.. loved how all staff was on the ball and so attentive and welcoming. Food! Wowza unreal.. my husband can throw down a meal and he struggled as they are not shy with portions, he came home and had a kip they even packaged our leftovers to bring home 😊👌🏼 Prices was decent! With it being so viral was expecting to be paying a lot more but with the food being so tasty rich and large portions we would have happily paid a higher price. Hands down best meal we have had in such a long time and can not wait to come back and try more items on the menu

Best food I’ve eaten in a very long time. Our waitress Sadie made are experience perfect. Amazing food and lovely people. Looking forward to our next visit already x