Reviews in Manchester City Centre

I’ve eaten here many times before but never experienced anything like this. Got there at 5.15 for a 5.30 booking. Lovely, very relaxed and waiters very attentive, drinks order taken and delivered very promptly, food orders taken , which were very simple, pre theatre menu and we both had Pate Della Casa and ordered Pollo alla Crema and Salmon Marina for our main course. Starters arrived at about 6.00 and from 6.20 we waited for the main courses to arrive. After speaking to the waiters, many times, who were rushed off their feet, our main courses never arrived!!! Shame. At 6.55 we cancelled our meal as we needed to get to the theatre. There was an enormous queue to pay with quite an antiquated system for paying They need to update their systems and be more efficient in paying methods. There wa salways quite an hullabaloo went on in the kitchen and foul language could be heard and the throwing of plates. Otherwise I’ve always been a great fan - but may think twice after this experience.

We had an booking at 5.45pm and we're told to wait at the bar. 20 minutes later we were given a table between two others. Both the others had their order taken but we had to ask why we hadn't. Eventually got our meal which was not satisfactory. All very tense as we were going to concert at Bridgewater Hall. Had to queue to pay for a long time along with most of the rest of the customers as most were going to the concert. We arrived with two minutes to spare. Very unsatisfactory and spoilt what should have been a relaxing evening

Booked to attend a concert at the Bridgewater Hall and booked a table for the pre-theatre menu in sufficient time at 6.00 pm anticipating a relaxed pre-theatre dinner.Having eventually being allocated a table a drinks and meal order was taken, along with the two tables alongside ours seated at the same time and who also had reservations. A couple arriving after us - without a reservation - were also allocated a table shortly afterwards and received their food before ourselves! Of the three reserved tables delivery of starters and main courses was haphazard to say the least. Our main courses arrived and, given the timing, which we had to eat more quickly than was healthily comfortable. But that was not the end of the stress . . . It appeared that the whole restaurant was due to attend the concert resulting in a queue to pay snaking around the whole restaurant. Stress levels were high and being one of the last to leave, had to rush to just make the start of the concert. While the food was largely acceptable - the pizzas and spaghetti were good, the starters average - the staff were outstanding given the difficult circumstances under which they were forced to work under a very demanding and inefficient manager - despite his 27 years in the job as he kept telling leaving diners! We will not be returning . . .

Lovely restaurant with amazing staff, food was great & nice atmosphere.

This was my second time at Chakalaka! It is a buzzing little place, excellent food attentive and happy staff and wonderful range of drinks! Something for everyone and the offers are fantastic and genuinely worth it ! *****

Had the most delicious lamb shanks and vegetables and the staff very great, we really enjoyed our time there.

Pre-theatre menu very good value, all the food was lovely and the staff and the staff were very friendly. Will definitely return

We visited your restaurant on the 21 st July .me & my friend was going to the theatre and tried this restaurant .The choice , pricing and taste was amazing .we will be visiting the restaurant again and recommend to others .well done x

It is small but very busy restaurant. We were greeted nicely, hangers for coats are super practical. I asked about cocktails and bartender came to our table to ask what we like and what he can make, that's super cool. We had chicken breast in cheese sauce and it was delicious! Shame they don't serve mash potatoes. Not huge portions but we had space for desserts. And that was best decision we made. Pistachio ice-cream was one of the best I had. I opted for chocolate cake with pistachio ice-cream and my company had tiramisu. Both were amazing. Waiter was probably new and he forgot our water 3x, didn't confirm if they serve mash potatoes or not and we felt ignored, even after place calmed down, hence not 5*. Very happy and will come back.

Food was incredible and great value for money especially during Happy Hour. Highly recommend the meat mezze and the lekker ribs. Staff were very attentive also. Highly recommend! We will be back! Keep up the good work!

Went for meal to celebrate my granddaughter 's graduation. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. The food was lovely, no complaints at all

Great meal. Food was lovely, staff were great and getting there in time for Happy Hour meant amazing value for money. We’ll be back. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed my meal in the restaurant very nice food.Service given was very good too.The menu is so vast compared to other Italian restaurants in the city also.I will be back again very soon thank you.

Very busy and noisy. Charged a service charge!!! Too expensive for what you get.

Generally excellent restaurant. Great service, atmosphere and food. My only criticism would be the spare ribs starter portion was a little small but the sauce was delicious

Good food, quick service. Portion size for entree could have been bigger, but otherwise good.

We chose this restaurant due to its proximity to the Bridgewater Concert Hall, and because it accepts Gourmet Society cards on a Saturday. It was heaving, and we had booked , and were squeezed in on very close tables. Only a pre-theatre limited menu was on offer, not the a la carte. We checked about the GS card, and were then told it is not valid, even though I specifically asked on my prior booking, so we didn’t get our discount. The meal was ok, nothing to shout about though,but we did have to wait for over 40 minutes for our main course. Disappointed overall.

Brilliant friendly service and great value food.