Australasia

Discreetly tucked beneath 1 The Avenue in Spinningfields, Australasia has been Manchester’s subterranean escape since 2011, its glass pyramid entrance hinting at the calm below. Inside, whitewashed furniture and driftwood accents evoke a chic beachside retreat, all serene, sun-bleached tones and laid-back luxury. The mood is adaptable and contemporary: tranquil at its core yet alive with an electric energy that keeps conversation buoyant and spirits high.

The kitchen charts a confident course through modern Australian cooking with Pacific Rim sensibilities, marrying European technique to Southeast Asian and Japanese influence. It is a menu designed for sharing and savouring: nibble on padrón peppers dressed with chilli crunch or steamed edamame in sesame sauce, then lean into bold flavours with crispy tonkatsu oysters swept through gochujang buffalo and yuzu ranch, or chicken karaage lifted by a chilli Vuzu sauce.

Sushi purists and adventurers alike will find pleasure in nigiri crowned with seared beef or gleaming tuna, while the robata brings smoke and char to yakitori chicken thighs and Korean BBQ beef. Sides sing with character, from caramelised miso-glazed aubergine to Hong Kong-style broccoli in XO sauce. For a finale, the theatrical chocolate dome yields to warm caramel, revealing a salted peanut butter parfait.

With curated tasting menus and crafted drinks rounding out the offering, Australasia promises a vibrant, shareable feast. Slip beneath the pyramid and make a night of it; the tide is in your favour.