Jafra Restaurant مطعم جفرا

34-36 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5TQ, United Kingdom
+44 161 971 5602
$$$ Middle Eastern restaurant
(6691 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Jafra Restaurant مطعم جفرا is a Middle Eastern eatery tucked along Wilmslow Road in Manchester, offering a dining experience rooted in Palestinian and wider Levantine traditions. This is a full-service restaurant where meals come freshly prepared and grilled in view, lending an approachable yet lively vibe to the space. It feels welcoming without fuss, making it a good fit for both weekday dinners and casual weekend gatherings.

The atmosphere leans towards warm and inviting, highlighted by attentive, friendly staff who help create an unpretentious but comfortable setting. Diners often notice the buzz from the open kitchen, where aromas of charcoal-grilled meats and herbs fill the air. The restaurant comfortably accommodates friends, families, or small groups wanting to share a platter and explore a variety of flavours.

Jafra’s menu gravitates towards hearty, traditional dishes like Makloubeh — a celebrated Palestinian layered rice and lamb dish — and generous mixed grills that showcase skewers of lamb, chicken, and kofta. Those looking for something to nibble on before the mains can turn to the mezze platters, rich with dips like baba ganoush, fresh salads such as fattoush, and warm breads like arayes. Larger plates such as slow-cooked whole lamb or lamb neck offer a satisfying option for those with bigger appetites or for sharing. Sweet tooths will find the knafeh, a classic Middle Eastern dessert, a fitting finish that complements freshly squeezed juices or traditional mint tea.

Visitors often comment on the generous portion sizes and the overall freshness of the food. The service strikes a balance — respectful without rush — inviting guests to relax and enjoy the meal at a steady pace. With its central south Manchester location, it draws a diverse crowd, from locals who appreciate authentic Palestinian cooking to curious food lovers willing to travel a bit for genuine taste and good hospitality.

Ideal times to visit tend to be evenings when the grills are in full swing and the atmosphere is lively but not overwhelming. It’s a spot well-suited for those who value a meal crafted with care and a setting where food and friendly interaction share equal importance.

Highlights
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Tuesday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Friday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

6691 Reviews
Buse Apel

02 Jan 2026

The minute we enter to the restaurant, staff has been so welcoming and friendly. Food is delicious, atmosphere is amazing. I tried famous Palestinian dish, Makloubah with lamb, and it was so yummy. Would definitely visit again and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone! Special thanks to Majid who has been very friendly!

Munshur

01 Jan 2026

Alhamdulillah, me and friends shared a platter for 4. The flavours were good. The sea bass was nicely presented and flavours were okay but a but had bones which is not ideal for everyone. The customer service was good. There was plenty of room. Thankyou

Pearl Gonsalves

19 Dec 2025

Loved the food here and the service. We tried the musakhan and basbousa which was really amazing. The ambience was great and the service of food was also quick.

Jess

05 Dec 2025

Came for my evening meal tonight for the first time and wow, the food is unreal! I travelled 45 minutes and it was so worth it, the food is so fresh and made there infront of you on the grills, everything is seasoned well and the portion sizes are big, quick service, the staff are so friendly, warm and welcoming, nothing was too much bother for them, I got a table straight away and was seen to straight away, the atmosphere was really nice, the music was great, my main meal was lovely the chicken was cooked to perfection not dry at all, for dessert I got basbousa and wow it was unreal! The best thing I’ve ever had the flavours in it were amazing, the mint tea Is lovely too, everything is reasonably priced and well worth it, will definitely be back

Ramzi Musallam

18 Nov 2025

Fantastic restaurant serving freshly cooked Palestinian food of a high standard and with lovely warm service that is attentive and efficient. We’ve eaten at many Middle Eastern restaurants and this is one the best we’ve been to. The Knafeh is excellent and ends a wonderful meal. We also loved the freshly squeezed orange juice and strawberry, mango and pineapple smoothie! If only they had Palestinian ice cream!

Zaharah K

02 Nov 2025

Very excellent service. All of the staff did an amazing job and recommended such good items and we would highly recommend this restaurant

Farhan Din

27 Oct 2025

Visited Jafra Restaurant with my family (2 adults and 2 kids), and everything was exceptional. The food was delicious, the ambience was cozy, and the whole place carried that authentic Middle Eastern vibe. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming — they even treated us to complimentary cake and tea, which really made our day. The location is easy to find, and overall the entire experience was smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food and warm hospitality in Manchester. Will definitely come back again!

Sepid Ansari

25 Oct 2025

We had a wonderful experience at Jafra, an authentic Palestinian–Arab restaurant. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the hospitality was excellent, and the staff were incredibly kind and attentive. The freshly baked breads were a highlight and really added to the experience. We ordered the Maqluba with lamb, but unfortunately the dish didn’t meet our expectations. The aubergine consisted of only one small fried piece, and although we specifically ordered lamb lump meat, the meat we received was tough and definitely did not seem like lamb. However, our lamb shank dish was excellent — the meat was tender, the rice was delicious, and the overall flavour was perfect. For dessert, we had Arabic baklava served with mint tea, which was absolutely lovely and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, the restaurant is fantastic in terms of atmosphere, service, and presentation, and most of the food was excellent. If the Maqluba is improved, this place would easily be a five-star experience.

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