Erst Menu: 10 Irresistible Dishes That Will Blow Your Mind

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Manchester’s Ancoats, Erst has quickly made a name for itself as a bold, minimalist restaurant that doesn’t just serve food—it tells a story with every plate. The Erst Menu has become synonymous with innovation, rustic elegance, and fearless simplicity. With a strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients and natural wine pairings, it effortlessly blurs the line between modern sophistication and rustic charm.

If you’re a true food enthusiast or someone looking for an unforgettable dining experience, this list of ten irresistible dishes will show you why the Erst Menu is worth every bite and every whisper of praise.

Erst Menu: Grilled Flatbread with Fermented Potato and Anchovy

One of the understated marvels, this dish may sound humble at first—but it delivers boldness with every mouthful. The flatbread is wood-fired to perfection, lightly charred and chewy, serving as the ideal canvas for a topping that surprises: creamy fermented potato and briny anchovy.

The balance is striking—earthy meets salty, silky meets crisp. The fermentation adds depth, while the anchovy provides a salty kick that lingers just long enough to make you crave another bite.

Erst Menu: Burrata with Pickled Fennel and Chilli Oil

At first glance, it looks like a typical burrata dish—until you dig in. The creamy center bursts open, and suddenly, you’re hit with the contrast of sharp, vinegary fennel and spicy oil. It’s a sensory rollercoaster that starts mild and ends with a flavorful punch.

The subtle heat from the oil complements the lactic richness of the burrata, while the fennel’s acidity cuts through like a symphonic high note. Every element works in harmony.

Erst Menu: Mackerel with Rhubarb and Sorrel

This dish is proof that boldness lies in simplicity. The mackerel is seared to just the right point where the skin crackles and the flesh stays buttery. Rhubarb brings unexpected tartness, and the sorrel adds a herbal zing that rounds everything out.

Nothing on this plate feels overdone, and yet the combination is daring. It challenges the palate while embracing you in familiarity at the same time.

Erst Menu: Beef Tartare with Smoked Egg Yolk

Here’s where rustic meets raw elegance. The beef is chopped finely by hand, not ground, preserving its rich, meaty integrity. But what takes it over the top is the smoked egg yolk—velvety and infused with a deep, almost campfire-like aroma.

Mixed tableside or left to your own preference, this dish proves that raw doesn’t have to mean minimal flavor. It’s full of body, texture, and primal satisfaction.

Erst Menu: Roast Celeriac with Hazelnuts and Wild Garlic

Vegetables are treated with reverence here, and this dish is a standout. The celeriac is roasted until it’s caramelized and soft at its core, bringing out its nutty undertones. Hazelnuts add crunch, while wild garlic swirls through the plate like a spring breeze.

This one tastes like nature—woodsy, warm, and green. It’s the kind of dish that might turn a meat-lover into a root-veg convert.

Erst Menu: Pork Belly with White Bean Purée and Apple Reduction

The pork belly is cooked low and slow, letting the fat render down until it melts in your mouth. Underneath, a bed of silky white bean purée offers a creamy counterpoint. The apple reduction? Sweet and sharp, it slices through the richness with precision.

You get the full cycle of flavor: fatty, smooth, sharp, and savory—all tied together with impeccable technique and balance.

Erst Menu: Grilled Octopus with Blood Orange and Black Olive

This Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece takes the tender texture of grilled octopus and plays it off citrusy brightness and briny olive depth. The blood orange is juicy and slightly bitter, perfectly offsetting the chew and char of the octopus.

The olives introduce that salty edge that makes your tongue dance. It’s complex, coastal, and just the right amount of wild.

Erst Menu: Duck Leg Confit with Spiced Lentils and Pomegranate

A dish that marries heartiness with vibrancy, the duck leg is slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender. Spiced lentils bring warmth and depth, layered with hints of cumin and coriander. Scattered pomegranate seeds explode with sweetness and acidity, brightening up the entire dish.

It’s comfort food elevated—like something you’d expect in a mountain lodge, refined for urban sensibilities.

Erst Menu: Smoked Beetroot with Labneh and Dill Oil

This dish is a showstopper for those seeking bold, vegetarian fare. The beets are smoked to bring out their sweetness and earthiness, served atop thick, tangy labneh that offers cooling contrast. Dill oil ties it all together, both in flavor and visual drama.

It’s rustic elegance on a plate. Perfectly balanced, beautifully plated, and emotionally satisfying.

Erst Menu: Spelt Ice Cream with Burnt Honey and Almond Crumble

The dessert that closes the menu like a whispered secret. Spelt ice cream brings a nutty, creamy base that’s subtly sweet. The burnt honey lends a toasty complexity, while the almond crumble adds crunch and richness.

It’s a poetic end to a symphony of dishes—unpretentious, nostalgic, and thoroughly modern all at once.

Conclusion

What makes the Erst Menu unforgettable isn’t just the quality of ingredients or the clean, open setting—it’s the thoughtfulness behind each dish. Every plate feels like a moment crafted with intention, flavor, and emotion. There’s boldness in their restraint, joy in their precision, and soul in their execution.

For those who see dining as more than a necessity—for those who seek discovery, depth, and delight—the Erst Menu offers a journey through flavor that doesn’t just impress but lingers. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning like an old friend, each experience is uniquely rewarding. The Erst Menu isn’t just something you taste—it’s something you feel.

FAQs

Is the restaurant vegetarian-friendly?

Absolutely. While the menu features meat and seafood, many of the most popular dishes are entirely plant-based and creatively prepared.

Does the menu change often?

Yes, the offerings are seasonal and evolve based on the freshest available ingredients. Frequent diners can expect delightful surprises with each visit.