The company confirmed it has secured a 9,500 sq.ft site with an outdoor terrace at the No.1 Spinningfields development.
It follows weeks of speculation that D&D was set to take a prime spot at the £73m Allied London project, which is due to open next year.
The restaurant will be D&D’s fourth site outside of London following its third Leeds opening later this year.
Des Gunewardena, chairman and CEO of D&D London said: “Expansion in Northern England continues to be a significant part of our group’s growth strategy.
“Manchester is a fantastic city and we have watched closely over the last few years the resurgence of the restaurant scene in the city and in Spinningfields in particular.”
Iberica, Thaikhun and the start-up Kitchen's restaurant project have all opened in the Spinningfield area in the last two years.
Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, described D&D’s opening as a ‘game-changer’ for Manchester.
He said: “No.1 Spinningfields has been designed to be a world class environment in every facet of the building. D&D is the perfect operator for this space,”
The restaurant group owns and operates 35 restaurants in London, Leeds, Paris, Tokyo and New York.
Two of its venues – Launceston Plance and Angler in London – currently hold Michelin stars.