Food and Drink in Manchester

Creative Tourist Last Updated 21 October 2019

Outside of London, you’d be hard-pressed to find a city containing a better range of food and drink choices than Manchester. From the repurposed cotton mills of the Northern Quarter to fine dining restaurants in the city’s new cultural district, we’ve got the lot – and all within walking distance of each other. These are just some of the highlights of the food and drink in Manchester. An ever-growing food scene, boasting everything from hearty British cuisine, to fiery Indian food to delicately prepared sushi.

Randall & Aubin Manchester

Randall & Aubin Manchester, 64 Bridge St, Manchester, M3 3BN - Visit now

Manchester’s only high-end seafood restaurant and oyster bar. The follow-up to the hugely successful original Soho venture.
Enjoy some of their finest dishes at a bargain price (just £12.50 for a meal and drink from 12 noon to 7 pm). The courses on offer change on a daily basis, taking in everything from roast pork belly to chicken kiev, with a marvellous fish stew available on Fridays. It’s hard to think of a better deal in the city when it comes to quality and price.

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Randall And Aubin Manchester — Ian Jones

Gaucho Manchester

Gaucho Manchester, 2a St Mary’s Street, Manchester, M3 2LB - Visit now

Based in a converted Methodist church, Gaucho is one of the best-looking restaurants in Manchester, with a steak-heavy menu to match.

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The Rivals Bar & Restaurant

The Rivals Bar & Restaurant, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, Manchester, M2 7DH - Visit now

High-quality food and wine in the in-house restaurant for the Royal Exchange Theatre on St Anne’s Square

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20 Stories

20 Stories, No. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB - Visit now

High-end restaurant and cocktail bar, with stunning views of the Manchester skyline.

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Bundobust Manchester

Bundobust Manchester, 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AG - Visit now

Fantastic and endlessly original Indian street food, all vegetarian (and often vegan).

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Mackie Mayor

Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester, M4 5BU

A Grade II listed market building in the Northern Quarter, reopened after a huge refurbishment.

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Adam Reid at The French

Adam Reid at The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 2DS - Visit now

The French is one of Manchester’s most highly regarded restaurants. Head chef Adam Reid has a real grasp on what makes Manchester tick. A less fussy, more relaxed, and, at times, gloriously silly restaurant.

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The French - One of Manchester's finest restaurants - Creative Tourist — Photos by author

Halloween at Tattu Manchester

Halloween at Tattu Manchester, Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3EB - Visit now

Tattu is a high end Chinese restaurant in Spinningfields, Manchester.

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The Refuge

The Refuge, Oxford Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7HA - Visit now

The Refuge is a restaurant and bar based at The Principal Manchester (formerly The Palace Hotel).

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The glass atrium inside The Refuge — Ian Jones

El Gato Negro Tapas

El Gato Negro Tapas, 52 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4LY - Visit now

El Gato Negro Tapas upped sticks from the Pennine village of Ripponden in December 2014, bringing its awards and accolades to Manchester city centre.

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Where to go in Manchester

King Street

Café or Coffee Shop

Gail’s Bakery King Street

Popular craft bakery, selling freshly baked goods on Manchester’s King Street.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

Factory Square

Factory Square is a huge beer garden, on the banks of the River Irwell, with top-quality drinks and street food selections.

Manchester

Shop

House of Books & Friends

Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

Sett

Sett is an art café in West Didsbury, one of the areas many thriving independent businesses.

Levenshulme

Café or Coffee Shop

Long Boi’s Bakehouse

A woman-owned and woman-ran neighbourhood bakery in Levenshulme, serving fresh cakes and pastries daily.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

Stretford Foodhall

A one-stop-shop, Stretford Foodhall is a place for those who like to eat, drink and shop with a guilt-free conscience. Whether you fancy visiting to sample some delicious street food or to top up your refillable containers, Stretford Foodhall is well worth a visit.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

Ditto Coffee Albert Square

Ditto Coffee has opened a branch on Albert Square, teaming great coffee with a passion for independent music.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

The Dressing Room Cafe Bar

The Dressing Room Cafe is an award-winning cafe bar and arts space based at The Edge Theatre in Chorlton.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

Haunt MCR

Haunt MCR is a speciality coffee shop and wine bar located on Manchester’s bustling Peter Street.

Manchester

Restaurant

Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse’s new menu is full of hearty dishes, large and small.

Manchester

Theatre

HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Manchester

Event venue

Hatch

We check out the new festive changes to Hatch, Manchester’s favourite collection of small independents.

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The Quays, Greater Manchester

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Chinatown, Manchester

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Ancoats & New Islington

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Canal Street, Manchester

Manchester’s picturesque Canal Street and its surroundings constitute what is reputedly the oldest gay village in the country.

Chapel Street, Salford

Chapel Street has the different counter-cultural feel of another city: still industrial, more casual, temporal. Here’s what the area has to offer.

Spotlight on

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