Edited by Holly Stark
Manchester is a great destination for food lovers. There’s a great mixture of cultures here and this mix is very much on the rise now with new independent places popping every month bringing new flavors to the city - there’s a big change going on. From hidden food pop-ups serving fusion food to the array of hipster cafes and cool restaurants, choosing where to eat in Manchester is an endless and ever-growing task. With the city flourishing as a foodie spot and a multicultural metropolis with people mixing, the energy and food situation of Manchester is thriving. In this new concept of industry, Manchester is becoming a highly independent place; with unique cafes, restaurants, and bars bringing flavors from across the globe. For those who want to experience the best of the city’s culinary world without confusion, check out this roundup of must eat food in Manchester and embrace the very of the city. Check out some of the best restaurants in Manchester, sweet bakeries serving tasty goods, unusual joints conjuring up the weird and wonderful and discover my top cool places to eat in Manchester.
The Traditional Breakfast At The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot is a legendary institution in Manchester. It started small but became big. They serve amazing, no-nonsense breakfasts from the traditional English brekky to fusions of English takeaway and comfort food. The spot gives a good representation and feeling of the city. It’s simple, humble, down to earth and eating here makes you feel as if you are from the city. The food experience in the city is very much changing now with new concepts being introduced. Previously, there wasn’t much happening and Manchester was very much a city trying to find out what it would become. The Koffee Pot maintains the true essence of the traditional and combines it with the new and upcoming. Located in the Northern Quarter, the cafe is part of an alternative neighborhood; home to art, music, lots of cultures, drinking spots, and a cool gastronomical scene.
A Cruffin Or Cronut At The Pollen Bakery
The Pollen Bakery is a small business that opened up under the rail arches in a rough area of Piccadilly, and after successful crowdfunding now has a beautiful place in Ancoats. The story is of a couple, Hannah Calvert and Chris Kelly, who didn’t want to work the usual 9-5 and had a love for baking. At the back of the station, they made their amazing goodies where locals lined up just to stand with a coffee. Unbelievably, they achieved their crowdfunding goal in just one day. The new place in Ancoats is in an upcoming, lovely part of the Northern Quarter that’s full of warehouses from the industrial time. It’s also home to a hipster community. For me, it’s the new Brooklyn of Manchester on the water. The place is small, but they serve up amazing cronuts, pastry, freshly baked breads and you can get a good sense of the Manchester community feeling.
The Cheeseburger Toastie At Home Sweet Home
An independent place in the Northern Quarter, Home Sweet Home is very popular on weekends and serves up amazing cakes, afternoon teas, and the famous cheeseburger toastie. It’s simple and very representative of the fact that Mancunians are attached to their childhoods. Mancunians love to eat everything with bread or a ‘barm’, which is like a burger bun, and the most traditional is the Chippy Barm. When I first saw a sandwich of chips, it freaked me out, but now I realize it gives you that real Mancunian feeling. It’s cheap, local comfort food at its best. Wondering where to eat in Manchester? Home Sweet Home brings the ultimate comforts, food, and sense of home you might be searching for.
Honey Bun At Ho’s Bakery
Another spot loved and frequented by the locals, this icon of Chinatown serves up delicious sweets and savory buns. A Chinatown institution for more than 25 years, they specialize in freshly-made sweet and savory pastries, dumplings and buns. Like plenty of other customers of Ho’s Bakery - from business people and locals to families and visitors to the city - enjoy your takeout food in the famous square near the Chinese Arch. One of the finest traditional Hong Kong patisseries in the city, the beloved Ho’s Bakery is home to some of the best food in Manchester. Choose from seafood pasties, spring onion fritters or dumplings to start then satisfy your sweet tooth with crystal cake, custard buns, almond cookies, and the iconic, irresistible honey buns.
Any Sandwich At Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese became a sensation in Manchester as one of the best places to enjoy an on-the-go hot meal and great music. A lively, fast food-style stop known for their inventive, elevated grilled cheese sandwiches, they expanded from their shop in Church Street to another place in Piccadilly Approach Station and also have a pop up at the winter Christmas Market. The shop boomed after being featured on a US TV show when Adam Richman from Man v. Food listed it as one of his favorite Manchester food spots. It’s not just about the grilled cheese at Northern Soul though, they serve up yummy soups, hearty milkshakes, desserts, freshly baked treats and a variety of drinks. As well as this, it’s all served up to a soundtrack of some cool, rare Northern Soul tunes.
Pizza At Crazy Pedro’s
One of the best places in the city to try delicious flavors and different toppings on pizza, Crazy Pedro’s serve up an ever-eclectic range of wonderful pizzas. At Manchester’s maddest pizza parlor, you can try anything from chicken and waffle-style pizzas to the world-famous hot dog pizza. No flavor is too mad for Crazy Pedro’s; months of rigorous testing, sampling all sorts of ingredients and trying out twenty different flours for the dough have to lead to a truly bizarre menu. There are a few classic toppings for those who like to stick to what they know, but the rest is the weird and wonderful brainchild of Crazy Pedro’s. The inspiration came from different cuisines, classic flavor combinations and random curiosities. Seeking things to do in Manchester at night? The spot also has a fully stocked bar where you can drink tequila and party the night away.
The Manchester Kebab At The Refuge
This recently renovated bar inside the Principal Hotel is a must for its, fancy grub and dainty cocktails which offers a spin on the traditional late-night take out for every Mancunian. With gorgeous architecture, the place is beautiful for sipping a drink and is home to the best spin off dirty kebab. With a Dining Room, Winter Garden, Public Bar, and Den, The Refuge has the perfect atmosphere for enjoying elegant food and classy drinks. It’s more suited to a special evening and is great for celebrations as it is quite fancy. Don your finest clothes and head there for all-day dining and drinking. The space is great for eating, meeting, celebrating, relaxing, working, and maybe even a bit of dancing.
Sunday Roast, Fish And Chips Or Bangers And Mash At The Wharf
This lovely family pub in Castlefield has an all-round welcoming feeling and is home to a variety of craft beers for all tastes. I love Castlefield and sitting by the canal; it’s a real hidden gem of Manchester. The pub has a huge terrace with a BBQ pit, tables, and chairs under parasols or seats in the sun. It’s a family-style, dog-friendly pub outside of the city center; a little off the beaten path. With cozy fireplaces and a true traditionally British vibe, the Wharf is great for trying any typical foods like a Sunday Roast, Fish and Chips or Bangers, and Mash. You can easily spend half a day here sipping a pint or two by the water, socializing with friends, soaking up the sun and enjoying the vibe of the great Northern city.
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