Food and drink
If you’re out and about enjoying cultural activities in Manchester, a good meal is never far away. Sometimes it’s even closer than you think. Many of the city’s museums and art galleries have excellent restaurants and cafes attached; Manchester Art Gallery, The Whitworth and Gallery Oldham are just a few. If you’re out for an evening play, film or concert, you may also find a great dining option attached to the venue – check out the popular Automatic restaurant at Bury Met, Bolton Octagon’s Spotlight Cafe, the Cornerhouse Cafe Bar, or The Round restaurant at Royal Exchange.
The diverse range of restaurants, cafes and shops in Greater Manchester should keep even the fussiest foodie happy. For a great round-up of the city’s dining options visit Taste of Manchester, a restaurant guide with location and booking information, or Visit Manchester’s Food and Drink guide.
Spice-loving visitors should head to Rusholme’s Curry Mile on Wilmslow Road, a tourist attraction in itself. And visitors shouldn’t miss out on a trip to the famous Bury and Stockport Markets. Alternatively discover The Real Food Market which takes place on the second and fourth Saturday and preceding Friday of every month in Piccadilly Gardens. The Market brings together the best farmers and food producers the area has to offer.
In the city centre, Manchester’s Chinatown is the UK’s second-biggest, and it’s jam-packed with restaurants, bakeries and Asian groceries. Or you could strike out for Spinningfields, with its many family-friendly eateries, or the arty Northern Quarter, where independent cafes, bars and restaurants abound.
Canal Street, in the heart of what’s known as the Gay Village, has a buzzy bar and café scene, as does the area around Manchester University on Oxford Road. If it’s big nightclubs and dancing you’re after, check out Deansgate Locks. Greater Manchester is also rich in traditional pubs and local craft breweries. Visit CAMRA Greater Manchester for more information.