This weekend why not take an adventure across Manchester and explore some of the best restaurants and coffee shops that the city has to offer? From quick and easy lunches to sit-down meals, and even the best places for a coffee and cake – we’ve got you covered with everything you could want right in the heart of Manchester city centre.

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Bites to grab on your commute

We can all agree that lunch breaks fly by, right? Well thankfully these spots in Manchester will give you the quick bites that you need in a fraction of the time.

Image Source: @saltandpepper_uk

Salt & Pepper

This amazing Chinese-inspired restaurant has been blessing Manchester with its amazing food since 2019 and has been a favourite with city centre commuters ever since. Previously situated in the Arndale Market, Salt & Pepper now has a permanent shop up on the edge of the Northern Quarter, making it the best spot to grab a bite when you’re shopping at the weekend or heading up to our favourite donut shop, Siop Shop.

The menu is honestly stunning, with a Chinese-inspired mix of salt and pepper chicken, flatbreads, shredded meat, loaded fries, and plenty of good food that we can’t recommend enough. So, why not take a trip between lectures or meetings and grab some tried and tested salt and pepper fries? Trust us, they’re to die for.

Image Source: @northernsoulmcr

Northern Soul

Want some good northern comfort food right in the heart of Manchester? Well, then how about an insane selection of super cheesy toasties served up in the heart of the city? Northern Soul claim their toasties are ‘grilled cheese heaven’ and we’re absolutely inclined to agree with them - this crispy, gooey, crunchy cheesy goodness is a must-visit when you’re in Manchester, especially if you’re heading up to the Northern Quarter to visit the charity shops on a Saturday afternoon.

Choose from a variety of fillings and sides to curb your cheese cravings and leave you planning your next visit. We personally love their frickles and their mac and cheese grilled cheese, so why not give Northern Soul a visit if you fancy some solid comfort food or just a great atmosphere to chill and eat with your friends?

Sit down and relax

Want somewhere to sit down, relax, and enjoy your evening with friends? Here are our two favourite places to hit up in Manchester where you can do just that.

Image Source: @theblueskitchenmcr

Blues Kitchen

Been searching for good food, good music, and good vibes? Well thankfully Blues Kitchen ticks all these boxes, meaning it’s the perfect place to spend your evening when you want to relax and comfort food with friends.

Blues’ menu really has something to suit everyone from a hot chicken burger to a beef dripping sandwich and their oh-so-good chipotle corn ribs, you’ll always find something to set your evening up for a win. They also have an awesome drinks menu, and the live soul music will absolutely set the right vibe any day of the week. So, head down Deansgate and give one of our favourite restaurants in the city a visit. Oh, and before we forget, they also hold live gigs in the space upstairs – so definitely keep an eye out for tickets to those.

Image Source: @elnecot

Elnecot

Fancy a British-inspired dining experience in the heart of Ancoats? Well, then you’re in luck. Elnecot rings modern British dining to a new level with their menu that has everything from crispy Yorkshire pork belly to a Welsh wagyu cheeseburger, and Sunday roasts that are to die for.

Just a ten-minute walk outside of the city centre, this amazing independent restaurant will leave you with a smile on your face. So, whatever time of day you fancy a bite to eat, head over to Elnecot and experience some of the best burgers and roast dinners in Manchester. We can’t recommend it enough.

How about a light bite or sweet treat?

Who doesn’t love a light bite in the afternoon to treat ourselves? Why not head to some of our favourite coffee spots in the city to find that perfect balance of coffee, a sweet treat, or a bite to eat to tide you over until your dinner?

Image Source: @fdncoffee

Foundation Coffee House

Foundation Coffee House is the perfect place to go when you fancy a great breakfast and a coffee, or if you’d prefer and have some time free in your day, even just settle down with a good book.

With coffee shops spread across the city, Foundation is never far away from wherever you are and is a great choice for when you fancy good quality coffee with something on the side. Whether you’re looking for breakfast on your commute, or brunch with friends, Foundation has everything you could need to start your day right – we recommend their breakfast bowls, easily a fan favourite.

Image Source: @justbetweenfriendscoffee

Just Between Friends

Located right near Sugar Junction another one of our favourite breakfast and coffee places, is Just Between Friends one of the cosiest places to go for an afternoon coffee and pastry when you’re feeling like a treat in the city centre.

With all types of coffee and cake on the menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice in this sweet coffee shop that’s a Northern Quarter staple. Just Between Friends also have another store a bit further out, so even if you’re not in the Northern Quarter, you can still grab a great coffee on the go, and this is absolutely somewhere we recommend to everyone that will listen.

Whether you fancy something sweet to grab on the go, or prefer to sit down and enjoy an evening out with friends, Manchester has everything and more to deliver. If you want more things to do, places to go, food to eat in Manchester, then head over to our socials and we’ll get you sorted.