Ah, Manchester. My time here is almost up (3 weeks and counting... can you tell I'm excited to go home for a bit?). But I don't feel like I've been giving this city justice through my social media or my blog. While I've had a few bumps in the road since moving here, I've come to appreciate this city a lot more than I initially did. Manchester is certainly a foodie city through and through. And despite not spending many weekends here so far, I've definitely made the most of the Manchester food scene on the weekdays after work or when I have people visiting. There are a few more places on my bucket list to tick off before I leave, but so far here are the places I've tasted (and, for the most part, loved!).
BRUNCH
A heaven for Scandi style lovers, Takk is the pinnacle of minimalist style and chill vibes. The atmosphere is more laid-back coffee house than a bustling brunch spot, so if you’re looking for a spot to relax, this is the one. Order at the bar and choose from a number of savoury and sweet dishes- from nduja sausage spread on toast with perfectly poached eggs to the mascarpone and berry compote French toast. They also do their own take on shakshuka, a traditional middle-eastern dish of eggs in tomato sauce. Their version has maple smoked bacon, smashed avocado, and chipotle ketchup. Now that’s bound to cure a hangover.
Another spot for a bang-up brunch, Federal Café and Bar provides a slice of the effortlessly cool Aussie lifestyle in central Manchester. Not sure what Australian food is like? Well, all I know is that they love their flat whites and they serve it in a glass tumbler. All you need to know is that the coffee is second to none- and my brunch here rekindled my love for vanilla iced lattes. Come here for another round of berry French toast (I know I did…) complete with salted caramel and almond flakes. Or try their corn fritters with salmon and poached eggs if you don’t have as much of a sweet tooth as I do.
FOOD MARKETS
A gem based just outside of the city centre (and a stone’s throw away from my accommodation- score), Hatch is the hip new food market that most people don’t seem to know about. With an ever-changing rotation of a handful of vendors, Hatch is the perfect place to try out something new. Ever tried cuisine from Manila? Or fresh, crunchy crab cakes? Hatch keeps everything as local as possible, supporting not only local food vendors but also craftsmen and women from all industries at this lively pop up space. Plus, this glorious summer weather is a great excuse to come by and hang out in their expansive courtyard with a glass of beer (in my case a very fruity one).
Mackie Mayor is truly the creme de la creme of food halls. Set in a repurposed former meat market, it's a hub for foodies across Manchester. The atmosphere itself is enough to pay Mackie Mayor a visit, but the food and service concept are what really make this a special place. Snag a seat on one of their two levels (the upper one is usually quieter) and order your food up one of the many food vendor's counters. Simply tell the staff your table number, have a seat back at your table, and one of their many "runners" will bring your food to you. There's no need to pay a tip or a service charge, but the price of the food is definitely on the higher end to make up for it. Try one of the soft, squidgy bao buns filled with tender pork belly and pickled vegetables served by Baohouse. Or grab a slice of pizza from Honest Crust Pizza. Whatever you do, don't miss out on the drink selections! From the sangria at the wine bar to their wide selection of craft beer, there really is something for everyone at Mackie Mayor.
LUNCH & DINNER
Northern Soul puts cheese at the heart of its business. Cheese toasties to be exact. Located just within reach of Picadilly Gardens, this is the perfect spot for when you need something filling without breaking the bank. For as little as £4.50 (or as much as £6.50 if you're really looking to splash some cash) you get a ginormous cheese toastie- either on its own with their special three cheese recipe or filled with anything from pulled pork, to fried chicken, or even mac and cheese (!). Trust me when I say that these sandwiches will be enough to keep you satisfied- I took half of mine home for lunch the next day!
Fried chicken gets a bad rep as flavourless fast food. But at Yard and Coop, they've taken fried chicken to the next level. Located in the oh-so-hip Northern Quarter, Yard and Coop is an ideal choice for a fun meal and a couple of cocktails. Try out the Flashdance cocktail and you're in for a real treat- not only is it spiked with loads of tequila but it comes complete with glitter on top! For dinner, either "make your own" meal by choosing from different cuts of chicken, sauces, and fries. Or trust the experts and have something off the menu. My personal favorite? The Coop Kebab. This warm flatbread/salad hybrid gives you all the Mediterranean vibes with fried chicken thighs, pomegranate, and minty sour cream. You could also go all out and order a burger of epic proportions, the Massive Cock MK III, a double stacked burger with all the fixings topped with a mini chicken burger and served with two kinds of fries. You definitely won't leave hungry after this one.
Neighbourhood is definitely one of those restaurants where you go to see and be seen. It's packed with every Instagram trend ever from velvet to white marble to copper fixtures, and, of course, complete with a flower wall. They're most well-known for their sushi, which you can get as either a whole or half roll. The duck sushi is one of a kind and not to be missed! It's a bit on the pricey side, but great for a special occasion. Plus, they do some fabulous deals at night, including a "Not Going Home" package where you can get bottomless drinks and three small plates for £30 while enjoying the live DJ and party atmosphere.
If craft beer is your thing (it seems to be everyone's thing nowadays) then Bock Biere should feel like heaven on earth. They stock over 100 different types of beer from well known Belgian beers to lesser known varieties. But they don't just have beer- this summer, they're offering two-for-one cocktails Monday-Wednesday. I came here with a friend through a deal she found on the app ItIsOn. We went for Bock's most famous offering which is the roast dinner fondue: two portions of chicken, garlicky vegetables, fluffy roast potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding waffles all the dunk in a pot of hot gravy to your heart's content. It was seriously life-changing, and with our voucher only cost £7 each! I'll definitely back to try out the chocolate fondue next time.
Absolutely love this! Can't wait to try some of these next time I'm down! xxx
ReplyDelete