Manchester’s restaurants vary widely in quality and price, as one might expect in such an eclectic city with such a large student population, who have been known to ravenously consume pretty much anything. But when infrastructural growth occurs in a city as it has in Manchester over the last 20 years, top quality service industries flock to the area, and the food industry is no exception. With the influx of capital comes the influx of quality lifestyle accoutrements to support it.
Voted best restaurant in Manchester for the last two years by the Pride of Manchester Awards, Michael Caines at Abode (no relation to the actor) is a two Michelin star establishment in the basement of the Adobe hotel near Piccadilly train station. Not as expensive as one might think, especially for the lunch grazing menu and the early dining specials between 6 and 7pm. Exceptional food from all cuisines, it also includes a la carte and tasting menus using local and regional produce.
The Vermilion is an exquisite Thai fusion restaurant near the City of Manchester Stadium. Reputed to have cost 4.5 million GBP to build, it’s worth a trip just to goggle at the décor. The mind boggles at how such construction costs are being recouped when the food is actually quite reasonably priced. They have a range of special offers, from early bird dinners (5pm - 6.30pm) for as little as 12 GBP to a Sunday afternoon buffet for 12.99 GBP. The food is an outstanding blend of traditional Thai with fine world foods created by renowned chef Chumpol Jangprai. The upstairs bar is a treat too. Cinnabar is a breathtaking space that indulges that most unique of bar furniture; large hooded beds!
In Castlefield Canal Basin, we find a hidden gem of a restaurant: Choice Bar & Restaurant. Serving British cuisine with a “fine dining twist”, Choice is a popular destination during summer sunsets thank to its beautiful broad canalside patio and exposed brickwork walls reminding us of the history of the location. Alfresco dining is the order of the day. Reasonable prices, exhaustive drinks menu, stunning setting.
The Linen Restaurant is located inside the Manchester235 casino which was constructed in the refurbished Great Northern Railway Company’s Goods Warehouse on Watson Street. Superb quality British fare served in old-fashioned elegance. The interior of this restaurant is breathtaking, and transports one back to the days of Empire for a taste of how the other half lived.
No visit to Manchester could be complete without tarrying at a curry house; a synonym that does not do Zouk Tea Bar & Grill justice. Situated on Chester Street, it is literally over the road from the Palace Theatre and just a short stroll from the Manchester Academy. The interior is impressively grand, yet modern and unfussy. The food is outstanding, specialising in an extensive fish menu and amazing burgers to compliment the more traditional curries usually indulged as a nightcap. Alfresco dining and take away food are both available.
For the best in Italian food, you may have to step away from the city centre, not too far, though. Puccini Ristorante is on Chorley Road in Swinton, a ten minute drive from the middle of Manchester. From the outside, it doesn’t look up to much, being located in a concrete shopping arcade, but the inside is warm and inviting, much like the food. Typical Italian dishes, expertly prepared and inexpensive. Quite the combo.
These are only a small selection of what’s on offer in the rapidly-becoming-culinary city of Manchester. As the conurbation continues to reinvent and redevelop, so does the cultural aspects of lifestyle. Fine dining in Britain’s second city is accessible and affordable, which is more than can be said for London.
Manchester is not short of restaurants. They are everywhere and many award winning ones are found. The history of Manchester has led to a very diverse cuisine within the city centre and even a Chinatown with some award winning Chinese restaurants.
Just outside the centre is Rusholme which has developed as UK 's curry corridor. Local Manchester cuisine developed during the industrial period and offered the workers cheap wholesome meals which can still be found. Black pudding where herbs and fat are added to pig's blood.
Lancashire hotpot where lamb and vegetable are stewed or tripe made from stomach lining of a cow. Fish and chips remain big in Manchester and still served with mushy peas. Manchester is the home to Eccles Cakes where raisins are surrounded by a sugary bun.
