Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Welcome to the spring edition of Creative Tourist’s expert guide to food and drink. Spring in the North? For us hardy folk, that generally means the occasional bit of sun combined with blustery winds and the odd shower so let’s ignore the outside for a while and focus on what we can do inside.

And for you and I, dear reader, that means eating and drinking until we’re as happy as a pig in muck. This month we have another expansive range of excellent restaurants and bars that span the North of England, catering for whatever your heart desires – whether that’s a top-quality Sunday lunch in South Manchester, fine dining in Stockport, hearty pies in the city centre, or glorious Indian lamb dishes.

So join us as we dive headfirst into the best independent places across the North. Expect everything from short-term pop-up eateries to well-established high-end destination venues. They have one thing in common: they’ll leave you looking forward to a return trip. And for that, they certainly deserve your hard-earned pennies. Scroll down for this month’s food and drink guide to Manchester and the North.

Here are our picks

  • 1. The Alan

    The Alan

    The Alan, 18 Princess St, Manchester, M1 4LG - Visit now

    It’s impossible not to be impressed by The Alan. Much more than simply a restaurant attached to a hotel, this is a destination venue that does everything right.

    Read more

  • 2. 97 Chorlton

    97

    97 Chorlton, 97 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester , M21 9EQ - Visit now

    The team behind Tariff & Dale and Lead Station has opened Beech Road’s newest contender, to Chorlton’s delight. 97 is an upscale bar serving top-quality cocktails conceived by general manager and local Chorlton lass Ellie Craddick.

    Read more

  • 3. Inventery

    Ian Jones

    Inventery, 59-61 Station Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 7AA - Visit now

    If Inventery was in Ancoats, you could guarantee it’d be abuzz with London-based broadsheet food critics declaring it one of Manchester’s best venues.If you’re a fan of the cleverly-crafted modern European dishes available at restaurants like 10 Tib Lane and Another Hand, this is one for you.

    Read more

  • 4. FOLK Didsbury

    FOLK Didsbury, 169 - 171 Burton Road, Manchester, M20 2LN - Visit now

    Folk Didsbury had a solid reputation way back in the 00s. They’ve simply built on that, with great food options, a superb-looking venue and some of the happiest, friendliest staff for miles around. When it comes to Sunday roasts in South Manchester, Folk has it nailed.

    Read more

  • 5. 10 Tib Lane

    Ian Jones

    10 Tib Lane, 10 Tib Lane, Manchester , M2 4JB - Visit now

    We first reviewed 10 Tib Lane last November, loving the understated yet fiercely high-quality European-style dishes on offer. Now, four months later, Jay Rayner has finally caught up, giving it a glowing review. Read on to see what all the fuss is about.

    Read more

  • 6. Central Bay

    Central Bay

    Central Bay, Quayside MediaCity, Salford Quays, M50 2EQ - Visit now

    A new, waterfront dining and drinking destination at MediaCity is set to be launched as Central Bay – and will become the first of its kind in Salford and one of the biggest in the region.

    Read more

  • 7. Great North Pie Co Kampus

    Great North Pie Co Kampus

    Great North Pie Co Kampus, Kampus, Aytoun St, Manchester , M1 3GL - Visit now

    Great North Pie Co, the home of high-quality, award-winning pies, has officially opened its kitchen & bar at Kampus, marking its first Manchester city centre-based venue.

    Read more

  • 8. Zouk

    Zouk, Unit 5 Chester Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5QS - Visit now

    We took on the ultimate spice challenge at Zouk, one of our favourite city-centre Indian restaurants. This was a one-off event for national chili day but we can’t recommend the lamb nihari dish enough.

    Read more

More in Food and Drink

Activity 3–4 June 2023, FREE

We Invented The Weekend

Expect everything from disco boats to DJs, street sports, vintage markets, live music and performance, right across MediaCity and Salford Quays this summer. A free festival for everyone.

Culture Guides

Cinema

Northern flicks, sci-fi masterpieces and some brand new film festivals feature in this month’s cinema preview.

Read more

Exhibitions

Spring weather might be dragging its feet a little, but the world of exhibitions isn’t slowing down with new shows popping up everywhere to greet the new season.

Read more
The Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Garden Bridgewater

Families

With spring’s indecisive weather in mind, we’ve pulled together a whole load of fun indoor and outdoor family events and activities taking place in Manchester and the North.

Read more
Poet Helen Mort.

Literature

Spring is making an entrance in live literature land with some extra special festival events, writing walks, online launches and in real life readings from local writers as well as international talent.

Read more

Music

From Father John Misty to The Flaming Lips, The Waeve to Big Thief, here are the gigs on our radar for early spring.

Read more
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Theatre

You’ll find everything from work-in-progress scratch nights to multi-award winning musicals in this month’s theatre guide.

Read more

Classical Music

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.

Read more

Tours and Activities

From indie markets to bit-sized meditation, spoon carving workshops to gallery tours, here are the headlines in the world of tours and activities.

Read more

Destination Guides

York Castle Museum

Things to do in York

Father John Misty and Friends at The Piece Hall

Things to do in West Yorkshire

Things to do in the North East

Chester

Things to Do in Cheshire