Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Goodbye summer, we hardly knew ye. Now it’s time to look ahead to autumn and – apologies – winter. We’re having one of those classic third-wave summer revivals, common to Manchester and the North, but the temperature is dropping, and both Halloween and Bonfire Night are looming over the horizon.

With that in mind, we’re heading into heartier territories, with some excellent autumnal tasting menus, meaning big bold plates at some of the North’s very best dining establishments, with a little detour into indie-style pubs for all you beer-and-a-band fans out there.

So join us as we dive headfirst into the best places to eat and drink across the North. Think of your tastebuds and start planning your next four weeks around this month’s food and drink guide to Manchester and the North.

Our top picks

Mana

Mana, 42 Blossom St, Manchester, M4 6BF - Visit now

Mana doesn’t just deserve the star it was awarded in 2019 (and retained every year since); it merits one more, at least. If this isn’t “cooking elevated to an art form”, what is?

Mana

The Snug

The Snug, 67a Market St, Atherton, Greater Manchester, M46 0DA - Visit now

The Snug is a great independent venue, run by passionate music lovers proud to serve great quality food and drink. It’s a fresh, welcome addition to those satellite towns of north-west Manchester.

Ian Jones

The Cottage In The Wood Restaurant

The Cottage In The Wood Restaurant, Magic Hill, Braithwaite, Keswick , Cumbria, CA12 5TW - Visit now

As tasting menus go, The Cottage In The Wood is up there with the Lake District’s very best. The whole experience is gloriously serene, with a bucolic charm that you won’t find anywhere else.

Ian Jones

Vetch

Vetch, 29a Hope St, Liverpool , L1 9BQ - Visit now

The dishes at Vetch are full of eye-popping ideas that go beyond standard tasting menu tropes and deliver a fresh, original take on fine dining.

Ian Jones

Blacklock Manchester

Blacklock Manchester, 37 Peter St, Manchester M2 5GB, Manchester , M2 5GB - Visit now

In terms of intoxicating joy, a feast at Blacklock is up there with Manchester’s best. They’ve caught lightning in a bottle: food with a timeless feel that doesn’t bow to trends, and an atmosphere that sparkles.

Ian Jones

Farlam Hall Restaurant

Farlam Hall Restaurant, Hallbankgate, Brampton , Cumbria, CA8 2NG - Visit now

When it comes to quality food and drink, Cumbria is up there with the best regions in the country – and Farlam Hall certainly knows how to hold its own.

Farlam Hall Restaurant
Sarah Catherine Jones

The Cottage In The Wood

The Cottage In The Wood, Magic Hill, Braithwaite, Keswick , Cumbria, CA12 5TW - Visit now

Once upon a time – 1640 to be exact – The Cottage In The Wood was a coaching inn on the Whinlatter Forest pass. Four centuries later, it’s one of Cumbria’s standout places to stay. This is the kind of holiday destination that lives long in the memory.

Ian Jones

Farlam Hall Hotel

Farlam Hall Hotel, Hallbankgate, Brampton , Cumbria, CA8 2NG - Visit now

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a luxury date night, Farlam Hall is the perfect country escape.

Sarah Catherine Jones

Tampopo Corn Exchange

Tampopo Corn Exchange, Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, Manchester, M4 3TR - Visit now

Tampopo is marking Katsu Curry Day by giving away 400 free curries across its Manchester locations. It’s one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes with Tampopo since they first served it up in 1997 (one of the first restaurants in Manchester to do so).

Special popup Katsu Curry Hubs will be stationed outside all of Tampopo’s locations across Greater Manchester on 27th September where 100 free curries will be served up from 11am – 1pm to the first to get in line. Be quick – when the free Katsus are gone – they’re gone. One hundred curries will be given away at Albert Square, The Corn Exchange, The Trafford Centre Restaurant and The Trafford Centre Kiosk.

Tampopo
Ian Jones

Albert’s Schloss

Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 5QR - Visit now

Oktoberfest finally begins on Saturday 21st September and Albert’s Schloss is all set to celebrate in full Bavarian style. To celebrate the festivities, they’ll be giving away 100 free biers to the first 100 guests through the door on both Thursday 26th September and again on Thursday 3rd October, starting from 5 PM.

Albert Schloss

The Blues Kitchen Manchester

The Blues Kitchen Manchester, 13 Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HN - Visit now

A new Sunday deal launches at The Blues Kitchen on 6 October: 2-4-1 burgers from their legendary BBQ menu. Plus, an all new pub quiz begins every Tuesday from 8 October. Expect something very different from the usual quiz, with wild interactive and music-led rounds, plus top, top prizes.

Blues Kitchen Manchester
The Blues Kitchen Manchester

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Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Discover the North West's best Black History Month events, including exhibitions, theatre and dance.

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Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

A table with a view of Liverpool at the fine dining restaurant Panoramic 34
Liverpool
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Panoramic 34

Panoramic 34 boasts ceiling to floor windows with a breathtaking 360 degree aspect, but there’s plenty more to get giddy about than just the views.

Jimmy's Liverpool
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Jimmy’s Liverpool

Sister venue to Jimmy’s in Manchester, Jimmy’s Liverpool is a bar, restaurant and live venue, hosting late night music, gigs and DJ sets.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Peste

Peste is a bohemian bar and bookshop with vintage reads and records.

Liverpool
Restaurant
The Reader Bar & Restaurant

The Reader Bar & Restaurant offers diners a bistro-style menu, inspired by continental European flavours and created using locally sourced seasonal produce. 

Salford
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Black Friar

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