Food Halls & Street Food in Manchester

Creative Tourist

The last few years have seen Manchester become the home of all things food hall. It seems like every week there’s an old mill converted into a shiny, sprawling street food haven. There’s a reason for that: it’s a smart way to offer a vast array of choice in a place with a nicely bustling atmosphere. Plus, they allow up-and-coming street food vendors a low-risk way to try out their ideas, without committing to high-street rents.

It’s generally more laid-back and sociable than a two-person table in a restaurant, plus the very concept reduces the risk of head-bashing over dietary requirements and personality quirks. Got a mate who doesn’t eat fish? Fine, go fill your boots at the Mexican stand. Got another mate who always turns up late? Tsk, they can grab something when they turn up.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, either. For instance, Peter Street’s Exhibition has a more elegant and refined setup, with a carefully selected handful of traders in an affluent setting. Meanwhile, Kargo MKT over in Salford is a touch more rough and ready, with around 20 street food peddlers vying for your attention in industrial surroundings.

The common thread is they make a lot of hungry people happy. Here’s our pick of the best.

Our top picks

Freight Island

Freight Island, Mayfield Depot, 11 Baring St, Manchester, M1 2PY - Visit now

Since opening in those crazy days of summer 2020, Freight Island has successfully transformed itself into one of the North’s most exciting urban market and entertainment spaces. From music to food and drink, with some awe-inspiring bookings along the way, Freight Island is a one-stop shop for all things fun.

Kargo MKT

Kargo MKT, Unit 32, Quays, Quayside Media City, Kargo MKT, Central Bay, Salford, M50 3AG - Visit now

Kargo is a street food hall, and forms a key part of the £3.5 million Central Bay redevelopment that turned the old Quayside MediaCity space into a waterfront hub for food and drink.

Exhibition

Exhibition, Exhibition, St George's House, 56 Peter St, Manchester , M2 3NQ - Visit now

Exhibition is a stunning venue, now with the mighty Bangkok Diners Club as one of the resident in-house kitchens. That alone could make it city’s best street food hall

Mackie Mayor

Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester, M4 5BU

The Grade II listed Mackie Mayor used to be one of Manchester‘s most beautiful yet neglected buildings. But a few years back this grand space reopened after a huge refurbishment and is now one of the key fixtures in the ever-growing Northern Quarter food and drink scene.

Society Manchester

Society Manchester, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester, M2 3BD - Visit now

Where Society Manchester shines is that elusive trick that so many venues in industrial Manchester can’t quite capture: the atmosphere. It’s a truly great space to relax and unwind. Scenic, attractive,  and laid out in a way that encourages good times – you never once feel like you’re herded in to spend money and spend money alone.

Society Manchester

New Century Kitchen

New Century Kitchen, Mayes Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 4ES - Visit now

New Century Kitchen could be Manchester’s most underrated food hall, due, in no small part, to its marvellous outdoor space. It looks great, especially with the sun blazing down, and the selection of in-house indie traders is a good few steps above some of its rivals on the food hall circuit. Additionally, there’s a ground-floor revamp going on: Locker, a new 450 capacity live music and events space, opening this autumn.

House of Social Food Hall

House of Social Food Hall, 10 Coleman Street, Manchester, M15 4ND - Visit now

The newest addition to Manchester’s food hall scene, House of Social is primarily a student accommodation, but at its base lies a 12,000-square-foot food and drink space featuring five independent kitchens and a central 360 bar.

House of Social Drinks and menu
Demi Sheridan

Where to go in Manchester

City Centre
Restaurant
GiGi Gusto Griglia

GiGi is a lavish Italian restaurant just off Deansgate, with 1950s décor and a menu that sticks to the classics.

Manchester
Restaurant
Dahlia Stereo

Dahlia Stereo is a Latin American-inspired open-fire kitchen and bar off the Northern Quarter’s Stevenson Square, with a pitch perfect soundsystem.

Balance Taproom
Manchester
Restaurant
Balance Taproom

Manchester has a glut of taprooms, and Balance Brewing’s is far and away the best. Drinks, decor, service – all a cut above.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Sampa’s underground space is the perfect place to learn about both her new mind-expanding dishes and vintage sherries, reimagined for the late 2020s.

Northern Quarter
Restaurant
Sicilian NQ

Busy backstreet Sicilian restaurant in the Northern Quarter, serving up traditional dishes with well-executed vegan versions that more than match up.

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

Restaurant Orme
Manchester
Restaurant
Restaurant Örme

A hidden gem in the suburbs of Greater Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

The Abbey
Manchester
Restaurant
The Abbey

Historic Hulme pub with a very good live gig space, brought to you by the very capable team behind YES, Gorilla, Now Wave and Manchester Psych Fest.

City Centre
Restaurant
Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

Manchester
Gallery
Gwafu Vegan
at Bridge 5 Mill

Cameroonian chef Ngwafu Tansie brings allotment-grown, plant-based cooking to Bridge 5 Mill’s solar-powered Ancoats venue, pairing bobolo with cabbage parcels and live vinyl.

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