Food Shops in Manchester

Emma Nuttall

We’re not talking supermarkets or department store food halls here: these are Manchester’s truly independent food emporiums, where the cake is beautifully crafted, the wines are from all over the world and the chocolate is the finest artisan you can find. Tuck in!

Our top picks

Barbakan Delicatessen

Barbakan Delicatessen, 67-71 Manchester Rd, Manchester, M21 9PW - Visit now

This award-winning, continental bakery in Chorlton is simply the place to go if you’re in need of some delicious, freshly baked carbs or posh bits and pieces for the pantry.

Barbakan Deli

Lunya Manchester

Lunya Manchester, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2BB - Visit now

Bringing the taste of Catalonia to Manchester’s Barton Arcade, Lunya’s latest delicatessen and restaurant is all set to replicate the massive success that it’s been enjoying in Liverpool. The Manchester deli is an authentically decorated larder of treats both sweet and savoury, stacked to the rafters with more than 1,000 Spanish and Catalan specialties, including hams carved from the bone, and jars and jars of olives. Other delis we can recommend include Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar (Italy’s finest), Thyme Out Delicatessan in Didsbury and continental bakery Barbakan Delicatessen in Chorlton.

Image by Martin Kevill

Butcher’s Quarter

Butcher’s Quarter, 66 Tib Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LG - Visit now

For a hunk of meat that’s a cut above the rest you could do a lot worse than The Butcher’s Quarter, the artisan butchers located on Tib Street in the belly of the Northern Quarter, that specialises in locally sourced cuts of meat. Their attention to detail is second to none.

Butchers Quarters, butchers and delicatessen in Manchester
Image courtesy of Butchers Quarters

Cheese Hamlet

Cheese Hamlet, 706 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Greater Manchester, M20 2DW - Visit now

Head to the Cheese Hamlet in West Didsbury for a huge range of cheese, mustard, and preserves. Just add Port!

Cheese and Win platter by Cheese Hamlet
Image courtesy of Cheese Hamlet

Eighth Day

Eighth Day, 111 Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 7DU - Visit now

Eighth Day is a veggie and vegan superstore that’s less of a shop-cum-cafe and more of a Manchester institution. Perfect for those still sticking to New Year’s resolutions.

Eighth Day.

Unicorn Grocery

Unicorn Grocery, 89 Albany Rd, Manchester, M21 0BN - Visit now

An absolute haven for vegetarians, vegans or anyone who cares deeply about where their food comes from. A cooperative that traces its origins back to the Rochdale Pioneers, The Unicorn has been around for over twenty years and is more popular than ever.

© Unicorn Grocery

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester
Shop
Village Books

Village Books on Oxford Street is a cultural utopia. Offering a selection of contemporary art, design, fashion and photography.

Manchester
Shop
House of Books & Friends

Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.

Manchester
Shop
Bags of Flavour

Bags of Flavour is the Northern Quarter’s answer to high end vintage with high quality exclusive garments and accessories.

Altrincham
Shop
IDAHO

Every piece in IDAHO has something special and will guarantee to make your homes, offices and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.

Manchester
Shop
Want Not Waste

Want Not Waste is a student-run, not-for-profit zero waste shop operating out of Academy 1 at the University of Manchester Students’ Union.

Ancoats
Shop
Ancoats General Store

Ancoats General Store serves the local community as a sustainability-focused convenience store stocking craft products, locally-sourced wares and top tier vegan produce.

Urmston
Shop
Goodness Zero Waste

On a mission to help making a difference more convenient, Urmston’s Goodness Zero Waste is a great spot to shop sustainably for food, beauty and household products.

Stretford Foodhall
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Stretford Foodhall

A one-stop-shop, Stretford Foodhall is a place for those who like to eat, drink and shop with a guilt-free conscience. Whether you fancy visiting to sample some delicious street food or to top up your refillable containers, Stretford Foodhall is well worth a visit.

Manchester Visitor Guides

People enjoying drinking in Altrincham
Things to Do in Altrincham

Plan a day out down Altrincham way, and you’ll soon find that one day isn’t nearly enough. Getting there is easy on the tram, or how about cycling along the...

Bars in Manchester

The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.

Tasting Menus in The North

Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.

Photo of the Halle orchestra at Bridgewater
Music Venues in Manchester

Manchester is still a great place to watch new and innovative music – so here’s a guide to where to watch the best live music in the city.

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.

Federal Cafe Bar
Breakfast in Manchester

Manchester is strong with the breakfast force, and has some impressive form where brunch is concerned. Here’s our pick of the city’s morning glories.

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.