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Must-Try Places at Great Northern in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

The Grade 2 listed Great Northern building is one of the calmer spots around the Deansgate strip, but that calm exterior is home to a vast array of places to eat and drink, as well as fun-filled group days out. In a former life, it was a railway goods distribution warehouse but now it’s one of Manchester’s solid go-to spaces when it comes to mainstream good times – with eating and drinking taking pole position.

We’ve chosen the best places for visitors or longtime city-dwellers to check out, with the emphasis firmly on the food, but a nod to some of the more exciting extra-curricular activities too. And if it all gets too much, you can relax in the public square – one of the more relaxed and safe open spaces in the city centre.

Our top picks

Another Hand

Another Hand, Unit F 253 Deansgate, Mews Level, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

In Another Hand, Manchester food-lovers have a wonderful (not to mention locally-sourced and organic) treat to add to their must-visit list.

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Another Hand
Another Hand

Platzki

Platzki, Deansgate Mews, Great Northern, 255 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

You’ll come away from your meal at this delightful Polish restaurant more than happy. Platzki scores at the top end of the cafe scale, and for a sit-down meal, the Pierogi in particular simply cannot be beaten.

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Ian Jones

The Lion’s Den Manchester

The Lion’s Den Manchester, Great Northern, 253 Deansgate Mews, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

The Lion’s Den is a must-visit two-storey bar and live event space tucked away in the sprawling Great Northern complex. It might take a couple of minutes to find but it’s well worth the hunt, thanks to its welcoming atmosphere, wonderfully friendly staff, and some of the best small onstage events in all of Manchester.

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The Lion's Dean Manchester
The Lion's Den Manchester

James Martin Manchester

James Martin Manchester, 2 Watson St, Manchester, M3 4LP - Visit now

James Martin’s Manchester restaurant delivers a solid top-quality experience. It hovers around that hinterland between high-end cuisine and casual dining, serving up impressively detailed dishes, while never being overly fusty or wallet-drainingly expensive. It’s certainly not one for vegetarians, as the most visually impressive and tastiest dishes are all geared around hefty chunks of meat, but a top-drawer option for those of the carnivorous persuasion.

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Ian Jones

Whistle Punks Axe Throwing

Whistle Punks Axe Throwing, Unit 20, Atrium level, Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate, , Manchester , Lancashire, M3 4EN - Visit now

At last, here’s your chance to give in to those caveman urges and chuck an axe about. There is no need to be super strong or have any previous experience, all are welcome at Whistle Punks, providing that you are over 18. This might just become your new favourite way to let off steam. Be sure to book in advance though as the 4 lanes fill up fast.

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Virtual Hideout

Virtual Hideout, Unit I, J and K, Deansgate Mews, Great Northern, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

Interested in virtual reality but don’t know where to start? Head to Virtual Hideout up on the fast-growing Deansgate Mews section of the Great Northern warehouse space. It’s a superb afternoon out for all kinds of groups – hen parties, family trips, or simply a pre-night out session.

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Ian Jones

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester Factory international Festival - People enjoying Festival Square in the city centre
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Factory Square

Factory Square is a huge beer garden, on the banks of the River Irwell, with top-quality drinks and street food selections.

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
Café or Coffee Shop
Sett

Sett is an art café in West Didsbury, one of the areas many thriving independent businesses.

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.

Haunt MCR
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Haunt MCR

Haunt MCR is a speciality coffee shop and wine bar located on Manchester’s bustling Peter Street.

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.

Hatch
Manchester
Event venue
Hatch

We check out the new festive changes to Hatch, Manchester’s favourite collection of small independents.

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Manchester Visitor Guides

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.

Blossom on trees in Manchester
Parks and Gardens in Manchester

There are more green spaces in Manchester than you might think. We've picked out some of the best parks and gardens in and around the city.

Bars in Manchester

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

Manchester District Guides

Castlefield, Manchester

The Roman General Julius Agricola founded ‘Mamucium’ in 79AD; the name means ‘breast shaped hill’, as this was what Agricola discovered in Castlefield, where the original settlement was based.
The front of Didsbury restaurant Volta.
Didsbury, Manchester

Follow Oxford Road South through the Curry Mile, along Wilmslow Road, past Platt Fields Park and through Withington and you’ll eventually reach Didsbury, an area divided into two main parts….
The Oast House pub in Spinningfields Manchester.
Spinningfields, Manchester

Spinningfields is Manchester’s realm of glass and steel, where global corporations have their headquarters. It’s also become a real culinary hotspot: you can find modern tapas at Ibérica, innovative Chinese…
Beech Road Chorlton, Manchester

A laid-back mix of gift shops, independent outfitters, restaurants, pubs and parks, on a sunny weekend afternoon it’s heaving.
Deansgate, Manchester

The busy thoroughfare of Deansgate runs through Castlefield, joining the dots between it, Spinningfields and Manchester’s Cathedral Quarter at the opposite end. Deansgate is home to its fair share of…
Photo of a handwritten label in a cafe that says
Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester

Tis Burton Road is the heart of West Didsbury, a beautifully maintained leafy hubbub of shops, bars and restaurants where independence is paramount. The main strip is home to fifteen…
City Centre, Manchester

Visit Manchester Town Hall and you’ll spot bees picked out in the mosaics across the lobby floor – once seen, you’ll notice them everywhere. Appearing on benches, council flower pots and…
Pillock at Contact
Spotlight on

Fringe Theatre in Manchester and the North

Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.

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Destination Guides

Culture Guides

Rebecca Watson author photo
Literature Events in Manchester and the North

In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.