Places to dine solo in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor Last Updated 4 January 2019

Sometimes, eating out should be about just that. Eating. And if you want to focus entirely on the food, there’s no better option than unaccompanied dining. Whether you’re visiting Manchester for work, or simply fancy some me-time, this city has plenty of options for the solo diner. Plus, this way you’ll get through a meal without an annoying companion pestering for a bite (we’ve all been there). Here’s our guide to the best places in Manchester to eat and drink by yourself.

Pot Kettle Black

Pot Kettle Black, Unit 14, Barton Arcade Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2BW - Visit now

For breakfast, brunch and lunch, there are few better places than Pot Kettle Black. One of the highlights of Manchester’s recently-revitalised Barton Arcade, this bright breezy space serves up traditional daytime fare with a twist (the eggs benedict with paprika-cured pork loin is a must-try). And as the name suggests, they have a wide range of high-quality coffees and teas. Perfect for a few hours catching up with work, or simply watching the world go by.

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Pot Kettle Black cafe in Manchester. — Pot Kettle Black - courtesy of venue

Burgess Cafe Bar at IABF

Burgess Cafe Bar at IABF, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5BY - Visit now

If you have a more literary bent, head over to the small but perfectly-formed café at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. Refreshingly free of distractions (background music is a no-no), this is the ideal place to sit and read a book amongst like-minded people. The menu changes daily but the homemade soups are reliably excellent – hearty, filling and freshly-made.

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Trof Northern Quarter

Trof Northern Quarter, 8 Thomas St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1EU - Visit now

One of the original Northern Quarter bars and diners, Trof has remained popular over the years for good reason. No matter the time of day, you’ll find a reliably friendly atmosphere, along with high-quality food served til late, covering everything from snacks to hefty feasts. Our advice? Go for the breakfast. Then stick around until the sun goes down and enjoy a drink or three.

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Yuzu

Yuzu, 39 Faulkner Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4EE - Visit now

Japanese restaurant Yuzu in Manchester is the kind of place that beckons you to return, the counter makes the ideal spot for the solo diner.

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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. The downstairs dining area is a great place to grab a quiet bite.

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The Northern Quarter Restaurant (TNQ)

The Northern Quarter Restaurant (TNQ), 108 High Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1HQ - Visit now

For dependable, modern British dining, the simply-named Northern Quarter Restaurant is worth a punt.

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Image of the TNQ Restaurant and Bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter — By Ben Williams

The Refuge

The Refuge, Oxford Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7HA - Visit now

Looking something a little more upmarket? You need the raved-about Refuge by Volta at The Principal Manchester (formerly known as the Palace Hotel) on Oxford Road. Led by local DJs The Unabombers, along with head chef Alex Worrall, here you’ll find a range of eye-opening small plates, influenced by the DJ duo’s trips around the world. This awe-inspiring venue has a menu to match the decor, no matter what time you decide to drop by.

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The glass atrium inside The Refuge — The Refuge by Volta. Photo: Gareth Lowe.

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester

Restaurant

San Carlo Manchester King Street

Longstanding Italian restaurant in the snazzy bit of Manchester.

City Centre

Restaurant

Chotto Matte Manchester

Snazzy Manchester outpost of the globe-straddling Japanese-meets-Peruvian restaurant brand.

Manchester

Food hall

House Of Habesha

Wholesome Ethiopian and Eritrean food courtesy of this fast-growing street food vendor.

Manchester

Food hall

Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Manchester

Event venue

George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Chinatown

Restaurant

Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

Manchester

Restaurant

Gladstone Barber & Bistro

Upmarket family-run restaurant with an impressive Middle Eastern menu, plus an on-site barber.

Manchester

Restaurant

Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

Manchester

Restaurant

House of Social Food Hall

The newest addition to Manchester’s First Street, House of Social is more than mere student accommodation.

Chinatown

Restaurant

WakuWaku

High-quality Japanese cuisine with unique hand-drawn decor.

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Food Halls & Street Food in Manchester

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Art Galleries in Manchester & Salford

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Manchester District Guides

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Salford, Greater Manchester

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Chinatown, Manchester

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The Quays, Greater Manchester

The Quays is home to MediaCityUK (the largest media hub in Europe) and studios purpose-built for the BBC’s move up North in 2011.

Chorlton, Manchester

Chorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only 10-odd minutes away by tram). A sprawling hive of artisan coffee shops, boutique clothing stores,…