Right next to Manchester’s Albert Hall, Sakana is a casual Japanese restaurant downstairs, with a fancier Pan Asian on the first floor.

This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary provides a welcome patch of green in an otherwise densely populated and heavily used part of the city.

Buffeted by fried chicken outlets, legendary musical instrument emporium Johnny Roadhouse has been serving the local music community for over 50 years.

Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen is a meat-free Chinese restaurant in Manchester’s Withington.

The Booths branch at Media City, Salford Quays is much appreciated by TV, radio and media executives who work in the area.

The Rochdale Pioneers Museum – once a shop – is widely considered to be the birthplace of the co-operative movement.

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

This cultural hub, just off Chapel Street in Salford, offers great real ale and cheap, hearty pub food

Japanese restaurant Yuzu in Manchester is the kind of place that beckons you to return– we review it.

The Working Class Movement Library houses the personal collection of labour historians Ruth and Edmund Frow, a treasure trove of material and stories.

Now based at the Great Northern, Siam Smiles is a food stop that’s hot on everyone’s lips.

One of Salford’s finest churches and also, unusually, a live music venue