Whilst pie is incredibly ingrained in British culture (especially here up North!), it’s also incredibly underrated. It’s the kind of dish you can enjoy whatever the occasion – whether you’re happy, sad, or just need that feeling of a warm hug in place of your Nan. Pie can ignite all the feels. From the traditional to the inventive, here’s our guide to the best pies in Manchester.
1. Pieminister
With not one, but two restaurants across Manchester, it’s safe to say that when it comes to pies – Pieminister knows what’s up. Serving an array of pies for meat-eaters, veggies and vegans to enjoy, their menu is pretty much dedicated to pie and only pie, offering an array of fillings alongside a core selection of sides that each pie can be enjoyed with. Think fillings such as jackfruit ‘steak’ and ale, chicken and mushroom and stilton, alongside hefty portions of mash potato, minty peas and even pigs in blankets. Pieminister, 53 Church St, M4 1PD | 198 Deansgate, M3 3NE.
2. Pie & Ale
The husband and wife duo at Pie & Ale have been slinging pies for almost a decade now, and today, they’re still serving up delicious homemade masterpieces in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. Pie & Ale keep things pretty traditional – with classics on the menu including steak and ale (served with a Yorkshire pud!), ham hock, pork, sage and apple, and even a Sunday roast pie. They most certainly aren’t stingy on the gravy, either. Pie & Ale, Units 1 & 2 the Hive, 47 Lever St, M1 1FN.
3. Galloways, Wigan
Of course, the ‘pie-eaters’ do it best, with more pie shops per square metre in Wigan than anywhere else in the UK (according to multiple sources). The town also hosts the annual Pie Eating Competition at Harry’s Bar, a well-attented and always covered event with huge pride attached. Galloways is said to be the original and most popular pie shop in the pie capital, making it, well, the best in the UK? They serve up all the classics, with mushy peas and gravy of course, and their meat and potato pie with those sides will set you back just £2.65! What’s not to love? There’s a few locations, but you can find their main Wigan shop at Galloways, 33 Wallgate, Wigan, WN1 1BE.
4. Baldy’s Pies, Wigan
Obviously Wigan has a lot of choice when it comes to pies, so we had to shout out another of the town’s pie-stuffing spots. Specialising in more, shall we say, artisanal pies, Baldy’s has a unique take on the Wigan classic, offering chef’s signature pies that come half-baked. Sound… disgusting? Well they actually aren’t! With award-winning menu toppers including Chicken Kiev, Big Jim, and Mexican, Baldy’s knows what they’re doing, and are hoping to reopen as the rebranded Baldy’s Dark Kitchen on 16th March! Look out for their online launch soon, and their new HQ at Unit 6 Clayton St, Wigan, WN3 4DA.
5. The Great North Pie Co
Starting life in a family kitchen in Wilmslow just a few years ago, Great North Pie Co. has made quite the name for itself trading at farmers markets and the beloved Alty Market – and now, they’ve arrived in Manchester City Centre, too. Keeping things classic, and more importantly, local, Great North Pie Co. focuses on fillings such as 14-hour braised beef and ale, chicken and black pudding, Lancashire cheese and onion and proper beans and cheese – alongside an array of tasty specials to keep things fresh for their regular pie scranners. Great North Pie Co.,
6. The Bay Horse Tavern
Quite possibly one of the cosiest pubs in Manchester city centre, The Bay Horse Tavern provides a pretty warming atmosphere for guests to enjoy – one that’s best experienced with some good old pies, if you ask us. Available with a variety of fillings, guests can fill up on steak and ale, chicken and bacon, mushroom and leek, alongside cheese and onion – all of which are served with triple cooked chips or mash and plenty of gravy. Keep your eyes peeled for promotions on their social channels. The Bay Horse Tavern, 35-37 Thomas St, M4 1NA.
7. The Black Friar
Traditional pub The Black Friar in Salford knows the score when it comes to proper hearty pub grub – and their pies are no exception. Fresh as can be and changing daily, the team at the Black Friar regularly experiment with delicious, traditional pies, creating them with whatever fresh produce they fancy next. Each pie is served with buttered mash, greens and gravy, and so perfectly presented, it feels like a real special treat. The Black Friar, 41-43 Blackfriars Rd, Salford, M3 7DB.
8. The Edinburgh Castle
Beautiful Ancoats pub The Edinburgh Castle whips up quite the fancy pub-style menu, putting an upmarket twist on classics such as wellington, steak and, of course, pie. Seasonally changing, guess can enjoy a beautifully cased pie made with deliciously flaky pastry, with this season’s filling including the finest cheese and onion, alongside spring onion mash and gravy. Due to the high quality of their produce, expect an ever-changing pie offering reflecting what’s in season right now. The Edinburgh Castle, 19 Blossom St, Ancoats, M4 5EP.