It’s no secret: we know all the best go-to spots all across Manchester. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate ongoing list of our team’s favourite local businesses – and we’re sharing it with you.
At Secret Manchester, we’re a team of proud and passionate Mancs who love discovering the best of what the city and the Greater Manchester region has to offer. From checking out the newest openings to discovering those lesser-known spots full of character, we’re on an endless journey to bring you the best insider tips, plans, and inspiration in Manchester. And now, we’re making it a whole lot easier for you to do the same!
We’re launching a new project and leaving our mark on every corner of the city. From family-owned restaurants to fun-filled entertainment venues, we’re giving our Secret Manchester stamp of approval on all our favourite spots that deserve your support!
So when you’re on your next outing around town, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for those beautiful bright cherry red stickers decorating business window fronts. If you spot our Secret Manchester stamp of approval you’ll be sure to know that it’s your next must-visit destination.
Eat
- Purezza, Northern Quarter: While Manchester is most definitely blessed with an array of fantastic vegan options, Purezza really does offer something a little different, with flavours and toppings that really make you forget about the fact that there’s absolutely no meat involved in your meal. Think vegan ‘nduja and even a BBQ pulled porketta designed to rival actual meat all on gorgeously baked bases.
- El Gato Negro, King Street: Combining both modern and traditional Spanish flavours, guests can enjoy dishes such as truffle salami, salt cod croquetas and braised ox cheek. The restaurant is a real social space, even including a suntrap of a rooftop terrace, which almost feels like you’ve been transported to the bustling city of Barcelona.
- Cane & Grain, Northern Quarter: Enjoy burgers, fries and plenty of Southern comforts like ribs at Cane & Grain. It’s one of our favourites to visit at lunchtime for their cracking dining deal of burger, fries and a soft drink all for just £10 or £11 if you fancy it with a beer- an absolute steal and will keep you going all afternoon.
- Salt & Pepper, Northern Quarter: Another place to pop to on your lunch break is Salt & Pepper. Indulge in the likes of sticky chicken or beef, salt & pepper tofu, chicken or prawns, wings, fried rice and chips as well as their phenomenal take on a kebab filled to the brim salt and pepper chicken and chips. Essentially all things nice.
- Black Milk, Northern Quarter: For lovers of all things dessert, a visit to Black Milk should not go a miss. From their stacked pancakes laced in the likes of Kinderella sauce, Biscoff or Nutella to their seasonal baked goods like a sweet-take on a Scotch egg filled with an Creme Egg or Oreo egg, it is indulgence at its finest.
- Petit Paris Deli, King Street: Indulge in all the freshest delights from France in this cute little deli in the centre of Manchester. Whether you’re after store cupboard staples like jams and cornichons or fancy a charcuterie board complete with divine cured meats, cheese, bread and more then head to Petit Paris. Oh and by all means enjoy a glass of vino whilst you’re there!
- Suki Suki, Great Northern Warehouse: This casual pan-Asian dining spot will resolve those post-entertainment hunger pains. With street nibbles like gyoza, salt and pepper wings, soft shell crab tempura, sui mai and bang bang prawns on the menu as well as substantial mains like steaming bowls of ramen, stir fry dishes and curries (including katsu) it’s a feast for the eyes and belly.
- The Flat Baker, Ancoats: A “classic bakery with a Brazilian twist”, this spot produces unreal pastries to take away. It’s also home to stuffed croissants including ones filled with pistachio ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
- Nibble, Northern Quarter: A female-run café and bakery specialising in gluten free and vegan options, without compromising on quality, flavour or texture.
- Micky’s, Northern Quarter: If you’ve never seen a sandwich as big as your head, you need to go here. Tucked away inside PLY in Stevenson Square, Micky’s slings out absolutely huge sandwiches packed full of flavour that’ll keep you going until tea time.
- The Chip Shop, Piccadilly: This new chippy near Piccadilly Station is open until 12am. Fish and chips on the last train home, anyone? Expect flaky fish, crispy chips and a divine curry sauce to dip it all into.
- Feel Good Club, Northern Quarter: This iconic coffee house in Manchester is not your ordinary coffee house as it’s one with a purpose. Focussed on mental health and wellbeing, Feel Good Club essentially aims to make us all feel good, offering a space to do exactly that. Providing coffee, baked goods, motivational quotes and a place to talk (including with mental health professionals), this spot gives off positive vibes.
- Kargo MKT, Salford Quays: Salford’s newest food hall on the quays is brimming with indepedent food and drink businesses and has become a hub if you’re after a feast with friends.
- House of Hoagie, Northern Quarter: The home of huge loaded subs in the Northern Quarter has got us drooling and they’re almost as big as your head! Tuck into one inside of secret urban garden Mala and be transported to NYC.
- À bloc, Altrincham: This brunch spot with a bike repair shop is a new addition to Altrincham and the dishes here are enough to want to get on your bike (or the tram) for great coffee and more.
- Desert Island Dumplings, Northern Quarter: This spot serves up the dreamiest plant-based fusion dumplings with fillings like cheezeburger and Christmassy classics in Afflecks – plus, you won’t believe they’re not meat!
- Vanoffee, China Town: This place serves coffee inside a doughnut and we’ve never seen anything quite like it. You can find the van parked up in China Town serving these delectable doughnuts plus other deliciously indulgent drinks.
- Northern Soul, Northern Quarter: The UK’s first grilled cheese restaurant and a Manc institution, Northern Soul is the perfect pitstop for cheese lovers and those looking for some indulgence in between slices of toasted bread.
- Ducie Street Warehouse, Northern Quarter: Renowned for its disco bottomless brunch, you’re always guaranteed to have a good time. A hub for food, drink, events and good times, shimmy on over here.
Drink
- The Oast House, Spinningfields: Whether you’re huddling around the fire in their twinkling, fairy light-clad tipi in the winter months, curled up inside the main pub or sipping on a spritz on the terrace during the summer months, The Oast House has got you covered for all seasons and climates. This Manchester pub is the perfect escapism despite being in the heart of the city.
- Provence, Spinningfields: Provence has a non-traditional approach to wine, where guests select from a menu categorised by ‘wine occasions’. Whether it’s a catch-up with friends, a date night spot or a post-work pick-me-up with colleagues, the uniquely grouped wine menu will match the perfect wine to your mood. Better still, you can select wine from the ‘wine jukebox’, enjoy a charcuterie board as well as have a sing-a-long with Provence’s ‘wine-oke’.
- Monkey Trio, Circle Square: The first Japanese sake bar in the city and it doesn’t disappoint. With moreish bar snacks, creative cocktails and a matcha beer on the menu – what’s not to love?
- Pelican, Northern Quarter: From the team behind Squawk Brewing Co, you can grab a slice and a pint here and it’s just a great spot to chill with your mates.
- Mean Eyed Cat, Northern Quarter: Serving rootin’ tootin’ good cocktails where you can roll a dice to win money off your bill, it’s an absolute winner for us. Plus, head downstairs to the Tiki Hideaway for fiery cocktails and a photo booth.
- The Lawn Club, Spinningfields: You can expect good food, good drinks and cosy disco vibes at The Lawn Club and it makes for a great post-work spot.
- Sonata, Deansgate: Manchester’s fabulous cabaret and cocktail bar, you can listen talented musicians on the piano as well as jazz singers on stage whilst sipping a drink.
Explore
- Junkyard Golf, First Street: Activities in the city needn’t have to break the bank and this crazy golf venue is an affordable and amusing option for mates dates, team nights out and first dates as you putt you way around the weird and wonderful holes on the course. Thrown in some fun cocktails topped with sweets and a bright and colourful bar to hang out in post-game and it’s a hole in one!
- The House of Books & Friends, King Street: Enjoy a coffee, bite to eat, spot of reading or get involved in the community at The House of Books & Friends. Here to combat social isolation in Manchester, the bookshop offers initiatives for customers and businesses through pay it forward schemes, as well as opportunities to make connections with their community through events and a café.
- T&T Craft Studio: Whether you want to make a rug or a bag, are a beginner or a pro, T&T Studio in Manchester offers tufting workshops to suit all designs and abilities. T&T Studio is made up of a passionate and creative team of designers and manufacturers near Manchester’s Oxford Street who will help you turn wool into something wonderful.
- Sixes Social Cricket: The classic game of cricket transformed into a good and booze-fuelled social activity. Challenge your mates in the batting cages and see how fast you reaction and co-ordination skills are, followed by tasty grub and refreshing drinks to follow for a top mates date.
- Afflecks, Northern Quarter: An absolute institution here in Manchester so of course we couldn’t miss this shopping emporium off the list. Open for over 40 years, you’ll find multiple floors filled with a host of independent traders each with their own speciality that sets them apart from the crowd as well as plenty of oddities along the way.
- The Dog Shop, Northern Quarter: The most pawfect shop for pooches and dog-owners – treats, toys and accessories galore!
- Rambo’s, Northern Quarter: Manchester’s oldest tattoo parlour knows how to make its mark and we’ve left ours too. Get your next tattoo here (sorry, not sorry, mum)!
- Catch My Thrift, Deansgate: Making Manchester more sustainable, Catch My Thrift is a vintage haven if you’re after high-quality, second-hand garms.
- Northern Flower, Northern Quarter: A blooming wonderful plant and flower shop here to spruce up your home or gift loved ones in your life.