‘Tis certainly the season for all things naughty and nice, at least, according to Manchester’s restaurant scene. Going hard on the festive flavours for the occasion, the city’s innovative chefs have come up with some absolute corkers this Christmas – from festive-themed burgers to actual Christmas dinners on a pizza. We warned you it’d be weird and wonderful. Without further ado… Here’s some of the best festive food to try in Manchester this December.
1. Almost Famous’ Christmas Special
Almost Famous’s naughty-but-nice Christmas special is back – with plenty of indulgent festive treats piled up to enjoy. Think smashed patties oozing with melted American cheese, fried chicken, a festive roll and even a pig and blanket on top. It’s messy, but so worth it. Plus, new for this year is Santa’s Little Helper, Almost Famous’ first ever plant based Christmas special. Loaded with hash browns, a Heuro Foods chicken patty, drenched in AFVC gravy, bacon bacon mayo, cranberry ketchup and Christmas slaw, it’s also pretty magical. Almost Famous, Unit 2, Great Northern, Peter St, M3 4EN | 100-102 High St, M4 1HP.
2. BaoBros23 Christmas bao dog special
After turning some heads with their signature dish and seafood lover’s dream, the lobster bao dog, BaoBros23 has launched an un-bao-lievable festive dog to try. Tuck into their Christmas bao dog special at New Century, which consists of gojuchang braised beef brisket, Chinese spiced mulled wine mayo, rocket and wasabi puree, semi-dried cranberries. Adding to the glitz and the glam of the festive season, BaoBros23 has topped their bao dog special with a flicker of gold leaf.
3. Crazy Pedros The Ghost Of Christmas Past(y) pizza
Crazy Pedro’s December special has officially dropped, and in true festive spirit, it’s as Christmassy as ever. The Manchester pizzeria doesn’t do festive food specials by halves as this one is topped with Pedro’s very own white sauce, pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry, sage and even Greggs Festive Bakes, the delicious pizza is the perfect bonkers creation for the festive season – with a drizzle of gravy added before it’s served to add a little more festive flavour. Crazy Pedro’s, 55-57 Bridge St, M3 3BQ | Short St, M4 1AA.
4. Bundobust’s Sprout Bhajis
After the success of their green, pumpkin-filled samosas during Halloween, avid visitors of Bundobust have been busting to know what their festive menu entails. And low and behold, headlining the Bundobust Christmas menu for the third year in a row is their sprout bhajis. Served with cranberry chutney, Bundobust has fused together the controversial festive vegetable into their Indian fried snacks by mixing Brussel sprouts, broccoli and onion into a bhaji, featuring a spice mix of fennel and chilli. So, whether you’re a sprout lover or not this might be a way of convincing yourself to eat more vegetables as the restaurant takes the Christmas dinner staple up a notch by packing it with plenty of flavour and spice.
Bundobust, 61 Piccadilly, M1 2AG | St James Building, 61-69 Oxford Street, M1 6EQ.
5. Slap and Pickle All I Want For Christmas burger
Slap and Pickle is taking festive food to the next level this Christmas, with not one – but two festive burgers on their menu (albeit, one is for the vegans among us) at Society in Manchester. Piling up two Swaledale beef patties, the All I Want For Christmas burger is finished off with a number of delicious, Christmassy toppings, including beef fat-fried Christmas pudding, smoked bacon, Paxo mayo and cranberry mostarda – all combined together in a festive red bun. For the vegan edition, hungry Mancs can expect a delicious Moving Mountains patty, complete with vegan cranberry Wensleydale, ‘bacon’ lardons, fried vegan Christmas pudding, Paxo mayo and cranberry mostarda in a festive green bun. Slap and Pickle, Society, Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, M2 3BD.
6. Southside Tequila Joint Festive Tacos
Who knew tacos could be so… British? Combining festive grub with arguably Mexico’s most delicious street food item, Southside Tequila Joint has created a festive taco available throughout December. Filled with festive pulled pork, port gravy, crispy carrots and parsnips and cranberry salsa , you can get a taste of Christmas all in one bite. Southside Tequila Joint, 447-449 Wilmslow Rd, Withington, M20 4AN.
7. What The Pitta Christmas Gyros
After fans (vegans and meat-eaters) going wild at the premise of for this festive gyro at What The Pitta, it’s back and it’s at their new spot at Hatch too. What The Pitta has created a tasty looking Christmas Gyros, filled with fries, red cabbage, chick’n pieces, sage and onion stuffing, cranberry sauce and warm gravy. What The Pitta, 42 Back Turner St, M4 1FR | Hatch, 103 Oxford Rd, M1 7ED.
8. Frankie’s Pigs In Blankets Loaded Fries
Returning after major success last year, Frankie’s Toasties is bringing pigs in blankets back to their menu and loading them on top of fries this time. Topped with pigs in blankets, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, this festive food special is available now, making for the perfect lunch treat if you’re in Manchester city centre. Additionally, look out for any sweet and savoury festive toasties that Frankie’s may be launching. Frankie’s Toasties, 98 Portland St, M1 4GX | Arndale Market, 49 High St, M4 3AH.