Food and drink
Whether it's coffee on the go or a sit-down meal with friends, there's a bit of everything in Manchester.
Food and drink
Where to eat
When it comes to eating in Manchester, you’ll find hundreds of bars and restaurants offering a wide-ranging selection of food. We’ve got everything from international chains to independent hidden gems that provide the true Mancunian experience. If you can crave it, you’ll probably find it in Manchester.
Manchester favourites
Grabbing a burger from the ever-popular Almost Famous, a pizza from Rudy’s, or popping into Northern Soul Grilled Cheese are almost rites of passage.
Bites on campus
Our campus is extremely well served by a selection of coffee shops, fast food chains, restaurants and bars. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite in between lectures or catching up with friends in the evening, you’ll always have plenty of choice.
Grow Café
Found in the north atrium of our Business School, Grow is our very own sustainable vegetarian café. The meat-free menu offers wholesome, nutritious food packed full of flavour. Tuck into delicious salads, handmade bagels, and Fairtrade coffee.Cool and quirky
For a unique, down to earth dining experience, look no further than Mackie Mayor, a grade II listed building housing independent food vendors. The perfect place to catch up with friends over a bite to eat.
You’ll also want to head to the Northern Quarter too, where you’ll discover hidden gems offering everything from soup and sandwiches to low and slow BBQ.
Closer to campus, Hatch is an award-winning collection of independent shops, cafés and food vendors. Comprised of shipping containers and complete with a double-decker bus that serves food, it’s unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
Veggie and vegan
Found in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, V-Rev has earned itself a cult following among locals for its burgers, hotdogs and macaroni cheese, all of which are vegan. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Earth Café, or pop over to the Arndale to grab some vegetarian street food from Wholesome Junkies.
If you’re after something more adventurous than a burger, head to Ruyi Vegetarian House in Withington for your fix of Chinese food, or try Bundobust in Piccadilly Gardens or on Oxford Road for an authentic taste of the subcontinent. For fine dining, there’s The Allotment in the city centre and Green’s, Simon Rimmer’s Didsbury-based vegetarian restaurant.
You’ll find plenty of options close to campus too – The Eighth Day Café and Health Food Shop is on Oxford Road directly opposite our All Saints library.
If you’re craving something sweet, there’s the Ice Shack in Withington, the first vegan dessert parlour in the north of England.
Authentic international cuisine
Head to China Town – the UK’s largest outside of London – for truly authentic Chinese food.
Manchester’s famous Curry Mile (Wilmslow Road) is a must too. It runs through Rusholme to the south of the city centre and is home to an impressive collection of Indian, Pakistani and middle-eastern delights.
Throughout the city, you’ll find an array of cuisine from all corners of the globe. There’s everything you’d expect to find, like French, Italian and Mexican, and even a few you wouldn’t.
Your favourite chains
In addition to all the independent cafés and restaurants waiting to be unearthed, you will, of course, find your favourite national and international chains. So, whether it’s a burger, your favourite pizza, or a cup of coffee, there’s always something familiar.
Follow Oxford Road from University campus into the city centre and you’ll be spoilt for choice along the way.