Mei Dim is a cantonese dim sum restaurant in Chinatown, Manchester.
Basement dim sum in Manchester's Chinatown. No-frills round tables, har gow and siu mai by the bamboo basket, roast duck and char siu in the window.
Signature dishes: Har gow, Siu mai
Must order: Har gow, siu mai, char siu pork and the chiu chow dumplings.
Tip: Weekday lunch is calmer; weekend yum cha books out from 12:00.
Address: 45-47 Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4EE
Just off Oxford Road, No.8 serves Sichuan-style hotpot for the table to share. Three-broth pots are the standard set; mala and tomato are the regulars' picks.
Signature: Sichuan mala broth, Wagyu beef plates
Order: Half-and-half mala and clear chicken broth; sliced wagyu and meatballs.
Tip: Pre-book a private booth for groups over six; the open floor packs out weekends.
Mohammad Arshad opened Mughli on Manchester's Curry Mile in 1991; family still runs it. Focal charcoal pit, Mughlai cooking, lamb chops by platter.
Signature: Charcoal lamb chops, Tandoori platter
Order: Charcoal lamb chops; tandoori paneer; finish with kulfi.
Tip: Kitchen runs to 00:30 Friday and Saturday; family-lunch crowd from 14:00 Sunday.
P G and Lilawati Sachdev opened Lily's in 1972; pure vegetarian, family-run, packed with Manchester regulars. Best Vegetarian 2018 award winner.
Signature: Gujarati thali, South Indian dosa
Order: The Lily's thali, a daily-changing tour of Gujarati and Punjabi vegetarian plates.
Tip: Twenty minutes by tram from Piccadilly; closed Monday and Tuesday.
1886 Salford pub, derelict for fifteen years, resurrected 2021 with chef Ben Chaplin. Pub classics, one AA Rosette, the best beer garden in the city.
Signature: Sunday roast, Pub classics
Order: Sunday roast with beef rib; the deep-fried mac and cheese starter.
Tip: Book the back-room dining; the front pub takes walk-ins for drinks and pies.
Bavarian beer hall on Peter Street next to the Albert Hall venue. House lager on tap, pretzels with obatzda, live music programme most nights of the week.
Signature: Bratwurst sharing platter, Pretzel with obatzda
Order: Bratwurst platter for the table; a pretzel with obatzda dip.
Tip: Brunch on weekend mornings is calmer than the evening live shows.
Just off Oxford Road, No.8 serves Sichuan-style hotpot for the table to share. Three-broth pots are the standard set; mala and tomato are the regulars' picks.
Signature: Sichuan mala broth, Wagyu beef plates
Order: Half-and-half mala and clear chicken broth; sliced wagyu and meatballs.
Tip: Pre-book a private booth for groups over six; the open floor packs out weekends.
Open-air Northern Quarter courtyard in Manchester, half taqueria half pizzeria, bar pouring frozen margaritas. Sister to Common and Port Street.
Signature: Tacos, Sourdough pizza
Order: Al pastor tacos and a frozen marg; a margherita to share.
Tip: Outdoor terrace covered in winter; take the upstairs in summer for the rooftop.
