Manchester: Northern Quarter Food Walk with Tastings
Explore Manchester’s Northern Quarter on a guided food walk. Sample four small plates at top eateries, discover street art, and hear local stories.
What to order at The Pen and Pencil
- Must order
- Buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich and the Bloody Mary; brunch eggs on toast.
- Signature dishes
- Burgers, Brunch plates
- Editor tip
- Half-price food on Mondays; brunch and lunch for a tenner most weekdays.
CuisineAmerican
Price££
Neighborhoodnorthern-quarter
HoursMon-Fri 10:00-23:00, Sat 10:00-23:00, Sun 10:00-18:00
Phone+44 161 660 3303
Last verified
Signature dishes: Burgers, Brunch plates
Must order: Buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich and the Bloody Mary; brunch eggs on toast.
Tip: Half-price food on Mondays; brunch and lunch for a tenner most weekdays.
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Location
Address: 85-89 Hilton Street, Manchester M1 2EH
Also in northern-quarter
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Signature: Confit chickpeas on toast, Saffron turmeric chicken
Order: Confit chickpeas on toast with whipped feta; the saffron and turmeric chicken.
Tip: Brunch crowds 10:00-13:00; late afternoon is the calm slot for a quiet table.
Ezra & Gil ★ 4.7
Open since 2014, the Hilton Street original is the brunch room locals queue for. Sourdough loaded with avocado, feta and poached eggs; fruit porridge bowls.
Signature: Avocado on sourdough, French toast
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Tip: No bookings; put your name on the list and walk the Northern Quarter blocks until they text.
Federal Cafe and Bar ★ 4.6
Australian-style brunch room in the Northern Quarter, Manchester, packed from 09:00. Banana bread with whipped ricotta is the menu's calling card.
Signature: Banana bread, Turkish eggs
Order: Banana bread with mascarpone; Turkish eggs with chilli butter.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at opening or expect a thirty-minute wait at weekends.
This and That ★ 4.8
Family-run Indian cafe since 1984, on Soap Street behind the Arndale. The original rice-and-three counter, served canteen-style, still under ten pounds.
Signature: Rice and three curry, Chana masala
Order: Rice and three curry: pilau plus chana, saag and a meat curry.
Tip: Open 12:00-19:00 weekdays; takeaway queue moves fast at lunch.
More casual dining in Manchester
Evelyn's Cafe Bar ★ 4.2
All-day Northern Quarter kitchen on Tib Street with a global, vegetable-led menu. Brunch through dinner; weekend tasting flight on the bar list.
Signature: Confit chickpeas on toast, Saffron turmeric chicken
Order: Confit chickpeas on toast with whipped feta; the saffron and turmeric chicken.
Tip: Brunch crowds 10:00-13:00; late afternoon is the calm slot for a quiet table.
Rudy's Pizza Napoletana Ancoats ★ 4.8
Started as a 2014 Cotton Street pop-up; now an AVPN-listed pizzeria with branches across the UK. Dough ferments 24 hours, sixty seconds in the oven.
Signature: Margherita, Diavola
Order: Margherita first, then the Diavola with Italian salami if you want heat.
Tip: Walk-in only at Ancoats; arrive by 17:30 weekends or expect a queue across Cutting Room Square.
Elnecot ★ 4.4
Neighbourhood bar and kitchen on Cutting Room Square in Ancoats. Order the pulled lamb shoulder flatbread; crispy pork belly. Kitchen leans modern british.
Signature: Pulled lamb shoulder, Crispy pork belly
Order: Pulled lamb shoulder flatbread; crispy pork belly.
Tip: Walk in at lunch; book ahead for Friday or Saturday dinner Walk-ins usually OK.
Ezra & Gil ★ 4.7
Open since 2014, the Hilton Street original is the brunch room locals queue for. Sourdough loaded with avocado, feta and poached eggs; fruit porridge bowls.
Signature: Avocado on sourdough, French toast
Order: The Ezra benedict with smoked salmon; cinnamon French toast with bacon.
Tip: No bookings; put your name on the list and walk the Northern Quarter blocks until they text.
Federal Cafe and Bar ★ 4.6
Australian-style brunch room in the Northern Quarter, Manchester, packed from 09:00. Banana bread with whipped ricotta is the menu's calling card.
Signature: Banana bread, Turkish eggs
Order: Banana bread with mascarpone; Turkish eggs with chilli butter.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at opening or expect a thirty-minute wait at weekends.
This and That ★ 4.8
Family-run Indian cafe since 1984, on Soap Street behind the Arndale. The original rice-and-three counter, served canteen-style, still under ten pounds.
Signature: Rice and three curry, Chana masala
Order: Rice and three curry: pilau plus chana, saag and a meat curry.
Tip: Open 12:00-19:00 weekdays; takeaway queue moves fast at lunch.