The Black Friar is a british pub and dining restaurant in Salford, Manchester.
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 dishes: Sunday roast, Pub classics
Must 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.
Address: 41-43 Blackfriars Road, Salford M3 7DB, Manchester
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.
Edge Street stalwart in Manchester's Northern Quarter since 2009. Pub plates, craft beer, chalkboard of guest taps. The reuben is the signature plate.
Signature: Reuben sandwich, Grilled-cheese
Order: The reuben on rye; a pint of whatever Pomona Island sent that week.
Tip: Walk-in only; the back room has the booths for groups of four to eight diners.
Thomas Street pizzeria in Manchester's Northern Quarter, dough fermented seventy-two hours, AVPN-approved Neapolitan crust from the Liverpool team.
Signature: Margherita, Nduja and stracciatella
Order: The margherita first; the Nduja with stracciatella second.
Tip: Two-for-twenty Mondays are the value play; lunchtime slots take walk-in customers without a queue.
Family-run Canarian-Spanish restaurant on Ridgefield off Deansgate, in the heart of Spinningfields. Tapas counter, seven-course tasting at the chef's table, all-Spanish wine list.
Signature: Iberico pork pluma, Canarian wrinkled potatoes with mojo
Order: Iberico pluma; papas arrugadas with red and green mojo.
Tip: Book the kitchen table for the seven-course tasting; bar walk-ins fine for tapas.
