Cheap Eats in Manchester

This and That ★ 4.8

northern-quarter · 3 Soap Street, Manchester M4 1EW

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.

Tip: Open 12:00-19:00 weekdays; takeaway queue moves fast at lunch.

Pollen Bakery ★ 4.8

ancoats · Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester M4 6FQ

Sunday Times-listed Ancoats bakery cafe in Manchester by the marina. Sourdough loaves, viennoiserie, custom espresso blend, brunch plates daily Wed-Sun.

This and That ★ 4.8

northern-quarter · 3 Soap Street, Manchester M4 1EW

Manchester's original rice-and-three canteen on Soap Street since 1984. Pilau plus three curries from the heated counter, under a tenner for the lot.

Lily's Vegetarian Indian ★ 4.8

rusholme · 85 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF

Greater Manchester's family-run pure-vegetarian Indian institution. Gujarati thali under fifteen pounds, dosa under ten; the Sachdev family runs the room.

Pollen Bakery ★ 4.7

ancoats · Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester M4 6FQ

Sunday Times-listed Manchester bakery by Ancoats Marina, baking sourdough loaves and laminated pastries. The cinnamon morning bun is the menu's calling card.

Ezra & Gil ★ 4.7

northern-quarter · 20 Hilton Street, Manchester M1 1FR

Open since 2014, the Hilton Street original is Manchester's Northern Quarter brunch room locals queue for. Communal tables, Cornish-roasted coffee daily.

Mackie Mayor ★ 4.7

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Smithfield Market hall in Manchester, restored 2017. Vendors: Honest Crust pizza, Tender Cow burgers, Pico's tacos, New Wave Ramen, Reserve wines.

Rudy's Pizza ★ 4.7

ancoats · 9 Cotton Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BF

Manchester's Cotton Street Neapolitan pizzeria. Margherita seven pounds fifty, marinara six fifty; AVPN-approved Neapolitan dough, sixty-second wood oven.

This and That ★ 4.6

northern-quarter · 3 Soap Street, Manchester M4 1EW

Family-run Indian cafe since 1984, on Soap Street behind the Arndale. Rice-and-three counter, canteen-style, still under ten pounds a plate.

Tip: Open 12:00-19:00 weekdays; takeaway queue moves fast at lunch.

Companio Bakery ★ 4.6

ancoats · 35 Radium Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AD

Ancoats bakery in Manchester run by Baneta Yelda and Neil Large; cardamom buns and pizza doughs filled with cheese. Open wed-sat 08:00-14:00.

Federal Cafe and Bar ★ 4.6

northern-quarter · 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester M4 1EY

Australian-style cafe in Manchester's Northern Quarter, packed from 09:00 daily. Banana bread, whipped ricotta, single-origin filter, Antipodean menu.

This and That ★ 4.6

northern-quarter · 3 Soap Street, Manchester M4 1EW

Manchester's original rice-and-three canteen on Soap Street since 1984. Pilau plus three curries served from the heated counter, under a tenner the lot.

Mughli ★ 4.6

rusholme · 30 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 5TQ

Manchester Curry Mile classic since 1991. Charcoal lamb chops, tandoori platters and naan; main plates between ten and fifteen pounds, late-night kitchen.

Bundobust ★ 4.6

northern-quarter · 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AQ

Manchester all-vegetarian Indian beer hall on Piccadilly. Vada pav, okra fries, dahl and bhel puri; most plates between five and nine pounds, beers on tap.

Long Boi's Bakehouse ★ 4.5

levenshulme · 40 Forest Range, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2HP

Old corner-shop bakehouse on a leafy Forest Range corner in Levenshulme, founded by an ex-Pollen baker. At 40 Forest Range. Booking recommended.

Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens ★ 4.5

northern-quarter · Angel Gardens, 1 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4GE

Pot Kettle Black's NOMA outpost on the ground floor of Angel Gardens, opened 2021. Located in Northern Quarter. Order the pour-over single-origin.

GRUB Mayfield ★ 4.5

deansgate · Baring Street, Manchester M1 2PY

Rotating Manchester street-food fair at the Mayfield depot. Pizza, burgers, Vietnamese banh mi, dumplings, vegan; vendor lineup changes each weekend.

Mughli Charcoal Pit ★ 4.5

rusholme · 30 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 5TQ

Curry Mile Manchester institution since 1991. The focal charcoal pit produces lamb chops, paneer and chicken tikka the crowd orders by the platter daily.

Hello Oriental ★ 4.5

deansgate · South Pavilion, 2 Symphony Park, Circle Square, Manchester M1 7FS

Three-floor pan-Asian food hall on Oxford Road's Circle Square. Vietnamese pho counter, Cantonese roast counter, dim sum bar, Chinese bakery and Korean fried.

Long Boi's Bakehouse ★ 4.5

levenshulme · 40 Forest Range, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2HP

Levenshulme corner-shop bakehouse on Forest Range from an ex-Pollen baker. Cardamom buns, sourdough toasties, savoury bakes, almost everything under a tenner.

Federal Cafe ★ 4.5

northern-quarter · 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester M4 1EY

Manchester's Nicholas Croft Australian-style brunch room. Banana bread with ricotta, eggs benedict, Turkish eggs; most plates between ten and fourteen pounds.

Siop Shop ★ 4.4

northern-quarter · 53 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LS

Welsh-influenced bakery cafe on Tib Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Pic-niq sausage rolls, bara brith, brunch plates and excellent espresso daily.

Hello Oriental ★ 4.4

deansgate · South Pavilion, 2 Symphony Park, Circle Square, Manchester M1 7FS

Three-floor East Asian street-food hall under Symphony Park at Circle Square, off Oxford Road. Vietnamese pho counter, Cantonese roasts, dim sum bar.

Honest Crust ★ 4.4

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Sourdough pizza stall inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor hall. Forty-eight-hour ferment, wood-fired oven, the queue is the longest in the room at lunch.

Mei Dim ★ 4.4

chinatown · 45-47 Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4EE

Manchester Chinatown's basement dim sum room. Har gow, siu mai, char siu pork buns, chiu chow dumplings; most plates between three and six pounds.

Lily Vanilli at Mackie Mayor ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Pastry counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor food hall. Daily-changing tarts, slices and seasonal sweets, the lemon tart is the regulars' first order.

Idle Hands ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · 35 Dale Street, Manchester M1 2HF

Cosy speciality coffee shop on Dale Street, Manchester, serving coffee, natural wine and freshly baked pies. Loyal local crowd, communal tables daily.

Chilli B Thai ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Thai street-food counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor food hall. Green and red curries, pad thai and salads to take home; the queue is short on weekdays.

New Wave Ramen ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Ramen counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor hall. Tonkotsu and shio ramen, takoyaki and bao buns; steam from the pots fills the room daily.

Pico's at Mackie Mayor ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Mexican counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor hall. Soft corn tortillas pressed in-house, three filling options on rotation, agua fresca jugs by the door.

Purezza ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · 75-77 High Street, Manchester M4 1FS

Northern Quarter outpost of the UK's first 100% plant-based pizzeria. At 75-77 High Street. Reservations advised. A neighbourhood favourite.

Wholesome Junkies ★ 4.3

northern-quarter · New Century Kitchen, 34 Hanover Street, Manchester M4 4AH

100% plant-based junk-food kitchen on Turner Street, slotted into the Hinterland Bar space. Truffle burgers, loaded kimchi fries, vegan shakes.

Chapter One Books ★ 4.2

northern-quarter · Unit 1 Chatsworth House, 19 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1BY

Independent bookshop-cafe on Lever Street in the Northern Quarter. Speciality coffee, quirky reads, author events and intimate performances.

Honest Crust at Mackie Mayor ★ 4.2

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Manchester sourdough-pizza counter inside Mackie Mayor. Margherita at twelve pounds, specials with seasonal toppings around fourteen, communal hall seating.

Siop Shop ★ 4.2

northern-quarter · 53 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LS

Tib Street Welsh-influenced bakery cafe in Manchester. Pic-niq sausage rolls around five pounds, brunch plates under nine; tiny room, walk-in seating only.

Ancoats Coffee Co ★ 4.1

ancoats · Royal Mills, Redhill Street, Manchester M4 5BA

Royal Mills roastery cafe in Manchester's Ancoats district. Single-origin beans from Ethiopia and Colombia; the on-site cafe pours filter and espresso.

Pico's at Mackie Mayor ★ 4.1

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Mexican counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor. Three tacos around eleven pounds; soft corn tortillas pressed in-house, three filling options on rotation.

New Wave Ramen ★ 4.1

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Ramen counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor. Tonkotsu and shio bowls around twelve pounds, takoyaki five, bao buns four; steam fills the hall.

Eagle Street Coffee ★ 4.0

northern-quarter · 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU

Coffee counter inside Manchester's Mackie Mayor food hall. Atkinsons of Lancaster beans, communal tables outside the kitchen, filter pour-over daily.

Common ★ 4.0

northern-quarter · 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW

Manchester's Edge Street craft beer pub on the Northern Quarter. Reuben sandwich twelve pounds, hot toasties and grilled cheese under fifteen, pints from £5.