Eccles ★ 4.0
Eccles in Salford, four miles west of Manchester. James Birch sold the first commercial Eccles cake here in 1793 at Vicarage Road; pastry survived to today.
More food day trips in Manchester
Altrincham ★ 4.5
Altrincham, thirty-five minutes south-west of Manchester by tram. Altrincham Market Hall was the model for Mackie Mayor; eighteen traders, communal seating.
Glossop ★ 4.4
Glossop, forty minutes east of Manchester by train into the Peak District foothills. Almanac on High Street West holds Michelin's 2026 Bib Gourmand award.
Knutsford ★ 4.2
Knutsford, thirty-five minutes south of Manchester in Cheshire's affluent belt. Tatton Park nearby; King's Coffee House and Lord Eldon serve lunch crowds.
Chester ★ 4.4
Chester, an hour south-west of Manchester by direct train. Gary Usher's Sticky Walnut is the city's bistro flagship; Covino runs the wine room next door.
Prestwich ★ 4.3
Prestwich, three miles north of Manchester. The Bury New Road strip has reinvented itself around Cuckoo natural-wine bar and a row of small independent kitchens.