Step out of your front door and within minutes you could be enjoying African, Pakistani, Hawaiian or Caribbean cuisines and that’s just to name a few.
Some wonderful, some maybe a little weird for the quintessentially British pallet, but you’ve got to try everything once, right? My favourite thing about this city is that you can eat from a different country every night of the year and still have room left for dessert.
And then once you’ve done that, go and sample some ridiculously great mixology with themes you just never thought could work.
Zouk
There’s plenty of traditional Punjab cuisine on the menu at Zouk, and all of it is delicious. Aiming for the much more unusual vibes though are their dishes of Sheep’s Trotters (Paya) and Sheep’s Brain (Magaz). The brain is pan-fried with onions, tomatoes and green chillies – perhaps worth a try?!
Zouk, 5, The Quadrangle, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5QS
zoukteabar.co.uk
Cane and Grain
Two words: Spam Fries. Say. No. More.
49 – 51 Thomas Street, Northern Quarter Manchester, M4 1NA
caneandgrain.co.uk
Oké Poké
Having never sampled Hawaiian food before, Oké Poké in the Northern Quarter is a great little place to give it a go for the first time. So what’s a Hawaiian delicacy? Well Poke of course. Typically raw fish, mango with great sauce (soy, ginger and garlic) and veg, a big Poke bowl will set you back £8, but it’s worth the price- filling and uber healthy.
Oké Poké, 59 Church St, Manchester M4 1PD
okepoke.co.uk
BAB
When BAB burst on the scenes we were ready for it. The concept is something we didn’t know we needed. But my god did we. There are few things better than kebabs. But make them proper and actually really delicious and they do get better. Well, BAB has been experimenting with all sorts of flavours, we’re talking bacon popcorn, ouzo mussels and even a Swordfish Souvlaki. Who knew you needed a Swordfish kebab?
Bab, 14 Little Lever Street, Manchester M1 1HR
babnq.co.uk
Armenian Taverna
For all things Arman and Arusyak, Armenian Taverna has everything to suit the taste buds. An assorted pickle starter, black caviar, Pacsus Dolma (marinated cabbage stuffed with granule vegetables) washed down with cognac? You’ll be smacking your lips all night long.
Armenian Taverna, 3-5 Princess St, Manchester M2 4DF
www.armeniantaverna.co.uk
MOJO
Serving up probably the biggest night out you can remember (or maybe not as the case may be). Well, they offer up a pretty wacky wing selection. You can get 5 double wings for £5.95, why not top them with peanut butter and strawberry jam? Or go all out and get apple pie chicken wings. Why the hell not?!
MOJO, 59A Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BQ
mojobar.co.uk
Donut Burger at Reds True BBQ
Yes, that’s right, this burger is exactly what you’d expect it to be – lovely meat and cheese sandwiched between a couple of sweet, sweet donuts. Actually, it was a favourite of Luther Vandross who may or may not have invented it himself. A true unique US culinary delight.
Reds True BBQ, 22 Lloyd St, Manchester M2 5WA
https://truebarbecue.com/manchester/
Roots
Who wants traditional turkey dinner for Christmas when you can have a Curry Goat Medley served with kachumbari and plantain! Step aside spotted dick or jam roly poly for pudding, welcome grilled pineapple with ice cream and rum cream sauce. For bold flavoured foods from African origin, Roots is the place to go.
Roots Restaurant, 518 Hyde Rd, Manchester M18 7AA
www.rootsrestaurants.co.uk
Umezushi
Anyone who has had the displeasure of standing on a Sea Urchin in the sea in Greece will probably not bat an eyelid if the spiky buggers just all died out. Unfortunately, if this was so, us humans would miss out on a true delicacy – one which Umezushi proudly serve up for your eating pleasure.
Umezushi, 4, Mirabel St, Manchester M3 1PJ
www.umezushi.co.uk
Bem Brasil
What’s not to love about meat, meat and more meat being paraded around you until you physically have to tell the waiter, stop please I’m having palpitations? So when that happens, why not try cinnamon covered roasted pineapple? Delicious. Skewers of chicken hearts or beef skirt? Even more delicious. And every cut of meat you could possibly dream of, on a stick. Fantastic.
King St W, Manchester M3 2GQ
58 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FJ
www.bembrasilrestaurants.com
Tender Cow in Mackie Mayor
Newly opened Mackie Mayor is home to Tender Cow who most people probably know from Altrincham Market and their fantastic meaty dishes. One such dish is their Ox Tail on toast (with smoked ewes cheese and horseradish) which I’ve been told is truly fantastic and worth the visit alone.
Mowgli
The menu in Mowgli is truly to die for. Bringing traditional Indian food for an extremely affordable price, they offer cuisines such as Calcutta Cabbage Triangle and Himalayan Cheese Toast. For an amazing creative kick, try their curry leaf laden whiskey cocktails and you’ll forget you’re in freezing cold Manchester.
Mowgli, 16, Corn Exchange House, 37 Exchange St, Manchester M4 3TR
www.mowglistreetfood.com
Allotment
You can literally drink a garden and garden furniture in this wonderful little bar in NQ. There is a section of their menu devoted to Rosemary and Thyme flavoured cocktails because herbs are just so damn tasty with booze. Enjoy cocktails drank out of watering cans, it’s just great.
Allotment, 24 Dale St, Manchester M1 1FY
allotmentbar.co.uk
Yang Sing
You can always rely on the Chinese to serve up something that would make us Brits squirm, and Yang Sing are unapologetic in their desire to provide us with more ‘traditional’ Chinese dishes that you won’t find elsewhere. One such dish is their Braised Goose Web and Sea Cucumber in an oyster sauce which, if you Google any of those things, will certainly make you re-consider ordering the dish.
Yang Sing, 34 Princess St, Manchester M1 4JY
www.yang-sing.com
