Things to Do in Manchester

Coffee

The city has a thriving coffee scene, perhaps (maybe) directly connected to the number of product folks who now reside here, who knows!?  Either way, these are great spots to hit up:

• Takk, Northern Quarter.  Icelandic coffee bar, now an institution within the NQ.  Seriously good.
• North Tea Power, Northern Quarter.  Despite the name, this is another legendary coffee house.
• Foundation, Northern Quarter or Whitworth St.  Both of Foundation’s sites are superb for getting some sneaky work done, great co-working spaces as well as coffee options.

Breakfast

Similar to the coffee scene, the whole breakfast thing is really taking off too.  Some unmissable options include:

• Federal.  Quite simply the best breakfast you’ll ever likely to have.  Get there early.
• Gorilla.  Laid back, classic coffee, great eats.
• Ezra and Gil.  Super-friendly Northern Quarter eating option.  Literally cannot go wrong.
• Pollen.  Unspeakably good bakery and cafe.  If you’re around on Saturday morning, get there at opening time.

Dinner

Plenty of options here, some of our favourites are below but there are literally hundreds more we could add:

• Evelyn’s.  Proper neighbourhood restaurant with an interesting take on some classic dishes.  Highly recommended.
• Rudy’s.  It’s pizza and it’s done well.
• Lust, Luck, Liquor and Burn.  A little on the dirtier side of things, but hugely recommended for some pre, or indeed post, event prep/recovery.
• Mackie Mayor.  It’s a market setting with a whole heap of eating options combined in a stunning communal food hall.

Areas to Check Out

The city is growing – you’ll see that all over as you move around.  However, if you want to check out a couple of neighbourhoods…

• Northern Quarter.  It’s the bohemian side of the city with independent stores (get lost in Afflecks, for example), great eateries, plenty of bars and plenty of history to be found.
• Castlefield.  One of the more historic areas of the city and very much water-side.  You’ll find The Wharf pub where you can sit out and take in a great view of the canals set against the skyline of the city.
• Chorlton.  Slightly more bohemian in feel, but with a great swathe of bars and restaurants to explore.  And, for some green escapes, Chorlton Water Park.
• Didsbury.  Green and leafy, the up-market area of Disbury provides a tonne of charm coupled with great bars and eateries to explore.  Entirely possible to lose a day exploring everything it has to offer.
• Spinningfields.  Shiny – but with some quirks and very close to the river with plenty to explore, including the People’s History Museum, which is thoroughly recommended.