Mentioned by I Love Manchester
Top Manchester taprooms: where to get some of the best beer in the city
"Beer District sell a huge range of over 400 craft ales as well as artisan, small batch whiskeys, gins and vodkas. Forest Gin, for example, is an award winning spirit, distilled in small batches at the their distillery next to Macclesfield Forest and Elements of Islay is a range of single malt whiskies made as single casks or as individual batches from the island of Islay in Scotland – just a few of the specialities you’ll find in store. The gift boxes holding 6 bottles of ale are ideal for Dad or brother as a pressie, or, if you’re not sure what to get, they sell gift vouchers."
"Unusually colourful (its orange banquettes and Perspex back-bar give it a look of a 1980s Top of the Pops set), this Dale Street tap-house serves a mix of quality guest beers (Wild Beer, Mikeller, Burning Sky), and Beatnikz’ hop-forward brews, such as I Smash Citra and Generation IPA. The weekday cask ale deals are notable (recently pie ‘n’ a pint £5, Mon/Tues), as is Beatnikz’s ability to bag high-profile guests for its meet-the-brewer events. For instance Arbor Ales and US star Modern Times. Pint from £3.70, beatnikzrepublic.com"
"Beatnikz microbrewery is located in a railway arch in the Green Quarter, and their taproom used to be too. But they closed it last year and moved to a shiny new bar in the Northern Quarter where they’ve just introduced a beer slushie machine. Head in to enjoy their core range of beers."
"This small shop on buzzy Tib Street is jam-packed with bottles, cans and kegs of beers from Manchester, as well as from the UK and across the globe. Brews from the inner city include neon-packaged Runaway Brewery (smoked porter, summer saison, American brown ale), Track Brewing Co. (visit its weekly brew tap events under the arches of Picadilly), and Cloudwater, which has gained a global reputation for itself over the past few of years. The friendly staff sure know their porters from their DIPAs, so make sure you pick their brains."
"Based in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Beermoth is a unique brewery compared to the others on this list as this one has two shops. One in the Northern Quarter and the other in Manchester city centre. The shop in the city centre is a belgian-style beer cafe which offers beer, food, coffee in a relaxing environment."
"Although situated just outside of Manchester city centre, on Wilmslow Road, this restaurant definitely deserves a mention on this list. Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen offers so much more choice than your usual vegetarian restaurant. With veggie prawns, beef, and even duck, this restaurant has gone all the way with creating the perfect Asian dishes with bursts of flavour all suitable for all palettes."
"For those seeking vegetarian and vegan options, Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen is the perfect venue. Not only does this restaurant avoid using garlic, onion and leeks, it also caters to any sort of dietary requirements customers might have. The owners are a couple from Hong Kong who want to introduce healthier meal choices to the community."
"Situated in the new financial district of Manchester, a few minutes stroll away from Deansgate, Zizzi Italian restaurant in Spinningfields offers some of the finest al fresco dining in Manchester, with views overlooking the River Irwell."
"Situated on Oldham Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Fig + Sparrow’s café has proven so popular that their dining space has recently expanded, taking over the area that used to be populated with gifts. There are still a few small gift ideas and a selection of stylish cards and gift wrap to peruse as you indulge in a delicious cup of coffee out of one of their instantly recognisable red and yellow cups. To secure the perfect photo, take the window seat to shoot your steaming brew against the fogged up glass."
"Half hip café, half hip design store, Fig + Sparrow may have only been around for a few years compared to the Northern Quarter heavyweights that surround it, but it’s one of Oldham Street’s most beloved stores. In summer, the crowded outdoor tables may lull you into thinking that it is simply a café, but inside you will discover a myriad of carefully selected items for your home or for gifts. It’s also one of the best places in the area to find greetings cards and wrapping paper."
"Another city centre spot perfect for working in, Fig + Sparrow is incredibly warm and welcoming, with some outdoor seating allowing guests to take in the hustle and bustle of city life. Serving up top-quality coffee that they sourced from the North East, Fig + Sparrow also sells gifts and design products, too – a great little touch to the cosy independent cafe. Fig + Sparrow, 20 Oldham St, M1 1JA."
"Seed & Cherry in the trendy Northern Quarter offers a unique artisan coffee experience. Alongside this, you can enjoy breakfast or brunch which includes a variety of healthy and creative recipes served as small plates. Its unique menu means you can try a variety of European and Mediterranean style savoury brunch dishes and still have room for its famous French toast."
"This Didsbury pizza place had already proove-d itself on the classic pizza front but has recently really stepped up its vegan game too. Not content with a token ‘vegan cheese optional’ footnote, instead a whole menu of vegan pizzas ‘designed by vegans for vegans’ has joined the party. Choose from nine pizzas from the basic Margherita to wildcards like the Art-Beet with basil, beetroot and artichokes or La Contadina with green pea base, sauteed cabbage, capers, vegan Mozzarella and pistachios."