The best lunch in Manchester

A Mancunian crowd-pleaser, Bundobust brings together Indian street food and craft beers in dynamic environments. The venue features communal seating, a well-stocked bar with an array of beers, and industrial-themed decor. Whether you're in the mood for light bites like parathas, heartier options like dhal or vada pav, or a mix of delicious dishes, you'll find plenty to tide you over for lunch.

One of Manchester top sandwich shops, this eatery occupies a corner spot in the Northern Quarter and is run by no-nonsense women. It's a stand-and-order establishment: place your order on one side and collect your sandwich on the other. With an extensive selection of sandwiches available, it's common to see queues of hungry punters forming around lunchtime here.

Piccolino operates a collection of modern dining establishments across various UK cities, including multiple locations in Manchester and the surrounding area. Offering traditional Italian fare, their menu includes a range of familiar Italian delicacies, encompassing antipasti, risottos, pizzas, pasta dishes, and more. At lunchtime, you can choose between two or three courses of Italian classics such as risotto or spaghetti carbonara.

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese is renowned for its signature grilled cheese sandwiches, made with sourdough and a signature three-cheese blend. You can customise your sandwich with different fillings or add comforting sides such as mac 'n' cheese or fried pickles. The bright yellow venue with a down-to-earth vibe is often busy and offers seating both inside and out. When it comes to lunch in Manchester, this is definitely on the indulgent, filling end of things.

Situated in a magnificent historic building in the heart of the city, The Fountain House is an elegant gastropub featuring beautiful decor and a terrace for alfresco dining. The kitchen serves a seasonally-inspired menu with international touches throughout the day, but it's the sarnies that make The Fountain House a popular choice for lunch in Manchester. You can choose between options such as chicken club, ciabatta steak stack, or grilled croque monsieur.

Federal, known for their expertise in Antipodean-style brunch, has several outlets throughout Manchester, offering an all-day menu brimming with brunch classics like smashed avocado on sourdough, French toast, and Turkish eggs, alongside a range of speciality coffees and cocktails. If you're after a more traditional lunch, go for one of the sandwiches on artisan ciabatta bread.

Hispi, nestled in a converted bank in Didsbury, is a cosy bistro acclaimed with two AA Rosettes for its simple yet elegant culinary style. Emphasising seasonal ingredients and accommodating various dietary needs, the restaurant features a relaxed setting with an upmarket feel to it. Lunch is a two or three-course affair here, with options such as confit duck leg, chicken schnitzel, or roasted hispi cabbage.

Crazy Pedro's lives up to its name with a lively and entertaining atmosphere, offering pizzas and cocktails in a space bursting with eclectic decor. Things get crazy with the menu as well, as you can choose from various non-traditional toppings on either a single slice or a whole pizza, and experiment with their unique cocktail selections. Crazy Pedro's is also famed for its cheap lunch deal, which includes two 16” slices and a soft drink or beer.

The Blues Kitchen embodies the essence of the lively dining culture of the Southeastern USA, where both cuisine and music nourish the soul. Live music is a fundamental aspect of the dining experience, featuring the house band playing genres like soul, blues, funk, and rock 'n' roll. During lunchtime, you can enjoy a varied menu of authentic Cajun BBQ fare, including cheap lunch specials such as burgers and sandwiches.

The popular Ezra & Gil cafés in Manchester offer an extensive all-day menu in a contemporary industrial setting. They serve all sorts of tasty dishes throughout the day, with their lunch menu kicking in at noon. You can choose from among lunch sandwiches, poke-style bowls, pasta dishes, salads, and more, accompanied by cocktails or soft drinks, as well as friendly service.

20 Stories, an elegant venue situated in the heart of Manchester on the 19th floor, boasts panoramic views of the city. Ideal for both dining and enjoying drinks with a scenic backdrop, this modern space is characterised by large windows and sophisticated decor. Considered one of the best restaurants in the city, 20 Stories serves a two- or three-course set lunch menu with mains such as pan-roasted chicken or ras el hanout tofu.

Frankie's is the city's go-to spot for indulgent comfort food, set in an environment filled with vibrant colours and motifs, including tributes to Frankie, the beloved family pet and the venue's namesake. Initially opened in 2018 with a focus on cheese toasties, the menu has since expanded to include a variety of options. Grab a meal deal for a quick, affordable, and satisfying lunch in the centre of Manchester.

Banyan is a bustling and energetic destination for dining and cocktails, adorned with grand floral displays and comfortable plush seating. Not only does it offer a varied all-day food menu featuring burgers, pies, and curries, but it also hosts cocktail masterclasses, bottomless brunches, and is available for private hire. Banyan's lunch options include hefty sandwiches served with fries.

Pieminister is a modern pie and mash shop featuring a contemporary design with exposed brickwork and natural hues. Choose from an array of gourmet pies served with mash and a variety of sides, catering to vegan and gluten-free preferences, including traditional pies or Mediterranean-inspired options with filo pastry. Additionally, they offer cold pies for takeaway, so that's lunch tomorrow sorted too.

Bill's, a well-known chain across the UK, is appreciated for its dependable offering of food and drinks. Its diverse all-day menu caters to various tastes, featuring a mix of classic meals and international favourites. This popular Manchester restaurant offers small plates and sharers to start your meal with before graduating to heftier dishes such as burgers, meatballs, or steak. A set lunch menu is available too.

Salt & Pepper first gained popularity on Manchester's pop-up scene and now has a permanent location featuring a cosy, contemporary design with booth seating and tiled floors. This eatery successfully blends Eastern and Western culinary styles, appealing to those looking for a meal that's both comforting and distinct yet reassuringly familiar. The menu includes a variety of mains, Chinese kebabs, and the option to create your own wrap.

El Gato Negro Tapas, an award-winning tapas restaurant in a multi-level townhouse, is renowned not just for its exquisite Spanish cuisine but also for its stylish decor, featuring a roof terrace with a retractable sunroof, chef's table seating, and vibrant, plant-filled spaces with large windows overlooking the city. Pick and choose from the various tapas for an authentic Spanish lunch. A three-tapas lunch offer is available as well.

Hawksmoor is a top choice for meat-eaters, renowned for being among the best steakhouses around. Set in a restored Victorian courthouse, the Manchester branch's decor features reclaimed materials from that period. The restaurant is a popular choice for lunch, serving not just its full à la carte of premium cuts and seafood, but also an array of lunch specials such as beefsteak pudding or flat iron steak with Café de Paris butter, as well as an express lunch set menu.

The Hip Hop Chip Shop in Ancoats offers a unique blend of classic British cuisine and urban flair. One of the nation's best chippies, the shop boasts a relaxed, vintage atmosphere, enhanced by its funky decor and hip hop music, and specialises in gourmet versions of traditional fish and chips. They offer a cheap lunch deal on select days, including chips, a wrap or butty, and mushy peas, gravy, or curry.

Mackie Mayor is the Northern Quarter's effortlessly cool food court, housed in a historic market hall. Thanks to its location and casual, social vibe, it's a great choice for meeting friends over lunch. The wide variety of on-site food vendors means everyone can find something to their liking here, and you won't soon get bored of the food even if you keep coming back frequently.

Ad Maiora tells the tale of a couple who left their careers to pursue their passion for making sandwiches in their apartment, much to Manchester's delight. Their sandwiches are crafted with schiacciata, an Italian flatbread, and filled with genuine ingredients like Parma ham, pesto, or 'nduja. They're also massive – don't be surprised if you skip dinner after having the 1kg Beast for lunch.

The Green Lab is a health and wellness café emphasising sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. Adorned with fairy lights, potted plants, artwork by local artists, and long wooden benches, the welcoming space focuses on nutritious meals and homemade juices. Patrons can create their own nourishing bowls, selecting bases, fillers, and proteins, or opt for one of the pre-designed ones.

The acclaimed Mana is set in a spacious, cathedral-esque modern setting in Ancoats, designed so that every diner can see the kitchen. The restaurant's contemporary British cuisine combines intense flavours and subtle textures through techniques like fermentation and live-fire cooking. Serving lunch and dinner, their set menus are complemented by a meticulously chosen range of both new and old world wines.

Rosa's Thai is a laid-back dining outlet and a familiar sight around the UK. This casual eatery blends British ingredients with genuine Thai recipes, serving popular dishes such as sweetcorn fritters, pad Thai, and various curries. The Manchester restaurant is situated in a Grade II-listed building with a sleek and modern interior. Their weekday express lunch menu is ideal for anyone in a hurry.

Popular Argentinian steakhouse group Gaucho is one of the top lunch spots in Manchester thanks to its set lunch menu. Choose between two or three courses, including premium steak served with chips or seasonal salad and your choice of sauce. Set within a strikingly renovated church, this steakhouse boasts a chic and bold ambience. Private dining is available here as well.

The Refuge is one of Manchester's most distinguished venues, boasting an elegant, glamorously-decorated space featuring golden accents, tiled floors, and Art Deco elements, as well as a stylish winter garden. With a menu that includes everything from casual small plates to international mains, and a drink selection spanning international wines, non-alcoholic options, and inventive house cocktails, The Refuge is a prime spot for both casual and celebratory occasions. A set lunch menu is served as well.

The Foundry Project in Manchester, set in a repurposed warehouse exuding industrial chic, epitomises contemporary urban style. Its relaxed yet fashionable atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for trend-savvy crowds. Offering an array of fashionable cocktails and tempting dishes, the menu is as visually appealing as it is tasty, making it an excellent choice for social gatherings with friends or a memorable lunch date.

This & That, a humble family-operated curry café since 1984, is tucked away on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter. Renowned for its homemade dishes crafted from freshly-ground whole spices for maximum flavour, the café offers a compact, straightforward menu with varying daily specials like chicken tikka masala, lamb and spinach, and mixed vegetable dishes.