Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best lunch spots in Manchester. The city is home to all sorts of lunch restaurants, from grab-and-go sandwich shops and budget-friendly curry houses to lavish dining destinations for languorous lunches. Whether you're looking for a quick mid-work pick-me-up, a romantic restaurant for a lunch date, or a place to meet with all your friends, you'll find the right place here. Scroll down to explore Manchester's varied lunch scene, with our guide to where to go for lunch highlighting the top spots in the city.
The best lunch in Manchester
In this guide
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Where to go for lunch in Manchester
- Bundobust – Popular lunchtime option
- Rustica – For an affordable lunch on the go
- Piccolino – Classic Italian lunch in Manchester
- Northern Soul – Lively American diner
- The Fountain House – Gastropub lunch in Manchester City Centre
- Federal – Aussie-style (br/l)unch cafés
- Hispi – Award-winning bistro lunch in Didsbury
- Crazy Pedro's – Crazy pizza lunch deal
- Australasia – Trendy lunch restaurant in Manchester
- The Blues Kitchen – Lunch in the Deep South
- Ezra & Gil – Ample lunchtime options
- 20 Stories – Lunch high above Manchester
- Frankie's – Manchester's legendary toastie spot
- Banyan – Dynamic lunch restaurant and cocktail bar
- Pieminister – Can't beat a classic
- Bill's – Reliable lunch restaurant across the UK
- Salt & Pepper – Where East meets West
- El Gato Negro Tapas – An authentic tapas lunch in Manchester
- What The Pitta – Plant-based lunch wraps
- Hawksmoor – Lunch to sink your teeth into
- The Hip Hop Chip Shop – Cheap and cheerful lunch in Ancoats
- Mackie Mayor – Trendy food hall
- Ad Maiora – Massive Italian sandwiches
- The Green Lab – A healthy lunch break
- Mana – The only Michelin-starred lunch in Manchester
- Rosa's Thai – When you don't have much Thai-me for lunch
- Gaucho – Argentinian steak for lunch
- The Refuge – Elegant lunch spot with beautiful interior
- Foundry Project – Chill lunch restaurant in the city centre
- This & That – Manchester's beloved curry house
Where to go for lunch in Manchester
Manchester's best lunch restaurants
Popular lunchtime option
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.
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61 Piccadilly, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester City CentreBundobust Piccadilly
61 Piccadilly, Manchester City Centre/Northern QuarterBundobust Brewery
61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre -
Bundobust Piccadilly
bundobust.com/locations/manchesterBundobust Brewery
bundobust.com/locations/bundobust-breweryBundobust Piccadilly
016-135 967 57Bundobust Brewery
016-151 186 01 -
Bundobust Piccadilly Bundobust Brewery
For an affordable lunch on the go
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.
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Hilton House, 1 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- 016-183 538 50
- Read more on Thatsup
Classic Italian lunch in Manchester
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.
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8 Clarence Street, Manchester City Centre 214-215 Ashley Rd 207 Moss Ln 6 Lapwing LnPiccolino Caffé Grande
8 Clarence Street, Manchester City CentrePiccolino Hale
214-215 Ashley RdPiccolino Bramhall
207 Moss LnPiccolino Didsbury
6 Lapwing Ln -
Piccolino Caffé Grande
piccolinorestaurants.com/our-restaurants/manchesterPiccolino Hale
piccolinorestaurants.com/our-restaurants/halePiccolino Bramhall
piccolinorestaurants.com/our-restaurants/bramhallPiccolino Didsbury
piccolinorestaurants.com/our-restaurants/didsburyPiccolino Caffé Grande
016-183 598 60Piccolino Hale
016-192 895 00Piccolino Bramhall
016-143 982 98Piccolino Didsbury
016-143 475 24 -
Piccolino Caffé Grande Piccolino Hale Piccolino Bramhall Piccolino Didsbury
Lively American diner
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.
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Unit G20, 21, Smithfield Buildings, 44 Tib St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- Website • 016-183 270 26
- Read more on Thatsup
Gastropub lunch in Manchester City Centre
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.
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14 Albert Square, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-183 418 66
- Read more on Thatsup
Aussie-style (br/l)unch cafés
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.
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9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester City Centre 194 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/SpinningfieldsFederal Northern Quarter
9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre/Northern QuarterFederal Oxford Road
Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester City CentreFederal Deansgate
194 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields -
Federal Oxford Road
federalcafe.co.ukFederal Deansgate
federalcafe.co.ukFederal Northern Quarter
federalcafe.co.ukFederal Oxford Road
016-197 466 10Federal Deansgate
016-183 308 90Federal Northern Quarter
016-142 509 74 -
Federal Oxford Road Federal Deansgate Federal Northern Quarter
Award-winning bistro lunch in Didsbury
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.
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1C School Ln, Didsbury, Didsbury
- Website • 016-144 539 96
- Read more on Thatsup
Crazy pizza lunch deal
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.
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1 Short Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 55-57 Bridge St, Manchester City CentreCrazy Pedro's NQ
1 Short Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern QuarterCrazy Pedro's Bridge Street
55-57 Bridge St, Manchester City Centre -
Crazy Pedro's NQ
crazypedros.co.uk/crazy-pedros-pizza-parlour-nqCrazy Pedro's Bridge Street
crazypedros.co.uk/manchesterCrazy Pedro's NQ
016-135 930 00Crazy Pedro's Bridge Street
016-135 930 00 -
Crazy Pedro's NQ Crazy Pedro's Bridge Street
Trendy lunch restaurant in Manchester
Australasia in Spinningfields is a chic restaurant known for its Australian cuisine with Indonesian and Japanese influences. The sophisticated decor, featuring natural hues, intimate lighting, and tree branch installations, creates a serene ambience. One of Manchester's most popular restaurants serves a weekday lunch menu with options such as pork wontons, lemongrass chicken skewers, or tempura squid. You can add a mixed sushi board as well.
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1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields
- Website • 016-183 102 88
- Read more on Thatsup
Lunch in the Deep South
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.
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13 Quay St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-182 363 43
- Read more on Thatsup
Ample lunchtime options
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.
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20 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 49 Peter St, Manchester City CentreEzra & Gil Hilton Street
20 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern QuarterEzra & Gil Peter Street
49 Peter St, Manchester City Centre -
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
ezraandgil.co.ukEzra & Gil Peter Street
ezraandgil.co.uk -
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street
Lunch high above Manchester
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.
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No.1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Street, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields
- Website • 016-120 433 33
- Read more on Thatsup
Manchester's legendary toastie spot
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.
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98A Portland St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-175 800 00
- Read more on Thatsup
Dynamic lunch restaurant and cocktail bar
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.
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Corn Exchange, Exchange Sq, Manchester City Centre Vantage Point, Manchester City Centre/SpinningfieldsBanyan Corn Exchange
Corn Exchange, Exchange Sq, Manchester City CentreBanyan Spinningfields
Vantage Point, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields -
Banyan Corn Exchange
banyanbar.co.uk/bars/corn-exchangeBanyan Spinningfields
banyanbar.co.uk/bars/spinningfieldsBanyan Corn Exchange
016-183 247 98Banyan Spinningfields
016-153 767 20 -
Banyan Corn Exchange Banyan Spinningfields
Can't beat a classic
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.
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198 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields 53 Church St, Manchester City Centre/Northern QuarterPieminister Deansgate
198 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/SpinningfieldsPieminister Church Street
53 Church St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter -
Pieminister Deansgate
pieminister.co.uk/restaurants/deansgatePieminister Church Street
pieminister.co.uk/restaurants/church-streetPieminister Deansgate
016-185 098 60Pieminister Church Street
016-181 912 79 -
Pieminister Deansgate Pieminister Church Street
Reliable lunch restaurant across the UK
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.
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3 Hardman Square, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields 112 The Trafford CentreBill's Spinningfields
3 Hardman Square, Manchester City Centre/SpinningfieldsBill's Trafford Centre
112 The Trafford Centre -
Bill's Spinningfields
bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/manchesterBill's Trafford Centre
bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/traffordBill's Spinningfields
020-805 454 00Bill's Trafford Centre
020-805 454 00 -
Bill's Spinningfields Bill's Trafford Centre
Where East meets West
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.
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60-62 High St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- Read more on Thatsup
An authentic tapas lunch in Manchester
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.
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52 King St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-169 485 85
- Read more on Thatsup
Plant-based lunch wraps
If you're following a plant-based diet, What The Pitta in the Northern Quarter offers the perfect spot to enjoy a succulent wrap for lunch. With its trendy exterior adorned with street art and a welcoming atmosphere inside, this contemporary restaurant specialises in vegan versions of classic kebabs, gyros, and mezze boxes, all whilst emphasising the importance of sustainability.
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42 Back Turner St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- Website • 016-183 529 34
- Read more on Thatsup
Lunch to sink your teeth into
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.
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184-186 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-183 669 80
- Read more on Thatsup
Cheap and cheerful lunch in Ancoats
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.
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44 Blossom St, Ancoats, Ancoats
- Website • 016-153 634 65
- Read more on Thatsup
Trendy food hall
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.
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Smithfield Market Hall, 1 Eagle St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- 016-111 111 11
- Read more on Thatsup
Massive Italian sandwiches
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.
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Kargo MKT, Quays, Salford 23 Radium St, Ancoats, AncoatsAd Maiora MediaCity
Kargo MKT, Quays, SalfordAd Maiora Ancoats
23 Radium St, Ancoats, Ancoats - 074-591 912 97
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Ad Maiora MediaCity Ad Maiora Ancoats
A healthy lunch break
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.
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32-34 Dale St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- Website • 073-652 289 62
- Read more on Thatsup
The only Michelin-starred lunch in Manchester
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.
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42 Blossom Street, Ancoats
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
When you don't have much Thai-me for lunch
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.
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184 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields
- Website • 016-146 431 97
- Read more on Thatsup
Argentinian steak for lunch
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.
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2A St Mary's St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-183 343 33
- Read more on Thatsup
Elegant lunch spot with beautiful interior
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.
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Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-123 351 51
- Read more on Thatsup
Chill lunch restaurant in the city centre
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.
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Market Square, Thomas St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- Website • 016-183 971 95
- Read more on Thatsup
Manchester's beloved curry house
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.
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3 Soap St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- Website • 016-183 249 71
- Read more on Thatsup