The best restaurants in the Northern Quarter

The best restaurants in the Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter in Manchester is the beating heart of cool in the city, buzzing with creative energy and uber-trendy restaurants. Its streets are lined with independent boutiques, trendy cafes and vibrant street art, creating an effortlessly stylish atmosphere where the cool kids hang out. From chic cafes serving up artisanal coffee and freshly baked pastries to hip restaurants dishing out innovative fusion cuisine, the Northern Quarter leaves no stone unturned when it comes to food. Here's our guide to the best restaurants in the Northern Quarter.

In this guide
  1. Restaurants in the Northern Quarter
    1. Evelyn's – Cool and stylish
    2. PLY – The ultimate hangout spot for day or night
    3. This & That – Simplicity meets flavour
    4. Ducie Street Warehouse – A social hub that ticks all the boxes
    5. Evuna – A taste of España
    6. Bab NQ – Middle Eastern dishes
    7. Trof – Chic and tasty
    8. TNQ – The best of British
    9. The Green Lab – All about nutrition
    10. Siop Shop – Sweet treats and coffee
    11. Mackie Mayor – Industrial-chic vibes
    12. Ramona – A stylish hangout
    13. Foundry Project – Industrial vibes
    14. Yard & Coop – For the chicken enthusiasts
    15. 63 Degrees – Parisian-style fare

Restaurants in the Northern Quarter

Evelyn's

Cool and stylish

Evelyn's Café Bar is a popular café and restaurant in the heart of the Northern Quarter. Their eclectic menu draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and Pan-Asian food, offering brunch classics by day and small plates by night, all cooked over a charcoal Inka grill and live fire. The vibe is effortlessly cool, with lush foliage, intimate candlelight evenings, and chic yet rustic furniture. Below, The Daisy, their snug Parisian Pigalle-inspired bar where local DJs spin tunes every weekend, awaits.

PLY

The ultimate hangout spot for day or night

PLY is the ultimate hotspot for night-time shenanigans in Manchester's lively Northern Quarter. By day, it's the place people come to get work done. But come the weekend, DJs spin tunes, and the energy ramps up. Here, you can feast on Micky's proper focaccia sandwiches brimming with diverse fillings, or tuck into some Deep South-style fried chicken and biscuits at Cardinal Rule. Wash it all down with classic drinks ranging from lager and wine to bubbly cocktails and refreshing soft drinks.

This & That

Simplicity meets flavour

This & That is a cherished family-run curry house on Soap Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Here, every dish is homemade and prepared with care, bursting with the rich smells of freshly-ground spices. Though small, the menu offers a wide selection of daily specials, from the classic chicken tikka masala to comforting lamb and spinach, along with mixed vegetable options.

Ducie Street Warehouse

A social hub that ticks all the boxes

Ducie Street Warehouse, situated on the border of Manchester's chic Northern Quarter, is a lively community spot that caters to every taste: a restaurant dishing out all kinds of tasty plates, like the ultimate Sunday roast and themed brunches, a café offering morning pastries and coffee for early risers, a cocktail bar where DJs spin the latest beats, and even a mini cinema and private meeting rooms.

Evuna

A taste of España

Evuna in Manchester is a standout Spanish tapas joint renowned for its authentic cuisine and superb wine selection. With locations peppered across the city, including the lively Northern Quarter and bustling Deansgate, satisfying your tapas cravings has never been easier. From tapas dishes to hearty paellas and succulent grilled meats, each bite is made with top-notch ingredients and traditional recipes. And let's not forget their curated wine collection, spotlighting the finest Spanish labels.

Bab NQ

Middle Eastern dishes

BAB NQ is a hip, independent restaurant in Manchester's Northern Quarter, renowned for its creative approach to Middle Eastern fare. The menu is chock-full of flavour, featuring mouth-watering dishes like shawarma wraps, mezze platters, and desserts. Blending traditional Middle Eastern tastes with contemporary touches, BAB NQ has earned a reputation as a beloved haunt for locals and visitors.

Trof

Chic and tasty

Trof is an iconic Manchester spot in the Northern Quarter, celebrated for its hearty portions of comfort food and chic vibe. Housed within a historic building, it's kitted out with exposed brick walls, vintage touches, and snug seating nooks. The menu at Trof is a fusion of timeless British dishes with a contemporary twist, made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. And to wash it all down, Trof offers a selection of beer, cocktails, and coffee.

TNQ

The best of British

TNQ showcases the best of British cuisine, priding itself on sourcing ingredients exclusively from the British Isles, ensuring freshness and quality in every dish prepared daily. With a commitment to seasonal fare, their menus evolve every three months, offering starters, mains, and sides that celebrate the richness of British produce.

The Green Lab

All about nutrition

The brainchild of Manchester sisters Nikita and Kanika, The Green Lab is the place to be for well-being enthusiasts, championing sustainability and eco-conscious living. Inside you'll find twinkling fairy lights, lush potted plants, local artwork, and communal wooden benches. The menu is a testament to their commitment to nutrition, catering to all dietary preferences, including vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. 

Siop Shop

Sweet treats and coffee

For all your baked goods, make sure to add Siop Shop on Tib Street in Manchester to your bucket list. Their doughnuts have garnered a cult fanbase, including inventive flavours alongside beloved classics like jam and custard. But it's not just doughnuts; they also serve buns, savoury snacks, and coffee to wash it down with.

Mackie Mayor

Industrial-chic vibes

Mackie Mayor in Manchester is the epitome of cool, housed in a historic market hall, the only remaining fully intact building from the former Smithfield market. This trendy food hall brings together local vendors, offering everything from artisanal cheese to gourmet street food. Mackie Mayor is the ultimate hangout spot for those in search of chilled-out eats and equally relaxed vibes in the heart of the Northern Quarter.

Ramona

A stylish hangout

Ramona in the Nothern Quarter is, first and foremost, a hip cocktail bar that blends creative mixology with retro charm. However, they also serve a menu of pizzas to complement the drinks. Expect hand-shaken cocktails with a focus on margaritas, as well as craft beers and fine wines. 

Foundry Project

Industrial vibes

The Foundry Project is located in a converted warehouse oozing heaps of industrial charm. Its relaxed yet stylish vibe establishes it as the go-to destination for those in the know in Manc. They serve a menu of trendy cocktails and dishes as visually pleasing as they are tasty, from hand-stretched pizzas and light bites to more substantial meals.

Yard & Coop

For the chicken enthusiasts

Yard & Coop is a lively and contemporary restaurant with a chic interior, specialising in mouth-watering buttermilk fried chicken. They cater to diverse dietary preferences, from their halal-certified meat options to vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Choose from various fried chicken burgers and plates accompanied by an extensive selection of sauces.

63 Degrees

Parisian-style fare

63 Degrees in Manchester brings a slice of Parisian chic to the bustling Northern Quarter. Its intimate and sophisticated vibe sets the stage for romantic evenings or classy get-togethers with friends. Specialising in traditional French fare with contemporary touches, from intricate soufflés to prepared meats, 63 Degrees will provide a dining experience reminiscent of the streets of Paris.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.