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Manchester for foodies:

a suggested one-day itinerary

Morning

Consider yourself a proper java junkie? If you’re getting a bright and early start in Manchester, then we have good news: the city is riding coffee culture’s third wave hard, and there are now more breakfast-worthy stops than ever before. Begin your day in the Northern Quarter, which has one of the highest concentrations of cool cafes in the city. Despite what the name suggests, North Tea Power turns out an excellent flat white, as well as a menu of all-day breakfast and brunch specials — think avocado toast and baby kale salads. Then there’s Takk, a nearby hipster hangout where you can opt for a breakfast of brioche French toast with honeycomb and candied orange or blueberry pie porridge. Takk also offers up beans sourced from some of the best roasters in Europe, so you can bet you’re sipping one of the best V60 pours in the city.

 

Afternoon

Of course, while it’s tempting to dig into a hearty breakfast, you don’t want to fill up too much — after all, there’s lunch to consider. One of the hottest spots in Manchester right now is Bundobust, a trendy Indian street food restaurant which originally hails from neighbouring Leeds. The food here is all vegetarian, though the flavours are so bold you won’t miss the meat. Think: chickpea-battered okra fries, biryani bhaji balls (an Indian take on arancini), and South Indian masala dosas. Wash it all down with a pint of Bombay Dazzler, an Indian witbier brewed by Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk. And speaking of beer: Manchester has one of the UK’s most vibrant craft brewing scenes. Keep the crawl going with a visit to the nearby Café Beermoth, where you can sup some of the finest local pours on keg or cask.

Evening

Dinner is the time to splurge — and once those pints have stirred up your appetite, make your way to Manchester House. Chef Patron Aiden Byrne is behind this local stalwart, and if you really want to experience his culinary artistry for yourself, opt for either the 10- or 14-course tasting menus, which feature dishes that make the most of British ingredients (think rose veal tartare with fermented turnips, truffle and watercress).  If you’re not utterly satisfied after dinner (or sozzled, if you’ve opted for the wine pairing), then indulge in one final digestif at Dusk Til Pawn, a clever speakeasy that looks like a pawnshop from street level. It’s open into the wee hours, which gives you plenty of time to sip a whisky-based cocktail— and toast to the day’s culinary successes.

Image credits:

Bundobust © Ben Bentley

Coffee © iStock