21 Things Everyone Needs To Eat In Manchester

No, chips and gravy didn't make it on to the list.

1. Eggs Benedict at Gorilla

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It might technically be a music venue, but Gorilla offer the tastiest poached eggs with streaky bacon and hollandaise sauce for £7.

2. Mozzarella, broccoli, sausage and red chilli pizza from Slice

Slice Pizza & Bread Bar / Via Facebook: Slice-Pizza-Bread-Bar

Located in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Slice do pizza and calzones properly. They also stay open until 1am so you can grab a cheeky bite after a few drinks.

3. Middle Eastern Sharing Platter at the Fallow Cafe

Fallow Cafe / Via Facebook: fallowcafe

This dish contains possibly the most delicious falafel in Manchester. It's handmade and teamed with hummus, olives, pitta, grilled halloumi, sweet potato wedges and pots of harissa and tzatziki. It's tempting not to share.

4. The Nacho Bowl at Common

Common / Via Facebook: Commonbar

It's a bowl made out of nachos! What could be better?

Filled with slow-cooked beef brisket and refried beans, with pico, and guacamole on the side.

5. Vegetarian Fish and Chips at Fuel Cafe

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If you're down in Withington, make sure you check out Fuel Cafe's awesome veggie fish and chips. It's grilled halloumi in lemon and herb bread crumbs, with chunky chips and all the trimmings.

6. The extravagant cakes in Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home / Via Facebook: homesweethomemcr

If you're in need of a serious sugar fix, Home Sweet Home is the place to be. It's also worth sampling their macaroni and cheese, served in a little tin cup and topped with jalapeños.

7. The breakfast street food tray from Lucha Libre

Lucha Libre Manchester / Via Facebook: luchamanchester

Perfect for kicking a hangover, this massive breakfast tray is only served on Saturdays and Sundays. You get chorizo rancheros, bacon tacos, morchilla tacos, chorizo and bacon quesadillas, and streaky bacon churros. Dig in!

8. Pulled pork tacos from Pancho's Burritos

Pancho's Burritos / Via Facebook: Panchos-Burritos-Manchester

Head down to the Arndale Market and grab a couple of fat tacos, infused with lime flavours and garnished with smoky chipotle chilli salsa. Most menu items are between £3-£5 for a cheap, tasty lunch.

9. RIBS at Cane & Grain

Cane & Grain / Via Facebook: caneandgrainmcr

Get your ribs here! We recommend the Memphis-style spare ribs with fries, coleslaw, pickles and grilled corn. Prepare to have sticky fingers.

10. Roast beetroot salad at Trof NQ

Trof Northern Quarter / Via Facebook: Trof-Northern-Quarter

Trof food can be found in the Northern Quarter and in Deaf Institute. We particularly like this take on their superfood salad with sunblush tomatoes, pomegranate seeds and a lemon dressing.

11. Saagwala at Mughli

Twitter: @mughli

It's actually harder to find a really good curry on Manchester's Curry Mile than the name might suggest. Mughli is authentic, reasonably priced and excellent value. The saagwala with chicken in a spinach-based sauce and green herbs is a great place to start.

12. A burger at The Blue Pig

The Blue Pig / Via Facebook: bluepigmanchester

All the burgers here are good, but blue cheese fans should check out the speciality burger. It's stuffed with Cropwell Bishop stilton, streaky bacon and red onion, and comes with skin on fries, pickled gherkins, and house smoked tomato ketchup.

13. Chicken banh mi from Viet Shack

Viet Shack / Via Facebook: Vietshack

The Arndale Market is also home to Viet Shack, one of the tastiest lunchtime takeaways in Manchester. Most dishes are £3 and the chicken banh mi is really filling and packed with fresh spring onions, cucumber, pickled carrot and lemongrass flavours.

14. The mighty board at the Electrik

Electrik / Via Facebook: electrikbar

The two person sharing board has roast poussin, sirloin, and pork loin. Accompanied by Yorkshire puds, gravy, roast potatoes, mash, and local veg; you'd better have a big appetite!

15. Chicken biryani from Kukoos Street Food

Kukoos Street Food / Via Facebook: KukoosByZouk

Kukoos specialises in Moroccan, Lebanese and Indian street food, and their chicken biryani is warming and full of fresh ingredients. All light meals on the menu are between £3-£5, making Kukoos a must-visit next time you're on Oxford Road.

16. Jerk chicken at the Soup Kitchen.

Soup Kitchen / Via Facebook: soupkitchenmanchester

The Caribbean menu from Soup Kitchen is cheap and delicious. The jerk chicken marinated in Chef James' secret spice blend is served with rice, peas and homemade coleslaw, for only £7.

17. Pineapple fried rice with chicken, prawns and squid from Try Thai

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Head down to Chinatown for a fresh, flavoursome dinner (£12.95) that's served in a whole pineapple.

18. A homemade brandy snap filled with chocolate torte from Teacup Kitchen

Twitter: @teacupandcakes

Drizzled with raspberry coulis and served with vanilla ice cream, this is the perfect indulgent desert for those with a sweet tooth.

19. The mixed nigiri and californian roll selections from Australasia

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This place is a little bit pricier than the other options on this list, but it's perfect for if you fancy celebrating, or impressing a date. Each rack of sushi is £10.

20. A poached egg with avocado on rye from North Tea Power

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This gorgeous brunch option is only £3 from North Tea Power, and for an extra quid, you can add pancetta or chorizo.

21. Sweet potato fries, chilli cheeseburger and a shake from Archies

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This is a guilty pleasure inclusion (sorry not sorry)

Whether you're after sweet or savoury, Archie's has you covered after a night out. The shakes are packed with ice cream and crushed chocolate bars, and garnished with sweets. So bad for you, but so worth it.