The Koffee Pot’s tagline is something like ‘making and curing hangovers since 1978’, and it is no lie. It’s a Manchester institution. Also, try Ancoats Coffee in Royal Mills, they have their own roastery on site and Pollen Bakery for incredible bread and viennoiserie.
For food shopping, I recommend Unicorn Grocery for the quality of the fruit and veg. Lots of local and seasonal produce.
Siam Smiles is great for lunch. Lovely fresh Thai food. Cures colds, hangovers and ennui and Spanish restaurant Baratxuri in Ramsbottom is like being on holiday and serves amazing wood oven-baked whole fish, baked potatoes with green sauce, whole roast chicken. Excellent wines, sherries and pintxos too.
For dinner, Umezushi has been one of my favourite places in the city for years now, and they continue to offer incredibly good and interesting food and drink. I adore this place.
The best place for pre-dinner cocktails has to be Hawksmoor bar. Their cocktails are top-quality and I love to snack on their chips and anchovy hollandaise, life doesn’t get much better.
The best Sunday lunch is at Hispi in Didsbury, head there for consistently excellent food and service, always interesting ingredients and beautiful presentation.
If I could only eat one thing in Manchester, it would have to be…
The chips and anchovy hollandaise from Hawksmoor.
