This & That is tucked away on Soap Street and is thought to be the birthplace of ‘rice ‘n’ three’. After the influx of migrant workers to Manchester’s textile mills in the 1960s, South Asian food started being served across the city, predominantly in the industrial centre of town – the Northern Quarter. Canteens like This & That were originally created to feed the workers of the nearby warehouses, but nowadays they are filling the bellies of people who live in town, tourists and office workers alike.
Quite literally a plate of rice with a choice of three curries, this plate of food has been around since the 1980s and continues to be one of the most popular choices in the city for a quick wholesome meal under ten pounds.
Whilst rice ‘n’ three is thought to have started at This & That, many places serving the meal are still going strong today. Here are our top picks for rice ‘n’ three in Manchester.
1. Kabana
On the corner of Back Turner Street sits Kabana, a small takeaway with a few seats to sit inside, specialising in curries and grilled meats. Lamb karahi is always a winner here.
WHERE 52 Back Turner St, Manchester M4 1FR
WHEN Tuesday - Friday 11am - 5:30pm | Sunday 10:30am - 5pm
2. Cafe Marhaba
Back Piccadilly is home to another long standing venue of the rice ‘n’ three world, family-run Cafe Marhaba. Operating since 1992, naans are made to order on the tandoor by the chef-owners who have ran the shop for generations.
WHERE 36 Back Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1HP
WHEN Monday - Friday 11am - 7:30pm
3. Little Aladdin
Occupying a tiny corner unit a stone's throw from the Arndale centre, Little Aladdin does rice and three a bit differently; everything is vegan. After emigrating to Manchester from Pakistan in 1986, owner Ali opened Little Aladdin in 1997. He's been serving curries and more ever since.
WHERE 72 High St, Manchester M4 1ES
WHEN Monday - Saturday 11:45am - 9pm
4. Yadgar
Another Manchester mainstay, Yadgar has been trading for almost thirty years on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter. A no-frills, cash-only affair, rice ‘n’ three is the order of the day here, with or without a chapati.
WHERE 71 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1LQ
WHEN Monday - Saturday 12pm - 6:45pm
5. This & That
The original rice n' three cafe, This & That opened in 1984 and has the largest range of curries for choosing. The selection changes daily, go on Monday for the fish curry or Thursday for lamb and okra.
WHERE 3 Soap St, Manchester M4 1EW
WHEN Monday - Sunday 11:30am - 8pm
