Didsbury Restaurant Guide

Patrick Hannity’s “charming old restaurant” in posh West Didsbury has hosted a steady stream of satisfied diners for 35 years, achieving “the highest standards” across the board. “Consistency with enthusiasm is still the hallmark of this much loved venue”; “the food is always good but unfussy – hence the loyal following over so many years”. Ahead of the curve on provenance, Patrick established his own 20-acre smallholding in Macclesfield Forest 15 years ago to provide vegetables, eggs and meat for the kitchen.

A Didsbury institution for its “creative vegan and vegetarian” cooking for more than 30 years, Simon Rimmer’s “excellent little restaurant” is surfing the wave of plant-based dining, and opened its first spin-off last year, in Stanley Square, Sale, last summer. “Dishes are divine and you’re always spoilt for choice on all courses”, with “lots of seasonal produce”. “Simon is often seen in his chef’s apron and is always happy to say hello – long may that continue!”.

2022 Review: “Gorgeous tapas dishes, wine and decor” – it’s “worth the struggle to get a table in this popular little place”, tucked away in a “quaint location in the hip suburb of Chorlton” and a hit for more than a decade.

“Always buzzing, with very helpful staff” – this “busy but reliable” pizza-stop in Chorlton is now – since the demise of its much-missed city-centre counterpart – the most commented-on branch of this small Mancunian pizza chain. It’s most often nominated for being “excellent with children”.

2021 Review: “You would not realise you are in Moss Side” at the Whitworth’s “beautiful” and “family-friendly” glass-walled conservatory, overlooking Whitworth Park. Its location (above all) and victuals make it an “excellent place for lunch”, with the “three daily changing salads particularly recommended”.

“Rooftop views towards nearby Robinsons Brewery and dishes using plants grown on the local multi-story car park” both add to the epic street cred of Sam Buckley’s famous hipster hotspot, housed within the vibey brick-lined first floor of an old Victorian warehouse, with huge windows. Feedback is very good all-round including when it comes to the sustainably sourced small plates that have earnt it such renown, but this is one of the few UK venues where a massive media profile is not reflected by a huge volume of feedback in our annual national diners’ poll.

2022 Review: A curry house like no other, with the all-vegan dishes named after Smiths' songs; superfan Max Paley founded it as a delivery service from a kitchen inside the Retro music venue (address listed; sit-in dining planned for post-lockdown). Dishes include Girlfriend In A Korma and How Saag Is Now?.

2022 Review: Justin Crawford & Luke Cowdrey (aka the ill-titled ‘Unabombers`‘, who also run Electrik and Volta) are behind this “rather glam space” in an old Victorian office block. Serving small plates – inspired by their “global DJing trips” – fans say it’s “a mighty fine place to dine”; others that it’s “just OK”.

This vast street-food and entertainment concept accommodating up 1,000 visitors in an old freight depot by Piccadilly station is simply “another world” – “a mind-blowing-sized venue and organisation” where “the food is not really the main attraction” – although there is plenty of sufficient quality to earn high ratings, from 15 different restaurants and bars in an “eclectic mix” that ranges from Voodoo Rays pizza, Brad Carter’s One Stop Döner Bar and asador grills from Baratxuri to tacos from Madre.

2019 Review: The eponymous Albert’s old tool shed (he’s the uncle of the owner) is now a stylish, contemporary haunt with a popular canalside terrace – hence why it’s “best in summer” – plus reasonably priced, mostly English grub. (Part of a three-strong local empire, which recently announced plans to add a Standish branch.)

2022 Review: “An amazing bar and signature cocktails” are hailed in early reports on this two-year-old haunt in the characterful arches beneath Manchester Central station, from the people behind the successful Manchester Gin brand. Though its selection of small plates is not the main point, nor is it an afterthought.

2021 Review: The TV host’s “quirky” flagship restaurant wins high ratings despite its “interesting” (some would say iffy) location, upstairs at the Manchester235 casino. Head chef, Doug Crampton’s cooking here is “a real pleasure” – “all dishes are prepared with great care and are a delight to eat”. “Try the afternoon tea they recently introduced, very yummy!”.