Stockport Restaurant Guide

The high-ceilinged, brick-lined first floor of an old Victorian warehouse in Stockport Old Town – complete with open kitchen and seating for 30 guests – provides a casual, very ‘now’ post-industrial venue for Sam Buckley’s acclaimed destination. The meal itself is a hipster-ish succession of small plates, whose local sourcing credentials earned the place one of Michelin’s first green stars in January 2021 (although no-one’s quite clear what the green stars actually mean). As often is the case with WTLGI, though, its reputation exceeds how many reports it generates, and though such feedback as we have says the experience is an all-round outstanding one, it’s hard not to conclude that there’s some mismatch between all the foodie kudos and customer esteem. The breads and baking here are often highlighted, which augurs well for Sam B’s forthcoming new bakery nearby, called Yellowhammer.

“The Lime Tree doesn’t change but is still refreshingly energetic”. “A gem” in Didsbury for 35 years, Patrick Hannity’s “really enjoyable” modern brasserie “retains its consistency in all departments year after year”. Key attractions: “great food that’s unfussy but so tasty, from a compact menu with every dish a winner”, plus a “reasonably priced but excellent wine list”. Also, “a nice welcome laid-back ambience, with staff and management on top of their game”.

This “delicious vegetarian restaurant from Simon Rimmer” – self-taught TV chef and author – has become a Didsbury institution over three decades, moving with the times as plant-based cooking has developed. Omnivores are quite happy to eat here, finding it “perfect for lunch with vegetarian friends – there’s something for everyone’s taste”.

Hot right now in Manchester, two minutes walk from Piccadilly – a street food concept that describes itself as ‘an inspiring new urban landscape carved from a long-forgotten freight depot’. Food offerings include Voodoo Rays wood-fired pizza, asador grills from Baratxuri, tacos from Madre and coffee/cakes from Krum. You can book on the website, or walk-in with the risk of a queue.

“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.

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?.

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”.

“Delicious, super-spicy” Sichuanese cooking sets the taste buds on fire at this “friendly” Chinatown operation, with offshoots near the university in Oxford Road, in Leeds and York. Top Tip: “the hot poached chicken is fantastic”.

“Incredible food for the price of a Wagamamas” (“the best sashimi… feather-light tempura”) awaits at this “friendly and efficient” corner spot in Chinatown, whose Japanese cooking is impeccably “consistent” and “very fresh”. “The amazing yuzu and sake cocktail” is also not to be missed.

“The excellent food is the thing here” at this “bustling” Cantonese basement that has been a cornerstone of Manchester’s Chinatown for four decades and counting (it was the original site of the main Yang Sing). “We’ve been going to this restaurant for many years, and it’s still as good as ever – a joy to go for lunch or dinner”. Top Tip: “the dim sum” – full menu served until 5pm; restricted menu later.

Kevin & Rachel Choudhary ran a pub in Altrincham before launching this eclectic “English market diner” in Ancoats. With its “relaxing environment full of plants”, it's “a bit like dining in a conservatory”. On the menu: “hard-to-fault locally sourced food from a daily changing menu”.

“Adam Reid’s food is consistently top-notch – modern, but with lots of classic technique, and there’s often a witty note to the dishes” in this updated version of the classic, grand-hotel dining room where Mr Rolls first met Mr Royce many years ago. For several years now Mancunians have complained that it has been “unfairly overlooked” for the restoration of the Michelin star it lost in 1975. There’s also the bonus of a “brilliant sound track – not least for the way it is so at odds with the grandeur of the dining room!”

“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.