Sam:
My favourite place to eat in Manchester is Volta.
Located in West Didsbury, it is a short bus ride away from Fallowfield/Withington and still has the buzz of central Manchester but with half the people. Decorated with classic exposed brick and large French windows, it also has a large outdoor seating area which is great on sunnier days.
Volta seems to hit the perfect balance by providing a lavish meal out and yet not being pretentious or unwelcoming. It is a restaurant in which the food is clearly prioritised, and service comes second, which should always be the case. However, waiters are still warm and laidback, happy to answer any questions. Volta can be slightly expensive, so it is best saved for special occasions and birthdays. Alternatively, they do a great weekday deal, in which between 12pm-5pm they offer three plates for £15, with six dishes being perfect for two people.
The food is simply delicious, with the hispi cabbage with black garlic dip, and the roasted miso aubergine dip being the standouts. It serves small plates from a variety of cuisines, with plenty of traditional vegetarian, meat and fish dishes, as well as some more experimental ones.
Small plate restaurants are all the rage and are often overpriced and overrated. Volta, on the other hand, is not part of this category and truly stands out.
Volta is open 12pm-12am on Mon-Thu, 12pm-1am on Fri and Sat, and 12-11pm on Sun
Naomi:
I would say my favourite restaurant in Manchester is The Rice Bowl. This place has all the flavour and quality, with a calmer atmosphere, and it also embodies a kind of ‘hole-in-the-wall’ aesthetic. The menu includes ‘British-Chinese’ classics as well as more traditional dishes. My personal favourite is the ‘aubergine cooked with Sichuan spices’ and the egg fried rice. The food has punchy flavours with great quality ingredients.
My favourite place to drink in Manchester has to be Bird and Blend. The tea shop is a chain but still retains the cosiness of your local. All the staff are lovely and the free samples are both generous and delicious. The brand infuses the teas into a range of different liquids, from apple juice to lemonade, making it reams better than any competing tea shop in my opinion. I personally love the ‘Champagne Supernova’ blend, which is Manchester’s exclusive blend (and a reference to the Oasis song). My ideal sweet treat will always be a take-away drink from there.
Rice Bowl is open 12-11pm on weekdays, and 12pm-12am on weekends
Bird and Blend is open 10:30am-6pm on Mon, Wed, Thu, and Fri, 10am-6pm on Sat, and Tue, and 11am-5pm on Sun
Alex:
15 minutes away from campus sits the unassuming white and orange Seoul Kimchi on Upper Brook Street. Before eating here, I knew next to nothing about Korean cuisine but, luckily for newcomers, the menu isn’t hard to navigate, using simple writing and pictures to make ordering easy.
Help yourself to the free barley tea, to go with your food, or get a takeaway bibimbap bowl. Seoul Kimchi is a favourite of mine for the intimate atmosphere offered by the small space, ideal for sharing a hot meal with a couple of friends without feeling cramped. After finishing the complimentary soup, I would recommend the sweet and spicy fried chicken, a dish that will satisfy all of your cravings. And don’t forget possibly the best part, the sides.
The kimchi jeon (pancake) is packed with flavour and easy to share. If these don’t catch your eye, there is still a large range of Japanese and Korean food, from ribs and rice to sushi and tempura. There are tofu and vegetable options available for vegans and halal options are listed on the menu. If you’re looking for excellent food close to university, go to Seoul Kimchi.
Seoul Kimchi is open 12-3pm and 5-9pm everyday, except Sundays
Hannah:
If there is one place in Manchester I will keep going back to, it is Companio bakery. With a new location opened this summer in NQ, and the original in Ancoats, there’s no excuse for not giving it a try on your next sunny morning in the city (though I understand that these are rare).
Companio boasts a range of high-quality pastries, which do sell out quickly due to popular demand, and really great coffee thus covering both the food and drink quota of this section. If the stars align and you find them in stock, the almond coffee croissants are an absolute must-try. The holy trinity of almond, chocolate and coffee in the filling make these – in my humble opinion – the best almond croissants ever.
Speaking of best ever, they also serve focaccia, both plain and a weekly special, and these are always outstanding and make for a perfect Sunday lunch sandwich. While the range available may sometimes be limited, you truly can’t go wrong with any of the options, making this the one spot that is definitely worth the visit.
Companio Bakery is open 8am-3pm Tue-Thu, 8am-2pm Fri-Sun, and is closed on Mondays
Jasminder
Picking just one favourite place to eat or drink in Manchester was a challenge, but there’s one local spot I will always come back to. Nestled in between Withington and Didsbury is Japan Deli, a firm staple, serving up a variety of reasonably priced Japanese foods. Alongside an array of sushi options, Japan Deli boasts large portions of curries, bento boxes, ramens, and noodle dishes, all packed with authentic flavours and well within the budget of the average student.
Japan deli’s menu is inclusive, with plenty of tasty vegan and vegetarian options, and the choice to eat in, or takeaway. Where the menu refuses to compromise is on authenticity, as the restaurant prides itself on mirroring a traditional Japanese eatery. Sushi rolls are prepared carefully by chefs, and presented immaculately; however, style does not overshadow substance here, as the food’s freshness and high-quality shines through. The subtlety of Japanese cooking is executed very well, particularly in the comfort of a bowl of miso soup, or the lightly spiced karaage chicken.
Manchester has an incredible reputation for Japanese cuisine, with honourable mentions going to Chorlton’s own Shogun Ramen and Bar (possibly the best Ramen I’ve had – ever) and the highly Instagrammable, hand illustrated Waku Waku in the city centre. But the homely, warm atmosphere of Japan Deli, upheld by friendly staff, is what will keep me a loyal customer.
Japan Deli is open 12-10pm on weekdays, and 5-10pm on weekends
