Semester Two is bringing in sunnier and longer days, as well as the opportunity to escape the home-library-pub rut that it’s all too easy to fall into. From campus, Levenshulme is only a bus ride away and is handily part of the Fallowfield Loop, a pretty and green route stretching around Manchester. This was my favourite walk on sunnier days; it’s closed off by greenery on every side, meaning that it’s ideal for classified gossip and top secret confessions.
Overshadowed by its student-ier counterparts, Levenshulme enduringly remains one of the best local areas to get to know. I’d really recommend dedicating a day to the area, as this guide can only highlight a few favourites, including its crown jewel Sips & Dips. Levenshulme is also dedicated to its local community, despite not having the same ‘student bubble’ as areas such as Withington or Fallowfield. The Old Library hosts plenty of local and accessible activities; Station South holds a variety of socials for marginalised communities, and residents are currently petitioning to bring back its famous Levenshulme Market for local makers.
Morning: Station South, Lahori Chai Shai, and Levenshulme Bakery
Let’s imagine it’s a sunny morning and you’ve just completed part of the pretty walk through the Fallowfield Loop, leading up to Levenshulme. The debrief from the night out yesterday has been nuclear and it’s time to be revived by coffee.
My recommendation would be Station South. It’s gorgeous inside, built into an old station with ornate windows that open to a pleasant view of the green Loop. Station South is admittedly a little expensive but worth it for a very tasty coffee, no more expensive than what we’re happy to pay at Bold Street Coffee for latte art and a nice view. The price is really a tax for the location; there’s plenty of space outside, giving you the opportunity to be transported worlds away from the grisly A-roads that dominate much of the city.
For breakfast, I’d recommend Lahori Chai Shai, which offers a delicious desi breakfast of masala omelette, chana, and paratha with chai for under £7. It’s a little greasy but the flavours are intense and savoury, which make for the perfect wakeup. The chai isn’t too sweet, and the café is always adorned with fun décor and colourful chatter. The whole of Levenshulme is decorated by shops with colourful fronts, meaning the walk is pleasant. When making the trip down the high street, the roads are also wide and plenty of the places to eat have outdoor seating for enjoying sunlight and cigarettes.
Finally, putting Levenshulme Bakery as a breakfast option may seem preposterous, but locals swear by this bakery, arguing that it’s too delicious to wait around all day for. The samoon (Iraqi flatbread) is beautiful, and the samoon sandwiches are indulgent, without leaving you feeling like you’ve just had a kebab for breakfast. It’s budget-friendly and never disappoints.
Afternoon: Sips & Dips
For a big meal, Sips & Dips cannot be recommended enough. This is my favourite restaurant in possibly the whole of Manchester. The ‘mixed dips for two’ reliably promises a hearty meal for less than £10 each, and includes over 9 dishes of dips, breads, salads, and more.
Each dish is distinct, unique, and a comprehensive introduction to authentic Lebanese cuisine. They are beautifully presented and easily fill the small tables with colourful and exciting plates. The mutabal (similar to baba ganoush, but impossibly more delicious) is a standout.
Plus, the ‘share-ability’ makes it perfect for couples, friends, or even solo visits when it’s rare to be able to afford a selection of dishes. If you’re planning to stick to your own plate, Sips & Dips also offer all day breakfast: English breakfast ingredients with a Lebanese twist, such as spiced lamb sausages and sumac fried egg.
Regular discounts are available, especially online, making it even easier than a trip to the high street, and cheaper than a few pints. The staff are also immaculately friendly, and are deeply involved in the local community, hosting events such as ‘Kunafa for a Cause’ to fundraise for Palestine.
Evening: The Blue Bell Inn, The Talleyrand, and Isca Wines
In the evening, Levenshulme stays awake. The Old Library hosts craft nights every Monday, including zine-making and sewing clubs. They finish about 9 pm, and just round the corner is The Blue Bell Inn. It’s a quaint and cosy pub, and the beer is cheap. It’s mostly full of locals who quietly warm the pub with conversation.
For a livelier pub, The Talleyrand has plenty of music events going on and makes for a great night out, even if the pint prices might only limit you to one drink.
A more upscale alternative for drinks – maybe to impress a date or treat your girls on Galentines – would be Isca Wines, a put-together but informal wine bar along the high street. It has a similar feel to Something More Productive’s evening opens for pub quizzes and pizza. Food is also available, and the food certainly impresses: the sample menu piques curiosity with celeriac remoulade and ogleshield cheese.
The cost-of-living has unfortunately priced many Levenshulme locals out of funding for community events. Victim to this has been Levenshulme’s famous maker’s market, shut down by Manchester City Council due to unaffordable additional fees and difficulties with the permission process. Local guides now identify Levenshulme both as “up and coming” yet also facing a “strange death”. So, may this guide be your sign to venture further to explore more of Manchester: go out for a lunch, drink coffee somewhere new, talk to locals, and join community events.
For planning a trip to Levenshulme, explore https://levyoulots.com
Morning: Station South is open Wednesday-Sunday; Lahori Chai Shai and Levenshulme Bakery are open everyday.
Afternoon: Sips & Dips is open everyday.
Evening: The Blue Bell Inn is open everyday; The Talleyrand is open Tuesday-Sunday; Isca Wines is open Wednesday-Sunday.
