Manchester Lunch Break: The Ultimate Guide

The British summer has made a comeback and we can all look forward to escaping the office for a healthy dose of Vitamin D. Whether you fancy an indulgent treat or a balanced superfood bowl, we’ve found the best spots in Manchester to get your foodie fix.

Cheap Eats

Kabana – 52 Back Turner St, Manchester M4 1FP; 0161 835 2447

A quintessential hidden gem, Kabana’s humble exterior – and prices – belie its position as one of the Northern Quarter’s top canteen-style curry houses. There’s a tempting selection of tasty curries and breads that vary throughout the week that will leave both meat-eaters and veggies spoilt for choice. With a hearty meal coming in at under a fiver, Kabana is well-worth making a dash from the office for.   

Oklahoma – 74-76 High St, Manchester M4 1ES; 0161 834 1136

Set in a boutique-style gift shop with cheerful, retro décor, Oklahoma’s menu includes homemade granola and pastries for breakfast, and huge salad bowls, a tempting sandwich selection, and soup for lunch. But it’s the unique drinks menu that sets Oklahoma apart. As well as serving quality, locally produced and artisan coffee blends, you can choose from a weird yet wonderful selection of homebrewed soft drinks, from grapefruit and rosemary juice, to chocolate flavour loose-leaf tea, Oklahoma promises to delight your taste buds. 

Street food

Viet Shack – Manchester Arndale Food Market, M4 1AZ (and various street food events and locations)

It’s little surprise that Viet Shack has won awards for its urban, healthy take on Vietnamese street food, all made with quality ingredients that pack a vibrant punch. From fresh lemongrass grilled chicken burgers, bánh mì sandwiches, summer rolls, and tasty, generously-filled wraps, all coming in at under a fiver, Viet Shack takes fast food to a whole new level.

Bangers and Bacon – The Kitchens, Irwell Square, Leftbank, Spinningfields, M3 3AG

If you’re looking to satisfy your inner carnivore, look no further than Bangers and Bacon. From the best pork scratchings in town, decadent bacon butties, to sausage nuggets and swine fries, their menu uses locally sourced ingredients and has all the makings of an unforgettable lunchbreak… In fact, it’s just as well they serve breakfast, brunch, and dinner, too!

Sit-down Meal

Yuzu – 39 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4EE; 0161 236 4159; www.yuzumanchester.co.uk

Perhaps best described as a jewel in the crown of Manchester’s Chinatown, Yuzu serves exquisite, authentic Japanese cuisine ranging from the signature gyoza, fresh market fish sashimi, to enticing daily specials. With shared bench seating and minimalist interiors, Yuzu provides the perfect sanctuary from the office. And if you’re really seeking some respite, you can sample authentic Japanese beers, plum wine and a range of sake. Reservations are hard to come by, so book early!

Albert’s Shed – 18-20 Castle St, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4LZ; 0161 839 9818; www.albertsshed.com

Offering alfresco dining in an idyllic, canal-side location, Albert’s Shed is a firm favourite amongst local punters. Striking a perfect balance between high dining standards and a relaxed ambience for socialising, the restaurant serves a wide selection of appetising dishes, including pasta, pizzas, salads, fish, and steaks, drawing inspiration from both Italian and British cuisine.

Healthy

Earth Café – 16 – 20 Turner Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1DZ; 0161 834 1996; www.earthcafe.co

Housed in the basement of a Buddhist centre, Earth Café serves nourishing vegetarian and vegan delights and has a juice bar to boot. From seasonal salads, homemade dahl, and delicious cake and coffee, everything is homemade fresh on the day and suits all budgets. With the option to eat in or take away, head to Earth Café and eat well for body and mind.

Wahu – The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AP; 0161 832 3022; www.wahufood.com

If you’re popping out of the office for a healthy lunch, Wahu Express Food Bar should be your first port of call. Choose from the wide selection of fillings and salads to build your own delicious wraps, burritos, wholesome salad and pasta boxes, or go for a hot Thai curry – you’ll be filling up your loyalty card in no time. Wahu helpfully provides all nutritional information for its menu, so you can enjoy an honest, hearty meal.