Australasia

Australasia isn't bound by tradition or a set of ideas about how an ingredient should be cooked, what it goes with or how it should be serve. The award winning chef and former young Australian chef of the year, Paul Greening, epitomises this ethos perfectly. Its strong ties with China and Japan have also helped determine the style of cooking, particularly the Japanese desire for perfection. Intriguing from the outside and beautiful within, the bespoke glass entrance on Spinningfields Square, Deansgate, is sure to catch the eye, sweeping guests downstairs to the irresistible charms of the restaurant's amazing cuisine and relaxed ambience.

• Web:

  australasia.uk.com

• Address:

  1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 831 0288

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–midnight

Banyan Bar & Kitchen

During the day, Banyan is a spacious and relaxing bar with floor to ceiling windows offer customers a perfect place to meet up for coffee and cake, breakfast and brunch, sharing boards, a nice chilled glass of champagne or a cocktail crafted by award winning mixologists. The comprehensive drinks menu includes an incredible array of cocktails, offering a mixture of the classics and some with a Banyan twist. The beer and wine list has been personally chosen by some of the best beer and wine connoisseurs in the country ensuring all tastes and palates are catered for. In the evening, the kitchen area seats 90, offering meals for everyone in a more formal setting. A huge open kitchen and a 20 cover Chef’s Table form part of the dining experience with attention to detail on the menu second to none, using fresh local produce to provide customers with a meal of the finest quality.

• Web:

  www.banyanbar.co.uk/bars/corn-exchange

• Address:

  Unit 4, The Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 832 4798

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 10am–11pm, Fri & Sat 10am–midnight

Corn Exchange

Corn Exchange is a stunning renovated grade II listed building at the very heart of Manchester, housing 13 restaurants serving a variety of high quality world cuisine. With options including Greek, German, Italian, Indian, British, Pan Asian and Vietnamese cuisines, there’s something to suit every taste or occasion. With neighbours including Manchester Victoria Station, Manchester Arena, the National Football Museum, Selfridges and Manchester Cathedral, Corn Exchange's location is perfect for exploring the city’s most popular sights.

• Web:

  cornexchangemanchester.co.uk

• Address:

  Exchange Square, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 834 8961

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10:30am–11:30pm

Don Giovanni

Head to award-winning Italian Don Giovanni on St Peter's Square for hand-crafted cocktails, a superb lunch menu and pre-theatre dining that will start your evening on a high. Situated in the heart of Manchester's theatre strip, Don Giovanni is the city's oldest Italian restaurant and has been feeding the public for over 30 years. It is perfectly positioned for the Palace Theatre, Opera House, Manchester Central, Bridgewater Hall and many other city centre attractions. Showcasing freshness and quality first; Don Giovanni integrate traditional Italian culture into every dish with homemade pizza, bread, pasta and desserts created freshly in house.

• Web:

  dongiovanni.uk.com

• Address:

  Unit 1 & 2 Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 228 2482

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu noon–11pm, Fri & Sat noon–11:30pm, Sun noon–10pm

Evuna

This fine Spanish restaurant and wine bar is situated in the heart of Manchester, offering fine à la carte dining. Evuna also offer a wine merchant service where you may take your favourite wines home by the bottle or case.

• Web:

  evuna.com

• E-mail:

  enquiries@evuna.com

• Address:

  277-279 Deansgate, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 819 2752

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–11pm, Sun noon–9pm

• More info:

  You can also visit Evuna's Northern Quarter branch

Hard Rock Cafe

Located in the city centre, the UK's largest Hard Rock serves what can only be described as "The Official Food of Rock", generous drinks and an awe-inspiring collection of rock memorabilia. Visit Hard Rock Cafe Manchester for a family-friendly dining experience that truly rocks! They're conveniently situated within The Printworks entertainment complex, close to the Arndale Shopping Centre and opposite the National Football Museum, so drop in and see how they can rock your world! The venue has an awe-inspiring collection of unique rock memorabilia, with priceless pieces from The Beatles, Oasis and Elvis adorning the walls. Their Rock Shop stocks a wide range of official Hard Rock Cafe Manchester merchandise from T-shirts to glassware and umbrellas for you to buy as a memento of your visit to our beautiful city.

• Web:

  www.hardrockcafe.com/location/manchester

• E-mail:

  manchester_social@hardrock.com

• Address:

  The Printworks, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 831 6700

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu noon–10pm, Fri noon–11pm, Sat 11am–11pm

Band on the Wall

Band On The Wall has been one of the cornerstones of Manchester's music scene for the greater part of the last century. Occupying a grand old Victorian pub, it was at the centre of Manchester's punk scene in the late 1970s where Buzzcocks, The Fall and Joy Division first played. Since then, it has played host to many internationally acclaimed artists including Mica Paris, Bjork, Art Blakey, Carleen Anderson, Simply Red and countless others. It also has a global reputation for showcasing a vast array of accomplished and respected artists from around the world. In doing so, it is internationally known as a venue that promotes equality and diversity through music. This unique and pioneering programme of music has thrilled hundreds of thousands of people over the years. The venue re-opened after a complete makeover in 2009 with state-of the art facilities which includes a new public space, The Picturehouse is adjacent to the venue and located in a Grade 2 Listed building that was a cinema in the early 1900s. It serves a selection of food and drinks and is the perfect place to meet friends before a concert. The Picturehouse also houses the venue's box office where tickets can be purchased or collected for concerts at the venue.

• Web:

  bandonthewall.org

• Address:

  25 Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 834 1786

• Opening hours:

  Mon & Tue 5pm–midnight, Wed–Fri 5pm–2am, Sat noon–3am, Sun 4pm–midnight

BrewDog Manchester

BrewDog is a large chain of pubs with tons of personality. They boast that they brew "uncompromising, bold and irreverent" beer, as a form of "rebellion against faceless corporate bureaucracy and the bland pathetic beer they industrially produce." With that sales pitch, you know you're in for something special at BrewDog.

• Web:

  www.brewdog.com/uk/brewdog-manchester

• E-mail:

  manchesterbar@brewdog.com

• Address:

  35 Peter Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 832 1922

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed noon–11pm, Thu noon–1am, Fri noon–2am, Sat 11am–2am, Sun 11am–11pm

Flight Club

Flight Club is the home of Social Darts. They’ve taken the traditional game of darts and supercharged it, developing fast and exciting multiplayer games to create a social experience like no other for groups of 3 to 300. Flight Club Manchester’s décor spectacularly combines the heritage of darts, the pub and the fairground, with a unique twist. Whether you’re looking for a new lunch spot, hosting a team social or just fancy catching up over a cocktail at the bar – this amazing space on King Street is perfect for any occasion. With a range of private and semi-private event spaces available to book, a beautiful bar and a mouth-watering menu of sharing plates, pizza paddles and delicious signature slushy cocktails — it’s got everything you need to kick start an unforgettable social adventure.

• Web:

  flightclubdarts.com/location-king-street

• Address:

  Ship Canal House, 98 King Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 537 7250

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 11:30am–midnight, Fri 11:30am–1am, Sat 11am–1am

Gorilla

Gorilla is a bar, kitchen, live venue and club space under the railway tracks on Whitworth Street West. Choose from award winning royal breakfasts and Sunday roasts, chargrilled burgers and fancy sandwiches. There’s a grilled selection, too. Choices include steak on the rib, spatch-cocked chicken with lemon and fresh herbs, halloumi and chicken kebabs. And, like all of Trof’s venues, they are served by their own in-house bakery, which means that the sourdough, brioche and maple and pecan muffins couldn’t be any fresher. On the drinks list, they have a full menu of cocktails and shakes, alongside the best in bottled and canned beers, fine wines and fair-trade coffees. And there’s a second bar to explore too. The mezzanine bar at Gorilla hosts a Gin Parlour, a relaxed and sophisticated den dedicated to the consumption of glorious gin.

• Web:

  www.thisisgorilla.com

• Address:

  Whitworth Street West, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 425 0870

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat & Sun 10am–9pm

Hard Rock Cafe

Located in the city centre, the UK's largest Hard Rock serves what can only be described as "The Official Food of Rock", generous drinks and an awe-inspiring collection of rock memorabilia. Visit Hard Rock Cafe Manchester for a family-friendly dining experience that truly rocks! They're conveniently situated within The Printworks entertainment complex, close to the Arndale Shopping Centre and opposite the National Football Museum, so drop in and see how they can rock your world! The venue has an awe-inspiring collection of unique rock memorabilia, with priceless pieces from The Beatles, Oasis and Elvis adorning the walls. Their Rock Shop stocks a wide range of official Hard Rock Cafe Manchester merchandise from T-shirts to glassware and umbrellas for you to buy as a memento of your visit to our beautiful city.

• Web:

  www.hardrockcafe.com/location/manchester/

• E-mail:

  manchester_social@hardrock.com

• Address:

  The Printworks, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 831 6700

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu noon–10pm, Fri noon–11pm, Sat 11am–11pm

Junkyard Golf

Junkyard Golf Club is home of crazy golf, booze and bad puns. Get excited on three mashed up 9-hole crazy golf courses created from pre-loved and reclaimed random shizzle. Groups can putt their way through all sorts of bizarre holes; think UV slides, UFC bear cages, a hip hop farm and a tree house bar!

• Web:

  https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/junkyard-golf-club-p317721

• Address:

  First Street, Whitworth Street, Manchester

• Opening hours:

  www.junkyardgolfclub.co.uk/manchester

Annies

Located just off St Ann's Square on Old Bank Street, Annies is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, and the interior reflects just that with its cosy feel, wooden panelling, and comfy armchairs designed to make you feel right at home. Head chef Richard Moore has reflected this cosy British feel in his menu. To start, diners can choose from the likes of Bury Black Pudding Spring Rolls, Potted Ham Hock, and Scallops. For mains, there's Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas, Braised Lamb Shank, and Annies Sausage & Mash. There's also a delicious pie menu including 3 Cheese & Onion Pie, Fish Pie and Steak & Ale Pie. Annies also serves Afternoon Tea, Champagne Tea, Traditional Cream Tea and a daily lunch menu, as well as morning coffee and pastries.

• Web:

  www.anniesmanchester.co.uk

• Address:

  5 Old Bank Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 839 4423

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 10am–5pm

• More info:

  Located in the Royal Exchange Theatre

Hey Little Cupcake!

Be sure to make a beeline for Hey Little Cupcake!, which is tucked away along the leafy walkway connecting Hardman Street to Atkinson Street in Manchester’s super-chic Spinningfields. Scrumptious signature flavours such as the red velvet, hazelnut cookie, and Victoria sandwich cupcakes neatly line the counter. Try the seasonal specials, ooey-gooey brownies, mouth-watering slabs of rainbow cake, cute cake pops, and delicious illy coffee. Teapigs is also served here, the perfect complement to your treat of choice. For those in search of something a little larger, the talented team of bakers can whip up layer cakes and giant cupcakes to order, which can be personalised to suit any occasion and taste and are a fantastic alternative to regular cupcakes.

• Web:

  heylittlecupcakeshop.uk

• E-mail:

  hello@heylittlecupcake.co.uk

• Address:

  2 Hardman Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 832 0260

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Sat 10am–4pm

Sugar Junction

Sugar Junction was created out of a love for all things vintage, baking, and wholesome food. The company was started by a mother-daughter team that strives to provide high-quality food with great service in a comfortable environment. They serve home-baked cakes and about 25 different types of tea.

• Web:

  www.sugarjunction.co.uk

• E-mail:

  sugarjunctionmcr@gmail.com

• Address:

  60 Tib Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 839 4753

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–6pm

Takk

Iceland-inspired Takk is an artisan coffee house and great hipster hangout. They have a passion for good food and coffee, using specialist dairy, meat and vegetable producers and preparing some of the best coffee in town.

• Web:

  takkmcr.com

• E-mail:

  hello@takkmcr.com

• Address:

  6 Tariff Street, Manchester

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat & Sun 10am–4pm

Tariff & Dale

To keep the original features in place, the tradesmen entrance was made the front door, a glorious lift shaft became a cosy booth, the loading bay is a private drinking space, and the hydraulic fabric press takes pride of place in the entrance way. The spacious ground floor bar serves high-quality drinks of all descriptions. A carefully curated list of cocktails takes nine classics and creates three versions of each — one classic and two more individual twists on the original, invented by the bar team.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/tariffdale

• E-mail:

  hello@tariffanddale.com

• Address:

  2 Tariff Street, Manchester

• Phone:

  +44 161 710 2233

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu noon–midnight, Fri & Sat noon–2am, Sun noon–10pm