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cottonopolis

How to spend 48 hours in Manchester

Manchester is one of those cities that surprises you at every turn. From new pop-up eateries to freshly painted street art, you could stay for a month and still find something unexpected around the next corner. Don’t worry if you’ve only got 48 hours in Manchester though. We’ve put together an itinerary of some of our favourite places to eat, drink and soak up the city, so you can get a real feel for its unique culture, people, history and vibe.

Day One: Art, history and footie

Breakfast: Ducie Street Warehouse

(On the ground floor, underneath Native Manchester aparthotel)
The ground floor of Ducie Street Warehouse is home to Manchester’s newest hangout. Grab some breakfast from the Lounge from 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends.

After breakfast: Manchester Art Gallery

(11 minutes from Ducie Street Warehouse)
Spend a couple of hours perusing over 25,000 works of art over three floors. More than a collection of artworks, Manchester Art Gallery celebrates local craftsmanship alongside its big-name pieces from around the world.

En-route to lunch: Central Library

(2 minutes from the gallery)
This exquisite Grade II listed landmark plays host to a vast collection of literature and a wide range of events. Check out the magnificent Wolfson Reading Room before taking in a workshop, concert, comedy gig or lecture.

Lunch: Rudy’s Pizza

(2 minutes from the library)
A laid back lunch in the heart of town calls for pizza. But not just any pizza. Rudy’s is a neighbourhood favourite, serving brilliant Neapolitan food alongside a lovingly selected craft beer and wine list.

After lunch: The National Football Museum

(13 minutes from Rudy’s)
This is the world’s biggest museum dedicated to the beautiful game. Not just for full-on fanatics, this museum is enjoyable for anyone with a passing interest in the sport. You can even test your skills at everything from penalty kicks and tricks to goalkeeping and commentating.

Dinner: Dishoom

(12 minute from the museum)
Voted Britain’s favourite restaurant two years running, Dishoom’s London reputation precedes it. Here, in its first home outside the capital, you’ll experience a whole new take on Indian cuisine, inspired by the Iranian cafés of old Bombay. Unmissable.

Drinks: Cottonopolis

(18 minutes from dinner – perfect for walking off that pudding)
Named in honour of Manchester’s cotton-trading heritage, Cottonopolis is the place to go for Asian-inspired cocktails, beers, teas and sakes – the perfect bar for toasting a brilliant day in the city centre.

 

Day Two: Shopping, design and street food

Breakfast: Ezra & Gil

(5 minutes’ walk from Native Manchester)
If you love locally roasted coffee and wholesome, seasonal food, you’ll want to kick start your day at this friendly, communal and welcoming coffee shop.

Post-breakfast retail therapy: The Arndale Centre and New Cathedral Street

(7 minutes from Ezra & Gil)
Manchester’s famous Arndale Centre is home to over 200 shops, boutiques, eateries and cafés, so there’s no end of opportunity to work that credit card. And, if you’re in the mood to treat yourself, you’ll find New Cathedral Street, the luxury shopping district, right opposite.

Lunch: El Gato Negro

(5 minutes from the shops)
Mancunians swear that this place serves the best tapas outside Spain. If you’re organised, you can book the chef’s table, where you’ll enjoy watching the open kitchen at work while you lunch.

Post-lunch tipples: The Oast House

(5 minutes from the restaurant)
A trip to Manchester wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of its breweries, so take a moment or two to sample little something at the Oast House. With its impressive ale inventory from around the world, it makes a perfect afternoon detour.

Northern Quarter shopping

(17 minutes from the pub)
Looking for something quirky and crafty? Head to the Northern Quarter for shops like Fred Aldous for artsy things, Fig & Sparrow for lifestyle design, Affleck’s Palace for indie eclecticism and much more.

Manchester Craft and Design Centre

(4 minutes from Fred Aldous)
Manchester Craft and Design Centre is home of the city’s artistic community, here you’ll find 16 retail and studio spaces filled with makers and crafts, a top-notch café and a busy and varied programme of exhibitions.

Dinner: Mackie Mayor

(6 minutes from the Northern Quarter, 12 minutes from home)
A gorgeous Grade II listed indoor food market, Mackie Mayor hosts ten exceptional eateries under its brand new glass roof. There’s everything from pork belly stuffed bao to fresh, handmade pasta, as well as plenty of tipples, so you can raise a glass to the city before you go.

And that’s it! 48 action-packed hours in Manchester – the UK’s beloved second city. If that doesn’t leave you itching to return, we don’t know what will.

Book your whirlwind tour of Manchester with a stay at Native Manchester.

Top 10 Manchester bars

Cocktails and gins with Japanese flair

Inspired by Manchester’s proud history in the cotton trade, Cottonopolis offers such a stunning menu of Japanese cocktails, beers, sakes and teas that you’ll simply have to come back to sample them all.

Must try: Drunken Life, Dreamy Death – an intoxicating mix of gin, bergamot and lemon verbena.

Ale, ale and more ale

Whether you’re a total novice or a proud Real Ale champion, you’re bound to find something in the Oast House’s Ale Inventory that’ll surprise you. There’s everything from IPA and lager to Trappist and dark varieties, and their Ale Masterclasses are legendary.

Must try: Brodie’s Prime Porter – a rich, dark brew with notes of dark chocolate and treacle.

Big Bavarian biers

If you’re looking for a place that takes its beer seriously, you’ve found it. At Albert’s Schloss, the team makes a weekly 1,500 mile round trip to the Urquell brewery in Prague to fill their tanks with the good stuff before serving it in Manchester’s very own Bier Palace.

Must try: The Manchester Rein – brewed right here in the city to Bavarian standards, using Munich malts.

Whimsical cocktails and bold beers

Fresh, young and quirky, The Font is fast becoming a Mancunian favourite. If you like your cocktails tooth-teasingly sweet, with rainbow ice and a unicorn horn, you’ve found your tribe. If you don’t, you’ll still find plenty to love on the beer menu.

Must try: The Unicorn Juice – a fruity frolic of bubble gum, rainbows and glitter.

Beer where it’s brewed

Most people find themselves at Seven Brothers for the first time while they’re waiting for a table at Rudy’s Pizza, but it’s well worth a visit in its own right. A family brewery through and through, here’s where you’ll find some of the best beers in town.

Must try: The Honeycomb Pale Ale, with its subtle hints of honey and proud Manchester heritage.

Experimental mixology

Whether it’s served in a hip flask, copper kettle or tea cup, the cocktails at The Alchemist are something to behold. With innovative mixes, ingredients you’ve never heard of (yet) and spectacular presentation, you’ll be Instagramming every round.

Must try: The Caviar One, simply for the joy of making your own rhubarb caviar to add to rhubarb gin and prosecco.

Beer and wine with Mancunian soul

Under the railway arches behind Piccadilly train station is Fairfield Social Club, home to the city’s newest food market, cider festivals, vegan delicacies and a fine list of wines, beers and cocktails to sample.

Must try: Anything from the new line of boozy sodas from local pop producer Steep Soda – we love the Tropical Crush, which is exclusive to Fairfield Social Club.

Booze with a side of live music

One of the Northern Quarter’s top gig spots is also one of its best bars. Matt & Phred’s has the feel of a real neighbourhood joint – albeit one that Jamie Cullum and Adele have played at. The bar is well stocked with classic cocktails, fine wines, beers and spirits – don’t miss the carefully selected bourbons that go brilliantly with the bar’s own wood-fired pizzas.

Must try: The happy hour deal – buy two alcoholic drinks and get a free pizza. A whole pizza. For free. Seriously.

Top-notch tequila

Take a detour from the Northern Quarter via Mexico City. At El Capo you’ll find terrific tapas, as well as South American-inspired cocktails, cervezas, wines and spirits, as well as one of the largest collections of tequila in the whole city.

Must try: Lady Marmalade, with its moreish mix of gin, peach liqueur and marmalade.

Bold Mexican blends

Mexico meets Vegas at Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, where you’ll find a huge range of bottled and canned craft beers and a cocktail menu packed with bold fresh fruit flavours. There’s also a killer happy hour, with £5 margaritas and £2 tequila shots – it’s not to be missed.

Must try: The paletas – Mexican ice lollies made with fresh fruit, doused in sparkling prosecco.

Fresh new flavours

Tucked away under the railway arches behind Piccadilly train station, GRUB is Manchester’s favourite street food festival. On Fridays and Saturdays there’s an incredible array of cuisine, but don’t miss the bar scene while you’re there. They have great selection of craft beers and ales, wines and cocktails, many of which you won’t have come across before.

Must try: Marble Mango – a local Kölsch-style brew by Marble Beers, packed full of juicy mango pulp.

 

Book a holiday apartment in Manchester and plan your next bar tour of the city.

Manchester’s top 10 restaurants

I’m in the mood for…the avant-garde.

Named in honour of Manchester’s cotton-trading heritage, Cottonopolis serves up Asian-inspired small plates like dim sum and sushi in a Grade II listed building, all alongside a delectable selection of sakes.

I’m in the mood for… civilised dining.

The Restaurant at the CULTUREPLEX’s full service restaurant. Its approach will be to offer uncomplicated good food, drink and service with common sense and good taste. Menus by Chef Director Blaine Duffy.

I’m in the mood for…top notch tapas.

Canto’s celebrated older sister, El Gato Negro, might well serve the best tapas you’ll ever have outside Spain. It’s also worth booking the chef’s table, where you can enjoy the theatre of the open kitchen while you savour every bite.

I’m in the mood for…variety.

Mackie Mayor is a gorgeous Grade II listed indoor food market that boasts ten exceptional eateries under its brand new glass roof, with everything from Taiwanese bao to some of the finest pizza in town.

I’m in the mood for…a big, beefy burger.

Make sure you’re hungry before you venture to Almost Famous for some of Manchester’s biggest and best burgers. Pulled pork, BBQ chicken and deep fried mac ’n’ cheese await, along with beers, cocktails and shakes.

I’m in the mood for…Mexican with a twist.

Visit Mexico via Vegas with big, bold burritos, burgers, tacos and steaks from the team behind Almost Famous. At Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, the ingredients are so fresh that they even make the guacamole at your table.

I’m in the mood for…a hangover cure.

If brunch is your thing, head straight to Moose Coffee and join the queue – trust us, it’s worth the wait. Enjoy classic Benedicts and sure-fire remedies for the morning after the night before, like the Lone Star Moose meat-fest.

I’m in the mood for…understated elegance.

Yuzu is a little haven of Japanese calm that’s tucked away amidst the bustle of Chinatown and has been gaining country-wide accolades since The Guardian’s food critic, Jay Rayner, raved about it. Be sure to book ahead – it fills up fast.

I’m in the mood for…the perfect pizza.

A little taste of Napoli in Ancoats, Rudy’s is a neighbourhood favourite, serving brilliant pizzas (at brilliant prices) alongside a lovingly selected craft beer and wine list. Perfect for an easy-going night out.

And, one more for luck (because we couldn’t pick just ten)…

I’m in the mood for…everything!

Manchester’s legendary street food festival now has a permanent home under the railway arches behind Piccadilly train station: GRUB at Fairfield Social Club. Fridays and Saturdays see the place burst into life with food, drink, events and live music, and they even have a vegan day every Sunday.

Take a trip to Manchester and create your own foodie festival.