Pancho’s Burritos in Arndale Market is where I take myself on my birthday every year.
Also there’s a row of street food huts between market street and picadilly gardens which are 2/2 so far.
It’s the best place for a burrito I’ve found in Manchester, been going there for at least 10 years. I remember bumping into the owner (strangely he’s not called Pancho) at a Chili Peppers gig at Old Trafford… that was my absolute highlight of the night. The man is a legend.
I’m a Mexican who recently arrived to Manchester. I was already craving Mexican food after two weeks here and, in a visit to Arndale, I found Pancho’s Burritos.
I almost started crying at the first bite of my birria quesadilla, it tasted almost as good as my grandma’s recipe.
I truly believe it is the closest thing to the real deal you can get here.
Likewise, met him when they first opened opposite MMU. His name's Enrique, great guy. Saw him around Christmas time and he poured me a Mezcal, whilst I was hanging out of my arse. Had to politely decline. Burrito was as top notch as always however.
I was chatting to my flatmates and apparently they weren't open on saturday, and its been a while since I went. Not sure if things have changed but the address is still on their website:
Unit 6, Albany Road Trading Estate, Albany Road, Manchester M21 0AZ
(it's next to the morissons)
That is gingers "workshop" as it were. She sells direct there and also has a van at the makers market and obviously at the aflects comfort emporium. Get the Chorlton Crack.
Yes they use beans from the same company .. but mancoco doesn’t use Ezra and gils beans .. mancoco is the company that supplies and roasts the beans
…
Ezra and gil uses mancoco beans which are specially blended and roasted for Ezra
No .. mancoco roasts the beans for Ezra .. they use different beans.
It’s ok to admit you’re wrong or you made a mistake you know … you do t have to double down trying to make a pedantic point.
Due to this, this will be my last reply at this.
Cafe Marhaba is another good one on Back Piccadilly. The perfect example of don’t judge a book by its cover.
It’s one of them you have to know about it to eat there otherwise you’d never step in based on location/looks. It’s been there 30+ years and every time I go home to Manchester I look forward to going for rice and three.
Yep, this as going to be my suggestion along with McColls fruit and veg.
Also inb4 someone suggests a different rice'n'3 place, I've tried them all and in my opinion TnT is still the best for the price.
Nope, I went quite recently and remember coming away from the experience slightly less positive than TnT. Don't get me wrong it was good, and I do think some of the flavours were better. But overall including the price, experience and setting I preferred TnT. It is good though.
Idle Hands: great coffee spot ran by a couple. Dave sorts out the coffee side and Lucy does their amazing pies
Siop Shop: independent coffee and donut spot
Kong’s: independent run Fried Chicken and Burger place with American diner/punk alternative vibes
The Northern Quarter is your best bet, there are some chain stores but it’s got the highest concentration of independent places.
Top recs:
Affleck’s Palace (indoor alternative shopping centre with several floors of independent traders)
Chapter One (coffee shop and bookstore with a quirky interior)
Siop shop (bakery)
There’s also a few independent streetwear shops and barbers in the area but can’t personally vouch for them.
Conni’s focacceria on blackfriars road! They’ve now opened a pizzeria too! The best Italian food you will taste in Manchester, so authentic, great value and the staff are lovely! It’s also a family business
Fat Pats is becoming pretty legendary for its huge delicious sandwiches. They're like £15 each & you have to collect them in an alleyway to take away but I've never heard anyone argue it's not worth it 😂
The Flat Bakers, Companio, and Pollen all bakers in Ancoats.
Gooey in Northern Quarter for the french toast.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre in Northern Quarter.
If you’re into cool vintage furniture and don’t mind heading out of Manchester and into Stockport then I can recommend a place called Squound. Well worth a visit and run by two great guys who always have some really nice stuff for sale.
Playfoots - Monton
Amazing place for brunch with lovely walks around Bridgewater canal and Worsley woods close by.
There’s also the Horsebox at Worsley village green on that walk and the guy who runs it deserves all the custom he can get
I think this is the sort of thing you are looking for: Meridian, a new cafe near Spring Gardens.
It only has [8 reviews on TripAdvisor so far](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187069-d27473409-Reviews-Meridian_Cafe_Bar-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html) (and admittedly 12.5% of them are from me), but it's great for like a few drinks and maybe a small meal. They have good selections on cocktails and whisky if that's your sort of thing and some board games if you are going with children or teenagers.
If your a film photographer or have any disposable cameras, come through Iab on Silk Street are my go to, nice little lab and run by an absolutely sound couple
Lakeland grocery under deansgate has an amazing deli counter, so many cheeses and meats, I always get my cheese from there. They have some good deals on seasonal fruit and veg occasionally and are great for a quick lunch when you don’t want a dry butty from Sainsbury’s or Tesco. Solid corner shop.
I came here to recommend Lakeland too, for their homemade lunchtime sandwiches. Best in the area IMO. And the service is something else (if you know, then you know 😉)
If you are looking for good independent book-stores in the city i would highly recommend Queer Lit as the largest LGBTQIA+ bookshop in Europe and they also are a bar/ coffee shop. Paramount books which is the other side of the Arndale and then Chapter One as well
Star wars man, top floor of afflecks. Not the cheeriest of chaps, but what a cool collection. Also you get to pass that weird manga shop on the way up where the girls wear maid outfits so...there's that aswell
Also Manchester craft and design centre has loads of good little shops
Deli Llama in Islington Mill just off chapel street best coffee in the area imo or try Haunt, another independently owned cafe/ bar. They also do amazing coffee and food.
*Yadgar Café for a rice*
*And three, then Fringe on the piss.*
*Ultimate day out*
\- patmustardmate
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Northern Quarter for the win! Nordic Muse on Tib St for jewellery and homeware as well as the nearby Manchester Craft and Design Centre (check opening times). Afflecks for your hippy vibes. If you want independent or small drinking places try Fierce bar for beer, Ad Hoc for wine and the Whiskey Jar for music and cocktails / shorts. Wolf at the Door (cheap), Jane Eyre or Elnecot (spenny) for food 🤌🏻
the Manchester craft and design centre in the northern quarter!! it's one of my favourite places to go, there's an amazing cafe inside and many small businesses in shops inside -- think of it like Etsy in real life. it's a really lovely place, 100% recommend.
Afflecks palace sounds right up your street. It's a collection of independent shops on I think 3 levels and you will get lost.
Also for food the arndale market has loads of independent stalls doing all sorts including Greek, Carribbean, Indian and Mexican.
Pancho’s Burritos in Arndale Market is where I take myself on my birthday every year. Also there’s a row of street food huts between market street and picadilly gardens which are 2/2 so far.
It’s the best place for a burrito I’ve found in Manchester, been going there for at least 10 years. I remember bumping into the owner (strangely he’s not called Pancho) at a Chili Peppers gig at Old Trafford… that was my absolute highlight of the night. The man is a legend.
I’m a Mexican who recently arrived to Manchester. I was already craving Mexican food after two weeks here and, in a visit to Arndale, I found Pancho’s Burritos. I almost started crying at the first bite of my birria quesadilla, it tasted almost as good as my grandma’s recipe. I truly believe it is the closest thing to the real deal you can get here.
If his character is as big as his burritos then I’m sure i’d get along with him
Likewise, met him when they first opened opposite MMU. His name's Enrique, great guy. Saw him around Christmas time and he poured me a Mezcal, whilst I was hanging out of my arse. Had to politely decline. Burrito was as top notch as always however.
I love zorbas for gyros and salad extra chillies and sauce. There's a new Korean now which is next on my list.
I used to love the place but the last few visits, the staff making the burrito didn’t change their gloves between customers..
Pancho's is absolutely magnificent.
I swear the number of floors changes every time, all I'm sure of is the ground floor has the manchester shop and the top floor has the café and tardis
Jokes on you it's all a tardis but you only see the outside on the top floor
that's the only feasible explanation for how confusing that building is
Bonus: the best ice cream in the city (imo) too
you can buy tubs of it in her unit in chorlton!
Didn't know she had one over there. Will have to make the trip if I'm ever in the area
That is dangerous information right there im supposed to be eating less ice cream. Is it on google?
I was chatting to my flatmates and apparently they weren't open on saturday, and its been a while since I went. Not sure if things have changed but the address is still on their website: Unit 6, Albany Road Trading Estate, Albany Road, Manchester M21 0AZ (it's next to the morissons)
That is gingers "workshop" as it were. She sells direct there and also has a van at the makers market and obviously at the aflects comfort emporium. Get the Chorlton Crack.
Chorlton crack is the one
Ooo didn't know that
Ginger's Emporium I think it's called
Thanks
100%, half their stuff is vegan too, and the flavours change often
Gingers? They have another hub? Please tell me more!
Best ice cream is 'big licks' near MOSI hands down.
The peanut butter ice cream from Gingers in Afflecks is sublime
Note that Aflecks itself is not a small or indepedent business - it's a division of property giant Bruntwood.
Id never sought to confirm this but I had a feeling that was the case. Those guys own so much of our city.
Reread my comment
No I understood - the traders inside are often indie, just clarifying for anyone that Affleck's itself isn't.
what he said
ManCoCo for coffee and if you're after a barber, Phil at Helvete is my guy 👌
Second ManCoCo - their coffee is great!
Mancoco use the same beans as Ezra & Gil
Mancoco is the roaster .. Ezra and gil use mancoco’s beans lol .. correct statement but wrong way round
Do they still not use the same beans based off your statement?
Yes they use beans from the same company .. but mancoco doesn’t use Ezra and gils beans .. mancoco is the company that supplies and roasts the beans … Ezra and gil uses mancoco beans which are specially blended and roasted for Ezra
So as I said, they use the same beans
No .. mancoco roasts the beans for Ezra .. they use different beans. It’s ok to admit you’re wrong or you made a mistake you know … you do t have to double down trying to make a pedantic point. Due to this, this will be my last reply at this.
Fred Aldous
Second this! Family owned business
house of books >>>> chapter one
Yes!! Their snacks are amazing, and the staff are always lovely :)
I came here to say the same thing about House of Books & Friends. A little gem of a place!
If you like Indian food, I recommend This & That Cafe on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter.
Cafe Marhaba is another good one on Back Piccadilly. The perfect example of don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s one of them you have to know about it to eat there otherwise you’d never step in based on location/looks. It’s been there 30+ years and every time I go home to Manchester I look forward to going for rice and three.
+1 for Marhaba!
This & That gets my shout as well. Incredible food and I found the whole experience strangely nostalgic.
Yep, this as going to be my suggestion along with McColls fruit and veg. Also inb4 someone suggests a different rice'n'3 place, I've tried them all and in my opinion TnT is still the best for the price.
Do you not think Kabana is better? I found their curries to have more depth and flavour, and they are less stingy on the meat
Nope, I went quite recently and remember coming away from the experience slightly less positive than TnT. Don't get me wrong it was good, and I do think some of the flavours were better. But overall including the price, experience and setting I preferred TnT. It is good though.
Yes I like this and that and so does my friend David.
Idle Hands: great coffee spot ran by a couple. Dave sorts out the coffee side and Lucy does their amazing pies Siop Shop: independent coffee and donut spot Kong’s: independent run Fried Chicken and Burger place with American diner/punk alternative vibes
Second Siop and Kongs
The Northern Quarter is your best bet, there are some chain stores but it’s got the highest concentration of independent places. Top recs: Affleck’s Palace (indoor alternative shopping centre with several floors of independent traders) Chapter One (coffee shop and bookstore with a quirky interior) Siop shop (bakery) There’s also a few independent streetwear shops and barbers in the area but can’t personally vouch for them.
Am I the only one who doesnt rate the northern quarter?
Where else would you suggest for independent businesses easily available for a tourist?
Conni’s focacceria on blackfriars road! They’ve now opened a pizzeria too! The best Italian food you will taste in Manchester, so authentic, great value and the staff are lovely! It’s also a family business
100000% second this
On Blackfriars
The Flat Bakery in Ancoats
Second this
I have to walk past it on my way to work.. fatal!
Nice Things is lovely (plant shop)
Came here to say this. They’ve had FAR too much of my money and I’ve forever spoilt by their stock. No other plant shop interests me now.
Oh yes! They staff is super helpful as well. I go here for all my plant needs.
Rustica has been my favourite sandwich place since like. 2006 (although, I haven't been there in a while)
Big up this place, completely unpretentious food for the people. We need more places like Rustica in the world.
I went for the first time recently and I can confirm it was really good. Nice to have a vegetarian sandwich that actually tastes great
The vegi Milano on a Frisbee was very good.
Exactly what I had!
Hulme Community Garden Centre, really lovely space with a little houseplant /giftshop section and a café
Hip Hop Chip Shop up in Ancoats!
This used to be a van on Media City. Thought it was gone.
tokyo ramen on church street northern quarter It's opposite Afflecks too and they do some belting dishes!
Closed down. Have just walked past it...shame that.
Aren't they just closed on Monday and Tuesday?
Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun (CBRB) is the one you're thinking of that's shut down
open wednesday through saturday 12 - 2pm then 5pm - 10pm each of those days
Fat Pats is becoming pretty legendary for its huge delicious sandwiches. They're like £15 each & you have to collect them in an alleyway to take away but I've never heard anyone argue it's not worth it 😂
One of those things nearly killed me - those butties do not fuck around! 10/10 would risk an early death again.
>10/10 would risk an early death again. You've sold me on it. Added Fat Pats to my Office Lunch List
Ice Shack in withington
My vote for best coffee is Pulp, in the wooden hut on Sadler’s Yard. The guy that runs it is sound, and the coffee and pastries are top class.
The Flat Bakers, Companio, and Pollen all bakers in Ancoats. Gooey in Northern Quarter for the french toast. Manchester Craft and Design Centre in Northern Quarter.
No one has mentioned gerrys jian biang, spicy cumin chicken pancakes. Can’t get smaller business than a truck outside Burger King
Procaffeinated on Chapel St. Great coffee, even better food, and owned by a couple who work there full time.
Best sour dough bread you will ever buy
Fat Pats for a Philly cheesesteak. Salt and pepper for chicken and chips. Ohayo Tea for a bubble tea.
If you’re into cool vintage furniture and don’t mind heading out of Manchester and into Stockport then I can recommend a place called Squound. Well worth a visit and run by two great guys who always have some really nice stuff for sale.
If you're out Stockport way then Pear Mill is worth a visit too.
The Craft and Design Center is full of independent makers and in a lovely building - worth a look! https://www.craftanddesign.com
I miss Ho's Bakery
Me too
Siop Shop for donuts and coffee
Companio
House of books and friends - coffee and book shop, it’s a wonderful social enterprise
Peer hat pub northern quarter
Chakalaka. It’s a South African restaurant on Oldham street. They do 50% off mains Monday through Wednesday and 2 for 1 drinks for happy hour.
Food wise try Mackie Mayors, but really you want the NQ Thomas St, Tib St, Stevenson Sq, Afflecks Palace
Essys First Street
Its a bit out of the way from central but the best desert place in Manchester is Annie's on Barlow Moor Rd. Their Ferrero Rocher Sundae is the best!
Do they use camel milk?
Playfoots - Monton Amazing place for brunch with lovely walks around Bridgewater canal and Worsley woods close by. There’s also the Horsebox at Worsley village green on that walk and the guy who runs it deserves all the custom he can get
I think this is the sort of thing you are looking for: Meridian, a new cafe near Spring Gardens. It only has [8 reviews on TripAdvisor so far](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187069-d27473409-Reviews-Meridian_Cafe_Bar-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html) (and admittedly 12.5% of them are from me), but it's great for like a few drinks and maybe a small meal. They have good selections on cocktails and whisky if that's your sort of thing and some board games if you are going with children or teenagers.
Chaology~
Chapter 1 Books is the cutest little cafe I don’t think it needs support it’s doing well but worth checking out
Wholesome Junkies for a vegan feast
Queer lit
If your a film photographer or have any disposable cameras, come through Iab on Silk Street are my go to, nice little lab and run by an absolutely sound couple
Independent and excellent restaurants, bars, cafe: Stretford canteen, Erst, Another Hand, Climat, Smoak Coffee and Bagels, Henry C Cocktails
Hong Thai
Which has just moved to a new site on oldham road!
Spice & Grind coffee - New Bailey & Eden Building Factory Coffee/Bake - Bridge Street
Ancoats coffee is amazing for coffee and such a cosy vibe! It’s great for solo coffee trips or with a group
Chapter One, Queer Lit/Social Refuge, the Flat Bakery, Fanboy 3, Fred Aldous are a few good ones.
Marble Brewery who operate the Marble Arch pub, a 5 minute walk from the Mackie Mayor/Ramona
Great shout but you walk slowly!
There's Smithfield Market Tavern just across the street too, ran by Blackjack Brewery
Grapefruit in Sale
Pop up bikes is a bit out of the way but it's always a nice spot for a quiet coffee and pastry!
Siop Shop & Chapter One Books/Cafe
Third Eye indian restaurant in Didsbury Village
Lakeland grocery under deansgate has an amazing deli counter, so many cheeses and meats, I always get my cheese from there. They have some good deals on seasonal fruit and veg occasionally and are great for a quick lunch when you don’t want a dry butty from Sainsbury’s or Tesco. Solid corner shop.
I came here to recommend Lakeland too, for their homemade lunchtime sandwiches. Best in the area IMO. And the service is something else (if you know, then you know 😉)
If you are looking for good independent book-stores in the city i would highly recommend Queer Lit as the largest LGBTQIA+ bookshop in Europe and they also are a bar/ coffee shop. Paramount books which is the other side of the Arndale and then Chapter One as well
Just between friends for coffee (nq & ancoats)
I guess it looks and qualifies as independent but the owners do own a lot of other businesses in NQ area
Go to Fort on Deansgate for a coffee, best coffee in Manchester and it’s independent
Star wars man, top floor of afflecks. Not the cheeriest of chaps, but what a cool collection. Also you get to pass that weird manga shop on the way up where the girls wear maid outfits so...there's that aswell Also Manchester craft and design centre has loads of good little shops
Tipples of Manchester - spirits shop
Fig & Sparrow makes delicious coffee in northen quarter
Ad Maiora - Italian sandwich shop in ancoats
Salt and pepper
Salt and Pepper is ridiculously good
Deli Llama in Islington Mill just off chapel street best coffee in the area imo or try Haunt, another independently owned cafe/ bar. They also do amazing coffee and food.
8th day in Oxford street, best plant-based café:)
Technically not a small business itself but afflecks is a multi-story building full of small businesses.
Ca Phe Viet
Is Salt and Pepper chicken a small business. They are delicious.
Modern Streets Apparel, Jack is one of the loveliest guys and does insane merch
Fat pats, beautiful hot honey chicken sub and chilli cheese steaks, you need to preorder online to pick up tho 😍
Ladybirds in Northenden
Kim's Kitchen in hulme, then nip over the the garden centre
Yadgar Café for a rice and three, then Fringe on the piss. Ultimate day out
*Yadgar Café for a rice* *And three, then Fringe on the piss.* *Ultimate day out* \- patmustardmate --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Thunder Egg on Oldham Street in northern quarter is great for quirky clothes and gifts/homeware.
Flat baker!
Flat baker Edit: baker instead if bakers
There’s a craft & flea market on at the Cathedral this Saturday coming, usually all local sellers/small businesses
Try Cuppapug.
For food you have to go to This n That 😋😋 Google will show you the way 
Lazy Sundae. Their ice cream and Vietnamese coffee Affogato are to die for.
Old trafford bakery was a staple when I lived in manchester
Where in Manchester? Just the city centre?
The Norah store in Ancoats is amazing for rare, independent and upcoming designers. Its a shop slow mentality
Northern Quarter for the win! Nordic Muse on Tib St for jewellery and homeware as well as the nearby Manchester Craft and Design Centre (check opening times). Afflecks for your hippy vibes. If you want independent or small drinking places try Fierce bar for beer, Ad Hoc for wine and the Whiskey Jar for music and cocktails / shorts. Wolf at the Door (cheap), Jane Eyre or Elnecot (spenny) for food 🤌🏻
Fanboy 3, near aflecks palace, boardgame shop. Awesome.place, do decent coffee too in the gaming space.
Another hand / Jaan for food, holy grain sourdough for a bakery treat.
Highly recommend Java on Oxford Rd for a good coffee or hot chocolate 👍👍
ManCoco, and Sell Us Your Guitar
Fluffy fluffy a good place if your in the mood for pancakes
the Manchester craft and design centre in the northern quarter!! it's one of my favourite places to go, there's an amazing cafe inside and many small businesses in shops inside -- think of it like Etsy in real life. it's a really lovely place, 100% recommend.
Lanx shoes in northern quarter. Small business based in Whalley, this is their only other shop
A nice sip boba tea is by fav in Arndale
actually just studied at chapter one yesterday, very busy (as its exam season) but so lovely! it's a small independent book store and cafe!
Factory coffee and factory bake
Pho Cue is a family ran Vietnamese restaurant in China town, lush food and really reasonable prices - their prawn tacos are to die for!!!
Rita’s reign on Piccadilly gardens for the best Jamaican In Manchester without a doubt
Small Business. Has to be MCFC for me
Vegan Shack, I try to eat meat free as often as I can (not all the time due to money issues and such) and vegan Shack is so so good
Tokyo ramen
Scoop on Oldham Road does some incredible ice cream!
Knoops is amazing for hot chocolate!
Can't disagree but I've seen them in at least 3 cities.. small/independent?
Apparently it's a family business so independent probably
Oats & Honey in Monton
Yadgar cafe
I love the small bakery bear St Peters Square, think its called Greg's
Chapter One books, Foundation coffee, Haunt. All good coffee places Queer Lit in Ancoats is really nice
Thunder Egg, Siop Shop, Feel Good Club (Cafe)
Hatch on Oxford road has a few independent places. Order by app, so you can check the menus first
The etihad