Top 10 places to visit in Manchester, UK — by a local

So much more than just football.

There’s more to Manchester than just football! I’ve lived in the area for most of my life, and these are my favorite places to get you off the tourist trail, see something new and get some delicious food to boot!

Afflecks Palace

Any visit to Manchester would not be complete without popping into this Manchester institution. Part shopping center, part art gallery, this eclectic emporium has been housing small indie traders for over 30 years. The lineup is always changing but inside its warren of stores, you can find gothic clothes, odd antiques, fancy-dress, bath bombs, vintage consoles, and much much more. Don’t forget to stop at Gingers Comfort emporium for some Chorlton Crack — peanut butter and salted caramel ice cream that will have you begging to come back.

Black Milk

This cereal cafe originally got its start in the aforementioned Afflecks Palace, but now has its premises at the top of Oldham Street. They got their name serving exotic cereals in a variety of ways; why have your coco pops with milk when you could have it with ice cream? They have since branched out to cake and freak shakes too. If you happen to be visiting around easter, you can get your cereal served inside an easter egg. It’s not a place for those who prefer healthy eating or don’t have a sweet tooth, but if you’re into your cake, you’re sure to enjoy a visit to Black Milk.

New Islington Marina

New Islington Marina is nestled between Ancoats & New Islington, on the far north of the city, just passed the Northern Quarter. It’s an up-and-coming area that has seen a ton of development over the past 5 years. Abandoned Mills have been transformed into airy apartments above trendy bars and restaurants. Enjoy a stroll around the marina, take a peek at the boats, and pet a tiny dog! Grab a locally brewed ale at Cask, or enjoy a glass of wine at Flawd. Before you leave make sure to grab a loaf from baker’s Pollen. Their bread is renowned, and locals will regularly queue along the marina on a Saturday morning.

John Rylands Library

This historic library originally opened to the public in 1900 and is the third-largest academic library in the UK. The neo-gothic building is easy to find on Deansgate, standing in stark contrast to the shiny glass of neighboring Spinningfields. It’s free for anyone to pop in and admire this masterpiece of Victorian architecture, that more closely resembles a castle or cathedral than a library. You can also see the oldest known piece of the New Testament and an edition of the Canterbury Tales from 1476 or take in a range of limited-time special collections.

Arndale Food Market

Set on the side of the Arndale shopping center is a treasure trove of foodie favorites. Ignore the bustling food court, which homes the same generic fast food outlets as every other city, and check out the lesser-known Food Market to get a real taste of Manchester. Here you’ll find street food delights from around the world including burritos, natas, pizzas, currys, and much much more. The legendary Viet Shack opened up right here and built up enough of a loyal customer base to open up a full restaurant elsewhere in the city. They still run the small stall here, and their duck salad would be my number one recommendation.

HOME

Dodge The Odeon and Vue, HOME is the only place to see a movie in Manchester. It boasts five screens, two theatres, and an art gallery, so you can get your full cultural fix in just one location. If you get peckish, they also make a cracking pizza. They work with artists from the UK and all around the world to produce extraordinary experiences including drama, dance, film, and visual art. Should you visit in the warmer months, they often arrange events in the outdoor space around their 1st Street base, so check out what is on before your visit.

Manchester Museum

Journey a little away from the city center, towards the University of Manchester, and you’ll find yourself at Manchester Museum. This lovely spot is so much more than your standard museum. The museum is currently closed for development until February 2023, when it will re-open as “the most inclusive, imaginative and caring museum you might encounter”.

Bundobust

This gem of an Indian restaurant now boasts two city-center venues, one close to Picadilly Gardens and a second on Oxford Road. It’s a great spot for a relaxed lunch with friends. Food is served on communal benches with local ales, some of which are brewed right on site. It’s a small plates vibe which means you can try out even more of their delicious food. If you have five friends (or you are really hungry), you can even order the Bundo Combo and get one of every dish on the menu for the bargain price of £100. If you have to pick just two, make sure you don’t miss out on the dosas and bundo chaat. You wouldn’t even notice everything is vegetarian, it’s just too delicious to think about.

Fab Café

Fab touts itself as the world’s first Television and Movie theme bar. Originally opened in 1998 they are a geeks paradise. A bar where you can have a drink with a Dalek or dance beneath a Thunderbird. Drinks are reasonable, the music is cheesy and if you get hungry… well the menu is a little odd. They’re pretty upfront that everything is prepared in the microwave, but you can get classics like “breakfast in a can”, a bowl of cereal, or fish fingers and custard… you might want to have a few drinks before that one.

The Corn Exchange

For a more classy affair when it comes to mealtime, head to The Corn Exchange. Conveniently located between The Arndale, Selfridges, and The Printworks, this historic building was originally constructed in 1837 but has been transformed into a modern dining venue with a broad range of cuisines including Cosy Club and Tampopo. My pick here would have to be Mowgli, another of my favorite Indian restaurant. Don’t worry yourself looking at the menu, it’s all amazing so just order the Office Workers Tiffin (for meat eaters) or the Indian School Tiffin (for vegetarians) and let the chef decide for you. What’s more, if two in your party order the tiffin, they don’t feature the same dishes, so you get to try more! Don’t forget to order chat bombs to munch while you wait for your food.

That’s my list of my favorite Manchester spots! Have you ever been? What would you like to do? Let me know in the comments, and follow for more!