The best foodhalls and markets in Manchester

Among the pioneers of the foodhall boom which has since spread to every corner of the UK, Altrincham Market is pretty much synonymous with the town itself. Housed in the market hall which has stood on that spot since the 1870s – and which not so long ago was a ‘proper’ market full of cheap undies, broken biscuits and button stalls – you can now choose to eat from a number of dining establishments like the OG Honest Crust pizzeria, Tender Cow steakhouse and the Great North Pie Co. Beverages come courtesy of Market House Coffee, Reserve Wines and Blackjack Brewery. No wonder the place is always packed.

More in the vein of traditional markets, Arndale Markets is one of the best foodie spots in the city. In terms of choice and value, there are a few city centre lunch spots quite consistently as good. It might not be the most glamorous of surroundings, but when you’ve got the likes of Rack, Sushi Dragon and Zorba’s, it simply does not matter. The Arndale Food Markets have also been the starting point for loads of favourites, like Hong Thai and Takoyaki Masters, so watch this space.

Famously the home of the black pudding, Bury Market is as traditional as they come. A maze of outdoor and indoor stalls featuring everything from cheesemongers to haberdashers, this place attracts regular coach trippers because of its wide-ranging appeal and iconic status. It’s certainly not as trendy as some of the spots on the list, but that’s its beauty – good quality, locally-sourced produce and a proper community vibe. Plus loads of bits and bobs too.

Opened up in a historic, Grade II-listed building that feels more ancient Greece than Oldham town centre, The Egyptian Room is a seriously decadent addition to Oldham’s emerging food scene. The various kitchens include city centre pizza favourite Ply, as well as The Last Stop burgers and gyros, Cambodian food from Tuk Tuk and Caribbean food from Seacoles. There’s a great little bar and daily live music too.

Transforming the waste ground that sat neglected next to the old Mayfield train depot across the road from Piccadilly Station, Freight has made itself its own destination – a place to eat, drink, dance, sunbathe, eat again, drink and then wend your way home from its twinkling lights as envious motorists observe from the Mancunian Way. Its cavernous expanse features kitchens and bars from the likes of Patterson’s Fried Chicken, Fuku’s Asian fusion food, Voodoo Ray’s pizza and the all-mighty Burgerism. There’s a taproom for beer, and loads of cocktail options too.

56 Peter Street is one of those imposing Edwardian-era stunners that Manchester city centre does incredibly well indeed. Formerly the city’s Natural History museum, and clad in brown and buff terracotta, carved statues and ornate detailing contrast the nod towards modernism visible in the window placements. Food-wise, they’re all about quality over quantity. There are three prestigious kitchens in residence: Baratxuri, Osma and Jaan, serving up Basque-style cooking, Scandi plates and Persian flatbreads respectively.

Covering three storeys, there’s a clear nod to the legendary subterranean food halls of the East, and the flavours are similarly authentic. Come to Hello Oriental in the city centre’s Circle Square for traditional Chinese BBQ meats, stunning sushi platters and Korean fried chicken. All of which are just for starters. Bao buns, Southeast Asian curries, dim sum, grilled dishes, noodles, pho, bun hue, poke and more, whether it’s Vietnamese or Japanese-Hawaiian, papaya salad or summer rolls, it’s here and done very well indeed, making for a great place to come as a group with something for pretty much everyone, and any occasion.

Salford Quays has not always been a foodie spot – more corporate chains than street food and indies. KargoMKT have changed that though, meaning you can punctuate your trip to The Lowry or Imperial War Museum North with a stop at Nila’s Burmese Kitchen, Ad Maiora for an Italian sub, Baity for authentic Palestinian cuisine, Jerk Junction’s Caribbean boxes, House of Habesha and loads more, making a day trip to the Quays an exponentially more delicious affair.

Made in the model of Altrincham’s Market House but its bigger brother in every sense, is Mackie Mayor on Swan Street. Named after Mayor Ivie Mackie who opened the building in 1858 as a fresh produce hall, Mackie Mayor is home to streetfood heavyweights like Honest Crust, Tender Cow, New Wave Ramen, and Pico’s. Drinks are provided by Reserve Wines, Blackjack and the excellent cocktail spot Stray.

Originally built by The Co-op (yes, that Co-op) in 1963 as a performance hall to entertain their staff, New Century as we know it today is a one-stop-shop for contemporary hedonism. At the ground floor you’ll find an impressive food hall with a number of kitchens representing some of the best independent caterers in town and a few small local chains. The choice includes Ply pizza, Parmogeddon parmos and burgers and hot dogs by Good Things. Elsewhere, pan-Asian and Japanese dishes are also available. Central to all this, of course, is a huge bar catering to any and all refreshment needs, and the gigs upstairs are pretty good too. 

Macclesfield has its own iteration of Altrincham Market House and Mackie Mayor, and it’s in a beautiful former cinema. Reserve and Blackjack are on hand as is to be expected, as well as Reuben’s shawarma, Send Noods’ gyoza and ramen, and Good Burgers’ simple-but-delicious burgers and loaded fries. You have to hand it to these guys, they know how to run a foodhall.

A relatively new addition to the foodhall scene north of the city centre, Radcliffe Market is a combination of a traditional market and a modern dining hall. That means that alongside Hair by Julie and Margaret’s Repairs and Alterations you can dine on Japanese snacks from Arigato, Punjabi dishes from Mogul and Mexican street food from Acapulco.

Opposite Manchester Central and across an ornamental pond from The Bridgewater Hall seems an unlikely spot for a modern food hall to make sense, but make sense Society does. With a short but perfectly formed list of traders including Chaat Cart, Slap & Pickle, Noi Quattro and Yoki Social Table, and the beers by Hebden Bridge’s finest brewery Vocation, it’s a consistently crowd-pleasing spot for some pre-culture refreshments.