Spanish tapas should be fun and communal. Not to mention delicious. Manchester has no shortage of spots serving those needs, but nowhere does it like Maricarmen. Specialising in a tableo concept, for the uninitiated that means trays of each dish brought out from the kitchen en masse, and customers picking what to eat “in the moment”. All plates are £3, and the aim of the game is stacking up as many as you can consume in a single sitting. Great value for money and a memorable way to eat make this one of our favourite Ancoats spots for an informal bite.
According to the team, the most popular dishes include patatas bravas, which come with homemade aioli and brava sauce, Salmorejo tomato soup, gambas al ajillo (garlic king prawns), and San Sebastián-Basque-style pintxos, such as steak in salsa verde, pork tenderloin, tortilla, ensaladilla with anchovy, piquillo peppers and goat’s cheese. However, Saturdays switch things up by introducing larger a la carte options, with big winners like Iberico pork, pulpo a feira, and cachopo asturiano. You’ll also find tapas still being served, alongside live entertainment, from flamenco dancers to guitarists and more.
Sundays, meanwhile, focus on brunch, taking inspiration from the UK and southern Mediterranean alike. Highlights range between sandwiches (fried squid, tortilla, Iberico ham) and the Espanglish breakfast; chorizo, morcilla (Spanish black pudding), pisto (veggie stew), pork belly and a pair of fried eggs. Any time, any day, eye-caching paella is also available, so choose from seafood, squid ink rice, Iberico pork pluma and vegan. Although steak lovers might prefer cachopo asturiano, deep fried with cheese, Iberico ham and served with patatas bravas and padron peppers. Meanwhile, standout desserts look like tarta de santiago (almond cake), chocolate chorizo, torrija de brioche (brioche infused in milk, served with caramelised top and salted caramel ice cream,) and arroz con leche — the best rice pudding on the planet, complete with crema Catalana.