Where To Find The Best Street Food In Manchester
Heading to Old Trafford to see a Manchester United game? Or making your way to the city to seek out a museum? Be sure to eat street food first! Many times when you think of street food you think of fun, calorie-laden foods that can be found at county fairs, on food trucks, or even the iconic hot dog carts. But Manchester’s street food vendors have taken things to the next level and elevated their menus to include international flavors as well as traditional English favorites.
While you may not find street food vendors parked on the sidewalks in the city center, you will find them flooding the many markets in the city. Dine on exotic fare or comfortable favorites while wandering through Manchester. You will be amazed at the types of foods being offered!
Foodies will love exploring the best street food in Manchester and will be delighted to attend one of the fairs and festivals that highlight street food from seafood to burgers and more. When you are in search of terrific tastes, drop your things at a Manchester luggage storage spot. You will need two hands to eat the many fantastic dishes you find along the way!
Best Street Food Vendors in Manchester
Finding the best street food vendors in Manchester really is not that hard. You just have to know where to look and when you find a vendor that has a line that winds around the corner, chances are pretty good you have just found one of the best in the city. Whether looking for a traditional favorite or a spicy international dish, you can find it in Manchester.
Woodstock Pizza
Address: 83 Stockport Road, Marple, Stockport, Greater Manchester
Sometimes you just get a craving for a slice of pizza and finding a pizzeria can be difficult when you are in a hurry. If the craving strikes and you happen to be in Stockport, head over to Woodstock Pizza for an authentic oven baked slice of pizza.
Bold flavors such as those found on the Hey Pesto pizza will make your tummy very happy. The Hey Pesto pizza has basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and pesto sauce on a stone-baked crust. Then there is the Hello Pestedo which has goat cheese, walnuts, Fiore de Latte mozzarella, and San Marzano tomatoes.
Chaat Cart
Address: 247 Deansgate, City Centre, Manchester
If you are craving something with a bit of a kick, head to Deansgate and visit Chaat Cart, serving South Indian dishes that pack a heavy punch. Chaat Cart uses mostly locally sourced ingredients to create their masterpieces and you will not want to miss out on these great dishes.
The kati rolls are their specialty. The kati roll originated in Kolkata and is a kebab slow-roasted and wrapped in paratha bread. The chicken kati roll is a crowd favorite, but get there early, they tend to run out of these quickly.
The Hip Hop Chip Shop
Address: 44 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester
Look for the stainless steel trailer with the Hip Hop Chip Shop logo emblazoned on the side and order their fish and chips. It is one of the best dishes served among street vendors. The iconic fish and chips can be a bit tricky as the dish should not be overly greasy or overly crispy. This food vendor has them perfected! Be sure to add the homemade tartar sauce to your order, you will not regret it.
There are also some amazing vegan options available if fish is not for you. The vegan seaweed fish steak is truly inspiring and tastes delicious. In 2017, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival nominated the Hip Hop Chip Shop for the Best Street Food category.
Grandad's Sausages
Address: 103 Hatch Court, Oxford Road, Manchester
Using Grandad’s recipe that is over 50 years old, this interesting street food vendor offers sausages that are homemade and bursting with flavor. Inspired by the American hot dog, Grandad’s Sausages offers spins on a traditional favorite.
Try Grandma’s spicy hot dogs which are sausages stuffed with salsa and sliced jalapenos. There are also less spicy options on the menu for those with a more sensitive palate. Grandad’s Sausages was named Best Sausage in Manchester in 2016 and was the runner up for Best Sausage in Manchester in 2018. Bring your appetite when you come to Grandad’s for a great meal or quick snack.
Wallace and Sons
Address: Various, including GRUB Food Mayfield
The Manchester street food scene did not even know it was missing something very special until Chef John Wallace opened Wallace and Sons. Pan Asian dumplings have become a staple in Manchester and the bao buns are almost as popular as the dumplings.
The chicken katsu bao bun is a fusion dish created by Wallace and it is a must-try when you visit Wallace and Sons. It is made with shitake mushrooms, chicken breast, and wasabi mayo. Order a traditional Chinese dish or give one of their specialty fusion dishes a try. This flavorful street food will fill you with energy. Take advantage by heading out afterward on a Manchester hike.
Oh My Glaze
Address: Trafford Center, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester
You most likely do not think of chicken when you hear Oh My Glaze, but these guys are chicken experts using amazing handmade, made from scratch glazes to flavor the rather unassuming poultry and burger. Glazes include spicy banana reaper, Mexican, and chipotle chocolate. You will smell this street food vendor before you see the booth, it is that good.
Expect to get a little messy when you order the chicken wings. The glazes used are gooey and sticky and will make you want to lick your fingers clean! Nab a few orders of chicken wings with different glazes to share with friends while watching the big game or just grab a quick snack while you are out and about. If you are really hungry order the Dome Burger, a towering burger just waiting to be enjoyed.
Best Areas in Manchester for Street Food
There are certain areas in Manchester where street food vendors tend to flock. When you are in the mood for great street food head to one of these areas to find delicious and filling dishes from regions all around the globe. Whether you are on a self-guided food tour or are looking for a specific type of cuisine, you will find it in one of the areas in Manchester.
Levenshulme Market, Levenshulme
This volunteer-run market is really an amazing place to explore. The Levenshulme Market has even expanded to take over the car park that sits right next to the train station. There are vendors of every shape and size displaying their wares, tempting you to buy their terrific items. Don't be afraid to shop in Manchester. Bargains await!
Street food vendors flock here and lure you into their booths with the aromatic smells that waft throughout the entire market. Listen to live music and enjoy a great slice of wood-fired pizza, or dim sum, or maybe even halloumi fries. The market is open between March and December on Saturdays. There is also a night market held once a month on a Friday night.
GRUB Food Mayfield Depot
The GRUB Food Mayfield Depot is a trendy market that is open three days a week and is always rotating the vendors who set up shop here. Watch some of the street vendors prepare their amazing dishes or sit and listen to live music before placing your order. Grab a pint of craft ale to go with your meal.
GRUB does not have a dedicated space, instead, it moves throughout the city. Keep an eye on social media to find where the market will set up next. Sundays are very special, especially if you are vegan. GRUB has dubbed Sundays “Plant Powered Sundays” to promote veganism and all street food offered is vegan.
Hatch, Oxford Road
Head to Oxford Road and check out Hatch which is modeled after Shoreditch in London. This unique market is actually colorful shipping containers that have been hooked together and stacked in a quirky display and it just seems to grow more and more each year.
Spaces are rented out to street food vendors, bars, retailers, coffee shops, and so much more, making this market that much more interesting. Whether you are coming to Hatch for the food or hoping to do a little shopping, you will have an amazing time. Vendors rotate every 12 weeks so you will not be bored if you visit Hatch often.
Piccadilly Street Food
This fun and exciting market is located in Piccadilly Gardens and has some of the best food in Manchester. This street food market pops up from Thursday through Saturday. People wandering by will be pulled in by the tantalizing aromas floating through the air. Follow your nose to Piccadilly Gardens.
Where else can you get Turkish kebabs, Chinese noodles, and Spanish paella all in one small market? The smell of barbequed meats will pull you towards the food vendors. After your main meal, check out the fantastic cakes and pastries being baked.
Located in an old ice cream hut that has been renovated to accommodate the vendors, this unique location is a great ice-breaker that will leave you wanting to explore more of this interesting place. Bring your appetite, there is much to be tasted throughout Manchester!
Best Food Festivals in Manchester
Festivals are almost a way of life in Manchester, especially during the warm months. Some of these festivals are dedicated to street food while others just happen to have several vendors come in and set up to provide great food to the fair-goers.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival
Grab your family and head to the annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival. People mainly come here for the mouth-watering goodness that the food vendors provide. This is one of the best food festivals in all of England. Held in the Cathedral Gardens, people quickly line up to start sampling all the goodies that are being offered.
The Makers Market, various locations
This massive market moves throughout Manchester so watch social media to see where it will land next. When the Makers Market comes to your neighborhood, streets will be closed and chaos will commence. Visit the vendor stalls for amazing homemade baked goods, delicious snacks, and filling meals. Order a few different dishes from several vendors so you have a sample platter.
SCRANcoats
This small, but mightly weekly market is located inside the Ancoats General Store and is a must-try when you are in Manchester. Shop for organic produce and fresh spices and herbs, then grab some food from one or more of the vendors offering dishes from around the globe. For example, Oh My Glaze has been known to set up here for the day.
Pop Ups and Restaurants
Manchester's street food scene also includes areas like the Northern Quarter, where you'll find unique shops and yes, unique eateries too. Indian street food is a favorite and Manchester has a few choices! Viet Shack is another must-try foodie destination where you are served delicious dishes from their counter-serve shop. There is so much more than we've mentioned here – venture out to find amazing food and enjoy!
