Peter:‘Eh up! Welcome back to the next post in the #MoreOfManchester series! 
Adrian: Hey peeps!! Just to refresh your minds, this series of post is part of the #EuroMeetup2024 event which is taking place in Manchester, UK from 6-9 June 2024! @PeteMHW and I are your organisers and hosts for this awesome event!
Peter: That’s right! We thought it would help with promoting the event if we tell you a bit more about Manchester and how amazing it is. Please have a read of the first post here, where we write about our top places in Manchester to visit. 
Adrian: And if you want to know more about the #EuroMeetup2024 event, you can check out the Announcement and Confirmation posts for details and sign up to the event here! Please do note that this event is in person and the costs for travelling to Manchester, the accommodation and any other expenses are yours to bear. There is no online meet-ups planned at the moment.
Peter: In this post, Adrian and I will share our top places to get lovely food and drinks. I’ll start off with my list of favourites.
Cosy Club (British restaurant)
Why: Cosy Club is a little bit different. Although it’s part of a chain with restaurants all over the country, each one, including this one, is unique in character - it has a decor and atmosphere redolent of a classic British private club. With wood panelled walls, a balcony overlooking the Corn Exchange Food Court, classic pictures and trophies on the walls, a glass-domed ceiling and table service in the bar, and a restaurant wing overlooking the cathedral and Medieval Quarter of Manchester, it feels just a little like expensive luxury, whilst being comparatively inexpensive. There are different menus for various times of day. The restaurant is accessed from the street outside the Corn Exchange (don’t try to get in from within the Corn Exchange - it doesn’t work!) and there is full access by lift for anyone with limited mobility. Full information here
Favourite dish: I love the smashed avocado with tomato, chilli and lime on toasted sourdough with a poached egg extra - healthy, wholesome and filling. I have this for lunch or afternoon tea. Yum
Gorilla (Bar)
Why: This industrial decor bar/restaurant under the railway arches in Whitworth Street takes you back to olden days grimey Manchester, with a new lease of life and no more grime. In the evenings it often becomes a gig venue, but I love having the Gorilla Breakfast (served till 4pm) if I arrive in town early and hungry. Sets my Manchester day off to a great start. Full information here.
Favourite dish: Gorilla Breakfast - basically a full English Breakfast, and you can’t beat those!
Dimitris Tapas and Meze (Greek restaurant)
Why: I have been going here for many years, since it was a smaller more personal restaurant run by Dimitri himself, but I love the way it has expanded into nearby passages, and alleyways, and has imaginatively enclosed them, so you can feel you’re dining in the outdoors whilst being warm. I love the general atmosphere. Full information here.
Favourite dish: I haven’t really got one favourite dish - I like going with family or a group of friends and getting the meze or tapas selection of so many different foods and having a taste of them all.
Topkapi Palace (Turkish restaurant)
Why: It’s a favourite of many people in Manchester, and I enjoy the food and the vibe - but the main reason I go here is that I have Islamic friends who eat halal food, and the food at this place is all halal so they can eat anything on the menu with confidence. Full information here.
Favourite dish: I love the chicken or the lamb sizzlers which are served with rice and salad - it’s hard to choose between the two.
El Gato Negro (Tapas restaurant)
Why: I love Tapas - I haven’t got a huge appetite, and tapas meals are always just about the right size, with great variety. This place (one of three in the north of England) is good for dining for one, or as a couple - the tables in the front window upstairs are kind of special for people/street watching while you enjoy the excellent food.
Favourite dish: Again, it’s a tapas restaurant, so there isn’t just one dish that appeals; why not go for a selection? But as a snack on a busy day I love the vegetable tortilla!
Adrian: Wow!! Your choices are pretty awesome Peter! 
Hmm…my list is slightly different as I have a bit of a sweet tooth so I seem to have picked more places that are cafés that sell lovely pastries 
and cakes 
!
GAIL’s (Bakery)
** Why:**I like the simple casual chic vibe of this bakery and the food is just absolutely lovely! The basement level seating area is usually not too busy so I can easily spend an hour or two quietly doing work there.
Favourite dish: Cinnamon bun! Lovely, sweet and brilliant when dunk into a nice cup of coffee!
Pollen (Bakery)
Why: I fell in love with this place when it first opened in Ancoats and although that site is a bit of a trek from where I live, I think it’s worth every calorie to get there! Everything is made fresh and just really good quality items!
Favourite dish: Cruffins! That’s a combination of a croissant and a muffin! It’s light, fluffy and comes with different fillings!
Federal Café (Coffee shop)
Why: This place has recently made some big news because it’s ranked UK’s most “popular” independent café and 4th globally. The popularity ranking is based on the number of TikTok views and Google searches. (Side note: the top independent cafes are Onibus Café (Japan), Panaderia Rosetta (Mexico) and AMA Café (India). But even before it made headlines, it had already won a piece of my heart (or should that be stomach!?) although I’m not too thrilled with the long queues!
Favourite dish: Their French toast is just gorgeous and delicious!! You’re definitely in for a sugar high!
Ezra & Gil (Brunch restaurant)
Why: In that same popularity ranking, this brunch restaurant came in 10th place and it’s no big surprise that the venue and the food are very much Instagram-able! This brunch restaurant had a casual hipster vibe with artisan coffees, lovely pastries/cakes and brunch type dishes (think smashed avocado on toast types)
Favourite dish: Ooh…it is a tough choice between the American pancakes, brioche French toast and classic E&G English breakfast! I’d say, go try them all and make the decision yourself!
Tampopo (Pan-Asian restaurant)
Why: I have a craving for South East Asian food from time to time (I am from Malaysia, after all) and Tampopo has scratched that itch for as long as I’ve been in the UK! I first came across Tampopo in Leeds when I was a student there and naturally, I was delighted in finding a Manchester branch when I moved. Through the years, they have continued to refine their menu and added new dishes that are just awesome!
Favourite dish: Chicken pad krapow. This is a popular Thai dish and rather than minced chicken, you’ll get slices instead. But they’ve kept the intense spiciness which I love! And on some days when I don’t want to eat with tears in my eyes, I can also request less chilies to be added!
Adrian: And that’s my (sweet) list of my top places in Manchester for food and drinks! 
Peter: Well done! And I hope everybody has enjoyed reading this post. If you would like to give these places a go, why not consider joining the #EuroMeetup2024 event?! We would love to show you around and share Manchester with you all!
Adrian: And if you have any questions about any of these places or need recommendations for Manchester, do let us know! We’re happy to help out!
The #MoreOfManchester series:
This series is to help promote Manchester as the host city for #EuroMeetup2024. In it you will find lots of information about Manchester and our personal recommendation of places to visit! We hope that you will enjoy this series and do stay tuned for more posts leading up to June when the event begins!
