Run by Manchester City Council's Markets New Smithfield…read moreMarket is the largest wholesale market in the North West of England occupying a 35 acre site just 2.5 miles from Manchester City Centre (in Openshaw). Want cheap Fruit, Veg & Meats. Well here at New Smithfield Market is where you want to go. If you buy your fruit or veg from a greengrocer or meat/fish from a Butcher/Fish Monger then beat them to the punch and buy it from here before they do. Yes most local companies will normally buy from here. Most of the action is based in C/D Hallway and the Fish Market. It does look like it is still stuck in 70's and could do with a rejuvenation (unfortunately the market lost a £30m grant to redevelop it due to the cuts)

Its difficult to comment on Manchester Markets as a whole as they cover such a large area of the…read morecity and sell so many different things. From handmade jewellery to homemade soup, the Manchester Markets have so much to offer if you know where (and when) to look. My top three are the Food Market, The Plant and Flower Market and the Fashion Market (for full details and all of the other markets check out the Manchester Markets website). The farmer's Market is easy to stumble across as it is held bi-weekly in Piccadilly Gardens. There is a mix of locally sourced and continental produce for you to try (I tend to make my way along the cheese stand and take advantage of their free testers). I'd highly recommend the Savin Hill Farm butchers stall which sells fresh meats from their traditional, ethical farm. There is a lovely little soup stand which always has something warm and tasty, and definitely pop over to Trevor Duerden's fine fudges for a treat (their gift boxes also make great presents). The Food Market is held twice monthly, on the second and fourth weekend (Friday and Saturday) of each month between 10am and 6pm. The Flower and Plant Market often accompanies the Food Market and has some really interesting things on offer for anyone green fingered. From a fresh cut bouquet of roses to an ancient Bonsai Tree, there is something here for nearly everyone. The market is held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, opening between 10am and 6pm. The Fashion Market is held on Tib Street (just off Piccadilly) every Saturday. The stalls comprise of local shops and boutiques (like Rags to Bitches) as well as independent designers and jewellers. There is always something new to look at here, and plenty of bargains on offer if you're willing to haggle. I'd recommend deciding how much money you want to spend in a day and not taking any more with you or it will disappear before your eyes. Not as cheap as more traditional markets (such as the Longsight Market), Tib Street's Fashion Market is focused on quality over quantity and is worth every penny.

This place is set in a marina on a stationary Narrowboat. It's a lovely concept. Breakfast, brunch,…read moreafternoon Tea and desserts. Open Tues until Sun. Food is delicious and Maria and Phil are great hosts. Definitely worth a visit

Ate here after drinking here one night. Tried the Lamb, and friends had the pasta and chicken…read morekebab. I'm from America and have been underwhelmed with the food here, but this restaurant changed my mind! Even though it's a little pricey, definitely worth trying!! It is so delicious and the owner is so nice

Part of the Rampant Lion Complex the cafe occupies on portion of the old Victorian pub, slick and…read morecomfortable enough with a hotel lounge feel. A little sterile and character free it feels somewhere to move on from rather than stay.

A great location for a Coffee shop in Ancoats and New Islington for all the Apartments and homes in…read morethe area, its a lovely cozy coffee shop with really comfy sofas and chairs downstairs and upstairs. The coffees are great and range in different sizes so theres a Primo which is small, Medio which is medium and Massimo for a large coffee, every coffee I've had from here have been lovely and well made, There is coffee available from Flat White, Cappuccino, Latte,Americano,Espresso and many more Coffee types, They also do Speciality coffees teas and ice drinks and other cold drinks available, I do love the cakes in here as well, especially the lovely yummy muffins, they also serve yummy paninis as well. The only thing what lets this location down is the staff though they don't seem that friendly and sometimes a bit arrogant at times, It always seems like its a problem to take my order and its not really served with a smile. Its close to home though and its always good for a nice chill out as it has a lovely upstairs area. It also has free parking around the back for two hours which is pretty hand for people passing the area. Its also useful for the Hotel above the Costa which is the Etap Hotel. There is also a bit of outdoor seating but due to the busy road outside i prefer to sit inside. there is also free wifi.

To add to the stereotype that it is always training in Manchester... I've popped into Costa to…read moreshelter from a rain storm. It's not actually that far from where I live but a toasted Teacake and a coffee was needed to warm up my body and soul. This is standard Costa fair of course, so it's the normal great range of cakes and consistently good drinks. But here it is always service with a smile from all of the team. Even my request for a large half-caf is never a problem, even though I know it's more time consuming to make. It's a great location with its own parking at the back or if in Ancoats, and is split over 2 levels so plenty of space. It's only very busy if there's a match or concert at the Etihad. That said they always blast through the queue as quick as they can. And even though it is next to a main road and is still raining... there's even a tiny bit of outside seating for sunny days, because even Costa know it's sunny in Manchester on some days!

Pastry House is a traditional Lebanese bakery. So on the sweet side we are talking baklava and a…read morearray of other desserts made from pastry, pistachio, cashew, dates and semolina. On the savoury side, they do a wide array of what I would call fatayer (pizza) with toppings such as za'atar (herbs), cheese, halloumi, spinach and six or so non-vegetarian options, plus savoury pastries. The eating-in side of the business has a feeling of being a side show to the commercial bakery - so what you lose in posh décor you gain in freshness of the bread and pastries coming straight out the ovens - mmm! The desserts are totally world class. Pastry House are geared up to sell wholesale, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had something of a lock down on the wholesale market for Arabic pastries in North West England. Plus, under £2 will buy you a selection of sweet pastries which must be one of the best value and most interesting dessert plates in Manchester. I had both spinach and cheese fatayer courtesy of three students from Dubai, who noticed my confusion with the menu and invited me to share their meal. Such a kind gesture - I am growing more impressed with Arab food and culture by the minute and I must return the favour sometime soon! The fatayer are nicely done. For a more balanced meal, I would like to see them reintroduce some of the items showing on the lightbox which weren't available when I visited - hummus, mutabel. I'm fascinated by the Arabic names for some of the other items - labneh (creamy yoghurt), mohamara. More online research of these food words ahead, and of course tasting them here at Pastry House!

Fantastic food, well priced, very clean bakery it takes you back to Beirut with the traditional…read moreclay oven they have and the way they serve the food I defiantly recommend a visit to everyone