Probably one of the best desi food place in the city centre. They adjust the taste according to you and give you a very warm welcome.

Best hidden gem/ hole in the wall in the UK. Phenomenal Indian food, friendly and warm service, and even open on Christmas Eve! Truly had to beat. We got 6 curries, garlic naan, chapati, onion bajhi, and samosa! Hard to beat- and only for £25! read more

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Generous portions, good prices, delicious food (the spicy lamb I ordered on Sunday was SO tender and delicious). There's no ambiance here, but good to stop in and gobble some lunch. It's genuine Indian fare. There's canned soda and iced tea or water. Bare neon lighting. But come for the food and get back to work, lol. Counter service only by the guy who cooks the food (maybe the business owner, who knows...). I pointed at what I wanted and said lamb- well, I AM an American in Manchester speaking to an Indian, after all - there's a bit of an accent barrier (although I THINK we're both speaking English)?! Do stop by this hole in the wall, you'll be glad you did! read more

Great little alleyway shop serving no-frills Indian food! Was feeling hungry as I arrived in Manchester and found this gem. I ordered the Lamb Nihari and a Garlic Naan. The Nihari was on the spicier side, but delicious! The lamb pieces were sooo tender!The garlic naan was a huge size; however, I was a little disappointed at the lack of garlic flavor. Overall a great place for fast, casual Indian food at a great value! I would definitely return if I'm looking for a quick, hot meal. read more

This & That - Lamb Nihari - Indian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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The first impression of any business is crucial to the experience and I was warmly greeted by Mo the founders Son. While studying the menu and looking at the actual colour of the dishes observed many customers coming in who he knew by name and they knew Mo of course. I had been wanting to visit this establishment ever since seeing it on the erstwhile BBC TV show "Desi DNA" about 15 years ago. The owners are Gujarati Muslims and so the food is flavoursome without being overly spicy which is how most people eat at home. The curries both vegetable and meat were not swimming in oil which is always a good sign. The lassi is homemade and comes in mango flavour only. For me the best element of the meal was the freshly made paratha as it was hot, flaky and cooked with using minimal ghee or oil. I also enjoyed the lassi too. Curries were all tasty too. A simple thing to improve the meal is to add more flavour to the rice, possibly some days making it a jeera rice, a rice with peas another, rice with corriander, plain rice on another and to cook it in smaller batches so it retains its heat and freshness. What was really nice is prior to me leaving the founder came down from the kitchen and we had a nice chat. Will visit again and try more from the menu. read more

This place is legit. Grab the 3 with rice, and a naan and be gone. Best deal in town ran by the real deal awesome people. Nothing but love!

Great little Indian joint hidden in an alleyway. We actually circled past it thrice while looking. You will be greeted by a the warmest smiles. The owners are Gujarati folks who know Indian food. The menu is pretty expansive. You have a variety of chicken, lamb, Keema and vegetarian curries on display. Mix and match with rice and/or naan. The curries go really well with rice. Very easy on the pocket. Enjoy!!! read more

This & That - Indian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

One of the things I love about Manchester is the constant new discoveries on offer, sometimes ones that are brand new, that you find out from word of mouth or in the case of 'This & That' it's a place that's been on the radar since I moved here 7 years ago but I kind of thought I'd been already. The NQ is full of these little Indian cafes, tucked away around little side streets and back passages, some with little signage and those that seem to live by their own hours, opening up the days they want to. While meeting a friend for lunch one day, he suggested this place and after a bit of Google mapping, I realised that I hadn't actually been to this place even though my old office was literally 2 mins walk away from it. And after spending a good 6 months in India in my 20's, I can say that these little cafes like This & That are as authentic as and curry house I've been to in the UK for good honest food, the right spice mix and at a price that reflects the rough and ready, canteen style approach to a dining experience here. for £4 each we had 3 curries, rice and a chapatti - all rotating each day and with a good choice on offer, with some great toppings such as chopped chili, sambar and chutneys on the side. In fact there was so much food that I was stuffed by the time we finished and if I ate like this everyday, I think I'd struggle to fit into my Christmas jumper this year! What was nice about This & That was that the curry wasn't dripping with oil like some places nearby like Kabana, (definitely not a pleasant experience when your naan bread becomes see through with grease) No frills, low expense, great curry and a great dining option if you're in the NQ! read more

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A real hidden gem, great food & great value. I am experimenting with a detox that involves no meat this week so headed out for lunch hoping to try this little Indian food cafe. It was a challenge to find it! I went the long way round (up and down every back street in the NQ) I suggest you go straight to Trof and look down the street to the left of the main door. There it is! Its very rustic inside with cafe style bucket seats and tables. The counter displays the days choices. I just said a vegetarian take away and was given rice with 3 mains in a take away carton along with a bahjee. It was all delicious. One main was spinach based, one potato & cauliflower woke the other was chickpeas. I loved the chickpea one, I could have eaten a vat of it. All that for £3.60 so a complete bargain. A lovely hot lunch that was healthy and left me very happy indeed. Might make it my regular Thursday treat! read more

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Come here for a bargain, cafeteria style curry, or three, for about £5.50 !!:) Love it, one of my favourites. Hard to find if you don't know where you're going and closes early. 8pm close on a Friday & Saturday, think it's other days. No where else in the Norther Quarter touches this place for value. Beware it's a cafe, not a resturant. read more

This & That - Dinner style - Indian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

'That is full; this is full. From fullness, fullness comes out. Taking fullness from fullness, what remains is fullness.' - Isha Upanishad This & That is a curry café, so 'Rice & 3 Veg - £3.30' sums it up from my vegetarian perspective. Competitive against sandwiches or soup & roll as a lunch option for city workers, they do a busy lunchtime trade both sit-in and takeaway. I thoroughly enjoyed their food and the whole dining experience, and the men in suits, construction workers and student couples - including quite a few Asians - were all tucking in around me. I've posted some photos of the food and the menu to inspire you to eat there. I'm really enthusiastic about This & That and the whole ethnic cafe and groceries scene which offers many insights as to the way forward in diet and wider culture. Located in the Northern Quarter, This & That is easily reached from the city centre. From the Arndale, go up Shudehill, turn right at Thomas Street, then right after Trof (pub) into Soap Street. Twenty yards down the quaint (!) Victorian cobbled backstreet, you'll see the white, red and blue sign. You probably won't be able to see through the windows too clearly, as they'll be a bit steamed-up from the cooking and the bain-marie. Be reassured - good food and a warm welcome awaits you inside. And aren't the location and the basic decor part of the integrity of these hole-in-the-wall type places? There is a warm, family atmosphere in this cafe, a feeling of a really close-knit team with roots in the Indian sub-continent. A rotating daily menu keeps it simple for the chefs, whilst providing regular customers plenty of variety. As I ate there on a Tuesday, the three vegetarian curries were, Chick Peas (Channa), Cabbage and Mixed Vegetables; whereas on a Wednesday, the vegetarian options are Vegetable Biryani, Spinach & Potatoes, Daal (Lentils) and Kidney Beans & Potatoes. To allow you to browse the choices available on a particular day of the week, I've posted photos of the full menu. I found everything well-cooked, with distinctive flavours coming from each of the three curries. I also had two of the homemade sides - Chapati and Samosa, bringing the total bill to £4.50. Jugs of water and glasses are provided on all the tables. Chopped coriander leaf and chillis are also provided - help yourself. Done right - as at This & That, for example - Indian cookery has so much health-giving potential for our daily diets. So (1) check out the curry cafes and more up-market places; (2) for home cooking, you owe it to yourself to visit Worldwide Foods in Rusholme or somewhere similar; (3) Study the recipies and the knowledge of Ayurveda, India's traditional healthcare system; (4) Enjoy! Note: This & That has recently opened a second outlet just off Deansgate, which has attracted a five star Yelp review already http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/this-and-that-manchester-3 read more

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I was happy finally to try This & That and it certainly is excellent value for money - rice with different combos of 3 meat/veg options ranges are between about £3.20 - £4.80. Bhaji was a pound I think. I also like its no frills canteen interior and friendly staff. Food wise, the flavours I thought were a bit bland, especially the chana, and I was a bit disappointed that the onion bhaji was microwaved so didn't have any crisp but I did feel full and satisfied afterwards. Doesn't quite live up to its great London equivalent, Shoreditch Plus, but I will definitely go back and try more options. read more

After a nice long walk in the November rain, I wandered into This & That soaking wet and chilled to the bone with a paper Primark bag which was just about dissolved. The gentlemen behind the counter were lovely and got me a nice big plastic bag without me even asking for their help, and the food they served was even better than their hospitality. I ordered the Chicken Chana, the Lamb and Spinach and the Lamb Korma... and wow, all three hit the spot. Served over white rice, it was only £6 for a large platter. It was very spicy and filling and it was perfect for such a cold wet night. It might not be much to look at from the outside, but this place is the real deal. Best curry I've had in the U.K., hands down! read more

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In business for over twenty years now, This & That is obviously doing something right. Simplicity and good values are perhaps unsurprisingly the key to most successful businesses and this family run little gem has really taken that to heart. The food is affordable, delicious, made on the premises AND can sent to wherever you work in the city, brilliant. If you fancy a break from the obligatory lunchtime sandwich then you could do much much worse than This & That. read more

This & That - Indian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

TL;DR - A Northern Quarter institution, and probably some of the best value food around. Ever since moving to Manchester I've been intending to visit This & That and finally got round to it. I think I'd been put off by the exterior before - it's down a somewhat dingy street, and they have an absolutely ancient sign hanging outside. That's why I was pleasantly surprised when I went in - the interior isn't going to win any design awards, but it's clean and modern with long benches to pack in as many diners as possible. Everyone talks about the rice and three which is a cracking meal for under a fiver, but we actually had one of the daily specials - a lamb curry. This basically just comes in a bowl on its own, so I got a naan bread to go with mine and Sparky got an onion bhaji which came with a side of salad. The food was great, and the price was amazing. I've flipped and flopped over how many stars to give this place. The curry was great, but it wasn't the greatest I've had in my life... but at these prices you can't really argue. The service was also a bit chaotic but very friendly... In the end I've gone with 4 stars though, because the value for money here is simply phenomenal. read more

Hidden gem in the city centre, don't let the back street put you off or the exterior. Really authentic Indian food. I literally had the best little Indian that you can imagine for this price, three spoons of different curries rice chapati can of pop all under a tenner fantastic value for a fantastic little restaurant. This is somewhere that little bit different for you to try if you going to be in Manchester especially if you are on a budget. Loved it. read more

Some of my favorite food in Manchester. The cost to taste ratio is vastly disproportionate... to all our favor! When there are visitors in town this is a spot I say you must take everyone. read more

If you want to eat lots of food, you want to eat it quickly, and you don't want to pay a lot of money for it you're in luck here. On a bleary eyed Friday a few weeks ago I took the hop, skip & jump from my office to This & That. It was absolutely packed, though thankfully service was swift and easy. I went for the rice & three with two veg/one meat and a naan bread. With a can of coke this was around £6. You can help yourself to sauces and garnishes such as onion, chilli, coriander as well. It was, realistically, way too much food. Which is not to say that I didn't wolf it down with appropriate gusto. I won't say it's the best curry I've ever tasted but the flavours were all there, the rice was fluffy, and the naan was soft and nicely chewy. Overall I will happily return next time I need a lot of food for a little money. read more

This small hole-in-the wall eater seems sketch at first since it is literally located in an alleyway. But once you walk inside, it is bustling with people who want a quick bite of delicious Indian food. The food is served cafeteria style - the various curries and food are already prepared, and you simply point to what you want and pay at the end. Then you find a spot on the communal benches and eat away! The idea is to sample 3 different curries with rice, but you can get a larger amount of only one dish or add sides such as samosas and onion bhaji. The food is warm, hearty, flavorful, and quite cheap as well. Definitely worth checking out if you're on a budget and need good food! read more

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This & That is one of those no-frills type of places that serve good food. If you like a curry, I recommend going. As Jess. S has mentioned it can't be a little hard to find as its down as small side street. But if you do go, do as Jess said and head for Trof and its down the side street to your left. I've been to This & That a few times. I have always just got a takeaway - which you get your curry in a foil tray. Different curries are on, on different days. You get a few different meat curries and some veg curries and the total cost depends on your combo of 3 curries. Although I do like a curry, I am not really an expert in it. By this I mean that I don't really know the differences in curries and what they look like and if they are tomato based or coconut based etc. I just know if it tastes good or not! The last time I came here I went for the 2 meats and 1 veg option. I went for the lamb curry, chicken curry and the spinach curry. And this on top of some rice. The first time I came here I fought I would still be hungry but its filling. The curry has always tasted good no matter which one I have chosen. It may not be the best curry in the world but quite possibly the best value for money. I also got an onion bhaji too. They asked if I wanted it heated up in the microwave but I said no. (When I got home, I put it under the grill to heat/crisp it up :)). read more

This is a 'Curry Canteen' that has a firm place in the heart of many a city centre worker who frequent it at lunchtime, and many other shoppers who want some really authentic, high quality curry for lunch of a weekend. The approach is simple, in that you for a fiver or less (depending on your choice) you get rice, a chunk of Naan bread, and three curries (the varieties that are served vary daily, but there are always at least three vegetarian curries on offer) and a glass of water, all served on haphazard crockery, eaten with mismatched cutlery and at canteen-like tables. The staff are friendly, the dining experience a little reminiscent of a school canteen, but the food is excellent and that is what draws people in time and again. If you want, you can 'upgrade' with soft drinks, and other sundries, but don't come here expecting to peruse an extensive wine list or sit waiting for the sweet-trolley to be wheeled round... No frills, but absolute perfection nonetheless! I think the longevity of this place and the cult-status it enjoys from 'those who know' says everything you need to know about this and thats... read more

This & That - Indian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

This is not the kind of place you want to be at on your first date, but for some reason if you did end up here, your date might be very impressed. This and That is hidden in a little side street in the Northerrn Quarter that boasts a lot of eateries and drinkeries (if there's such a word). It's called this and that. The menu too, is a bit like that. You get a little bit of this and a little bit of that, from a limited selection of thises and thats. The quality and quantity of the food is amazing, not just for a place that looks like this but by any standards. Some of my favourites are seekh kebab, kheema (mincemeat), chicken/lamb curry. A very delicious and filling meal for two people in under 15 quid is not too bad though, is it? read more

This really is one of Manchester's hidden gems. Tucked away in a narrow side street in the northern quarter it's the perfect place for a fast delicious lunch at an affordable price. The menu varies slightly each day but there's usually lamb, chicken, potato, spinach options. Today I had lamb & spinach, hot mince and chick pea Dahl on a bed of rice with a onion bhaji on the side. Total cost £5.70 which includes 80p for the onion bhaji. Each of the curries was equally delicious and the portion size was generous. Cans of soft drink are for sale but I always just help myself to one of the jugs of tap water they leave out. Even though I arrived at a very busy time, I was served and finished my food all within about 20 minutes of arriving!! read more

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This and That don't do frills. This is a simple cafe with minimal decoration but that doesn't matter a bit because people don't come here for the ambiance. They come here for the no nonsense curry dishes and the cheap prices, the two things that have kept this establishment open for decades. This and That is a family run cafe that offers quality dishes that change daily, much like a soup kitchen. Choose a large portion of your favourite curry and side dish or order a rice, meat and/or veg deal, ranging in price from just £3 and at the most £5. It's hard to come to a decision so having the option to sample more than one dish is a popular hit with the patrons here. Karai Lamb, Vegetable Biryani and Chicken Korma are personal favourites. You won't be left out if you're a vegetarian either, there's always 2 or 3 excellent choices on offer. read more

Firstly don't turn up in a dinner suit and ball gown ,it's a cafe,plastic seat etc ,but for 4 nicker you cannot beat this quality and value ,absolutely spot on . Joint favourite with Kabanas. read more

Really love this place! Been here multiple times and the food is always delicious. Very much a locals secret, mostly folks popping in for lunch. Very inexpensive and the food is piled on your plate. Cafeteria style, rice and 3 curries, just point to what appeals to you and then order chapati or naan and they'll bring it to you when it comes down from the tandoori on the dumb waiter. Communal seating so don't be shy. I'd love to have a beer with my lunch but no such luck. Don't let the alley way location scare you away. Very clean and welcoming inside. Love it!!! read more

Went on a Saturday we both had the rice chicken curry, cabbage, potato and peas. Everything was good and spent under 10£. Would I go again absolutely! I'd say don't judge a book by its cover coz the food is delicious!!!! read more

Not many realise what fab food lies on the junction between Thomas Street and Soap Street. 3 currys and rice for £3? Yep, that's right. When I can't be bothered cooking, I head here on the way home and tuck into their delights when I arrive. First thing- the staff serving flirt (great for the ego) help you decide between the mountains of yummy curries (great for the tummy) and rap it up in a metal tray with a fat smile. There are so many veggie options, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. The decor is a bit tired, although you can eat in if you want, but their spicy delights are definitely a must-try read more

One of the oldest curry houses in Manchester, small in size but huge on quality and flavor. Wonderful atmosphere and service, really enjoyed it! read more

There are high chances you would never find out about this place or may be walk past it but not even think twice about entering. BUT I have to say that if you do either of the two you will be missing out on the best Indian food (I hate calling curry, because Indian food is not only about curries unlike typical western perception) you will ever taste in England! Thanks to all the lovely Yelpers who wrote mostly 5 star reviews about this place, because if I had not read them then I probably would never give this place a try. I went in there today after having the worst weekend of my life (some one stole my bag, which had my Iphone, wallet and Work Permit) to cheer myself up with some good food and just the sheer aroma of the food was enough to bring a smile on my face! I had the typical 3 curries (Lamb, Chicken and Dal) on rice along with a chapati for 5 pounds and I felt like I want to pay them more after having the food! This place is seriously one of those under rated places but I guess that is their charm and USP (the marketing professional in me can't help but use these terms). The place is very small but clean and the tables remind me of junior school canteen as they are bright red and yellow (cute). The staff are friendly and I had a good chat with one of them about our respective Indian roots. Few things to keep in mind : 1. Don't expect a fancy ambiance inside, you go there purely for the FOOD! 2. The place kind of hides in the back alley behind TV 21 (Can be quite tricky to locate of you are not very well acquainted with Northern Quarter) 3. The lamb curry is DELICIOUS Verdict : Great food, low prices and fast service read more

You know when you have finally arrived in Manchester when you can wander into This & That one day, have a delightful meal, and manage to find the place ever again in your life. A little diamond hiding in the seemingly unending shantytown of vintage shops and art cafes in the Northern Quarter, This & That is hard to find, but is definitely worth the look. Unlike other establishments in the area This & That offers no-nonsense eating without the usual frills and quirks to be found nearby. This is because it doesn't need thrills; people keep coming back for the food and the food alone. A variety of curries, rice, naan and chapatis are on offer and there is something to suit every palette and almost any wallet. Of special mention are the fresh bhajis and pakoras which compliment the curries, adding some crunch and texture to what can otherwise be a sloppy (but very tasty) meal. The decor is basic to say the least, with plastic canteen style seating and little decoration to speak of. Each table does come with a welcome jug of water, adding to the family and community feel of the dining experience. A must for any rainy day or stubborn hangover, head to This & That - if you can find it that is... read more

The best of the Northern Quarter Indian cafes. Tucked down a grotty back street, but don't let that put you off, you will be in for a treat. Excellent food, cheap and friendly staff who are happy to give advice. Forget your Indian takeaway, get yourself to This N That! read more

This & That is carrying the flag for the kind of no-nonsense curry house that added traditional Asian cooking to the British culinary scene. In an era when neon lights and neo-classical facades are being served as a substitute for good grub, it's refreshing to return to a humble and clean cafe where the owners take pride in the food they cook, rather than the size of the sign above the door. As a family of four, we had onion pakora, vegetable samosas, 'rice 'n' three' veggie dishes (Sag Aloo, Dhal & Kidney Beans) with extra chappatis & Naans. The whole bill came to £17! A lot of people have mentioned the outward appearance of This and That. I think of it like 'Diagon Alley' in Harry Potter. It's like taking a step to one side and going back to an authentic age of affordable, nutritious and delicious food which you can tuck into while the rest flock to the 'curry mile' or over-priced culinary conveyer belts in the city centre. read more

Sorry I found the food in this Manchester institution really bland on both my visits. I like the idea but Kabana a few streets away for me is much tastier and similar price point. No ventilation made me hot and uncomfortable like strange men shining powerful torches in your eyes in the middle of the night. read more

Delicious food, at first I had second thoughts about it because of the location, however the staff were friendly and great value.

I love the cafe!! it is hard to find the cafe so it is a bit like secret place. You can order 3 different curry flavours. ( they normally have 5 or 6). Always hard to choose 3 from the choice. It is more home cookery taste rather than restaurant so it is not oily compared with other curry . You can add coriander and chopped onion if you want. Also you can have tapped water for free( no necessary to order any drinks) , which is good. but i like the lassi!! You probably do not need much dineer if you eat the curry at lunch time. Cafe is neat and tidy and good hygine too! read more

Sorry I found the food in this Manchester institution really bland. I like the idea but Kabana a few streets away for me is much tastier and similar price point. read more

Ok so the place doesnt look great. And that is an understatement. There is nothing fancy about this place or their food. But the staff are friendly and the food couldnt be better. Rice and three is fantastic. Tucked away in the northern quarter this one is worth a visit. Your choice you can visit an over priced sandwich shop for rocket leaves and dust or get a big fat curry for half the price. read more

This is the best Indian café I've ever been to. The food is all ways great no matter what day or time you go. Very cheap and cheerful. You get a plate of rice and can chose to have 2 or 3 or 4 or even 5 curries served on that plate. The food is just like home cooked Indian food very authentic and delicious. read more

If your idea of a curry is a chicken korma with a garlic naan, you should probably turn around and walk away fast. Unless of course you're ready to re-educate your tastebuds and understand what curry really should be like. Tasty, simple, not greasy, and cheap. Under a fiver including chapattis. Plus as many free onions and green chillis as you can handle. Asian home-style cooking at its best. read more