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    This & That

    4.3 (47 reviews)
    InexpensiveIndian
    Closed 11:30 am - 4:30 pm

    This & That Photos

    THIS & THAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - This & That

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lamb Nihari
    Joshua T.

    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.

    Setu J.

    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!!!

    Jonny Q.

    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!

    Vege take away box, all delicious
    Jess F.

    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!

    Dinner style
    Sophie M.

    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.

    View approaching from Back Turner Street.
    William G.

    '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

    Great deal!
    Eamonn H.

    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!

    james b.

    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.

    Interior
    Rashmi S.

    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!

    Alison B.

    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...

    Not easy to find!

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    10 months ago

    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.

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    3 years ago

    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!

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    7 years ago

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

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    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - This & That

    A variety of curries, rice, naan and chapatis are on offer and there is something to suit every palette and almost any wallet.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Spice Lounge - Tandoori Chicken

    Spice Lounge

    4.4(5 reviews)
    0.1 miNorthern Quarter

    Excellent service and food. Quick serving, even the plate was warm. The chicken was juicy and the…read morelamb was cooked just right. Will definitely come again for other dishes.

    When I first moved to Manchester this was the first Indian restaurant we stumbled across…read more Apart from the garish green lighting and glittery walls this a nice place. When you walk in you are asked to seat at a small coffee table bearing Bombay mix then ushered to.a table. The furniture is swish, with cream leather seats and sturdy tables. Opening a new looking menu it contained the same exciting variety as last time ;). For seafood lovers you can choose from lobster, salmon, sea bass and prawns. For veggies they offer standard veggie dishes to some special Himalayan ones..And for meat eaters the world is your Oyster! We ordered two pints of kingfisher and starters only, wanting to take our time. So two poppdums and daal soup later and we were happy ;) the dips accompanying the poppdums were well made , they consisted of generic mango chutney, lime pickle , raita and a curry sauce. The soup was of perfect consistency .. Potentially a dash more of lemon was required. Starters gone I then chose the curried seabass, rice and chappati. Himself selected the chicken curry. The sea bass was one of the most expensive dishes but when it arrived sizzling on a hotplate I was pleased. On the side it came with a gorgeous veggie curry sauce. The portions were massive unlike some places you go that offer no more than a sliver of fish. Even digesting this with red wine I waved the white flag at half way point. To end we were given segments of orange and the bill. Everything was reasonably.priced, well made and the service attentive. I had the feeling they were offended when we kept telling them we weren't ready to order the main but again we did it so we were not rushed. Honestly try this place I much prefer it to Akbar's

    Photos
    Spice Lounge
    Spice Lounge - Korma Lamb

    Korma Lamb

    Spice Lounge - Garlic Nan

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    Garlic Nan

    Bundobust Manchester

    Bundobust Manchester

    4.1(24 reviews)
    0.3 miNorthern Quarter
    ££

    What a fun brewery with such a unique concept! I am a big beer fan and travel the world to find the…read morebest brews, chasing local craft breweries. This definitely hit the spot! These guys had an excellent and a vast selection for any beer fan! All styles and with something tasty for everyone! The Indian street food was a very interesting twist to a regular food offering at breweries. Lots of fantastic veggie options and I really loved that they have so many small (inexpensive) dishes which are perfect for sharing with your group! Have fun!

    Was excited to try this place out because this is one of the top places to eat in Manchester and it…read moredid not disappoint at all. When you first arrive, the waiter will sit you down on a table and then you order by scanning a QR code or going to the bar area. Didn't make a lunch reservation in advance but was still able to get a good table. - Bundo Chaat - Probably one of the best reinvented Indian dishes I've ever had and is a MUST at Bundobust. The crispy samosa pastry mixed in with the creamy yogurt and slightly hot chili sauce is maybe one of the best dishes I've ever had. Usually I'm not a huge fan of cold food, but this was actually so unbelievably good, like eating an unhealthy salad. The potatoes and chickpeas on top were also fantastic. - Chole Saag - Not as big of a fan but still great nonethless. It's kind of exactly what you would expect: chickpea and spinach curry paired with some kind of bread. I will say that for the price, it is incredibly nice and generous that they give you the puri on the side because usually at other Indian places in London, you do need to order it as an extra. Overall, absolutely fantastic place to eat while in Manchester. Do not sleep on the Bundo Chaat at all, probably one of the best Indian foods I've ever had. Also during the weekday they have a lunch deal where's its 2 for £9 which is honestly super nice of them to do and also very filling too.

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    Bundobust Manchester
    Bundobust Manchester
    Bundobust Manchester - Tarka dhal & bundo chaat (2016)

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    Tarka dhal & bundo chaat (2016)

    Bollywood Dhaba - Bollywood Dhaba - a new name and branding, but still the same food and owners as Ethnic Bites.

    Bollywood Dhaba

    4.0(2 reviews)
    0.0 miNorthern Quarter
    £

    During a bit of a spending spree in the January sales, I was in need of a quick lunch. I did a bit…read moreof a double-take at the flamboyant signage at the place which used to be Ethnic Bites, but the Indian man and lady there are the same as before and reassured me that only the name has changed. The artwork is really nice (see photo) and now they are called Bollywood Dhaba. A dhaba is a roadside café serving hearty, inexpensive, homemade meals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaba I can't claim to have visited India, but given the choice between a dhaba and my experience of overpriced rubbish food at motorway service stations in the 'developed' west, I know what I'm having! Prices are still rock-bottom - I paid just £3.60 for half portions each of potato & aubergine sabzi and pakora curry over basmati rice. Half the curries are vegetarian and for a market stall the choice is quite extensive, maybe eight vegetarian options with another eight non-vegetarian. Portions are ample. At this price point, it was nice to see a good 50/50 ratio of aubergine to potato in that curry, and also you need to check out the pakora curry which is plain pakora in a silky, spiced sauce, maybe some yoghurt or buttermilk in there (not sure)? I'm tipping my hat to Arndale Market for giving us authentic mom & pop ethnic food places such as Bollywood Dhaba in Manchester's main shopping district. I'm reading references to Pancho's Burritos in the national press as a budget food highlight of Manchester. OK, so Mexican food is more novel to the UK, but let's not get so blasé about Indian as to forget the value of a freshly-made curry for £3.60!

    Ethnic Bites is a rubbish name for an Indian restaurant. Even for a small Indian fast food cafe…read more We've established that the name bites, so it's a good job the curries make up for it. They usually have about 12 different curries on offer - 6 veggie and 6 meaty. I usually have the chana masala. When I brought my sister here she opted for the vegetable korma. The friendly woman behind the counter made sure that she was aware that this was a very mild dish and recommended that she would mix something else with it. Basically, you can choose a few different curries and they'll whack them all in your polystyrene dish for you with a whopping helping of rice. You then get to help yourself to a variety of salads and sauces. Well, as many as you can balance on top of your curry. I even went back for more salad and they didn't seem to mind. At £3.30 for a massive dish of rice, a couple of different curries and a salad, this is a truly bargainous place for lunch. Of course it's not as good as proper restaurant curry but for it's tasty, filling and cheap, so get yourself down to the Arndale Market.

    Photos
    Bollywood Dhaba - Half potato & aubergine sabzi, half pakora curry over basmati rice - £3.60.

    Half potato & aubergine sabzi, half pakora curry over basmati rice - £3.60.

    Bollywood Dhaba - Potato & aubergine sabzi, channa.

    Potato & aubergine sabzi, channa.

    Bollywood Dhaba - Basmati rice.

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    Basmati rice.

    Akbar's - packed house! rightfully so, not too overly noisy

    Akbar's

    4.1(120 reviews)
    0.9 miCastlefield
    ££

    Northern England is home to some of the best South Asian food anywhere in the world, including the…read moreIndian subcontinent itself. Manchester is home to the iconic Curry Mile. In these competitive environs, Akbar's holds its own with its gigantic naans and its flavorful curries. The offal-based offerings, such as maghaz (sheep's brain) masala and chicken liver tikka, are my personal favorites. The maghaz has a creamy, buttery texture and loads of flavor. The perfectly chewy naan is a great accompaniment to both dishes. A steaming cup of the sweet and salty Kashmiri chai is a perfect way to finish a meal on a cold Manchester winter evening (I usually find myself in Northern England around Christmastime).

    This is a fantastic place and I wish I'd known about it earlier! However, there are a couple of…read morecatches one needs to know about! For example, bookings in small numbers are not allowed, so if your party is less than 10 you would have to wait in the lounge. Moreover, you wouldn't be put in the queue for tables until all the people from your party have arrived! Once they have, you are given a device which will start flashing once your table is ready. For us it took just about 30 minutes (on a Thursday evening), so make sure you have no other plans this evening or come earlier. The place was full, we load to squeeze behind other guests backs - shows how popular the place is. Our waiter was very friendly and made us feel welcome immediately. Despite the venue being packed, food arrived quickly, and it was just delicious - couldn't find any faults! For those who feel adventurous, there are chef's challenges with spicy food (I heard you get s free dessert if you finish it- however , can't vouch for this). I have tried a tiny piece of this challenge from my friends plate, and almost cried from the amount of hot spices! Despite the wait, very enjoyable experience, and prices are more than friendly, which is very unusual for the city centre.

    Photos
    Akbar's
    Akbar's - Lamb chop

    Lamb chop

    Akbar's

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    This & That - indpak - Updated May 2026

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