Whether you are a student on a budget or just plan to live an economic life, there are many of the best affordable restaurants in Manchester for you. Manchester, a treasure trove of delicious eats with high-cost performances, offers various foods you can think of. Fortunately, we’ve selected some cheap eats in Manchester, so, through our blog, get ready to explore the best budget restaurants in Manchester!
Best Affordable Restaurants in Manchester List
In this section, we’ll offer you some information on cheap eats Manchester, along with the best affordable restaurants in Manchester. For your better dining experience, we present their specialities, opening times, locations, recommendation levels, and phone numbers.
Tampopo
Tampopo, among the best affordable restaurants in Manchester, has 3 restaurants in Manchester and a kiosk for a quick bite. Since opening 25 years ago, it has been a go-to for locals and tourists alike. With chefs from East Asia, it offers cheap food in Manchester, from Japanese ramen to Thai green curries, such as Bang Bang Steak & Eggs, Szechuan Squid, Japanese Katsu, and Thai Sea Bream. Albert Square and Corn Exchange open their doors at 11:00 a.m., while Trafford Centre opens at 10:30 a.m. Tampopo will provide you with meals catering to your needs, whether you are shopping or drinking.
- Location: 16 Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PF (Albert Square); Corn Exchange 1 Exchange Sq, Manchester M4 3TR (Corn Exchange); The Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8EH (Trafford Centre); The Orient, Trafford Blvd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AA (Kiosk)
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: +44 161 839 6484
The Mess Café
With cheap eats Manchester, The Mess Café is one of the best affordable restaurants in Manchester. It has locally roasted coffee, hand-crafted food and a relaxed atmosphere, making it worth a visit. Surprisingly, it supports those with difficulties in employment, such as ex-offenders, those experiencing homelessness and refugees, with jobs, training and Christian support, helping people who are looking to turn their lives around. By visiting The Mess Café, you’re helping The Message Trust charity continue this invaluable work, which has helped reduce the rate of reoffending amongst ex-offenders, and so much more. Except for the weekends, it opens from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. between Monday and Friday.
- Location: Harper Road, Sharston, Manchester, M22 4RG
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: 0161 946 9496
Erst
Erst, a natural wine bar and seasonal small plates restaurant, is among the best-budget restaurants in Manchester. It, with cheap eats Manchester, specialises in natural, low-intervention wines, many of which you can buy to take home. It opens at 1:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday but closes on Sunday and Monday. Meanwhile, some who want to save money can buy vouchers from Erst’s official website.
- Location: 9 Murray Street Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS England
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: +44 161 826 3008
Vapiano
As one of the affordable restaurants in Manchester city centre, Vapiano is a popular place to have meals among the locals. Whether you love fresh salad or delicious pizza, you can always find it in this restaurant. In the open kitchen, you can personalise your own food with all the materials provided by the servicepersons, which is the most attractive part. With a range of seating options, the restaurant is spacious and accessible. You can choose a shared table, a window seat, or a lounge area and even eat outside. It opens regularly at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 9:30 p.m., while the takeaway service ends at 8:00 a.m. It boasts many cheap eats Manchester city centre, including Garlic Bread & Antipasti, Insalata, Pasta, Sourdough Pizza, Dolci, and Kids Antipasti, Main & Drink.
- Location: 13 Corn Exchange, 98 Corporation Street, Manchester, England, M4 3BG
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: +44 161 348 7590
Salt Dog Slims
Salt Dog Slims, one of the cheap places to eat Manchester, is an American-style cocktail and dive bar. It is an emporium of world beers, bespoke cocktails, chilli dogs, and rock music. It operates Monday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., with extended hours on Friday and Saturday (4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.). On Sundays, it’s open from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. It provides cocktails, classics, beers, shots and dogs. It’s the best place for cocktails, serving steins, brines and good times 7 days a week!
- Location: 17 Bow Lane, Manchester M2 4FW England
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: 07803 361 052
Lucky Cat
Lucky Cat is one of the best cheap places to eat Manchester. It serves up Asian-inspired small plates, Robata grilled dishes, sushi, and sashimi, which are designed to be shared and devoured alongside an unforgettable selection of cocktails and fine wines. It offers lunch, dinner, after-hours, and drinks. The opening hours run from noon until midnight Tuesday through Wednesday, with extended late-night service until 2:00 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.
- Location:100 King St Manchester, Greater Manchester M2 4WU
- Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
- Call: 016 1424 9150
Exhibition
Exhibition, one of the exciting multi-kitchen concepts, is home to Manchester best cheap eats. It is made up of three kitchens in one restaurant setting: Baratxuri, Jaan by Another Hand, and OSMA. Taking inspiration from around the globe, it curates award-winning dining, innovative drinks and 360º immersive live music experience with a local heart, bringing the very best of Manchester together under one roof. It opens between Tuesday and Saturday at 12:00 p.m. It’s in the former home of the Natural History Museum, making it perfect for visitors to Manchester Central, the Radisson Blu and the Midland Hotel.
- Location: 56 Peter Street St. George’s House, Manchester M2 3NQ England
- Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
- Call: +44 161 711 0150
Bundobust
Bundobust, one of the cheap places to eat in Manchester, was born out of a collaboration between two Bradford boys, Mayur Patel and Marko Husak. Opened at Christmas 2016, Bundobust is a 5-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station, and mere seconds from Piccadilly Gardens. It’s considered as a perfect spot for quick working lunches, post-shopping refuels, or a few beers or cocktails before a big night in the Northern Quarter. The specialties includes Smacked Khakri, Okra Fries, and Raghda Pethis. It opens 7 days a week, at 12:00 a.m., while the kitchen closes 1 hour before the bar.
- Location: St James Building, 61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EQ (Bundobust Brewery); 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AG (Bundobust Piccadilly)
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: 0161 511 8601 (Bundobust Brewery); 0161 359 6757 (Bundobust Piccadilly)
Italiana Fifty Five
Italiana Fifty Five, among the best cheap restaurants Manchester, is the premier destination for many people chasing an authentic Italian dining experience. Its cosy and inviting venues offer a stylish and trendy atmosphere that immediately transports you to Italy, and the warm and hospitable ambience, accented with charming decor and friendly staff, makes every visit memorable. It includes 6 major menus, including A La Carté, Childrens Menu, Drinks, Dessert, Vegan Menu, and Valentines Menu, offering diverse options for customers. It welcomes guests Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday to Saturday with extended hours until 11:00 p.m. On Sundays, we’re open from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Location: 3 – 11 Liverpool Road Manchester M3 4NW (Liverpool Road); 651a Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6QZ (Didsbury)
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: 01618349741 (Liverpool Road); 01618831652 (Didsbury)
Viet Shack
Viet Shack, which serves Vietnamese street food, provides cheap lunch Manchester. It, established in 2014 in the Arndale Food Market, brings a taste of Saigon to Manchester. The chefs cook everything fresh onsite to make sure your meal is full of authentic Vietnamese flavor. Meanwhile, the dog-friendly restaurant has collections & local deliveries, children’s high chairs, and Vegan and Vegetarian food. When it comes to ordering, it has 3 different types of menus, including a main menu of desserts & kids, a drinks menu of cocktails, wine, beers & soft drinks, and a lunch menu on weekdays. Viet Shack opens its doors at 12:00 p.m., while the delivery service begins at 6:00 p.m. every day.
- Location: 63-65 Great Ancoats Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AB (Ancoats Restaurant); Arndale Food Market, Manchester M4 3AH (Arndale Shack)
- Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
Higher Ground
Higher Ground, a modern and thoughtful Manchester bistro, is one of the best affordable restaurants Manchester. With menus and dishes changing on a daily basis, it aims to champion seasonal vegetables sourced from its farm, whole-animal butchery, hand-rolled pasta and fresh fish and seafood cooked over coal. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday at dinner and at lunchtime between Thursday and Saturday. It boasts local, seasonal produce and low-intervention wine to meet the needs of different people. However, you need to notice that it will be closed for a summer break from 24th August to 10th September this year.
- Location: Higher Ground, Faulkner House, New York St, Manchester M1 4DY
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: 016 1236 2931
Kukoos Street Food
Kukoos, one of the best cheap eats Manchester, is a must-visit for those seeking an affordable experience. It, Zouk’s sister restaurant, is a loved Indian restaurant that offers Indian, Moroccan, and Lebanese food with fresh ingredients. In Kukoos, you can also find dosas (Indian pancakes), smoothies, wraps, salads, and lassis. As for the opening time, it offers service 7 days a week, starting at 10:00 a.m.
- Location: 12A Oxford Road, Manchester M1 5QA
- Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
- Call: 0161 235 8536
Soup Kitchen
Soup Kitchen, a canteen, bar and music venue located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter District, is among the best cheap eats in Manchester. It provides various cheap eats Manchester, such as fresh food, wine, beers, tea, and coffee. Additionally, it has live music performance, film nights, comedy shows, as well as art exhibitions. It opens from 12:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. between Sunday and Wednesday, and from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., while on Thursday, it’s from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
- Location: 31-33 Spear Street Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DF England
- Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
- Call: +44 161 236 5100
The Sparrows
The Sparrows, a modern, Central European restaurant, offers many cheap eats in Manchester. In 2023, it, with the unbelievable support of the customers, was voted as The Best of North West restaurant. It has various hand-made European dumplings and pasta, and its menu of dumplings even has some classics of other countries, Russian style Pelimeni, Polish Pierogi, Italian ravioli and freshly rolled pasta. The Sparrows welcomes guests from Tuesday to Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Whether coming for a midweek evening or a leisurely weekend meal, all the staff look forward to serving you.
- Location: 16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: 016 1302 6267
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, a homemade success, acts as the best budget restaurant in Manchester. It’s also the first local Grilled Cheese restaurant with Manchester best cheap eats. You need to know that it only has walk-ins, and bookings are only available for tables of 6 or above. Northern Soul Grilled Cheese is open Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Wednesday through Thursday during the same hours. It’s closed on Tuesdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, it welcomes guests from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Unit G20-21 44 Tib Street Smithfield Building, Manchester M4 1LA England
- Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
- Call: +44 161 832 7026
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Vita Student Circle Square is at 8 Nobel Way, M1 7FA. Its convenient location allows you, within 12 minutes, to reach the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University alike. It also offers rooms with a five-star hotel-like accommodation experience. Moreover, there is a wealth of community facilities on the ground floor. From vibrant game rooms to serene home theatres, every amenity is designed to enhance your everyday living. Besides, Vita Student First Street, located at 13 Jack Rosenthal Street, M15 4RB, offers studio rooms that are fully equipped with living facilities, giving a perfect experience. Meanwhile, you can also walk to the University of Manchester, INTO Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, offering you great convenience to get to campus.
Conclusion of Best Affordable Restaurants in Manchester
The blog, which is related to the best affordable restaurants in Manchester, proves that great food doesn’t have to come at a high price. Whether you’re a student or a food lover, this city has something delicious for every budget. All the best budget restaurants in Manchester are accessible to all. Happy eating!
FAQ of Best Affordable Restaurants in Manchester
What is Pep Guardiola's restaurant called in Manchester?
Pep Guardiola’s restaurant is called Tast in Manchester. Pep, a co-founder of Manchester city center’s Tast restaurant, brings genuine Catalan flavors from his native Spain to the table.
Which food is famous in Manchester?
The top 10 food in Manchester is as follows:
- Manchester Tart
- Eccles cake
- Lancashire Hotpot
- Black pudding
- Manchester Egg
- Vimto
- Pasty Barm
- Rag Pudding
- Potato Cakes
- Butter Pie
All these 10 dishes celebrate Manchester’s love for robust, comforting flavors, and are sough-after among the public.
Where do celebrities eat in Manchester?
The celebrities usually eat in different restaurants in Manchester. Here are 3 of them presented here:
- Rosso Restaurant. Spring Gardens, Manchester.
- Neighbourhood. The Avenue North, Manchester.
- Proper Tearooms. Cateaton Street, Manchester.
