A family-run pub in Levenshulme that’s been serving its community for 32 years is closing its doors for good tomorrow.
Fiddlers Green on Stockport Road, Levenshulme revealed it will permanently shut its doors after one last service on Tuesday 18 April, leaving regulars heartbroken and owners ‘overwhelmed’ by their response.
The very independently owned Irish boozer, formerly known as Dicey Reilly’s, has been sold and its owners are now preparing for retirement.
Sharing the news in an emotional Facebook post at the start of the year, landlords Bridie and James wrote: “We’re emotional, we’re happy, and sad, and probably confused, but we’re pleased that we finally made the big decision.”
They continued: “We’re overwhelmed with the response we’re getting from Levenshulme and the wider community.
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“Levenshulme has been our home for so long it’s going to be hard to breakaway. St.Mary’s Parish has always been our parish and will remain so.”
Owners then went on to thank their ‘amazing’ staff and regulars, saying they had been ‘our life for so long’ but they had now ‘made the right decision for us.’
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Image: Fiddlers Green
Image: Fiddlers Green
Adding that they were ‘always very lucky to have the best staff’ and that they were ‘very proud’ of their ‘staying with us to until the end’, the post then went on to thank their family, saying: “We’ve put Fiddlers before you for so long and you always understood. Xx Thank you xx”
The post then finished with owners thanking locals for their support since the news broke, describing it as ‘unbelieveable.’
The popular boozer recently hosted its last St Patrick’s Day and saw so many well-wishers coming down that it had a queue out the street from 1pm in the afternoon until close.
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As a result, quite a few didn’t manage to get in leading landlord Bridie to take to Facebook again on 18 March to remind punters that the pub’s final day of service is 18 April, writing “I hope people who would like to visit us will find the opportunity before then.”
She finished by saying: “It has always been priority for myself and James to keep the staff and customers safe and comfortable hopefully we achieved that yesterday. Once again thank you all and finally we will be very very sad to leave our home of 32 years but it’s the right time for us. ”
The original post has since been liked over 500 times, with loyal regulars and other pubgoers pouring into the comments to share their stories of the Fiddlers Green at the end of an era.
One person wrote: “So sorry to hear the news about you going Bridie. I use to be a regular a while ago with my dear late mate Bill, you will both be missed very much in Levenshulme. Wishing you and James all the very best in your forthcoming retirement.”
Another person said: “I have many good memories from my time spent in the Fids! The most Vivid memory is one from 1992. I was part of a group of recent school leavers. We were sat upstairs in the Fids looking inconspicuous…. when myself and several other 16 year olds were asked for ID. We all proudly presented our 16-19 bus passes, which clarified all our ages to be 18. (Job done!)….. Sadly you identified that all our IDs displayed the same name and date of birth….busted…I think the fact that we had also smuggled in cans of lager with us didn’t assist our situation…..out we went! Best of luck x”
Image: Fiddlers Green
Image: Fiddlers Green
A third said: “Well the end of an era, we have been going into this fantastic pub since we moved into the area and always found it to be friendly happy with great customers and fantastic staff. So many memories hard to remember them all quiz nights and discos with Andy Murphy, Live Music the Gaelic Games on a Sunday along with all the other sports.
“I remember also the great racing days especially Cheltenham Gold Cup days when all my friends came from far and wide to enjoy the fantastic hospitality.Yes we will be sorry Bridie and James are leaving but need to say their retirement is thoroughly deserved.We are going to make the best of these next 3 months and savour all the wonderful memories and what better way to end with a Final Cheltenham Gold Cup day in the fiddlers.”
A fourth added: “Well the end of an era, we have been going into this fantastic pub since we moved into the area and always found it to be friendly happy with great customers and fantastic staff. So many memories hard to remember them all quiz nights and discos with Andy Murphy, Live Music the Gaelic Games on a Sunday along with all the other sports.
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“I remember also the great racing days especially Cheltenham Gold Cup days when all my friends came from far and wide to enjoy the fantastic hospitality.Yes we will be sorry Bridie and James are leaving but need to say their retirement is thoroughly deserved.
“We are going to make the best of these next 3 months and savour all the wonderful memories and what better way to end with a Final Cheltenham Gold Cup day in the fiddlers.
Featured image – Fiddlers Green
Food & Drink
Grounded MCR – the Levenshulme community cafe crafting coffee and comfort food for a great cause
Emily Sergeant
Over within the grounds of one of Levenshulme’s most popular parks is a community cafe that’s doing things a little differently.
Starting off life as a little coffee trike back in 2021, and now based inside a bright-yellow shipping container in Levenshulme‘s Cringle Park, Grounded MCR CIC is a social enterprise that does more than just make you a brew.
Set up with the idea of creating a welcoming space for the whole community to gather, with a key focus on sustainability, Grounded serves up specialty coffee, lots of other hot and cold drinks, and yummy homemade food – much of which is grown by hand, on and around the container.
This is Grounded MCR / Credit: The Manc Group
Coffee beans sourced from a local roaster that pays farmers properly, tasty bakes on offer from a handful of local makers – including bread from the incredible Stockport-based charity, Pure Innovations – and dozens of free community events organised throughout the year are just a few of the reasons why Grounded goes above and beyond your typical cafe.
Sustainability – and affordability, especially amid the ongoing cost of living crisis – are two huge driving factors for Grounded, especially through their partnership with FareShare Greater Manchester and utilising the ‘Too Good To Go’ scheme.
By delivering and using surplus food that would’ve otherwise gone to waste, Grounded is able to keep their prices low whilst still creating some delicious scran.
The Levenshulme community cafe crafting coffee for a great cause / Credit: The Manc Group
Their ‘FareShare Fridays’ are hosted each week, where that morning’s delivery is dedicated to one specific dish and served up for just £1.
To top it all off, Grounded also works with vulnerable adults in honing their barista and hospitality skills, and is also in partnership with ‘Women in Probation’ too to ensure their impact goes further than just what comes in a cup or on a plate.
”We’ve worked hard to create a space that feels safe and welcoming for all,” Grounded declares in a statement on it’s website – and we think they’ve succeeded.
The best butties in town – the top 20 sandwich shops in Manchester and beyond
Danny Jones
There’s nothing better than a good filling between two fluffy slices of bread, and we’re here to tell you the best places to find them in Manchester – that’s right, it’s the sandwich list.
From hot roast sarnies and hefty subs as long as your arm, to solid breakfast butties, giant Sardinian schiacciata and saucy Napoli-inspired cuzzetiello, if you’re a sandwich lover in Manchester, then you’re well catered for.
We’re not happy to settle for a simple Subway or premium meal deal; we want big, honking artisan ‘heroes’ that’ll leave Tony Soprano talking with his most expressive hand gestures. Keep reading to find some of the best places to get a butty in Manchester and beyond.
Open your belt loop a notch, folks.
20 of the very best sandwiches in Greater Manchester
1. Marleo – Northern Quarter and Pollard Yard
Up first is one of our favourite underdog tales in recent memory, as Sicilian street food traders turned Manc sandwich specialists have gone from serving out of a shipping container yard to now taking over their very own flagship butty shop.
Maria and Leo (hence the name) have been mainstays at pretty much every possible Maker’s Market and pop-up stall just in the city centre, but all around Greater Manchester and even further out into the North West. It may have been a slow and steady journey, but years of hard graft are finally paying off.
Having added a Northern Quarter shop alongside their OG Pollard Yard base, you can now get their incredibly well-filled focaccia sandwiches and more on Oldham Street; we’d heartily recommend going for the classic mortadella, their signature ‘Marleo’ sandwich, or for that frankly ridiculous porchetta one.
If you’re a fan of things in bread (and honestly, who isn’t), then fellow NQ Italian sandwich dealers Ad Maiora are one that you absolutely need to get down your neck if you haven’t had it before. You could argue they walked so the likes of Marleo could run, and they, too, have a really great backstory.
Once collected from a door on a back street or for delivery, we’re talking giant handmade spongy schiacciata generously stuffed with the likes of ‘nduja, spicy Tuscan sausage, smoked scamorza, mortadella, burrata and red pesto.
With a total of nine different options to choose from, expect a huge array of different cheesy and meaty delights, including Parma ham, gorgonzola DOP, truffled brie, Milano salami and crumbled pistachios, plus a gorgeous vegan option with Italian hummus, roasted aubergine, olives, sundried tomatoes and rocket. We’re so glad they’ve also now got a proper brick-and-mortar base these days.
It was long overdue, but now it’s quickly become THE go-to place for Man City players on cheat days.
3. Katsouris Deli – Deansgate/Bury Market
First established in Bury‘s historic markets over half a century ago, this cross-cultural deli and cafe celebrates the mixed roots of its family with produce from Cyprus, Poland and Italy, plus plenty more from across Europe.
Specialising in sandwiches as well as boasting an impressive salad bar and carvery, its second home on Deansgate is just as well established after 30 years in town. An iconic sandwich spot, the lunchtime queues speak for themselves.
Made with bread from Chorlton’s award-winning bakery, Barbakan, the ciabatta is a favourite here, but you do have other options. If you’re in a rush or just in need of something comforting, the hot roast pork with crackling, apple sauce and stuffing hits the spot every time.
Other highlights include the veggie-friendly ‘Zorba The Greek’, and the hangover-curing breakfast sandwiches filled with your choice of bacon, sausage and fried egg.
Big portions and good value.Oof.Credit: The Manc Eats
4. Fat Pat’s – Chinatown
This hefty hole-in-the-wall sub sandwich spot drew fans from near and far when it opened in 2022, and it hasn’t stopped since.
The allure of a hidden alley walk-up, combined with mouth-watering Philly cheesesteaks, hot honey fried chicken and meatball parm baguettes, has earned it a place in our hearts and bellies forever.
Located just off Portland Street in the backstreets of Chinatown, ordering is done online in advance, and they tend to sell out quickly, so you need to be fast if you want to secure one of these beauties.
Ancoats Deli is a gorgeous little sage green deli just off a sunny courtyard, with shelves stuffed with wine, mini canned cocktails, antipasti, meats and cheeses, plus sunny seats outside for sipping on a wine or a spritz.
It’s also got the best meal deal we’ve seen – for a tenner you can get a HUGE sandwich stuffed crust to crust with delicious fillings, plus either a packet of crisps or olives, and either a coffee or soft drink.
You’ll often find a special or two, but you can’t go wrong with the classics – ‘jamon beurre’, egg mayo, and a tasty tuna melt are all absolutely banging.
This family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown opened in lockdown and has become popular for its bahn mi, which are available from midday and often sell out within the hour.
Only made ‘for the tradition’ in limited quantities for the lunch service, this fresh pickle and herb-topped Vietnamese sandwich can be ordered with either sweet soy, sriracha or spicy mayo.
Typically made by scooping out the inside of the baguette-style roll, here the chefs like to press the bread down instead to make more space for their fillings. Popular choices include chicken and king prawn, with beef, pork, tofu and avocado also available.
Giggs reacted how everyone does…
7. Rack – Stockport and Manchester Arndale
This tiny Stockport sandwich joint might have started out as a small but mighty little corner in the town centre, but with sandwich fans travelling across Greater Manchester to sample its wares, they’ve managed to expand its reach to a pair of sites.
There’s not much room to sit down in the original shop, but there is a very cute outdoor terrace that catches the sun perfectly at lunchtime, and you’ll find plenty of people queuing up to scran a quick bit of dinner from here.
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At each venue you’ll find a big chalkboard menu that lists its various options, with everything from egg mayo and Italian meats to a funky vegan option with handmade onion bhaji, chutney and pickles – they even do big fish finger butties nowadays.
Toasted sandwiches are a big speciality here, with highlights including a peppery Reuben, a three-cheese classic served with red onion dipping gravy on the side, as well as their hugely popular birria toastie, which is as naughty as it sounds.
Egg & Co specialises in gooey scrambled egg butties, with loads of different options to try, including sausage patty, turkey bacon, avocado or caramelised onions.
Do your stomach a favour: have this in the morning with a side of crunchy truffle hash browns and start your day the right way.
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You can find them at Kargo Mkt at Central Bay in Salford Quays (as well as over in Sheffield), and now along the main Deansgate strip just down the road from its more expensive competitor.
First established in 2015, the grilled cheese OGs have been serving Mancs their naughty, cheesy sandwiches for nearly a decade. We know they’re toasties to most of us here in the UK, but we’re not in control of what foodie terminology sticks.
Widely considered one of the best places to grab a toastie in the city, its classic house staple features a blend of three different molten cheeses, all sandwiched in between golden sourdough bread, and is entirely customisable with extra free fillings.
For the adventurous, wilder Northern Soul options include the ‘Bacon Frazzler’ with Frazzles crisps, streaky bacon, blue cheese, onion and sriracha, and the Mexican Junkie with chipotle mac n’ cheese, jalapenos and Chilli Heatwave Doritos.
It would also be rude of us not to shout out their annual ‘Crimbo Dinner’ toastie – complete with gooey brie cheese, cranberry, stuffing and even a pig in blanket – which we still believe is one of the best sandwiches in Manchester full stop. We loved this place since, well, forever, basically.
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Credit: The Manc Group
10. Bada Bing – NQ
In at number 10, we’ve got arguably the goat of all Manchester sandwiches, the return of the king if you will: Bada Bing has been bada BACK for a while now, and they’ve been biblically good ever since they returned to the scene.
Serving giant hoagies, heroes, subs – whatever you want to call them, they’re well worth the £10-13 price stage and you likely won’t need to eat again that day if you finish one.
From the self-titled ‘Bing’ packed with cured Italian meats, salami and yes, gabagool done just like Tony Soprano himself likes, to a stacked turkey offering, a veggie pistachio one that genuinely surprised, and a Chicago beef inspired by another US TV favourite, The Bear, we’ve happily devoured all of these.
Next up is one that has taken a loyal following over in Stockport and started expanding further out into Greater Manchester, combining brilliant brunch and brews for a tried and tested combo.
While it may not be a dedicated sandwich shop per se, their lineup of four fantastic sarnies are all well worth shouting about individually in their own right.
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Choose from the classic ‘Caesar Royale’ flavour, another breaded and fried option called the ‘Emerald Chicken’, the Thai-influenced sriracha tuna, or their trademark steakhouse melt that is just pure gooey and just the right amount of greasy satisfaction.
Arguably best known for their more bistro-esque dishes like those big rotisserie chickens, Tartuffe, located within Side Street, quietly does very good sandwiches – especially if you like proper crusty French loaves.
We always feel like we could do with more baguettes in our lives, so we’re heavily biased towards the chicken Kyiv one on toasted garlic herb bread; the steak and brie one is also a combo we never expected to hit as hard as it does.
That being said, they also do a great club sandwich and a Niçoise variation for those who like something a little softer. Make no mistake, by the way: these might be on the ‘lunch’ menu, but they’ll fill you up just as much as any proper tea.
Returning to NQ and a Manchester staple through and through, Rustica isn’t just a long-standing city centre favourite, it’s nothing short of a local institution.
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This humble little hatch, right in the heart of the neighbourhood, has been feeding the people for 25 years, and owner Jeanette isn’t just the modest Manc mum archetype personified, she’s an absolute legend who looks after he own.
One reason we adore these guys so much is the no-nonsense approach to everything; it’s an old-school butty shop down to a tee that welcomes everyone from builders and tradies to uni students and trendy townies. It may be no frills, but it always hits the spot, and the prices are still as great as ever.
14. Gooey – NQ, Circle Square, Manchester Airport, Trafford Centre
Now this one has one foot firmly in that viral spot that daytrippers organise entire schedules around when they visit Manchester, but Gooey have been making great butties well before they ever made it onto ‘the ‘gram’ or TikTok, etc.
Yes, they may be known for their sweet treats such as doughnuts, cookies, buns and more, but we think they’re still criminally overlooked when it comes to things bookended by bread.
Famous faces have sung their praises for the tofu sandwich, specifically, but the rest of their brunch and guest butties are also well worth writing home about. With several branches across the region, including NQ, Selfridges Foodhall at Trafford Centre, the Airport, and most recently Oxford, you can’t ignore them.
If you haven’t tried them already, what are you waiting for?
15. Half Dozen Other – Green Quarter and Oxford Road Corridor
From one bakery to another, Gooey and Half Dozen Other have lots in common, including some very good bread, which unsurprisingly makes for great sandwiches.
Their bakehouse in Red Bank might be the place to pick up a fresh focaccia/a roll or two to make your own at home, but another thing they share with Gooey is an invisible fence, for lack of a better phrase, as they’re also neighbours on Circle Square.
At this cafe location, they’re available from 10am onwards, either to eat in or take away, and once they’re gone, they’re GONE, so you’d best be quick about it.
Head inside the shopping emporium and indie paradise that is Afflecks, and you’ll find Panino 23 up on the first floor, serving up delicious Italian paninis (the plural, in case it hadn’t clicked).
They feel somewhat understated at first glance – maybe it’s because they’re tucked away inside a much larger, often overwhelming building – but it only takes one bite to know that they’re the standout in here when it comes to food and drink.
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Menu-wise, it’s small but simple and satisfying, but we will say that the sandwiches themselves are more like big Italian-American style subs than what most of us may think of when we hear ‘panino’.
Either way, who cares? Just look at the state of this stack:
Up next, Provisions over in Bolton might be one of the furthest you’ll potentially have to go for a barm on this list, but we will say that if you’re in the area any time soon, you simply have to pop in here.
A family-run deli in the old Lancashire stronghold, many may still argue whether or not they’re in Greater Manchester, but there can be no question about the quality of produce on show.
It’s far from just things sandwiched between slices of bread here, but even if it were, we’d make the journey for the healthily-layered muffaletta, a toasted ham and cheese croissant, or that simple, salty and superb ‘Parisian’ alone.
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Whether you try their Bromley Cross shop or the Heaton venue, you won’t be disappointed.
From one deli to another, this Vietnamese variant on the edge of Salford and Manchester city centre knows exactly how to scratch that very specific Southeast Asian itch.
This Blackriars bahn mi spot does offer lots more, but we’re not going to pretend this isn’t why most people head here on their dinner hour or for a quick grab-and-go bite.
Fairly simplistic in components but saucy, well-stuffed and satisfying, the cafe is just two minutes away from Deansgate and also serves sublime egg coffees.
Credit: The Manc
19. Loafi – Ramsbottom
Another one that’s a little bit further out, Loafi may be known for all manner of sweet bakes and pastries, but they also have a fabulous savoury offering too, like sausage rolls made with meat from Walmsley’s Butchers, and bacon butties on soft milk rolls.
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Four or so different sandwiches drop onto the counter at 11am every day, each of them guilt-free, fuss-free, and affordable.
The fillings change regularly but are always local ingredients, prepared and made right in front of you, from cured hams and corned beef to coronation chicken.
One last dive into cheesy, gooey, toastie goodness, Grubfellas over at the likes of Ghost x Kitchens is arguably the most takeaway-type addition to this round-up.
Nevertheless, we thought we’d throw it in the mix right at the last minute because they serve as yet more proof that sandwiches are just a snack or the default launch back-up; done properly, and they can be the most satisfying meal around.
You don’t even have to eat in – just order for delivery and make a mess like Dean on almost every single episode of Takeaway Champions:
Last but not least, our go-to in the city centre for fresh falafel, technically this is a wrap, but we’re going to allow it. It’s not just the herby chickpea goodness that does it for us here – it’s all the salads, pickles and other saucy accoutrements that go in alongside it too.
Their wraps are stuffed with your choice of pickled cabbage, potato, salad, tahini, chilli sauce and lashings of fresh hummus, with grilled aubergine and an optional extra. Go Falafel also makes its own fresh juices to order, which are well worth a try.
With multiple locations across the North, including Piccadilly, Deansgate and Rusholme, they’ve looked after us for a long time, so show your appreciation.
And that should be your fill. To be honest, if you’re still hungry and looking for more after that, then we’d be seriously worried about your health and/or addiction to butties, though we do sympathise.
Bread is, after all, one of the single greatest inventions in human history.
Last but not least, we hope it goes without saying that this is by no means a totally exhaustive list of the best sandwiches in Greater Manchester, and we’re sure you can find the perfect place for you elsewhere in the 10 boroughs if you don’t find it here – and please let us know where it is if you do!
Every week is National Sandwich Week if you ask, so you might as well celebrate properly.
Georgina Pellant -
17th April 2023 
