When it comes to dining out in Manchester on a budget, there are plenty of great restauraunts offering deals and set menus to help you save a few pennies without comprising on taste.
This May, we’ve handpicked some of the best Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers to help you head out and support your local independents without breaking the bank.
From bottomless brunches and wing feasts, to 50% off the whole menu at Northern Quarter favourites Trof and The Pen and Pencil and half-price tasting menus at Masterchef winner Simon Wood’s First Street restaurant, there’s so much to get stuck into this May.
Keep reading to find out the best Manchester bar and restaurant deals to put on your list this month.
50% off food and drink – Manchester May dining deals
Image: Bab
Image: Bab
Bab
ADVERTISEMENT
What is it: Casual venue with an industrial vibe, prepping meze & kebabs with homemade sauces & marinades.
The offer: Two courses and bottomless drinks for £40.
ADVERTISEMENT
T&Cs: Available Fridays only in May between 3-10pm (last sitting at 8pm).
The Blues Kitchen
What is it: Dedicated blues bar serving hickory-smoked comfort food, plus regular live music & DJs.
ADVERTISEMENT
The offer: 90 minutes of bottomless wings for £12.
T&Cs: Offer available every Sunday from 12-6pm.
La Bandera
What is it: Market-fresh, classic Spanish cuisine in airy, contemporary space with yellow booths and banquettes.
The offer: Drink and pintxos for £5.
ADVERTISEMENT
T&Cs: Available from 4pm until close every Thursday and Friday.
The Pen and Pencil
What is it: New York-influenced all day kitchen serving imaginative menus, as well as craft beers & cocktails.
The offer: 50% off all food.
T&Cs: Available every Monday in May when you pre-book.
ADVERTISEMENT
Trof
What is it: Venue with a dedicated bourbon bar, gigs, open-mic nights and quizzes, plus food from breakfast on.
The offer: 50% off food.
T&Cs: Available all day on Tuesdays throughout May when you pre-book.
Wood
ADVERTISEMENT
What is it: MasterChef Simon Wood’s high-end restaurant down at First Street, perfect for a pre-theatre treat.
The offer: 50% off Wood’s tasting menu (£110 down to £55).
T&Cs: Available every Wednesday throughout May.
More Manchester May dining deals
Image: Volta
Image: Volta
20 Stories
What is it: High-style destination in a shopping complex for modern British dining & cocktails & sweeping views.
ADVERTISEMENT
The offer: Three courses for £22.50.
T&Cs: Available Monday to Friday between 12-3pm.
The Alan:
What is it: Hotel and restaurant favoured by Jay Rayer, located across the street from Manchester Art Gallery.
The offer: Four dishes for £25.
ADVERTISEMENT
T&Cs: Available seven days a week between the hours of 12-4pm and 5-6pm.
Image: Albert’s Schloss
Image: Albert’s Schloss
Albert’s Schloss
What is it: Bavarian-style beer cellar for traditional German food and pilsner beers on tap and in bottles.
The offer: Three courses for £27.
T&Cs: Available every Sunday from 12-9pm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asha’s
What is it: Contemporary Indian cuisine in a sophisticated, low-lit venue with plush drapes and gold finishings.
The offer: Three courses for £23.95 and a complimentary glass of Indian lager.
T&Cs: Available every Friday between 1-5pm.
Bird of Prey
ADVERTISEMENT
What is it: Fried chicken and smashed burger joint at Circle Square on Oxford Road.
The offer: Selected burger, fries and soda for £10 / Three wings, fries and a soda for £5.95.
T&Cs: Available seven days a week from 11.30am-2.30pm.
Block Steak Shop at Canvas
What is it: Affordable steak shop that doesn’t comprise on quality.
ADVERTISEMENT
The offer: Two mains and house wine for £25.
T&Cs: Available every Wednesday, no bookings required.
Bundobust
What is it: Casual craft beer bar serving Indian street food menu amid bare brick and wooden benches and tables.
The offer: Two dishes for £8.50.
ADVERTISEMENT
T&Cs: Available Monday to Friday, 12-4pm.
Cibo
What is it: Modern cafe/restaurant and prosecco bar, for Italian pizzas, grill dishes and sharing plates.
The offer: Three courses for £19.99.
T&Cs: Available Sunday to Friday between 5-7pm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Colleen’s Ramsbottom
What is it: A modern British restaurant located in Ramsbottom, north of Manchester.
The offer: Three courses for £18.
T&Cs: Available from the ‘menu of the day’ only, Wednesday to Friday between 5-6.30pm.
Image: Cottonopolis
Image: Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis
ADVERTISEMENT
What is it: Lively destination for Asian-inspired menus in a warehouse-style venue with a full bar.
The offer: Two dishes and a side for £13.
T&Cs: Available on the express lunch menu, served from 12-3pm Monday to Friday.
Dokes Pizzeria
What is it: Restaurant serving seasonal pizzas using the finest British ingredients from the team behind Manchester favourite Elnecot.
The offer: 30% off bottles of wine when dining in.
T&Cs: Available all day Wednesday throughout May.
Edinburgh Castle
What is it: Historic 19th-century haunt offering pub grub, plus weekly live folk music & outdoor seating.
The offer: Two courses for £30.
T&Cs: From the set menu, served 5-6.30pm Wednesday to Thursday, and 12-3pm and 5-6.30pm Friday and Saturday.
El Capo
What is it: Mexican and Latin American dishes, plus tequila menu, in casual, bare-brick space with a tiled bar.
The offer: £1 tacos (usually £7.50 for three)
T&Cs: Available Monday – Thursday from 5pm.
Elnecot
What is it: Narrow, industrial spot offering cocktails, British small plates, weekend brunch & Sunday roasts.
The offer: Soup and a sandwich for £8. 30% off bottles of wine.
T&Cs: Lunch deal available weekdays from 11am to 3pm. Wine deals available every Wednesday throughout May.
Image: Elnecot
Image: Elnecot
El Gato
What is it: Tapas & drinks are provided in this 3-storey converted townhouse that has stylish interiors.
The offer: Three plates for £18.
T&Cs: Available between 12-4pm Monday to Friday and all day Sunday.
Hawksmoor
What is it:
The offer: Three courses for £29, £5 corkage on Mondays.
T&CS: Set menu available during lunch opening hours only (except Sundays).
Tattu
What is it: Modern Chinese cuisine and cocktails in sophisticated, dark wood bar/restaurant with carved screens.
The offer: Three plates for £28.
T&Cs: Available Sunday to Friday from 12-4.30pm and Saturday 12-2.45pm from the Moon Stand menu only.
The New Cross
What is it: Anew taproom style beer bar in Manchester city centre not far from Ancoats serving up chargrilled kebabs and beers.
The offer: Kebab and a pint or selected drink for £10.
T&Cs: Available every Thursday from 5-9pm.
Volta
What is it: Small plates, deli boards and charcuterie in an intimate bistro bar with wall lamps and a terrace.
The offer: £30 for eight to 11 sharing dishes, designed for a minimum of two.
T&Cs: Available all day every day at Volta throughout May.
Featured image – Volta
Eats
Michelin guide Prestwich restaurant Osma announces heartbreaking closure
Daisy Jackson
Osma, a beautiful, Michelin-recommended restaurant in Prestwich, has announced its closure next month.
The Scandi-esque restaurant has been a front-runner of Prestwich’s ever-growing food and drink scene since it opened in 2020.
Fronted by Manchester born Danielle Heron, who you might recognise from the Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, alongside Sofie Stoermann-Naess.
Osma has been a favourite among Prestwich locals over the last five years, famed for its inventive small plates and delicious Sunday roasts – but now its time in the suburb has come to an end.
In a statement shared online, Osma said that they have ‘struggled to find experience staff, leaving us with little to no personal life’.
The restaurant has teased a move into the city centre, where it’s hoped the business will be more sustainable and ready to grow.
“This is by no means the end of Osma,” they wrote.
Their kitchen at Exhibition in the city centre will remain open even after Osma in Prestwich closes on Sunday 9 February.
Osma in Prestwich has announced its closure. Credit: Instagram, @osmakitchenbar
Other food and drink businesses in the village have all been sharing farewell messages, with The Pearl commenting: “Prestwich’s foodie foundations will be very wobbly without the OG cornerstone that welcomed the ‘foodie neighbourhood’ accolades. Good luck in town both, we’ll definitely come and visit the new place.”
Whole Bunch Wines, formerly known as Grape to Grain, said: “Absolutely devastating news for Prestwich. A HUGE loss but a sign of their quality that they’re forced to move.”
Osma’s full statement reads: “Neighbours & Friends. We’ve spoken with some of you already, but it’s time to make it official. It’s with a heavy heart, but excitement for the future, that we have decided to close our Prestwich restaurant ahead of a move to the city centre.
“Being fully transparent – we’ve struggled to find experienced staff, leaving us with little to no personal life. We have made the decision to move on to what we hope will be a more sustainable business that can grow, and allow us more time to follow our dreams. This is by no means the end of OSMA.
“We’re optimistic, but it’s bittersweet. After (almost!) five years we have met so many amazing and incredible people, who we’re proud to call our friends and OSMA family. So many of you have kept coming back week after week – we feel honoured and so grateful for your company. There have been hard days over the years and your kindness, patience and good moods have made such an impact on us to keep pushing forward. Thank you! 🙏🏼
“Of course, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our one-of-a-kind staff. Your efforts make OSMA what it is. Even when so understaffed, you all keep moving and help each other get through the day as a team. There’s not many of you, but what you guys can achieve is incredible!
“Lastly, we want to thank our landlord, Tony Freeman, for taking a risk on two 26-year-old girls wanting to open a restaurant. OSMA wouldn’t be here today without him believing in us. You will live on in our memory forever.
“Our last day of service will be Sunday, 9th February. Bookings are open now and we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we go. Stay tuned on our socials as we’ll be throwing a leaving party, too.
“A little housekeeping… gift cards bought after the 9th of Feb 2024 may be refunded to the original payment method, or extended to use at our new site (to be valid for one year after the opening date). Our Kitchen at Exhibition on Peter Street will also remain open as usual, so please don’t be a stranger.
“We appreciate every single one of you… and we’ll be back before you know it! Love Dani & Fie x”
Quiet Corners: The Fox and Pine – Oldham’s proper good pub that feels like someone’s front room
Danny Jones
Our search for Greater Manchester’s cosiest pubs is never-ending, especially when it’s cold and grey outside as it often is around these parts, and we recently stumbled across a corker over in Oldham.
Let us introduce you to The Fox and Pine: a brilliant little boozer sat quietly on the corner of Greaves Street, an otherwise unsuspecting road just a block over from the main high street.
You’ll first spot it by the old-school lantern and hanging baskets placed outside, then by the door itself which bears the pitch-perfect British pub name pressed into a metal plate across what we assume (and certainly hope) is a pine door.
Its decorative but modest frontage is just a teaser of what’s to come as once you open that front door, you enter into a world of knick-knacks, bric-à-brac, sports memorabilia and more fox-related ornaments than you could possibly imagine.
The Fox and Pine pub in Oldham has all the charm as its name would suggest. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Opened in 2020 by Michelle and Chris Riley, the distinctive Oldham pub was named in honour of their two beloved football clubs, with Michelle born in Leceister (The Foxes) and Chris an Oldham Athletic fan (who were once known as Pine Villa), but the story behind the site itself gets even more interesting.
Although it is now an award-winning watering hole – having been voted CAMRA’s Greater Manchester ‘Pub of the Year’ three years on the foxtrot, among a number of other accolades – the location was previously used for local AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings.
Now, while we obviously fully support anyone’s journey to sobriety, we’ll confess we’re quite pleased that it’s now become somewhere that not only serves alcohol but champions real ale, specifically, with an ever-rotating lineup from around Greater Manchester, Lancashire and beyond.
Better yet this isn’t a place that gives off binge-drinking but rather one that proudly embraces the undeniable sense of community that a really good, welcoming pub can give small towns like this.
Spanning two floors, both of which are decked out like a warm and quintessentially British family home, the Latics blue glow of the bar quickly catches your eye as you scan the various pumps of cask ale, stout, cider and lager – all of which the staff and customers alike have a good knowledge of.
A brûlée-flavoured number appeared to be the favourite on the day we popped in and it’s nice to see a genuinely friendly, engaging exchange between pourer and punter rather than just a transaction. The longer we lingered there the more nods to the local footy and rugby culture we found too.
A luminous sign reading ‘Yeds’ looms above the bar, referring to the local rugby supporters club that gathers there on matchdays; jerseys, scarves and more adorn the rest of it and much of the surrounding walls, but turn your head to the right and the vibe shifts from pub to what feels like a front room.
Twinkling with fairy lights and soft candlelight on each table is the main seating area, complete with framed pictures of local dogs (we’re talking dozens), a telly for the sport and a faux fireplace but one that still effectively serves as the hearth of the room for people to gather around and be merry.
Credit: The Manc Group
Once again, the whole room feels more like someone’s house than it does a pub and the same goes for when you head upstairs, where you’ll find two more seating areas. Between the fox-themed wallpaper, general decor and another mantlepiece, the only things that feel pubby are the tables and a dartboard.
In fact, we think it’s the little creature comforts and personalised touches that really set this place apart. Be it the hair gel, aftershave and even beard oil left free to use in the bathroom, or the various homemade pasties being served on tiny chopping boards downstairs, it feels delightfully intimate.
Not only were locals keeping a tab of whose round it was from across the room even if they weren’t sat together, but there was even a sign seemingly left out to reserve a corner table for their oldest regulars who seemed to know everyone – and we get the feeling they don’t have to book.
There are live music and comedy nights throughout the week too, should you desire some entertainment beyond good company and whatever game’s on the box, but we’ll be honest: we were quite happy just nestling up in the corner, nattering over a proper pint and getting to know the familiar faces.
When the air does get a bit warmer outside, there’s also a garden area waiting out back and they even turn space out front into a small beer garden terrace as well.
That being said, it is the undeniably cosy interior that we fell in love, so much so that we ended up spending pretty much the entire day there.
It’s been a minute since we’ve been truly swept up in the effortless magic of a pub like this and those who already frequent in don’t need reminding that it’s got a real gem here – they’re proud of it and we dare say a lot spend the majority of their time in here.
So, the next time you’re over Oldham way and in need of a quiet corner to cosy up in, or just fancy a decent pub to whet the whistle, you won’t go far wrong with The Fox and Pine.
Georgina Pellant -
15th May 2023 
