This week, Ancoats General Store has welcomed a new kitchen takeover from Bread and Bowl – home of one of Manchester’s naughtiest fry-ups.
Stuffed inside a giant loaf of hollowed-out bread, owner Charlotte’s breakfast bread bowls became something of a hungover lockdown sensation in 2020 and we haven’t been able to stop eating them since.
Filled with fry-up favourites like high-grade local sausages, crispy streaky bacon, beans, cheese, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and hash browns, they look seriously impressive. They’re also seriously filling.
With a range of dishes designed ‘for the greedy’, alongside Charlotte’s famous Full English bread bowls, you’ll also find a brand new sandwich menu.
Featuring breakfast burritos and all-day butties like the brilliantly-named ‘Meat Sweats’ – a combination of salami, ham, bacon, Lancashire cheddar, mozzarella, rocket, homemade pickles and ‘secret sauce’ – there’s plenty to get stuck into.
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Think sambos on ‘big ol’ foccaccia’ stuffed with the likes of buttermilk chicken and buffalo hot sauce, and fish fingers with homemade tartare sauce and mushy peas, plus chunky chips, loaded hash browns and staple breakfast butties.
The kitchen is also vegan-friendly, with plant-based alternatives available for non-meat eaters like the ‘Not a Chicken Butty’ which features oyster mushroom baked in a special spice blend with vegan mayo, onions and tomatoes.
Initially opening at The Tavern (now The Lawn Club) in February 2020, she’s moved from pop-up to pop-up and can now be found at Ancoats General Store slinging out top-tier butties for the foreseeable.
And the good news is that some of them are much smaller, quieter and more intimate than the madness that is the main Manchester Christmas Markets.
Venture outside your usual wooden huts and show your support for all the different Alternative Christmas Markets popping up around the city this December.
Alternative Christmas Markets in Manchester
Manchester Made Market at Deansgate Square
In the shadows of the Deansgate Square skyscrapers, a cosy and magical Christmas night market will take shape, filled with twinkling Christmas trees, food, drink, live music, and even a grotto.
More than 40 artisanal traders and small businesses will take part over the three-day event, selling food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Highlights include a 20-piece choir, Gooey sweet treats, a Wild Grill experience plus German sausages from Millington Hall Farm, a Christmas tipi, and a Santa’s Grotto.
4pm to 9pm on Friday 6 December; 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
The Night Market UK at Fairfield Social Club
Bordering on Angel Meadows Park and only a short stroll from Manchester Victoria, Fairfield Social Club are hosting a dusk to nighttime event that is the gift that keeps on giving.
‘Shopping chores’ are about to become ‘shopping cheers’ as 50 local makers, bakers and shakers are about to tempt you with their irresistible treats.
There’s standouts like Killa Carbs and FSC Garden Kitchen for your mind and body, with live music from DJs for your soul.
4pm to 11pm on Saturday 7 December | Tickets are £4 or there’s a two-ticket deal for £7 HERE.
This one’s less about shopping and more about Christmas Markets vibes – St John’s tennis court venue has been transformed into a winter wonderland, swapping green lawns for an ice blue rink.
There’s marshmallow roasting, a street-food truck and an open-air cinema where you can watch festive faves like ‘The Grinch’.
While taking in all your surroundings why not sip on a luxury hot chocolate with flavours spanning from honeycomb to chocolate orange.
8am til late Monday to Friday throughout December; 12pm til late Saturday and Sunday | No tickets required.
Makers Market (across various locations)
An insight into the stalls on the day at Makers Market.Smiles all around at the Northern Quarter pop-up.One of the many intricate gifts you can buy at Makers Market.Credit: Supplied
The Makers Market is a staple in Northern Quarter with a recurring visit the second Sunday of each month, and December is no different.
These independent artisan creators are working just as hard as Santa’s Elves to bring the best handcrafted gifts to West Didsbury, Sale and Quayside.
Not limited to Manchester, for those wanting to have a mini Christmas excursion, there’s stalls running every weekend up until the big day in Chester too.
11am to 5pm on Sunday 8 December (Northern Quarter) | No tickets required, more locations HERE.
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Victorian Christmas Market in Stockport
Nutella Cafe at Merseyway, ran by the same company.That cheeky Elf on the Shelf is even making an appearance.Credit: Matthew Nichol via supplied / Supplied
Live your Dickens dream this winter as Stockport are putting a Victorian twist on the usual Christmas Market experience to make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Enjoy fairground rides and food as well as a live choir to soundtrack and enhance your journey through these vintage huts.
Show off to all your friends about your time here with the on-site family Christmas picture area and enjoy some nutella covered treats. The chocolatey goodness may not have been around back then, but we can’t go a day without that gorgeous spread.
9am to 4pm Saturday 7 December | No tickets required.
Melanin Markets: Winter Wonders at The Royal Exchange
Those ever-so-cute Mélange Dolls at Melanin Markets in Manchester.Black creatives will be setting up stalls selling a variety of products including artwork like this.
This annual event is the largest festive celebration of Black-owned businesses and this time it’s residing at The Royal Exchange with a variation of vendors on hand to help you find your next cherished item.
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The name of this event may be frosty, but you’ll be nothing but warm as you soak up the live music covering everything from blues to reggae.
Esteemed traders Mélange Dolls will be selling toys that reflect the diversity of mixed-race and ethnic heritage children and CalyxDrinks will be selling some thirst-quenching Vegan beverages.
12pm to 5pm on Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
Winterhood at Diecast
This 250,000 square foot site has had a full Christmas transformation with the Tinsel Town Trailer Park, Club Leno and Brooklyn Beer Hall.
Mulled wine has some competition from the new festive spirit champ, mulled negroni, but there’s also cookie crumble hot chocolates on offer too, yum!
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There’s karaoke parties, fire pits, clubbing, steins and lots lots more, as Diecast has really decked the halls this year.
13 November to 31 December | Walk-ins welcome however book in advance to guarentee your table HERE.
FREE Santa’s Grotto at Bury The Rock
Christmas can be a costly feat however, Bury has got you covered with their free Santa’s Grotto running throughout December and everyday from 16 December til the lead up to Christmas.
Kids who visit the Grotto get to meet the big fat man with the long white beard when he stays in town for the month.
Although the Grotto is free, there are a handful of stalls surrounding this cosy cabin selling various sweet treats and kid-friendly attractions.
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Every weekend leading up to Christmas, everyday from 16 December to 24 December | No tickets required, opening times vary HERE.
These Christmas super fans started their celebrations off all the way back in November , so it’s no surprise they find themselves featured in this Alternative Christmas Market rundown.
From their giant-sized tree to their fairground attractions like the helter-skelter, Cheshire Oaks is flying the Christmas flag high for the North West.
You can swap Christmas toys for FREE pizzas at any Rudy’s in Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
In an all new partnership, trusted pizza maker Rudy’s, are running a new campaign offering free pizzas in return for new Christmas toys.
From Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December, these pizza masters are offering Mancs and pizza lovers who visit any of their branches the chance to get their hands on some free doughy goodness.
This is thanks to Rudy’s teaming up with Cash For Kids to bring gifts and joy to children in need this Christmastime.
There are currently three sites across the city centre, and plenty more in the suburbs, meaning pizza lovers don’t have to travel to far to donate a new Christmas toy in return for some free gorgeous grub.
Take a job off Mr. Claus’s plate while filling your own and help him load his sleigh this festive season by taking your toy to any Rudy’s location between 12pm and 5pm.
This new deal comes in collaboration with child-focused charity solely dedicated to improving the lives of kids in need and disadvantaged young people across the UK.
Alongside this unbelievable deal, their website has lots of other fantastic ways to donate to charity including their latest t-shirt sported by our two favourite cheeky jungle co-hosts Ant and Dec.
Titled ‘Swap Toys For Pizza Joy’ all the gifts brought into the pizza restaurants need to be sealed or unopened.
Rudy’s also request that these toys which diners bring into their various locations are suitable for all children aged between 5 and 12.
The Christmas tree as you enter the Peter Street site.Swap a toy for a pizza at Rudy’s.Look at all those gifts!
Not only is this offer ingenious, anyone who brings their toy in exchange for a pizza is helping make Christmas for a child in need that little more merrier.
This Christmas-inspired campaign is taking place at all Rudy’s branches from Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December and all you have to do is bring yourself… and a toy!