The Manchester taprooms serving up the freshest pints in the city centre
Manchester's definitely earned its title as the second best place in the country for craft beer - and we're absolutely spoilt when it comes to choosing a taproom. Words by Alice Gerrard.
Manchester knows its way around beer, with some of the world’s best breweries right here in the North West, and we’ve got some serious top taprooms to prove it.
From the tiny spots serving colourful cans of ale to the giants spotted in pubs across the nation, there’s a lot going on.
And if you’re looking to sample some of Manchester’s freshest beer, look no further than the city‘s almost intimidatingly high volume of taprooms.
Each attached to a local independent brewery, you can experience a whole new way of drinking – separate from the city centre bars. In the promised land of taprooms, beer pretty much flows straight out of the tanks into your awaiting pint glass.
The trade-off? Typically, taprooms offer a slightly more industrial setting but still, if you want to drink straight from the source and try the newest brews, there really is nothing better.
ADVERTISEMENT
The top 10 taprooms in Manchester city centre
Whether you’re a fan of craft ale on tap, lager or a traditional cask hand pump, there’s plenty to discover in Manchester to suit all beer drinkers’ tastes.
Keep reading to discover our top Manchester taproom picks.
ADVERTISEMENT
1. Track Brewery Taproom. – Unit 14, Piccadilly Trading Estate
Once the new kid on the block and now a local favourite, Track Brewing Co. is a mainstay on the drink-in indie brewery scene springing up near Piccadilly.
There are more than 20 beers to choose from here, including three lager taps, 17 draught taps, and 3 cask pumps on offer. An integral part of Track’s 10,000 sq ft home on the Piccadilly Trading Estate, the taproom seats 80 people and also has room for a DJ.
2. Cloudwater Brewery Taproom – Unit 9, Piccadilly Trading Estate
Cloudwater Brewing Co. is one of the most esteemed in Manchester and the UK, having won multiple awards including the second-best brewery in the world. Its cosy taproom in the same complex as Track has over 20 draught taps of their own beer to showcase and you’ll struggle to find a bad one.
ADVERTISEMENT
There is also a shop selling cans and bottles to take away directly from a walk-in cold store and it’s worth noting that the Sadler’s Cat (formerly known as The Pilcrow) at NOMA has been spreading the good word of the lord through their Cloudwater stock.
While not attached to an actual brewery, there’s enough beer flowing at North Brewing Co’s first Manchester bar to keep you occupied.
Saved from closure by Kirkstall founder Steve Holt, the stylish, Scandi-inspired space at North Taproom is kitted out with plywood and plants, with seating for up to 100 punters at a time plus outside space. Then there are 24 draught lines, flanked by glowing fridges filled with cans to take away.
The team behind this Green Quarter brewery previously worked at Beatnikz Republic – now reborn as Pelican (see below) – under the very same arches and it’s one of our favourite additions to Manchester’s taproom scene.
They’ve created a welcoming space with real New York vibes, with ivy climbing the walls and there’s a great range of flagship ales to nurse your way through.
ADVERTISEMENT
5. Pelican – Northern Quarter
Speaking of the big bird that’s taken Beatnikz’s place, Pelican is the first and only taproom from Squawk Brewing Co. and while the company itself might have sadly shut down after a decade, their gorgeous little bar will thankfully remain.
Located on the corner of Dale and Tariff Street, this colourful, floral and ornithological little spot serves up incredible independent craft beers, stouts, rubies and more, not to mention deals such as a pint and a pizza slice for £9 as well as a great monthly pub quiz. Give it a try if you haven’t already.
6. The Sureshot Tap – Unit 5, Piccadilly Trading Estate
Next up is The Sureshot Tap from the brewing company of the same name which is always sure to deliver an absolutely lip-smacking tipple. Part of the ‘Beermuda Triangle™’ (very good) alongside Track and Cloudwater, their reputation precedes them and we’re big fans of the Piccadilly space.
With dreamy and juicy pales, perfectly punchy porters and an ever-renewing lineup of other clever creations, they’re genuinely up there with some of the best brewers in the game at the minute.
Set up by seven real brothers, the now legendary brewing company’s beerhouse in Ancoats offers amazing craft beer and some seriously good scran. In truth, their main taproom is over in Salford but with an empire now stretching into Kampus, MediaCity, Middlewood Locks and more, you can take your pick.
ADVERTISEMENT
The menu is updated regularly, with a beer for every season and mood. If you’re not sure what to go for, just ask for a sample and the team will happily oblige. Seven Brothers Brewing Co. is and always will be one of the GOATs.
8. Balance Taproom – Unit 10, Piccadilly Trading Estate
Back over to Sheffield Street and what is effectively the central hive of activity for city centre taproom culture, the Balance Brewing and Blending‘s Taproom is a little less rough and ready than some of its neighbours, not to mention an irresistibly cosy and welcoming little space.
They’ve not been open long but it’s already starting to feel like a community over here – they’ve even started a cycling club recently. Oh yeah, and their carefully curated selection of wide fermentations of beers, sours and ales is stunning.
Our penultimate pull comes from Northern Monk, the popular Leeds brewing company whose Manchester taproom over on Tariff St is another one of our favourites. Thanks for keeping us in the know, The Hoot.
With a brilliant main room with an even better lineup of northern crafts, plenty of outdoor benches for when the sun comes out, a cool cellar bar that’s perfect for private events and a great rotating lineup of food residencies, this place is the complete package in our books.
ADVERTISEMENT
10. North Westward Ho – City Centre (kind of…)
Consider this 10th and final suggestion a bit of an honourable mention as although it isn’t technically a taproom, it is comfortably one of the best pubs to have opened up in Manchester over recent years and it is from the team behind beloved Manc brewery, Pomona Island.
Delivering a classic and almost old London boozer-like feel, North Westward Ho has quickly become one of the most packed-out post-work pubs and watering holes most weekends. We can’t speak highly enough of it.
We’ve sadly had to say goodbye to legends like the Alphabet Brewing Company (ABC Taproom was always a great go-to) Wander Beyond, Carbon Smith and others, but we’re glad that the Manc brewing climate at large is still going strong.
It, of course, goes without saying that there are plenty more around Greater Manchester to get stuck into; we’re a region of beer lovers and craft ale connoisseurs, and we look forward to many more breweries establishing their reputation across the ten boroughs and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Dujour Bakehouse: yet more proof of why tiramisu and banana pudding are having ‘a moment’
Danny Jones
Banana pudding and tiramisu might be two of the biggest foodie phenomena around right now, and while each has a long history of its own, Greater Manchester’s fascination with them seems to be only just beginning, to the point where you have places like Dujour dedicated entirely to the duo.
Dujour Bakehouse, to give them their full name, is a story that started a few years ago, and whose latest chapter has seen them open up over at The Trafford Centre.
And upon paying our first visit, they had such a strong few hours that they were already running low on stock by the time we turned up.
Opening a simple stand within the Selfridges Foodall, the name might be a play on the French phrase for ‘of the day’, but make no mistake: this isn’t just here today and gone the next – they’re of the moment as these two ubiquitous desserts continue to dominate.
Popping up on the first floor of the large department store within the already giant collection of stores, Dujour is probably one of the smallest vendors within the entire shopping centre, but the somewhat unassuming yet classic-looking kiosk easily catches the eye.
In truth, it looks like a taste of France – what with the font and the striped canopy and signage that almost puts you in mind of a Parisian patisserie – and then you see the menu with just two items on it: banana pudding or tiramisu.
This makes for a relatively small operation, but the real fun is to be had with the toppings.
From all the sauces and toppings you’d usually expect with this sort of thing, to pretzels and even red velvet crumbs, this is about that extra little bit of decadence without going overboard.
There aren’t dozens of extras to choose from, so as to risk overindulging yourself and straying into sickly territory, but it easily satisfies any sweet tooth.
Being served in the takeaway, iced coffee-style cups also make it feel more grab-and-go, but don’t worry, the serving you get is plenty.
It’s also worth noting that this is very intentional, too; they have lots of experience running large-scale stuff, what with their dark kitchen in Bolton (where this all started back in November 2023) and their sadly short-lived setup in Leigh, but this feels like a conscious walk before running step.
They’ve clearly learned lots from both, and this latest venture does feel like it’s pitched perfectly, not only for the location but timing-wise, as well.
Yes, they may do way more at their OG unit, but this kiosk is very much capitalising on the ever-increasing craze and is already proving a hit even just with busy shoppers passing by.
Like with any trend, some people can’t stomach that saturation of a market, but we can safely say this Selfrigdes stand is one, well, we can more than comfortably stand.
If this sort of thing is right up your street, you’ll also be glad to know that they do wholesale and delivery across the region.
Once again, only a short trip out of the city centre or an easy option when you’re spending the day out shopping, this serves as yet another reminder that you should always venture out to the boroughs and find out what else Greater Manchester has on offer.
For instance, Rochdale Food and Drink Festival returns once again at the end of May to mark 10 years of the annual street eats celebration.
The Manc -
6th April 2024 
