Manchester has been named as a must-visit global destination – the only UK city on the list – in Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2023 guide.
The prestigious list has recognised our home city for its dynamic arts scene and lists some major cultural moments coming in the next 12 months (and beyond) in its reasons to visit.
Manchester was last included in the Best in Travel list in 2016, when the Whitworth art gallery, HOME and Manchester Central Library were all recently reopened.
This year, Lonely Planet has heralded the ‘Renaissance City of Manchester’, naming it one of 30 global destinations to visit in 2023.
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Lonely Planet describes Manchester as a city that has ‘grown in both size and renown in recent years, metamorphosing into a brilliantly creative, proudly musical, and gastronomically diverse hub. Quite simply, it’s one of the best – if not the best – cities in the UK with something for everyone’.
Opening of a new green space on Castlefield Viaduct
Its one-day itinerary features local gems including the street art in the Northern Quarter, the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Mackie Mayor, Manchester Art Gallery, and our beautiful libraries, as well as our nightlife scene, from The Refuge to Band on the Wall to the Gay Village.
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Each destination on the list has been chosen for its ‘topicality, unique experiences, ‘wow’ factor and its ongoing commitment to sustainability, community, and diversity’.
Manchester joins New Mexico, Marseille and Dresden in the ‘Learn’ category, as well as other big names like Lima, Sydney and Jordan in other categories.
Commenting on the accolade, Sheona Southern, managing director of Marketing Manchester, said: “Seven years on from Manchester being championed as a must-visit destination in 2016, we are delighted Lonely Planet is once again heralding the city as one of the best places to visit in 2023.
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Mackie Mayor. Credit: Marketing Manchester
“This accolade comes ahead of an exciting year for Greater Manchester’s visitor attractions with major world-class openings coming to the city in fantastic culture, new music venues to bring in fans, beautiful green spaces, alongside a growing global reputation for outstanding food and drink, vibrant places to stay, and unique neighbourhoods to explore.
“We will be making the most of Lonely Planet’s accolade to encourage international visitors to come and see Greater Manchester and find out what makes it special for themselves.
“At Marketing Manchester, we have worked hard to rebuild Greater Manchester’s post-pandemic reputation, supporting our tourism and hospitality industry to ensure we offer visitors an attractive destination to check off their bucket list.
Manchester Museum. Credit: Marketing Manchester and Rich J Jones
“Lonely Planet’s accolade affirms Manchester’s position as a leading UK city destination and recognises all the city has to offer.”
Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “It’s great news for Manchester that trusted global travel experts Lonely Planet are singing the city’s praises as a must-visit place in 2023. This prestigious accolade is a further demonstration that we are making our mark on the world stage.
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“Tourism creates and supports jobs and other opportunities for Manchester people and is an important part of our economy. The array of attractions, many of which are free to visit, is something our residents can also enjoy.
“When Lonely Planet says there is something for everyone here, it’s the result of long-term planning and partnership. We’re proud to be the only UK city on this list.”
Tom Hall, Vice President at Lonely Planet, said: “Everyone at Lonely Planet is thrilled to have Manchester included in Best in Travel 2023. Manchester’s urban dynamism combined with a fascinating history and cultural scene makes it an exciting pick.
“Next year is going to be a great one in Manchester for cultural happenings like the reopening of Manchester Museum, the launch of the new Factory International and the chance to tour Castlefield Viaduct. It’s a city to experience, not just visit, so our suggested itineraries have also flagged up live music, great places to eat and drink and street art tours, and much more.”
Featured image: Marketing Manchester
Manchester
The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year
Danny Jones
This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.
Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…
Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.
Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.
Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.
The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.
Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.
Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.
If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.
You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns.
We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.
Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing.
Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.
Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.
The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.
If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.
Three Manchester pubs are officially serving some of the best Guinness in the UK
Daisy Jackson
Guinness has released the first edition of its Harp Guide, which has highlighted the best pubs around the UK to grab a pint of the black stuff – and three are here in Manchester.
The iconic Irish brewery has singled out just 35 British pubs that are serving worthy pints of Guinness stout.
Of the three in Manchester that made the list, one is a legendary Irish pub in the city centre, while the other two are neighbours out in the suburbs.
Up first is – unsurprisingly – Mulligans of Deansgate, an authentic Irish pub in the heart of Manchester city centre that’s been a popular watering hole for Mancs for more than a century, selling more than 13,000 pints a week.
The pub expanded last year and now has two spaces – its traditional, den-like ground floor, and its much larger live music space with vaulted ceilings upstairs.
Pádraig Brady, owner of Mulligans, said: “Being recognised in the inaugural Guinness Harp Guide is a real privilege.
“It’s no secret that every pub gets the same kegs of Guinness delivered, but what makes the difference is everything that happens after that.
“The right equipment, correct cellar procedures and conditions, staff who know how to pour it perfectly, the atmosphere, the daily live music – it all matters. We’ve always focused on doing things consistently, and being the sole Manchester city centre pub in the guide is testament to that consistency.”
Mulligans in Manchester is in the Guinness Harp Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Next in the Harp Guide is Kennedy’s in Didsbury, a pub which has only been open since August following the success of its original location in Altrincham.
The pub recently welcomed Yard & Coop into its kitchens too, so you can get a traditional Irish spice bag with your Guinness.
Kennedy’s said: “We are super excited to announce that we, amongst 34 other bars across GB, have been selected for the Offical Guinness Harp Guide 2026.
“Not only is this an exceptional achievement within the Guinness community, but it’s an accolade that represents everything we work towards here at Kennedy’s Irish Bar.
“The Guinness Harp Guide celebrates those few bars that capture the warmth, character, and vibrancy that makes enjoying a Guinness so special, and of course, those that serve beautiful Guinness’.”
Completing the list is The Station pub, also in Didsbury, a cosy local favourite and key stop on the legendary Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.
This popular Irish pub has sports, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness – and now it’s officially one of Britain’s best spots to drink it.
These are officially the spots to head if you’re a discerning Guinness fan.
Daisy Jackson -
16th November 2022 
