Rapper Big Zuu has grown quite a reputation as a foodie personality, receiving rave reviews with his new ITV series Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours.
So when he teamed up with the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller to share a list of the best restaurants in Manchester, expectations were high.
Most of us expected him to dig out some authentic little local gems – and he did almost exactly the opposite.
Big Zuu’s favourite restaurants have been labelled by fans as, quite bluntly, ‘bulls**t’.
So where did he think was worthy of a place on his top five restaurants? Was it the Michelin-approved independents like The Sparrows or the newly-Bib-Gourmand Higher Ground, or cosy local favourites like Erst or Bar San Juan? Yeah, not exactly.
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Instead, Big Zuu has chosen a selection of mostly chain restaurants, with a couple of actual Manchester businesses chucked in for good measure. Though he calls the city ‘Mani’ the whole way through which is a little controversial.
At the top of his list comes San Carlo, the Italian restaurant group that you can find in several major UK cities at this point.
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Big Zuu said it’s his favourite place to go before a night out, stating that it’s ‘big and extravant but not very expensive’.
The grime star and TV personality also said that his favourite dish to order at San Carlo is the half-and-half pizza.
Next up? Jimmy’s Killer Prawns, which to be fair is a fun place to eat if you don’t mind wearing latex gloves and a plastic bib – but doesn’t exactly scream authentic Manchester to us.
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Big Zuu said he hasn’t actually visited the Liverpool Road restaurant, and prefers to order his mountains of prawns for delivery, and said ‘it’s great value – you just can’t go wrong’.
Jimmy’s Killer Prawns was listed as one of Big Zuu’s favourite restaurants in ManchesterJimmy’s Killer Prawns was listed as one of Big Zuu’s favourite restaurants in Manchester
He also listed Dishoom, an Indian group that started down in London but has indeed become of Manchester’s most popular restaurants since opening on Bridge Street in 2018.
Our site of Dishoom its ‘own flavour’ apparently, and Big Zuu raved about the daal and naan bread.
He said: “I’ve got a real soft spot for the Manchester one. It’s big and a little bit easier to get into. I love the décor: it’s in a beautiful building, with beautiful architecture” – and no one could argue with him about that.
Big Zuu gave a shout-out to Chorlton’s The Drop Bar Cafe, a Caribbean restaurant famed for its ‘Hench Boxes’.
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He said: “Most places people go to in Manchester are in the city centre, but this is out near Old Trafford, so this is a bit out there.”
The Drop Bar Cafe in Chorlton is also one of Big Zuu’s favourite restaurants in ManchesterThe Drop Bar Cafe in Chorlton is also one of Big Zuu’s favourite restaurants in Manchester
Big Zuu continued: “They do a Caribbean Sunday roast and it’s just so good. You can get everything you want – lamb, chicken and all the usual sides like coconut rice with peas and fried plantain. And there is an epic ‘reggae roast,’ which is jerk chicken with things like mac ‘n’ cheese and the ‘veggie rasta roast,’ which is toasted pumpkin.”
And his final pick went to Chai Latte Cafe on Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, which he said ‘may not be the best in the universe’ but is good after a night out when you’re ‘starving’.
Siri, show me a bigger back-handed compliment.
Since sharing Big Zuu’s insights on social media, Conde Nast Traveller has received a fair few comments questioning his choices.
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One person asked on Instagram: “Is this a joke?”
Another said: “When you have chain restaurants in a guide to the BEST a city can offer… I think we know its a bulls**t guide! Thank you, next.”
Someone else posted: “I doubt that in the city with one of the coolest food scenes the top 5 restaurants are almost all chain restaurants…”
And another wrote: “This is a wack list and nobody calls it ‘Mani’”
And one final cynic shared: “This looks like the restaurants w the biggest PR budget.”
Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.
This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.
Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.
The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.
The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.
With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.
“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.
“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.
“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist
There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.
It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.
Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.
Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.
“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”
Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester
A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.
Road closures – 31 December 2024
7.30pm–2am
Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
9pm–2am
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January
Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January
Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)
Accessible parking
Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree
Daisy Jackson
A man has been charged for a series of burglaries in Wigan – one of which saw him nick the ingredients for a Christmas dinner.
Gary Marsh of Heath Street in Golborne had reportedly taken a number of festive food items from a freezer at an address.
In the burglary on 7 December, the 38-year-old took items including a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.
Mr Walsh also made off with a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.
Police have said he has been charged for stealing ‘a Christmas dinner worth of goods’.
He’s been charged with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
GMP said in a statement today: “One frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.
“Gary Marsh 16/05/1986 of Heath Street, Golborne, in Wigan, was charged on Wednesday 18 December with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference.
“On 7 December 2024, the following items were reportedly taken from the freezer in the basement of an address: a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets, a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.”
Daisy Jackson -
1st February 2024 
