Manchester’s got tonnes of amazing affordable eats, but you really can’t beat the classic kebab, whether it’s at the end of a night out or on your lunch break.
With the suburbs around town littered with authentic shawarmas, from the iconic Curry Mile to the takeaways on city centre street corners, you’re not going to struggle to find yourself a decent kebab.
And with a whole new generation of university students rocking up in town over the coming weeks, we figured this was vital information to share…
So we decided to hunt out a few favourites – in one lunch break. Yep, that’s right, we decided that eating three kebabs in one lunch hour was a good idea.
The best part is that although Manchester’s kebab circle is wide, it’s all super easy to get to on public transport.
Stagecoach sorted us right out on the day with a plan to take on three shawarmas, all linked by its bus network.
We started off in the city centre at Arndale Shawarma, a late-night staple on High Street.
Arndale Shawarma, a classic spot for a kebab in ManchesterThe neat kebab wraps at Arndale Shawarma in Manchester
Their kebab is a neat naan wrap, stuffed to bursting with the most tender meat, fresh salad, and fat chillies. Chef’s. Kiss.
Then it was time for our kebab crawl to move beyond town. With buses running every few minutes, and fares up to 55% cheaper for students, you can get from campus to kebab in a flash.
Case in point – within just 15 minutes of hopping on a Stagecoach bus out of town, we were on the iconic Curry Mile, and at Al Zain.
A kebab from Al Zain in ManchesterAl Zain in Manchester serves kebabs in authentic samoon bread
You can’t go wrong with their mixed shawarma, served in a traditional middle Eastern bread called a samoon.
They pile it to the brim with fresh salad and it’s exactly the kebab you want for a fresh and filling meal.
Then it was back on the bus up to Levenshulme, and the local institution that is Levenshulme Bakery.
It’s one of Manchester’s most popular kebabs for good reason.
The legendary shawarma kebab from Levenshulme Bakery. Credit: The Manc GroupStagecoach buses took us around the kebab crawl in Manchester
Their lamb-stuffed samoons are the stuff of legend and there’s always a crowd sat outside the front tucking in.
So if you’re ready to start using your years of university education here researching the best kebabs in Manchester, you need to get on the Stagecoach Bus App.
Student bus tickets bought on the app give you unlimited bus rides for a term, or even an entire academic year – and they’re 55% off normal prices.
It’s time to pay less on cabs, and more on kebabs.
Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
Sponsored
Free Britpop karaoke event comes to Printworks this week ahead of Oasis reunion
Thomas Melia
A Britpop-themed karaoke event is making its way to Printworks this week and is expected to attract a ‘Wonderwall’ of Oasis fans.
Didn’t get tickets to see one of Manchester’s biggest musical exports at their upcoming ‘Oasis Live ’25’ tour dates? Don’t ‘Slide Away’, sing your heart out at Printworks instead.
Anyone who missed out on the biggest reunion of the year but still wants that cathartic crowd-singing feeling can soak it all up at Manchester‘s leading entertainment complex with this all-new fan-led event.
Printworks is hosting a free event featuring karaoke and live music in the lead up to Oasis’ epic hometown shows and everyone is invited.
The free Oasis sing-along will be hosted by Oasis tribute band Whatever Oasis Tribute, who will be performing two live shows at 6pm and 7pm.
You’ll definitely want to warm up your vocal chords as they’re playing all your favourite Oasis bangers, from ‘Wonderwall’ to ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, and everything in between.
Of course, being home to Europe’s largest digital ceiling, it would be rude not to make the most of it and what better way to use it than by screening lyrics to the Burnage band’s hits ‘Up in the Sky’.
There will be lots of other activities taking place at this immersive fan event too, expect free giveaways and even a Britpop-themed visual art display voiced by Happy Mondays star and Manc royalty, Bez.
As you look up in this city centre venue, you’ll see vibrant displays of iconic imagery relating to the golden era of 90s British music and culture appearing on the digital ceiling, narrated by everyone’s favourite maraca-playing icon.
Expect Union Jack motifs, recognisable fashion trends, and even kaleidoscopic colours that evoke the feeling of this very important decade.
Printworks will be screening iconic 90s imagery on their digital ceiling / Credit: Supplied
And don’t worry, you won’t have to be ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants’ to get a taste of the Britpop action, as this illuminated and interactive ceiling spans 1,000 sqm, oh and ‘She’s Electric’ too.
In the spirit of all things Oasis, Printworks vendor Big Licks is offering a complimentary small tub of soft-serve ice cream to anyone wearing a bucket hat on the day of any upcoming Oasis shows.
Tank & Paddle will also be giving away free shots to bucket hat-wearers on Thursday 3 July to celebrate the sing-along event.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Oasis are part of Manchester’s DNA, and we wanted to give our visitors a way to experience that connection – even if they didn’t get tickets.”
Printworks’ free Britpop-themed event is taking place on Thursday 3 July, featuring live music from Oasis tribute band Whatever, free karaoke, a Britpop display voiced by Bez, and lots more.
Daisy Jackson -
21st September 2023 
