Eats
There’s plenty of places offering ‘substantial meal’ deals in Manchester right now
What constitutes as a "substantial meal" anyway?
Emily Sergeant -
30th October 2020 
We’re certainly not stuck for choice of places to grab a bite to eat across Greater Manchester.
But under Tier 3 rules as part of the UK government’s new three tier restrictions scheme introduced with the intent to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), hospitality businesses in Greater Manchester that do not sell “substantial meals” – are not permitted to operate.
This sadly means that many of our favourite local hangouts have have had to close doors for the time being.
Luckily though, there’s still plenty of independent and Manchester-based eateries open right across the city centre and beyond that are in need of our support more than ever, and are ready to welcome us with open arms.
Some of them are even offering a range of discounts too – or “substantial meal” deals, shall we call them – and they’re worth making the most of when you can.
Here’s a rundown of our top picks for places to head on over to in the coming weeks.
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Banyan
Spinningfields
You can still book a reservation for cocktails at Banyan, but in line with government guidance, you’re now asked to order something to eat with your drinks too, so the bar and restaurant has launched a new £3.50 menu, so you can have a great value meal without breaking the bank and still enjoy beautiful 2-4-1 cocktails.
Reservations can be made here.
The Pen & Pencil
Northern Quarter
There’s a great ‘Early Bird’ deal happening at The Pen & Pencil between 5-7pm on Tuesday – Friday, and you can order a delicious New Yorker Chicken and a drink for only £15, as well as so much more.
Reservations can be made here.
Revolucion de Cuba
Peter Street
You can still keep the drinks flowing with the Three Course Bottomless Dinner at Revolucion de Cuba.
For £39 per person, per two-hour slot on Monday – Thursday, you can start with tortilla chips & guacamole, then choose from a selection of mains and desserts, all whilst sipping on unlimited drinks, which include Prosecco, Mahou Lager, house wine, Cuba Libre, and Amour Cubana.
This must be booked in advance and reservations can be made here.
Hideout Lounge & Grill
INNside Hotel – First Street
Hideout Lounge & Grill’s new “substantial meal” deal means you can buy a bottle of prosecco for £29.95 and get yourself a two course meal for free between 5pm-8pm on Sunday – Thursday.
Reservations can be made here.
Roxy Ballroom
Deansgate
There’s still plenty of fun to be had at Roxy Ballroom and those with a gaming booking can also pre-book a pizza and a drink for the discounted price of £12 through the very same booking system.
Reservations can be made here.
Peaky Blinders
Peter Street
There’s a range of food discount offers to take advantage of throughout the week at Peaky Blinders, including an impressive 50% off on Mondays.
More information can be found here.
Albert’s Schloss
Peter Street
The ‘Eat Out to Drink Out’ deal at Albert’s Schloss means you can order a range of ‘Bier Food’ items – which are slightly lighter versions of the classic Cook Haus dishes – all day from Monday – Friday and pair it with a drink for just £12, two drinks and a meal for £16, or push the boat out with three drinks and dinner for £20.
The Albert’s Schloss x Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizzeria Bottomless Brunch is also taking place every Saturday and Sunday throughout November.
All reservations can be made here.
The Oast House
Spinningfields
You can get a whopping 50% off food from Monday – Friday at popular Spinningfields hangout The Oast House when you dine outside in the teepee.
Reservations can be made here.
YES
Charles Street
YES is now serving its brilliantly-named ‘Doner Summer Kebabs’ for just £5 at lunch time, plus you can also take your pick from the wide selection of pizzas, either in full, or by the slice.
More information can be found here.
Nell’s Pizza at Common
Northern Quarter
Speaking of pizza by the slice.
Despite serving up full 22″ pizzas and slices – the largest in Manchester, in fact – Nell’s Pizza in Common was originally told by authorities last week that its pizza slices alone were not “substantial” enough. Luckily enough however, the police has now made a U-turn on the decision, meaning slices do count as a meal.
More information can be found here.
Bunny Jackson’s
Jack Rosenthal Street
Cult-favourite wing joint Bunny Jackson’s is now offering bottomless wings and fries – with booze – every single day, meaning you can feast on as many wings as you can manage (House BBQ; Buffalo; and Classic), with chips on the side and a choice of house lager, frozen cocktails and flavoured Lambrini.
More information can be found here.
Cane & Grain
Northern Quarter
There’s a great meal deal currently on offer at Cane & Grain where you can buy one dish with one drink for £6.50, two drinks for £10.50, or three drinks for £14.50, and on top of that, you can also grab yourself bottomless wings, ribs and booze for £25 per 90 minutes.
Reservations can be made here.
The Bay Horse Tavern
Northern Quarter
Another impressive 50% off food on Mondays is also up for grabs at The Bay Horse Tavern, as well as a bottomless brunch offer on Saturdays and Sundays where you can sip on Prosecco, Bloody Mary’s, Irish Coffees, Wine, G&T’s, or Beer along with your meal for £27.50 per person per 90 minutes.
Reservations can be made here.
The Allotment Vegan Eatery
Lloyd Street
If you don’t fancy a full feast, then there’s an excellent offer of a completely plant-based sharing board accompanied by bottle of wine for just £25 at The Allotment Vegan Eatery.
Reservations can be made here.
The Shack Bar & Grill
Northern Quarter
Another great “substantial meals” deal at The Shack Bar & Grill means you can grab a meal and drink for £10, or two drinks for £14, and three drinks for £17, including beer, wine and all your favourite cocktails such as Pornstar Martini, Vimto Daiquiri and Frozen Margarita.
Reservations can be made here.
Crazy Pedro’s
Northern Quarter & Bridge Street
Crazy Pedro’s alternative ‘Bottomless Brunch’ means you can tuck into unlimited slices of pizza, beer, Prosecco and Frozen Margs too for £25 per person when you book your 90-minute slot between 11am – 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays only.
Reservations can be made here.
Turtle Bay
Northern Quarter & Oxford Street
No drinks are off limits in Turtle Bay’s ‘Bottomless Brunch’ deal, which means you can have your pick of the full cocktail menu to accompany your meal for just £27 per person at both Manchester venues.
Reservations can be made here.
TNQ
Northern Quarter
There’s a bunch of different offers to make the most of at TNQ, including the Happy Monday & Thirsty Thursday £35 per person deal, the ‘Express Menu’ with the option to add bottomless house drinks for £10, and also the multi-course award-winning Sunday Roasts too.
Reservations can be made here.
Mecanica
Northern Quarter
Mecanica is open for all your “substantial meal” needs and is running Cocktail Beer Ramen & Bun food all night, alongside a fantastic range of deli meats and cheese boards, and dessert boards from Slattery too, which can be paired with a delicious cocktail, an expertly-selected bottle of wine, or even a pint of Guinness.
Opening hours have been until 10pm, but you just need to make sure your food is ordered before 9pm.
More information can be found here.
Fress
Northern Quarter
You can now upgrade any Brunch dish with bottomless drinks for an extra £15 per person, or enjoy 241 cocktails, which are served all day, everyday.
More information can be found here.
Dive Bar & Grill
Northern Quarter
There’s an impressive selection of small dishes at just £7.50 to graze on as accompaniments to your choice of drinks at Dive Bar & Grill, which are all served until 9:15pm.
Reservations can be made here.
Fancy venturing a little further out?
The fun doesn’t just stop in the city centre, so here’s some of our picks for places to hit up in the suburbs and boroughs of Greater Manchester this weekend too.
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KBK
Ancoats
Renowned health food kitchen KBK in Ancoats has an extensive small plates menu if you don’t fancy a full feast, and is also operating with extended evening opening hours too.
More information can be found here.
Astoria Bar & Restaurant
Urmston
There’s plenty of mouthwatering dishes on the menu at Astoria Bar & Restaurant – as well as weekday Happy Hours and 2-4-1 cocktails – but if you just fancy keeping it simple, you can tuck into a sandwich or wrap with wine for only £9.
Reservations can be made here.
Folk
West Didsbury & Prestwich
Folk in West Didsbury and Prestwich has taken “substantial meals” to a whole other level with specially-dedicated menu featuring a wide array of dishes available daily from 12pm – 9:15pm starting at just £4.75.
Reservations can be made here.
Wine & Wallop
West Didsbury
You can feast out on a selection of the very “substantial” Pieminister pies, and hearty food from The Crafty Cheesman at Wine and Wallop.
Reservations can be made here.
The Boiler Room
West Didsbury
As well as an extensive small plates menu to take your pick from, there’s also a ‘Boozy Bao’ offer currently available at The Boiler Room, which sees you get Bao, Fries + Bottomless Cocktails/Beer for £25 per person per one and 1/2 hour slot.
Reservations can be made here.
Cuckoo
Prestwich
You can take your pick from any pizza and a Peroni/wine for just £9.50, and any pizza and a pint for £11.50, or share any pizza and two cocktails for just £20 instead.
Reservations can be made here.
Bario
Chorlton
There’s a brand new Happy Hour deal on offer at Bario in Chorlton, where you can tuck into two tacos, a tequila and a beer for just £10, and it’s available every Monday – Wednesday from 5-8pm.
Reservations can be made here.
Into the Woods
Chorlton
How does 50% off found every Monday sound? Not only that, but you can also grab yourself any burger and a pint for just £7.95 on Fridays too at Into the Woods.
Reservations can be made here.
Drip
Bury
There’s an incredible 20% off ‘curfew deal’ going on at Drip in Bury – which simply sees you get 20% off your full bill – and it’s there to take advantage of every day of the week, so it’s not one to miss. Not only that, but you can also make the impressive £19.95 Afternoon Tea bottomless too.
Reservations must be made in advance and you can book your table here.
