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 A fascinating, labyrinthine selection of stalls |
Market Hall Arndale Centre Manchester M4 3AW United Kingdom +44 161 832 3552 |
This 2-floor labyrinthine, general market is a popular and fascinating permanent fixture of the Arndale Centre and offers a really wide variety of stalls. It is particularly well known for its very good food section, which specialises in great value fresh fish and poultry of all kinds. Other big attractions include the West Indian food store on the ground floor and the stall selling quality leather handbags at up to half shop prices. It's certainly worth a browse around for other bargains, particularly shoes and small electrical goods and there is always a definite buzz to the place. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Eric Hewis |
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Gourmet paradise in the city centre |
345 Deansgate Manchester M3 4LZ United Kingdom +44 161 834 2266 |
The concept for Atlas Delicatessen grew out of the popularity and quality of the catering at the Atlas Bar across the street. Now the shop sells everything used in the bar and a lot more besides, representing a veritable gourmet's paradise. There are plenty of exotic desserts available, such as the Hill Station gourmet ice creams in cinnamon, nutmeg or spiced coffee flavors and the maraschino-soaked polentina cakes from a small Italian village bakery. The shop also sells organic meat and poultry - including free-range chickens - as well as fresh breads, dates, pomegranates and an excellent range of wines and beers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Irresistible breads from across Europe |
67-69 Manchester Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9PW United Kingdom +44 161 881 7053 |
It is difficult to avoid this delicatessen when passing through Chorlton. The irresistible aroma of fresh bread wafts through the air and entices you in. Barbakan specialise in baking continental breads on the premises every day, including Polish, Greek and Italian style loaves. The deli also tempts the customer with fine displays of exotic cheeses, meats, olives and other such delights. Better still, the staff themselves are both eccentric and dedicated, so every trip is an event. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Traditional street traders |
Church Street Manchester M4 1PW United Kingdom |
A taste of a time gone by, right in the heart of the city centre, this highly popular and richly atmospheric traditional market has been running for many years and everything you can wish for in fresh fruit and vegetables is available at ridiculously low prices. Get there early for the colourful exotic fruit stall as the more unusual produce tends to sells out quickly. Alternatively, for bargain hunters there are usually even bigger discounts all round if you can wait until the very end of the day. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Finest fresh pasta and pesto |
56 Beech Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9EG United Kingdom +44 161 861 0357 |
An absolute must for pasta lovers from miles around, Buonissimo Deli make their own fresh tagliatelle and vermacelli in red, green and white. They also make the finest pesto (green and red) you're likely to taste this side of Turin. The owner of this long established, family-run business, Marcus, also offers home-made pasta sauces, top-quality cheeses, wines, Italian breads and a great selection of olives in various different marinades. In addition, delicious hot and cold sandwiches are available, made to order, at lunchtime. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Great booze |
688-690 Wilmslow Road Didsbury Manchester M20 2DN United Kingdom +44 161 466 2546 |
This south-Manchester chain of stores (which incidentally won the Carlsberg Independent Wine Retailer of the Year award) also has a branch on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton. The organisation imports most of the wines they sell directly from specialist producers and smaller vineyards throughout Europe. They personally visit each one and are the exclusive UK suppliers to many of them. This basically means excellent quality wines at very reasonable prices. The shops also sell a wide range of malt whiskies, British and continental beers, spirits and cigars. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Friendly and wholesome |
64 Beech Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9EG United Kingdom +44 161 881 6399 |
Handy, friendly and welcoming, this shop has the reassuring look of a Victorian-style pharmacy and offers many traditional herbal remedies - they even have a regular visiting expert herbalist to offer advice and information. All your health food needs can also be taken care of here as they stock a good range of organic fresh fruit and vegetables and a fine selection of snacks such as vegan pies and pastries, which are available hot or cold. This is also the place to come if you are looking for accommodation in the area or local yoga classes as the shop windows are full of classified adverts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The city centre's first healthfood store |
111 Oxford Road Manchester M1 7DU United Kingdom +44 161 273 4878 |
This shop pre-dates the restaurant next door and was one of the very first in the area to cater for the needs of the health conscious and students (from nearby university halls of residence) wanting foodstuffs such as brown rice and lentils. Today, it is a busy supplement to the cafe and the range of health food and organic products on offer is impressive, plus they also sell natural therapies and toiletries in addition to a range of ethnic gifts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Chinese taste sensations |
44-46 Faulkner Street Manchester M1 4FH United Kingdom +44 161 907 3210 |
At Ho's you can enjoy delicious honey buns (either with or without crust) if you have a sweet tooth or else there are vegetable and chicken pasties for those who prefer something more savoury. Whatever your taste, this ethnic bakery in the heart of Chinatown must be visited.The food is freshly baked on the premises every day and the staff are always warm and friendly. There is a community feel to the shop and locals often pop in for a chat along with their cakes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Emma |
 Photo: Mr. Andrew Kirton |
 Locally based coffee company |
2 Oxford Road Manchester M1 6FU United Kingdom +44 161 236 3656 |
This is the original and largest branch of Java—a rapidly expanding Manchester-based company with further branches and kiosks dotted around the city, including one at Victoria Station and opposite the BBC North building.With excellent espresso and captivating cappuccino available in a cool and relaxed atmosphere—all subdued lighting and creamy yellow and orange walls—Java is favoured by many locals. If you enjoy the coffee you're drinking, you can also purchase the blends and cafetieres on request. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
 Beautiful award-winning French cakes and pastries |
The Triangle 37,Hanging Ditch Manchester M4 3TR United Kingdom +44 161 819 1260 |
Located in the delightful Triangle shopping complex development, this is a unique cafe and shop owned by French patisserie chef Paul Caffet - who won a global award in 1995 for his confectionery creations. You can browse around the wooden shelves packed with fine foods, cakes and savouries or sit down in the great 50s styled leather chairs of the cafe area, with fine views across Exchange Square to the Cathedral. Individual pastries and cakes start at around £3 and you can also buy their famous ice-cream gateaux for that special occasion from £22. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Love Saves The Day |
57 Thomas Street Manchester M4 1LA United Kingdom +44 161 839 0470 |
A real treat in the back streets of Piccadilly, this delightful delicatessen and cafe stocks a variety of very classy and unusual food and drinks, which can also be eaten in. The cavernous shop space is light, airy and easy to browse around, with every section—from fine wines to cheeses— clearly separated. It claims to sell the finest cappuccino in town and even hosts occasional special events—such as wine tasting, cookery talks and food quizzes. The staff are really knowledgeable and the deli also offers a unique delivery service to city-centre dwellers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: John Ryan |
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Fine sandwiches and Italian deli |
50 Pall Mall Manchester M2 1AQ United Kingdom +44 161 832 4600 |
In the middle of the city's financial quarter, this stylishly low-key establishment sells the finest quality sandwiches (made fresh on the premises) ice creams, coffees and home-made soups. An outside catering facility for boardroom buffets is also available. Highly recommended is the smoked Penrith pepperpot sausage with apricot and ginger chutney, followed by Greek yoghurt with raspberries and Barbados sugar. The shop also boasts an excellent Italian delicatessen section, which includes flavoured olive oils, fresh pasta and all kinds of fine food gifts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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The very freshest fruit and vegetables |
Whitworth Street East Openshaw Manchester M11 2WJ United Kingdom +44 161 234 7781 |
Still retaining the feel of a bygone era, this massive wholesale market to the north of the city centre is famous throughout Manchester and has been regularly featured on TV programmes. All the best local restaurants tend to buy their produce here as it specializes in top quality fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh and dried flowers, fish and poultry. Mind you, you'll have to get up really early for the very best bargains. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ross Bowman  |
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Gourmet foods to eat in or out |
416 Wilbraham Road Chorlton Manchester M21 0SD United Kingdom +44 161 881 0202 |
Aimed firmly at the gourmet food lover, this urbane delicatessen and cafe-bar offers customers the opportunity to sample from an admirable range of specialist wines, coffees, cheeses, Italian pates and meats, either in its plush leather and marble surroundings or in the privacy of their own home. Try spicy fish cakes, various salads or a range of hot and cold sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, cakes and pastries. Organic cordials are served with sparking mineral water, all this and some of the best cappuccino in town. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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All the cheeses you want |
706 Wilmslow Road Didsbury Manchester M20 2DW United Kingdom +44 161 434 4781 |
This is probably Manchester's best known cheese shop - it has supplied some of the best pubs and restaurants in the city for a number of years. The range is simply amazing, taking in everything from traditional unpasteurised Farmhouse Lancashire to rare French goat's cheeses. The shop also stocks a good range of hand-made Belgian pâtés, coffee, salami, olives and port - all impeccably displayed. This is a great place if you are searching for a food gift or hamper for a special occasion. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Paul Hughes |
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Exotic blends always available |
Weesperstraat 69 Manchester 1018 VN United Kingdom +44 161 839 6102 |
This delightful shop, with an authentic old-fashioned feel, is located in the centre of Deansgate. It sells teas and coffees of every variety you can think of. There is definitely a personal feel to Whittards—even if it is part of a small chain—and they have regular free tastings of some truly weird and wonderful blends. They are always happy to provide friendly advice and they also sell quality coffee makers, grinders and other related items. Review © 2007, Wcities |
