Manchester

United Kingdom

Things to do in Manchester:

View the Gallery Salford Quays at Dusk

Manchester Restaurants

Cheap (35)

Salvi's

The focus of this new deli bar is Salvi's Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, imported from the company's HQ in Milan. With a late-night licence and stash of fine Italian wines and spirits, it's a... read more
Affordable (34)

Baekdu

Authentic Korean grub is what this caf�-diner does best. The shredded beef bibimbap (mixed meal) is recommended, as is the crab and king prawn hot pot. More canteen than classic restaurant, it's... read more
Good quality (34)

Caf� Istanbul

This established Middle Eastern restaurant has just been renovated. Lashings of Moroccan red, orange and gold provide a cosy setting for slow-cooked lamb with apricots, melted feta and spinach... read more

Manchester Nightlife

Chilled (36)

The Bay Horse

Cosy with a contemporary edge, this is one of the original Northern Quarter bars. Live shows, a range of pizzas and wines by the bottle make this a solid all rounder. read more
Live Music (18)

Soup Kitchen

One of the hippest bars in town right now, Soup's cellar bar plays host to club nights and live bands. Tuck into the carnival vibes of parties like Swing Ting and Hot Milk this month after indie... read more
Clubbing (32)

Islington Mill

Housed in a Victorian cotton mill, this 300-capacity venue is one of the city's finest for alternative music. This month showcases new sounds from Grimes and Kuedo as well as artists on the Tri... read more

This Month in Manchester:

By Ruth Allan

Shopping: Inspired by a vintage Russian camera brand, lomography is a style of photography typified by a snapshot feel and colour saturation. New to the Northern Quarter, the Lomography store sells cameras from �50, with free exhibitions to check out too (20 Oldham Street, uk.shop.lomography.com).

Sightseeing: FutureEverything is a festival of art, music and ideas. Taking over iconic venues like Royal Northern College of Music and Victoria Baths between 16 and 19 May, the programme unites rising stars John Talabot and FaltyDL with innovators Amon Toibin and Matthew Herbert (futureeverything.org).

Key areas: The city centre is easy to get around, but it's worth spending some time in the area just west of Piccadilly station. Dale Street is home to cute caf�s like North Star Deli, and one of the city's best places to get a beer, Port Street Beer House. A little further, on you'll find Manchester Craft Centre (Oak Street) and the Chinese Art Centre (Thomas Street).

Day trips: Rivington Pike is a sprawling landscaped garden 40 minutes north of Manchester. Asian-inspired ponds and staircases to nowhere litter the forest, making for a truly weird and wonderful day out. When you have had your fill of countryside charm, stop off at The Black Dog in Belmont for a pint and a Sunday roast (www.about-rivington.co.uk).

Manchester News & Gossip

Flight Simulator Centre

Tom Cruise, eat your heart out. The Top Gun Flight Simulator Centre in Ashton-under- Lyne, Greater Manchester, allows regular Joes (and Joannas) to try their luck at being fighter pilots. Using a real Delfin L29 fighter jet that once flew for the Romanian Air Force, the new centre gives "pilots" the chance to live out Maverick fantasies, with authentic flying suits, oxygen masks and flight noises. topgunflightsimulator.co.uk

Manchester Trivia

May: Thanks to breweries like Marble, Hydes and Millstone, real ale is huge in Manchester. Give it a try in one of more than 500 licensed premises.
April: Influential philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein studied engineering in Manchester in 1908.
March: Manchester has been a tourist destination since 1804, when the first guide book was written by Joseph Aston.