Ancoats

Old mills turned into the city’s best neighbourhood for dinner and brunch.

Ancoats went from derelict cotton mills to one of the most talked-about food neighbourhoods in the country in a decade. Cutting Room Square is the centre, with pizza, natural wine, bakeries and a Michelin-starred restaurant within a block. Book ahead for Friday and Saturday nights; brunch on Sunday is the local ritual.

When it works

Partly outdoors: better on a dry day, with shelter if it turns. Best morning, evening, night.

Good for a date, groups and locals' favourite.

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Opening hours and prices change; the official site has the current ones. See everything in Manchester ranked for right now.