The best lunch in Manchester city centre

Long-established city centre sandwich shop Rustica is a lunchtime go-to for many Mancunians. This bustling spot is takeaway-only, offers casual counter service, and it's usual to see a queue. A wide variety of tasty and filling sandwiches are on the menu here, making it a classic lunch choice in the city.

Have lunch with impressive views at 20 Stories. Considered one of Manchester's best restaurants, this venue is modern and refined, with large windows for taking in the city. A set menu is offered for lunch, but there's also an à la carte option. Expect refined recipes like ham hock and partridge terrine and seared salmon fillet.

Have lunch by the canal in Castlefield at Dukes 92. This scenic and stylish venue has a popular outside terrace as well as a contemporary interior with exposed bricks and plants. International food is on the menu, including pizza, sandwiches, and burgers. Meals for children are also served and there's a varied choice of drinks.

A burger makes a tasty lunch, so head to Almost Famous to get one. There are a couple of city centre locations featuring eclectic decor and eye-catching art. Hamburgers and chicken burgers stacked up with toppings are served, and many of them can be adapted if you don't eat meat. Meals for kids are also available.

Katsouris Deli in Deansgate is a renowned destination for lunch. This bustling venue sells authentic European deli goods but is also known for its breakfast and lunch options. Diners come here for paella, the generous salad bar, and hearty sandwiches packed with ingredients that celebrate various global cuisines and flavours.

Open only for lunch, Micky's is a must-visit if you're craving a big fat sandwich at midday. The focaccia bread is freshly baked daily and piled up with locally sourced fillings. The parm sandwich is a speciality here; they even do a meat-free version. Other options include salami and mortadella or beef pastrami. 

Try tapas for lunch at El Gato Negro Tapas. The restaurant is set across three floors in an elegant townhouse, with stylish design and big windows for gazing out at the city. Seasonal tapas made with local ingredients are served, showcasing traditional and contemporary Spanish recipes. Cocktails, sangria, and Spanish wines and sherries are available to enhance your meal.

Dog Bowl combines food and fun for all ages. Lunch is served every day in the form of sandwiches, smash burgers, pizza, and loaded fries. You can have plenty of fun here, too—the venue is home to five bowling lanes and an arcade full of retro games and consoles. Cocktails are also served here.

Grand Pacific in Spring Gardens draws inspiration from the age of exploration, serving British recipes with imaginative international twists. This modern restaurant is full of atmosphere and lavish design. Sandwiches and a two-course lunch menu are served Monday through Friday, while the main menu features exotic fusion choices like Asian-spiced duck cottage pie.

With a history going back to 1960, The Rice Bowl is one of Manchester's oldest Chinese restaurants. The dim sum served here is an ideal choice for lunch, but you'll also discover a variety of other traditional Chinese dishes. This subterranean restaurant has plenty of space and can accommodate parties of all sizes.

Tuck into Indian street food at Mowgli Street Food. This venue at the Corn Exchange is style-conscious, decked out with wood panelling and playful swing seats. Several menus are available here, including kids' options and menus for dietary requirements. The main menu includes tiffin boxes that are convenient for lunch, plus curries, roti wraps, and sides.

A popular Italian restaurant in the city centre, Don Giovanni has been serving Manchester since 1984. The dining space is crisp and refined, with white tablecloths and tan leather seating. The à la carte menu includes all the classics like bruschetta, burrata, pasta, pizza, and risotto, as well as steaks and meat from the grill.

Argentine steakhouse Gaucho is an ideal option for steak lovers in Manchester. It's housed in a converted church, and the restaurant's interior has a dramatic monochrome colour scheme. The set lunch menu includes two or three courses, including ceviche, steak, and pasta bake, as well as the main menu, which includes prime steak cuts.

Frankie's is a bold and colourful casual restaurant serving fast food. Melty toasties are a speciality here, filled with comforting ingredients like cheese and beans. Nachos, jacket potatoes, and loaded fries with your choice of toppings are also available. Indulgent milkshakes are served too. This place is an ideal pick for a satisfying but budget-friendly lunch.

Have your lunch in unique surroundings at Chinatown restaurant Waku Waku. Modelled on Asian comic cafés, this monochrome space has all the details drawn by hand to create an impressive optical illusion. Snap some photos for your Instagram story and enjoy Japanese favourites like sushi, noodles, and donburi. Takeaways are also available.

Australasia in Spinningfields serves an Australian menu with Asian influences. The elegant space is decorated with natural colours and materials and has a soothing atmosphere. It's a luxurious venue for relaxed meals. On weekdays, there's a special lunch menu of small plates and sushi selections, whilst the main menu includes sushi, tempura, steak, and oysters.

Try an elevated take on a kebab in the Northern Quarter at Bab NQ. This trendy eatery specialises in contemporary versions of Middle Eastern classics like flavoursome shawarma wraps and mezze platters. There's a short list of lunchtime specials and dishes for kids are also on the menu here.

Buzzy and modern restaurant Yard & Coop is a popular choice for fried chicken. All of the food served here is halal and there are vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. There's a budget-friendly lunch menu of butties, plus the main menu features fried chicken plates and burgers. The venue is trendy with quirky decor.

Check out Fat Pat's for a hearty sub sandwich. This takeaway-only spot dispenses sandwiches from a vibrant blue takeout window. The sandwiches here are served on an eight inch milk roll and feature classic American-style fillings like hot honey fried chicken, Philly cheesesteak, and a vegetarian-friendly muffuleta. They'll easily keep you feeling full until dinner.

Banyan serves food and cocktails in a vibrant setting complete with sweeping floral arrangements. International dishes are served here all day and the varied menu includes something for every appetite. From small plates like arancini and onion bhajis to sandwiches, curries, and burgers, there's bound to be something to tempt you here.

What The Pitta in the Northern Quarter specialises in juicy kebabs and you might not even notice that they're vegan. This modern eatery has street art adorning the outside of the building and serves food that's ideal for lunch. Choose from plant-based kebabs, gyros, and mezze boxes – the restaurant even shares the carbon footprint of each dish.

Bring Vietnamese flavours to your midday meal with Banh Mi Co Ba. As the name implies, this cosy and humble eatery specialises in banh mi sandwiches with a choice of fillings. Bao bun sandwiches, pho, and rice dishes are also on the menu. This place also serves powerful Vietnamese coffee that'll keep you going all afternoon.

A bright and stylish all-day dining spot in the Northern Quarter, The Pen and Pencil takes inspiration from New York City. This stylish venue blends the old and the new to create an attractive dining space. Food is available all day and the lunch options focus on sandwiches, with wraps, rolls, bagels, and burgers all available to try.

Try Northern Soul when you're craving a generous toastie for your lunch. This modern restaurant is bright, buzzy, and has quirky decorating touches like cheese graters for lampshades. The classic sandwich here is made with sourdough and a three cheese blend but other options on the menu add interesting extra ingredients like crispy noodles or mac 'n' cheese.

Head to The Ivy for a classy place to have lunch in Spinningfields. This brasserie is elegant and modern, offering a range of menus for any time of the day. There's an affordable weekday set menu of classic dishes like the signature shepherd's pie, as well as the main menu featuring steaks, burgers, salads, and curry.

At Crazy Pedro's you'll find a vibrant and eclectic venue with eye-catching decor all over the walls and ceiling. This place is about having fun and has a casual atmosphere. Creative pizzas with unconventional toppings are served by the slice or whole pie; for lunch there's a special offer of two slices with a soft drink thrown in.

East-meets-West fusion food is served for dining-in and takeaways at Salt & Pepper. This venue began as a pop-up and now has a modern permanent site at Arndale Market. The creative menu includes options like salt and pepper hash browns, glazed wings, and boxes served with chips, rice, or a bit of both for a satisfying meal.

With locations around the country, including one in Spinningfields, Honest Burgers is a hit if you're craving a burger. Indoor and outdoor seating is offered at this contemporary venue. The menu features a range of beef, chicken, and vegetarian burgers, as well as a location-specific special and other specials that change each month.

Wolf At The Door might be a cocktail bar but it's also a great place to grab some lunch, especially if you want an affordable meal. As well as cocktails and a concise wine list, this place serves budget-friendly tacos, bao, and fries. Food comes with creative fillings like chips and curry sauce or margarita pizza.