The best street food in Manchester

Indian street food and original brews are served at Bundobust. These venues are industrial-style beer halls with long communal tables. At the bar, you'll discover plenty of beers ranging from accessible IPAs to an original coriander lager. Food options include Bombay mix and rice puffs to vada pav, okra fries, and paneer tikka skewers.

Yard Burgers occupies a converted shipping container in Sale and dishes up some of the city's most delicious burgers. This takeaway-only spot serves classic American burgers finished off with creative toppings that really pile on the flavour, like a slab of rich Irish butter. Budget-friendly lunch deals are also available.

Sandwiches are a favourite British street food, and Rustica is one of Manchester's best-loved sandwich shops. Based in the Northern Quarter, this takeaway-only spot offers a wide range of satisfying sandwiches that are great at lunchtime. Don't be surprised if you have to queue to get some food at this iconic spot.

One of Manchester's top destinations for burgers is Almost Famous, which operates a few locations around the city. Each one features vibrant and eclectic decor. Kids and groups are welcome here. Expect chicken and beef burgers loaded up with delicious ingredients with indulgent sides to complete your meal. Takeaways are available, too.

Nell's Pizza has a few locations around Manchester, known for serving bold and flavourful pizzas on a thin and crispy base. Pizzas come in 14-inch or 22-inch sizes, but you can order just a slice. Try a pizza with classic or inventive toppings and pair it with one of their cocktails. Each venue has a unique character.

Plant-based diners can still indulge in a big juicy kebab at What The Pitta. This NQ eatery is hip and modern, sporting street art on the outside of the building. At this friendly spot, you can order a vegan take on a kebab, gyro, or mezze box. This sustainable restaurant even shows you the carbon footprint of each dish.

Another of the city's best-loved burger spots is Burgerism, an award-winning restaurant group serving halal dishes made with local produce. The venues are modern and relaxed, dishing up generous burgers that range from a classic cheeseburger to towering burgers with four patties. Beef, chicken, and plant-based options are all available. 

Serving food out of a bright blue takeaway window, Fat Pat's is the place to go for big hearty sub sandwiches on an eight-inch milk roll. A curated menu of American fillings is available, including a vegetarian muffuleta, hot honey fried chicken, and a classic Philly cheesesteak. Fries and soft drinks are also on offer.

City centre chip shop Wright's Fish & Chips is considered one of the best in Manchester. This traditional venue has a minimalist look and offers counter service. There are a few seats inside but most customers choose a takeaway. The classic menu features fried fish, sausages, pies, and chips, plus an innovative barm containing a whole fish supper.

The tacos at Pico's Tacos are considered some of the finest in the city. There are a couple of informal locations that serve tortillas made from scratch and filled with an assortment of tempting ingredients. Nachos, churros, and frozen margaritas are available too. This is casual food served in a bustling setting.

Mancunians can try Vietnamese street food at Banh Mi Co Ba. This budget-friendly eatery is cosy but also offers takeaway meals. The banh mi sandwich, which gives the place its name, is a popular choice, with various fillings available. Bao sandwiches, pho, rice dishes, and small plates are also served here, as is strong Vietnamese coffee.

Honest Crust serves sourdough pizza at a couple of Manchester's most popular food halls. This independent pizzeria is proud of its northern roots and makes seasonal pizzas prepared with fine ingredients. At these casual and bustling eateries, you can choose from a variety of classic topping combos or organise pizza catering for your wedding.

Grab some delicious falafel at Go Falafel, which has a few locations around the city. The menu here is 100% vegan, offering up falafel in a wrap, platter, or salad. You can add sides like vine leaves and tabbouleh to complete your meal. Juices and smoothies are also served at these casual and modern counter-service restaurants.

Wholesome Junkies is one of Manchester's best-known vegan eateries, serving plant-based street food in a colourful and vibrant setting. A number of different menus are on offer here but vegan burgers are what this place is known for, offering an array of different options as well as small plates, brunch, and a Sunday roast.

Salt & Pepper began as a pop-up but now has a permanent space in the Northern Quarter. East-meets-West fusion food is available to eat in or take away. The creative options here include loaded wraps, salt and pepper hash browns, glazed wings, and box meals with chips, rice, or a bit of both.

When you want to eat something satisfying on the go in the city centre, try Louis' Famous Street Food. This informal street food stand serves hot dogs and burgers and also offers halal food that's cooked separately. The food here is fuss-free and packed with flavour. This place also has a reputation for its friendly service.

One of Manchester's most popular street food vendors is Oh Mei Dumpling, which you'll find at various locations - it's wise to check Instagram to find out where they'll be and when. Authentic Chinese dumplings fresh from the steamer are the speciality. The dumplings are made using a traditional recipe and served with chilli oil.

Based at Arndale Market, Little Piece of Bahia is a colourful spot that serves regional Brazilian street food. You can get something to eat in or order delivery. The menu features classic recipes like meaty croquettes and moqueca, as well as veggie options like stews. Brazilian desserts and drinks are also available.

Get some creative street food at Desert Island Dumplings. This place serves fusion dumplings that are also 100% vegan-friendly. This modern and imaginative spot is on-trend and has a real buzz around it. Dumplings are available with intriguing fillings like cheeseburgers and all-day breakfast, plus there are chips, noodles, and dessert dumplings.

Chicken parmos are a classic in the north of England, and Mancunians can get theirs from Parmogeddon. This city centre street food stall specialises in indulgent parmos with various toppings and even offers a vegetarian version with cauliflower steak. Butties and chips are also available at this modern spot, considered one of the city's best street foods.

Authentic Sicilian street food is available from family-run eatery Tarricrii. This place also caters and sells at-home arancini and cannoli kits. Arancini is the speciality here, available with a variety of mouthwatering fillings, ranging from cheese and spinach or cheese and ham to an inventive one with chopped squid and squid ink.

Yoki Social Table is the place to go for Korean street food in Manchester. Based at Society, the speciality is Korean fried chicken, as well as vegan fried cauliflower. It's available with a variety of tasty sauces, plus there are other favourite dishes like mandu dumplings. This bustling venue is known for its generous portions.

Head to Northern Soul if a gooey grilled cheese sandwich is one of your street food faves. This modern restaurant has buzzy and on-theme decor and offers a variety of cheesy sandwiches, from the simple and classic option to ones stuffed with indulgent extra toppings like jalapeno poppers or ham and chips.

Manchester is home to multiple branches of Unagi, where you can sample sushi and Asian street food. It started as a Trafford food truck and has grown into a thriving restaurant group, with each venue having its own modern style. You can try dishes like gyoza, noodles, edamame, sushi, and poke bowlshere.

Viet Shack in Ancoats is a popular spot for street eats from Vietnam. The restaurant is casual and authentic, serving food bursting with traditional spices and flavours. From portable banh mi baguettes to steaming bowls of pho, there are many tempting options on the menu here. Eat at the restaurant or get a takeaway.

Rita's Reign might be low-key but it's one of Manchester's most popular destinations for Caribbean cooking. This colourful street food stall serves halal home-cooked dishes. Classic options on the menu include curry goat, jerk chicken, patties, and meat-free dishes. It's known for its big portions and fair prices.

Gerry's in Market Street is a Chinese street food stall where jianbing is the speciality. As well as these authentic pancakes, fried rice and noodles are on the menu, with lots of toppings and ingredients to choose from. This place is often busy because of the friendly service, large portions, and tasty authentic recipes.

A well-established and popular street food stall in Old Trafford, Kool Runnings serves big portions of tempting Caribbean food. Food is freshly prepared, and there's often a queue to place your order. Favourite dishes available here include soup, patties, jerk chicken, curried goat, and rice and peas.

Visit Scappaticci Gusto D'Italia for budget-friendly Italian street food in the city centre. Pizza is the speciality here, but calzones, loaded fries, and coffee are also available. The pizza is served whole or by the slice, and everything is halal. This place is also known for its prompt and friendly service—ideal if you're hungry and in a hurry.