A Four-Day Itinerary for Vegetarian Foodies Visiting Manchester

If you are reading this, I’m going to assume you a foodie. So, from one foodie to another, I know the first thing you’ll do before visiting a new city is Google all the hotspots for the best cuisine. There’s nothing worse than landing back at home and realising you’ve missed the local delicacy that travellers rave about. But do not fear, I have got your back.

I have lived in Manchester my entire life, so I have twenty-five years’ experience trying out all of the best grub my city has to offer. Yet, I still haven’t tried it all. It would be impossible. All the time, new and exciting eateries are opening up – you can never go hungry here!

Manchester feels like an exciting place to live, the city is developing with more and more Londoners moving up every year, and more and more job opportunities, and even more tourists coming to visit the famous attractions. I love the city, and always will. Most city breaks are usually only for the weekend, so I have collated a four-day itinerary to make sure you cram in all of the highlights of the city whilst also checking out all of the life that Manchester has to offer.

I promise that your Instagram feed will be glazed in tasty envy to make your followers drool. A polite reminder: Please eat your food and don’t just take images of it. Thank you.

Day One

Breakfast

Leaf

Your first stop is Leaf on Portland Street. You could easily miss the entrance crammed in the middle of various offices, but don’t let that deceive you. It’s a mirage. Inside is a vast space that opens far and wide with tables comfortably spaced apart so you’re not “accidentally” eavesdropping on the table next to you. For veggie/vegan options, Leaf provides! Well presented, and cooked to high quality, there is just the right amount on the plate to satisfy your breakfast craving without leaving you heavy and bloated for the rest of the day.

Location: 113, 115 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DW

Instagram: leafonportlandst

What to Order: Vegetarian Breakfast, Iced Matcha Latte

Lunch

Home Sweet Home

The original Home Sweet Home sits at the corner of Edge Street in the Northern Quarter and is a safe bet for brunch satisfaction. A haven amidst the bustle of the city with quirky décor and a menu sent from the brunch gods! At one point there were two branches of the famous café, but the Great Northern counterpart didn’t quite match the novelty of its original branch so closed down shortly after.

Location: 49-51 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW

Instagram: homesweethomeuk

What to Order: Smashed Avo Toast, Nutella Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake or Hot Chocolate.

Dinner

V-Rev Diner

Everything you can see in the above picture is plant-based. In fact, everything on the menu is plant-based. Hand on heart, V-Rev is my favourite vegan diner in the city and it's non-negotiable for your first night in the city. I remember the first time I was introduced, and I had to double-check with the waiter that the incredibly meaty tasting beef burger drizzled with facon (I see what they did there) wasn’t in fact a cow. Spoiler, it wasn’t - thank god! A word of warning, tables book up really fast so it’s best to pre-book for this one!

Location: 20-26 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HN

Instagram: vrevmcr

What to Order: Donut Have A Cow, Man!, Loaded Fries, Cookies & Creem Shake

Day Two

Breakfast

Ezra & Gil

A 2-minute walk from Stevenson Square, Ezra & Gil is your first stop for breakfast and morning coffee. There’s no table service here so no need to book a table usually. The food and coffee are lovely but it’s the atmosphere that makes Ezra and Gil special. I’ve spent hours reading a book watching the commuters race by the windows.

Location: 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR

Instagram: ezraandgil

What to Order: Oreo French Toast, Any Iced Coffee

Lunch

Chapter One Books

Is it a café? Is it a bookshop? Well yes, it’s both. Chapter One Books is the perfect stop for coffee and cake with friends situated in and amongst an independent bookstore. It’s also open late into the evening closing usually at 9 pm, so it’s perfect if you fancy a late-night study session, or if you and a friend fancy a quiet chat over a hot drink rather than a bar.

Location: Chatsworth House, 19 Lever St, Manchester M1 1BY

Instagram: chapteronebooks

What to Order: Just like Jaffa Cake, Manchester Fog Speciality Tea

Dinner

Pieminister

Chances are, you may know Pieminister from the supermarket or from one of the many restaurants across the UK. But the Pieminister in the Northern Quarter is still well worth the visit when in Manchester. The plant-based version of the signature mothership (with your choice of pie filling) is ideal to finish your second night in the city to settle your tummy with delicious grub.

Location: 53 Church St, Manchester M4 1PD

Instagram: pieminister

What to Order: Plant-Based Mothership, Sticky Toffee Pudding

Day Three

Breakfast

Pot Kettle Black

Pot Kettle Black sits hidden inside one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, just off Deansgate. Sometimes it can be a little cramped, and the wait times can be a little long, but breakfast at Pot Kettle Black is well worth the wait. A must-do if you are only in Manchester for a few days.

Location: Barton Arcade, Manchester M3 2BW

Instagram: pkbcoffee

What to Order: Cinnamon French Toast

Lunch

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese

I know Northern Soul best from its original pop-up market-stall across the street from the Arndale centre. Since the popularity rocketed, there are now four locations in the city centre where you can seek out all of your grilled cheese goodness. A top tip, don’t underestimate how filling these are – they are more than a sandwich!

Location: Unit G20, 21, 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA

Instagram: northernsoulmanchester

What to Order: Mac Attack, Sriracha Glazed Fries

Dinner

Evuna

There are two Evuna restaurants in Manchester and the food is equally exquisite at both, however, it's the Northern Quarter branch that is a high tier must-visit date night. Everything about the atmosphere feels romantic in the low light ambience, but it’s the dishes that make it special. The vegetarian tapas delights alongside a bottle of wine are my ideal way to spend a weekend evening.

Location: 79 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1LQ

Instagram: evunarestaurants

What to Order: Anything off the vegetarian menu, But my preference is. Patatas bravas, Tortilla de patatas, Evuna chips with mojo picon. Perfect with a bottle of Viña Hermosa.

Day Four

Breakfast

Sugar Junction

Your final day to explore the dishes of Manchester starts in yes… you guessed it… the Northern Quarter! Sugar Junction is a regular spot for me and my mum to stop off for a tea and delicious breakfast. The cutlery comes in adorable teacups and flowery plates. You may need to book in advance as there are limited tables and at weekends wait times can leave you hungry and in need of a sip of tea!

Location: 60 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG

Instagram: sugarjunctionnq

What to Order: Vegan Breakfast, English Breakfast

Lunch

Evelyn's Cafe & Bar

Evelyn’s is one of the most Instagram worthy spots in the city. House plants dominate the décor and you feel immediately relaxed in a cosy ambience. One of the biggest draws is that half of the menu is vegetarian and there is an array of plant-based brunch dishes that are certain to grab your attention. It’s worth noting that during the pandemic Evelyn’s has become a takeaway only pitta stop, I haven’t had a chance to try yet but if you check out their Instagram, you’ll agree that it looks equally as delicious.

Location: 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB

Instagram: evelynscafebar

What to Order: Buttermilk Pancakes, Peach & Rose Pornstar Martini

Dinner

Almost Famous

No trip to Manchester would be complete without a trip to Almost Famous. Admittedly I haven’t been since I’ve been vegetarian, but I have heard first-hand the 'Vegan Famous' resembles its meat counterparts. Even looking at the pictures I’m dribbling so please just make sure you invite me along so I can reunite with a cholesterol inducing burger.

Location: Peter St, Manchester M3 4EN

Instagram: almostfamous

What to Order: Vegan Famous, Cherry Bomb

For more information on places to eat in the city, visit www.restaurantsofmanchester.com