Quirky restaurants in Manchester

If you’re quick to get food envy and usually prefer to try a little bit of everything, then Fazenda could be just the choice for you. Instead of your usual starter, main and dessert, this Rodizio grill house bring you up to 15 different prime cuts of meat from beef, chicken and pork to lamb and fish. You are giving a card which is green on one side, red on the other, which you flip round, depending on whether you want to try the meat that the Passadores (Meat Chefs) bring round, until you’re full to brim. And if you need something to wash all that down with (which let’s face it, you probably will) they have a full cocktail menu, wine list and beers galore, which is perfect to accompany the full Brazilian experience.

If you fancy somewhere that you can eat a big juicy burger, play your mates at pool, all whilst listening to the best tunes out there, then look no further than Black Dog Ballroom underneath Afflecks Palace. The New York inspired bar is one of the quirkiest out there boasting laid back brunches, after work cocktails and even a secret speakeasy themed room, which is so surreptitious that even this girl has yet to find it. The bar itself is open until the early hours of the morning most nights and has locations all across the city from its original home in the Northern Quarter, to their bowling joint, Dog Bowl (get it?) which will no doubt bring your competitive side out. And if you’re celebrating a special occasion, then their Bottomless brunch is surely an offer you can’t refuse. For £25 per person every Saturday and Sunday, you can take advantage of unlimited Prosecco, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, wine or beer and line the stomach with any dish from the brunch menu. Psst… they also do 50% off food on Mondays if you’re saving the pennies this year.

If you’re based outside the city centre in Chorlton or Altrincham, then you’ve probably heard of the Caribbean restaurant, The Drop, but did you know that everything on the menu is completely delicious and lip-smackingly good? If you’ve been I’ll take it that you do, but if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? If you’re after a chilled meal, in incredibly colourful surroundings, with a cocktail menu that will instantly make you want to book a trip somewhere warmer, then The Drop is just the place for you. The staff are so welcoming, and will talk you through anything on the menu, but be sure to book your table as it can get busy in there!  

Now it’s not often I would recommend somewhere where part of your meal is thrown at you from the chef, but hear me out with this one… If you’re after a fully authentic Teppanyaki experience, then Sapporo has to be at the top of your list. Not only is it a fully immersive meal from start to finish, the food is some of the best in the city (you can quote me on that) all made with fresh ingredients, right in front of you. If you sit at the Teppanyaki grill, get ready for a real show: The chefs will let you try some of your dish including vegetables and fried potatoes, but be prepared, you will have to catch it in your mouth, so maybe have a practice at home first. After you’ve had a taste, they will cook your dish right before your eyes, which in itself is impressive and definitely one of the reasons to book your table right this second!