Where to go for a pub lunch in Manchester

Sometimes, all we need is a hearty pub lunch. There truly is nothing more heart-warming than sitting in your favourite boozer and devouring some proper grub – in fact, it’s a huge part of British culture.  With more pubs than you can shake a stick at in the Northern Quarter alone, Manchester certainly excels when it comes to traditional venues serving up creative menus in the most comfortable of surroundings. Whether you’re sneaking out of work for a quick lunchtime catch-up, or refuelling after a night on the tiles, we’ve rounded up the best venues in the city centre where you can indulge in both a pub lunch and an accompanying pint.

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After years of laying derelict due to fire damage, The Blackfriar has recently been lovingly restored and it has quickly earned a reputation as the best spot for sharing a pub lunch with friends and family. Nestled in the heart of Salford, the unique venue boasts a traditional pub area with a cosy wood-burning fire, alongside a modern restaurant which serves a fine dining menu packed with locally sourced ingredients. With a dedicated lunch menu, you can choose from both classic dishes and more inventive plates such as the Black Friar salad bowl – all of which can be enjoyed in the bustling courtyard area.

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While Trof feels more like a drinking den than a pub, it certainly excels when it comes to lunch. As the home of hangover-busting roast dinners, the Northern Quarter haunt is known for its buzzing atmosphere, generous happy hour and wholesome menu – and don’t forget the fruity ‘disco’ cocktails. For lunch, you can take your pick from a range of delicate small plates, however the burgers are the star of the show. Serving everything from the decadent double cheeseburger to the Mexican-inspired El Chapo burger, it’s no wonder the restaurant is always heaving come lunchtime.

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Tucked away on Rochdale Road, The Marble Arch is the stuff of legends, whispered like gospel amongst Manchester folk. From the team behind the respected Marble Brewery, the venue is its flagship pub and everything you could want from a traditional boozer – its backdrop is a beautiful, listed building, complete with ornate tiles and a famous sloping floor. When the sun is shining, the hidden beer garden makes the perfect spot for a pub lunch. From juicy burgers to tasty bar snacks, the menu is one of the most unique in the city centre, packed with plenty of hearty pub fare.

The Bay Horse Tavern
cuisinesBritish , Gastropub

Dating all the way back to the Georgian era, The Bay Horse Tavern is an institution on the Manchester pub scene and home to some proper British grub. With the cosy atmosphere of your favourite local, it’s the ideal venue to catch up with friends over a pub lunch with the contemporary menu spanning everything from huge sandwiches to rotisserie meats from local butchers – often served with lashings of rich gravy and the signature thrice cooked chips. On the weekends, the food offering diversifies to offer a boozy bottomless brunch and traditional Sunday roast.

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Edinburgh Castle has been serving good grub to the people of Ancoats since 1811, so where better to try a traditional pub lunch? Thanks to the team beyond Cottonopolis, the historic boozer has recently been restored to its full glory, serving a huge array of pub classics in the downstairs bar area. If fine dining is more your vibe however, there’s an upstairs restaurant serving a range of carefully curated dishes. The authentically British menu is packed with the likes of pork chops, pies and puddings. When it comes to the drinks, you can choose from a classic cocktail, punchy coffee or a pint from a local brewery to accompany your lunch.

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As far as hidden gems in the Northern Quarter go, Abel Heywood is top of the list. In the midst of the edgy and industrial suburb, the venue is a cosy hideaway that offers an impressive pub menu by a roaring fire. Named after a former mayor of Manchester, the pub, restaurant and boutique hotel is steeped in history and furnished in the fashion of a Victorian drinking den, with huge leather booths and mismatched furniture. The menu here is proper pub grub with a decadent twist – think minced beef and onion pie, and honey glazed bacon steak. There’s a handful of Mancunian delicacies on offer too, from local black pudding to Manchester caviar (aka mushy peas).

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