ONE of the joys of Manchester Food and Drink Festival is treating the Albert Square hub as one great picnic opportunity. From September 27 to October 7, noon to 11pm every day there’s a terrific array of street food traders just waiting to tempt you across this free to enter site. And, as usual mid-Festival, the whole line-up is refreshed with a new raft of stalls. All this and a wealth of bars to provide the drinks match of your choice…
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27 - TUESDAY OCTOBER 2
Big Lebowski Classic Philly cheese steaks made various ways, Classic, Korean, Jerk plus fries and fresh lemonade.
Chaat Cart Aaarti Ormsby specialises in South Indian snacks and small plates such as bhel puri, gunpowder fries, homestyle lentil dal and masala dosa that champion British produce.
Cottonopolis ‘Japanese Junk Food’ from the Northern Quarter bar, once again shortlisted for best in the city. From a kitchen that really understands Oriental street food from tempura to gyoza.
Cyprus Kouzina Traditional Cypriot food made using locally sourced ingredients.
Diamond Dogs They sell handmade frankfurters fashioned in Salford with free range pork, seasoned with paprika, mustard and garlic. Made with traditional natural lamb casings and smoked over English fruit woods in a method unique in the hot dog industry.
Doughology Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas, made using the best quality ingredients to top their own double-proved pizza bases.
Los Churros Amigos Deliciously fresh churros served with their famously rich Belgian chocolate sauce.
MCR Coffee Independently owned and run company that sells freshly ground coffee and crepes.
Tampopo Pan-Asian street food and signature dishes from across East Asia, with a fantastic variety of textures and flavours taken from the various cuisines of the countries Tampopo’s creators have visited and fallen in love with – from the bustling street markets of Bangkok, the hawker stalls of Singapore to the noodle vendors of Tokyo.
The Beefy Boys Award winning dirty-style burgers and BBQ.
The Otto-Mmen Contemporary Ottoman and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine created with passion.
Vive La Crepe Bringing a sweet twist to a great French classic, mixing fresh local British produce and spinning amazing crepes in front of your eyes.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3 - SUNDAY OCTOBER 7
Baratxuri The 2017 Manchester Food and Drink Awards Casual Restaurant of the Year (with chef Rachel Stockley nominated in Best Chef category this year) brings its Basque pintxos to the Festival.
Beastro Gourmet burgers made from immaculately sourced meat from the team behind the Spinningfields Left Bank eaterie.
Bundobust Manchester’s Restaurant of the Year 2017 will be bringing their Gujarati-inspired veggie street food to the party.
Café Cannoli Freshly filled traditional cannoli, made with the finest Sicilian ingredients.
Grandad’s Sausages It’s 50 years since Grandad Bernard set the standard for this family-run Bury banger business. These days the artisan flavours can be global, but don’t neglect the award winning pork and Bury black pudding (naturally) sausage.
Knuckle Sandwich Co A meaty new venture from those crazy guts behind Diamond Dogs. Expect the likes of Philly cheese steak and jerk pork meatloaf,
Love is Churros Authentic, freshly made Spanish churros with hot chocolate dipping sauce.
MCR Coffee Independently owned and run company that sells freshly ground coffee and crepes.
Nasi Lemak Malaysian street food with dishes inspired by the owner’s hometown of Penang. Don’t miss its signature fried chicken named after that city.
Proove Freshly made wood-fired pizzas from West Didsbury’s favourite pizzeria.
Rockin Buddha Chinese vegan street food that ticks lots of healthy boxes and is also quite delicious.
Salvis A taste of Southern Italy from one of Manchester’s best independent Italian restaurants. Expect pizza fritta and homemade pasta.
The Melted Cheese Hut Classic cheese dishes with a modern twist, including gourmet toasties and deep-fried babybels.
Waffle Island Sweet and savoury bubble waffles and coconut macaroons.