{"id":224486,"date":"2023-12-14T18:26:21","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T17:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tapasmagazine.es\/?p=224486"},"modified":"2023-12-15T12:40:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T11:40:38","slug":"48-hours-gastro-in-manchester-what-to-do-and-where-to-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tapasmagazine.es\/en\/48-hours-gastro-in-manchester-what-to-do-and-where-to-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"48 hours gastro in Manchester: what to do (and where to eat)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Click here<\/a> to read the Spanish version.<\/strong>
Maybe Manchester, a priori, sounds to you like soccer, rain and other clich\u00e9s that the English drag along -the same as Spain with paella, sangria and flamenco-. But you should know that the city known as the capital of the north of England is a box of surprises and has become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, with endless possibilities at your fingertips: from history to culture, trends, architecture, nature, leisure and, of course, gastronomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although all this is not new because Manchester has always been at the forefront of everything. It became the first industrialized urban center – especially highlighting the cotton mills -, pioneered the suffragette movement in Europe, launched the first passenger railway line and was even the birthplace of the vegetarian movement. With all this, it is not surprising that Manchester is living a moment of splendor, having found the perfect balance between history and roots, and innovation and freshness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As if we were just another Mancunian -that’s the city’s nickname-, in Tapas we have made a 48-hour express tour of different hotspots in Manchester, with food as the common thread. We assure you that you’ll want to come back. But don’t worry, because with airlines like Iberia Express you have it very easy: 4 weekly frequencies (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) and you get there in just 2 hours and a half, with guaranteed punctuality. So, if you are stung by curiosity -or the Mancunian bee, symbol of the city and representing the industry and work ethic-, take note of what to do and, above all, where to eat in Manchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start in the Roman heart of the city<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To keep up with the frenetic pace that awaits us, we start the day with a good caffeine kick at Haunt MCR<\/a> (58 Peter St), an Italian-inspired specialty coffee shop by day and wine bar in the evening that will recharge your batteries. Plus, the place also has space to work, in case you need free wifi. It is located on the border between the Civic Quarter and Petersfield neighborhoods, and during the walk to our first stop you can visit such emblematic buildings as the Central Library, the City Hall, the Bridgewater Hall -main concert hall-, the Manchester Central Convention Complex -an old train station converted into an exhibition and conference center-, or the Opera House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Castlefield.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We headed to the Castlefield area, a little further away from the city center, to take a trip back in time to the year 79 AD, when the first Roman settlement was created, which at that time was called Mamucium. Today, you can still see remains of that time such as the fortification or the granary. It is also ideal for strolling because it is located on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal, which is full of bars and entertainment venues (*As an anecdote, there is a tapas bar called Bar\u00e7a<\/a>, in honor of our soccer team).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Castlefield Viaduct<\/strong>. Foto National Trust Images \/ James Dobson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But one of the jewels of the neighborhood is undoubtedly the Castlefield Viaduct<\/a> (Catalan Square, Duke St), a spectacular sky park built on an old railway viaduct from the Victorian era. It is an urban garden in the heights, in the historic center of the city, which is part of a pilot project that will only be open to the public until the summer of 2024 -in principle-. Here, in addition to being able to enjoy curious species of plants and shrubs, it is also a meeting point for activities as diverse as concerts, talks, events, yoga sessions, games, or simply disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of the world. You can book a free visit through the National Trust website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food for all tastes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To refuel, we have several options in other parts of the city, but all within 20-30 minutes walking distance at most. If you prefer a more relaxed meal, where you can try different stalls, the ideal place is Freight Island<\/a> (11 Baring St), a market located in the old Mayfield station, which has plenty of food and drink outlets, as well as entertainment activities. For those who want to stay more in the downtown area, an alternative is Exhibition<\/a> (St George’s House, 56 Peter St), an establishment that also has several fusion and exotic food stalls: from British to Scandinavian, Brazilian, Italian and even Basque cuisine. It is located opposite the Haunt MCR caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Freight Island (@freightislandmcr)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>