Categories > Guides and Tips
Treat Yourself Good at These 10 Eccles Restaurants
On the way to Lancashire one day, some of my mates could hear my tum scrikin’. It was embarrassing—but hey, I’m just human!
We jumped off the tram only after a few stops, visited the local church quickly, and pottered around to see some Eccles restaurants to finally get ourselves a good meal.
The good news is there are lots of reliable old-timers still standing, as well as new ones waiting for everyone to go mad over their tasty concoctions. Here’s our latest list of the best ones yet, so ‘ave it!
Pacifica Cantonese
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Address: 5-7 Church Road
Contact details: 0161 707 8828
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Monday – CLOSED
Pacifica Cantonese is probably the Eccles local favourite Chinese since it opened over 10 years ago. It mixes delicious Cantonese cuisine with British fine dining to give an actual 5-star foodie experience.
It’s just mint for family celebrations and Sunday buffet. In the chance you’ll be visiting on a weekday, we suggest eating banquet-style (for a minimum of two people).
Pacifica’s ‘Banquet A’ offers the typical Chinese mains, such as stir-fried beef in sweet and sour sauce, but we prefer ‘Banquet B’ more for its luxurious yang chow rice (besides the typical egg fried rice), noodles, and chips as additional sides.
Pro Tip:
Pacifica Cantonese also has a ‘Vegetarian Banquet’, great for diners who have gluten intolerance or just want something lighter on the stomach.
Ilirian Greek Taste
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Address: 49 Church Street
Contact details: 0161 787 9912, [email protected]
Operating hours
- Monday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
The white and blue interiors with a cosy and casual feel make Ilirian Greek Taste an immediate frontrunner in our list of lovely-looking restaurants. Besides that criterion, it also deserves a spot on our list of dining gems in Eccles for its tasty food.
Mediterranean favourites like meze (Greek appetisers) and gyros (chicken or pork wraps) are mainstays in the menu, but we particularly love Ilirian’s authentic take on souvlaki. These tasty and juicy grilled meat skewers just hit the spot.
Many say that the food here tastes and feels like home cooking, and we certainly think so, too.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss out on Ilirian Greek Taste’s coffee and dessert selection! You can even get the baklava with a scoop of ice cream (for an added fee).
Popchop Curry House
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Address: 325 Liverpool Road
Contact details: 07362 256239
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 12:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Monday and Tuesday – CLOSED
Popchop doesn’t look and feel like a Hong Kong (HK) street stall or a cha chaan teng, but the HK taste is still very much on point. This unassuming takeaway (and dine-in) restaurant serves one of the most banging pork curry with rice meals in the city.
The almost 50-year-old recipe from the iconic Sun King Yuen curry house in Hong Kong is recreated authentically by its founder’s son, who’s now living here in Eccles. Even the customer service feels like HK.
If you’re not in the mood for curry, the shop’s daily specials feature a spring onion sauce that just might get you sorted.
Pro Tip:
Popchop has limited tables in its restaurant, so book your seats in advance when dining in. Additionally, check the shop’s Facebook page for promos and announcements.
The Blind Pig
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Address: 204-206 Monton Road
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Local pub the Blind Pig isn’t hidden from the world (unlike its classic American speakeasy namesake), and we’re dead glad for that. Don’t want to miss out on its good scran and scoops just because we couldn’t find the place!
The Blind Pig has lots of space for patrons to eat and drink at. It’s a popular brunch destination thanks to specials like the Southwest steak and eggs, as well as the Blind Pig burger—the latter being straightforward yet delicious.
Alcohol is also present in this joint, with an enormous variety of draught beers, cocktails, wines, and spirits on the menu.
Pro Tip:
The Blind Pig, like any speakeasy, won’t feel complete without live music. Catch talented performers singing their hearts out on Thursday to Sunday evenings.
Blacksticks
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Address: 221 Monton Road
Contact details: 0161 788 7227, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Head to Blacksticks at Monton if you’re looking for proper Spanish tapas (small plates) in this side of town. Some might consider the menu quite limited, but in our books, the variety of tapas you can get here is already quite the handful!
Definite crowd pleasers include the patatas bravas and the Spanish mixed meat board. But if you’re looking for a bigger meal, there’s also a host of burgers and chicken wings that the kitchen will be more than glad to whip out.
As for the ambience, it’s modern with emphasis on classy wood pieces—great for groups and even for people dining solo.
Pro Tip:
Want a shortcut for sampling some of the best Blacksticks has to offer? Visit the restaurant from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays, and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on weekends to get its Early Bird Menu.
Butterfly Cafe and Bar
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Address: 23a Church Street
Contact details: 0161 670 0246
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Monday – CLOSED
Right across Eccles’ St Mary’s Church is the humble Butterfly Cafe & Bar. Looking very unassuming from the outside, indeed, but this joint actually packs quite the punch, offering quite a varied menu.
It has brunch meals, butty, doner, pizza, and even beer—what else can anyone ask for, right? We thought so, too, while we were eating our full English and panini.
That said, since it’s still a relatively young establishment, the slow days are understandable. Nevertheless, we still think it’s a gem that even the locals haven’t fully discovered yet.
Pro Tip:
For the ultimate best value, get the Butterfly Cafe’s meal deals. They’re usually good for two people, so bring a friend with you!
Cluckin’ Hot
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Address: 28 Church Street
Contact details: 07848 476806, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
“Only less than a year old and this place is already setting our tongues on fire!” That’s what was in our minds while heading to Cluckin’ Hot in Church Street that balmy day.
This creatively named shop serves American-style burgers, chicken, and fries. However, what makes it different is its approach to its signature product: the Cluckin’ Burger (we’re so mad fer it, oh the implied puns)!
It adds a lot of spice to an already spicy chicken burger (thanks to pre-coating the chicken with its signature spicy sauce), by serving the lot with ANOTHER spicy dip!
They’re correct: it’s really messy to eat, but a fantastic meal nonetheless.
Pro Tip:
Bring your own milk because there’s none in Cluckin’ Hot’s drink menu. We swear down, you’ll definitely need it.
Mrs A’s Kitchen
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Address: 30 Church Street
Contact details: 0161 707 2960
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Have a fresh taste of what the South of Asia has to offer with Mrs A’s Kitchen. The Bangladeshi recipes of the titular ‘Mrs A’ have been lovingly honed by her everyday home cooking, then only for friends and family, and are now available for all of us to buy.
Eat one of the best Bengali dishes at this corner of the world while enjoying the colourful seats and murals here. The restaurant itself suggests the ‘thali’ (lit. plate), which gives you the option to have multiple curries, side dishes, and naan (or rice) all at once.
Don’t forget the samosas – they’re a must-try!
Pro Tip:
Mrs A loves mixing up its menu with different curries available each day. It doesn’t want you to get bored with repetition, indeed.
Dino’s Bar and Kitchen
Media from Dino’s Bar and Kitchen
Address: 198 Monton Road
Contact details: 0161 460 9821, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Dino’s had a previous life as ‘Leo’s’, an arguably subpar restaurant. After a much-needed change in management and a new name in late 2024, it has been gradually building itself up with top-notch grub and excellent service.
The grub, as of this writing, is a mix of British, Italian, and Middle Eastern favourites, with hits such as the Mix Grill and the lamb skewers. Also, have a go at the hummus that’s served with pita—a brilliant appetiser while waiting for your main course.
On the other hand, Dino’s drink menu bears a striking resemblance to the periodic table of elements, with its comprehensive list of cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits.
Pro Tip:
Have a favourite cocktail that isn’t on Dino’s menu? Don’t fret: you can ask the house to make it for you (as long as the ingredients are available, of course)!
Eccles Fish Bar
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Address: 190 Church Street
Contact details: 0161 788 9493
Operating hours:
- Monday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM to 8:20 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Looking for a no-fuss meal? Eccles Fish Bar is one chip shop to help you get full fast and without breaking the bank.
It has everything a typical chip shop has, and more, because it also has pies, burgers, and kebabs on the menu. The bites are cooked on the spot, so you won’t really encounter something like a stale chip or cold cod.
Our current favourite meal here is the chicken curry on top of chips, which is an all-day special meal that you can get with a can of soda. That’s tasty sauce and fantastic chips all under 10 quid!
Pro Tip:
You can give the pleasant blokes at Eccles Fish Bar a ring when you want to order takeaway in advance.
