Categories > Guides and Tips
Top 10 Withington Restaurants That Are on Our Radar [& Why You Must Try Them Now!]
Ever thought of heading down to a certain vibrant village that’s down in the south of Manchester? Perhaps a not-so-little village called Withington? Well, if you haven’t, maybe you should!
Withington is like Manchester’s warm embrace; it’s welcoming, peaceful, and full of community spirit. And the food is no different! Having gone down south to Withington to go on our own little food crawl, we can confirm that every bite of their food tastes like it’s filled with love.
Our journey here started when we visited one of the local cafés for a brief afternoon break, where the coffee and cakes made our day. We couldn’t get enough of the experience, so we decided to explore the food scene further!
Of course, we couldn’t just leave you out of the absolute delicious goodness that is our Withington experience, which is why we made this list as a guide for the fellow foodies of Manchester! You and your stomach will be thanking us forever!
The Red Lion
Media from: @jwleesredlionpubwithington
Location: Wilmslow Road
Operating Hours: Daily— 11:30 AM-12 AM
Contact: 0161 434 2441 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
Take a step into this historic pub, take a sip of a pint of their amber beer, and you might feel right at home! The Red Lion offers a warm welcome and delicious food for all who step inside, thanks to its cottage-like design and mouthwatering pub grub.
If there’s a dish that makes our mouths water, then it’s the Lemon & Pepper baked fillet! The lemon and pepper flavours the fillet skin well, making every bite satisfyingly juicy. You won’t regret it if you order this!
We also liked their Manchester Craft Lager, which perfectly balanced freshness and flavour, so it’ll go well with any of their pub grub! We’d say it pairs well with the fillet we recommended.
| Pro tip Wednesdays are the best days to come down here! Not only do they have good burger and wine deals on Wednesdays, but they also hold quiz nights where the winner gets a free beer! |
The Victoria
Media from: @thevicwithington
Location: 438 Wilmslow Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday — 12 PM-11 PM
- Friday-Saturday — 12 PM-12 AM
Contact: 0161 434 2600 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
This welcoming pub can be found right in the heart of Withington’s cosmopolitan area, and it might just be the relaxed reprieve you need from a day of shopping!
Within the brick walls of The Victoria, you’ll find a lively atmosphere, with great cask beer, live sports screenings, and a lovely looking patio and courtyard in the rear area.
But aside from the welcoming atmosphere, you might also be inclined to try one of their drinks. A popular beer of theirs is the Hydes Original, which has a nice mix of spiciness and fruitiness—one of the more unique drinks we’ve tried so far!
| Pro tip Love Prosecco? Then you’ll love it here! Every day, all day, you can get a bottle of Prosecco and enjoy it for only £12.50 |
Dosa Xpress
Media from: @dosaxpress
Location: 19 Copson St
Operating Hours: Everyday — 12 PM-10:30 PM
Contact: 0161 434 4494 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
Get a taste of South India right in Dosa Xpress! Diners on a budget will love it because they can get some good Indian cuisine at affordable prices.
Their menu includes chaat, biryani, and of course, dosas, but if there’s one specific dosa we liked, it would have to be the masala dosa. The combination of the thin, fluffy crepe with savoury ingredients makes it a filling lunch!
| Pro tip Hankering to feast? Weekends are the best days to go here, then, since they have an unlimited buffet deal from 12 PM until 4 PM! |
Kyotoya
Media from: @munkeatloi
Location: 28 Copson St
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Saturday — 12 PM-3 PM
- Sunday — 2 PM-10 PM
Contact: 0750 189 4196 (cel.)
Right in this family-led restaurant, you’ll find all kinds of Japanese food on their menu. It might just be the perfect place for a date with its soft lighting, especially if your date happens to be a fan of sushi!
Go for the seafood futomaki when dining here. They use fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the seafood fillings they use taste well together with the perfectly made sushi rice!
| Pro tip Have physical cash ready on hand or withdraw from a nearby ATM if you’re planning on eating here. Their service doesn’t accept digital payment methods. |
Fuel Cafe Bar
Media from: @fuelcafebar
Location: 448 Wilmslow Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday — 11 AM-12 AM
- Friday-Saturday — 11 AM-2 AM
Contact: 0161 448 9702 (cel.)
Who says healthy and hearty don’t belong together? Check out Fuel Cafe Bar! It has a very convivial vibe, with a homey, decorated interior, soft lighting, live music, regular events, and a fantastic menu!
The veg dishes stand out for their freshness. Our go-to is the Avocado Poached Eggs. The guacamole in the dish complements the eggs well, and they’re just perfect on toast!
| Pro tip Stay up to date on their socials! Since they hold live music, you might just get the chance to watch your favourite local artist perform, it might also give you the chance to further support them! |
Something More Productive
Media from: @somethingmoreproductive
Location: 9 Egerton Cres
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Saturday — 8 AM-4 PM
- Sunday — 9 AM-4 PM
Contact: N/A
Something More Productive is a quaint little cafe that serves coffee and vegetarian and vegan-friendly delights! This cafe has recently caught our attention due to its popularity.
The atmosphere is very calm and relaxed. Once you’re inside, you’ll be treated to some quiet background music playing, and polite and friendly staff keeping hushed voices.
But what you’ll be looking for is some good comfort food! We found our comfort food: the 3 Cheese Toastie, which had some nice crunchy bread and gooey, cheesy goodness—so satisfying and filling!
| Pro tip See if you can get a table between 12 PM and 2 PM – a coffee and sandwich combo will cost only £10 during that time period. |
Café Blah
Media from: @Café Blah
Location: 445 Wilmslow Road
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday-Friday — 4 PM-12 AM
- Weekends — 2 PM-12 AM
Contact: [email protected] (email)
In a bit of an artsy mood that’s got you feeling some culture hunger alongside regular hunger? Café Blah is the place to be!
That’s because Café Blah isn’t just a cafe; it’s also a gallery that hosts various regular events where you can meet like-minded, creative people. The staff are a friendly bunch, too, making patrons feel welcome.
The Flat White is our drink of choice whenever we’re here. They have a good balance of coffee and milk with their brewing! Plus, if you want something to munch on in between sips and chatter, we’d suggest getting a panini or bagel. They’re perfect for some coffee dunking.
| Pro tip With its ambience and vibe, it’s best to save this café for a late-night drink. Just be ready to deal with crowded spaces, as the place can get bustling at night! |
The Coffee House Café
Media from: @thecoffeehousecafe.m20
Location: 22 Copson St
Operating Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday — 9 AM-3:30 PM
Contact: 0161 434 5413 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
We don’t know about you, but sometimes when we’re in a morning rush, we’d want a quick, cheap eat! Of course, we’d like that bite to be a good one, and luckily, The Coffee House Café can provide just that!
You’ll find this affordable gem tucked away in the heart of Withington.
The Village Monster Breakfast is a must-try here, with its generous heaping of breakfast fare! The two bacon and two sausages in the dish were well-cooked and crispy, while the egg made it even more filling, and the mushrooms brought out the taste of everything else.
| Pro tip Craving a good Sunday dinner to treat yourself and prep for the week ahead? Their Sunday dinner deal is filled to the brim with delicious roast beef and chicken, and all for the cheap price of £5! |
Southside Tequila Joint
Media from: @southsidetequilajoint
Location: 447-449 Wilmslow Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday — 5 PM-1 AM
- Friday-Saturday — 5 PM-2 AM
Contact: [email protected] (email)
Now this is a dive bar to let loose in! Southside Tequila Joint is a lively place that serves some of the best mezcals and—surprise, surprise—tequilas! Tacos and nachos are also served on the side, making it a good spot for some after-work hangouts with friends.
Now the “lively” part isn’t just something we’re saying for kicks. The decoration is bright and colourful, and the staff is friendly, which makes it a great place to hang out!
A standout here is the El Santo, one of their signature drinks. The mix of lime and orange brings out the flavours in the drink, and the Aperol gives it a nice, pleasant fizz. Of course, the drinks might not be enough, so you should get a bite of their Original Bean Chilli nachos. It’s a great snack to share with friends, especially if you’re into spicy foods!
| Pro tip There’s no option to pre-book a table beforehand; they accept only walk-ins, so you’ll have to consider this when dining during peak hours. |
SHAKEDOWN
Media from: @heyshakedown
Location: 533 Wilmslow Rd
Operating Hours: Daily — 4 PM-12 AM
Contact: 0161 401 0812 (cel.)
Shake off the stress and bad vibes down at SHAKEDOWN! This eatery serves American dishes and, as you could probably guess from their name, shakes. If you want a quick snack on the go, they’re a good choice!
Their prices aren’t too bad either! So even diners on a budget could pop in for a bite and a drink.
One thing you shouldn’t miss here? The Bubble Trouble shake! The blue sherbet and bubblegum syrup may give it a cute blue look, but these also make it so addictingly sweet—you’ll want to order another glass!
And if you want a quick lunch to go with your shake, then try out one of their burgers! Our favourite was their signature burger, the Beefed Up! With two times the beefy goodness, coupled with a taste of melted cheese and mustard, you’ll be happily filled up in no time.
| Pro tip Stay up to date on their socials! They announce some limited-time menu items via their socials, and some of them are pretty good. You might want to get them before they run out! |
