The best: Pre-theatre dining offers in Manchester

If you want to enjoy one of Manchester’s most gorgeous views with your dinner, then 20 Stories offers three courses for £37.50 per person every Mon – Thu from 5.30pm – 6.30pm. Pick between a handful of delicious-sounding mains including Pan-Roasted Chicken and Fondant Potato, Seared Salmon Fillet, Miso & Soy Glazed Aubergine or a Flat Iron Steak & Fries.

Slap bang in the heart of Deansgate, Hawksmoor is in prime location for fuelling up before the show…the food isn’t too bad either. The generous express menu is available Mon – Sun until 6.30pm, offering two courses for £28, or three for £31. Amongst that you can get Potted Beef & Bacon with Yorkshires or Smoked Mackerel Salad to start followed by Steak Frites, Royal Sea Bream or a Summer Vegetable Salad with Westcombe Ricotta.

A genuine institution amongst Manchester’s incredibly strong Indian dining scne, Asha’s serves up its pre-theatre menu every Mon – Thu between 5pm – 8pm. Starters feature two speciality platters, one of which is vegetarian, which is great news for those amongst us who can never decide, while an impressive list of mains include Butter Chicken, Rogan Josh, Paneer Jalfrezi, Chicken Jalfrezi, Aloo Gobi and Palak Paneer…all the good stuff.

If it’s steak you’re after, then Guacho is another excellent choice, and at two courses for £27, or three for £30, the quality is certainly matched by value. Highlights from the current summer section include a 200g Chorizo Sirloin and the Lomo a la Milanese, while the Dulce de Leche Pancakes will no doubt appeal to those after a little extra indulgence.

The Lowry’s on-site waterside restaurant is a no-brainer for anyone heading out to a performance at the Salford theatre, where you can grab two courses for £30 or three for £35. The restaurant opens 2.5 hours before the start of a Lyric show, for example, 12pm for 2.30pm matinees and 5pm for 7.30pm evening performances. Pier Eight specialises in British cuisine and its views out across the Quays make it a wonderful starting point for the night.

The Refuge’s show menu which is available Mon – Sat, 1pm – 4pm and 5pm -6.30pm, includes a glass of fizz each, along with some stellar sounding sharers like Korean Fried Gochujang Wings, Cumbrian Chicken, Butter Bean & Chorizo Cassoulet and Crispy Pork Belly, Tamarind Glaze with Miso Apple. You also get to tuck in against a backdrop of one of the city’s most beautiful dining rooms, so it’s a win-win really.

While not strictly touted as a ‘pre-theatre’ menu, Kala’s Bistro offering can be conveniently squeezed into the pre-show dining slot. Available from Mon – Thu from 12pm – 6.30pm and Fridays from 12pm – 4pm, you’d seriously struggle to find better quality at this price point, with two courses for £15 and three courses for £20.

Another not strictly touted as a pre-theatre menu, however, being served between 5pm – 6.30pm and 9pm – 10pm every Wednesday and Thursday, Peter Steet Kitchen’s set menu is ideal for anyone looking to add a little extra luxury to the night. Even better, with two courses at £23, and three at £28, it presents absurdly good value at one of Manchester’s most celebrated kitchens.

One of Manchester’s most renowned curry spots, theatregoers can grab two courses for £20, or three for £25 from the special pre-show menu. Available from 4pm-7pm, guests can choose from an array of starters including Zouk’s famous Chicken 65, Seekh Kebab and Paneer Tikka, along with tried and tested curry staples like Chicken Tikka Masala and Tarka Dall.

Award-winning tapas joint, La Bandera, offers theatregoers a huge sharing serve of paella, plus two glasses of wine or beer, for £45. Alternatively, you can enjoy five tapas and two glasses of wine or beer for £42. Available Mon – Thu and Sunday from 4pm – 7pm.