Recently crowned Manchester’s Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year, Stockport’s famed transformation in recent years has seen the Cheshire satellite town become a thriving regional enclave of acclaimed dining, indie shopping and creative spirit.
Beneath the towering Victorian viaduct, winding historic streets and former industrial buildings have become home to renowned restaurants, boutique retailers, charismatic cafés and some of Greater Manchester’s most exciting architectural projects, all while retaining the area’s unmistakable character.
Whether you’re planning a day trip or looking to discover somewhere beyond the city centre, here’s how to spend a day exploring the North West’s voguish cultural hotspot.
Spend the rest of the morning discovering the storied Underbanks – now the town’s coolest district – where centuries-old buildings house an expanding assemblage of independent shops, galleries, cafés and creative businesses that have helped redefine modern Stockport.
Alongside vintage stores, record shops and artisan food retailers, be sure to call into Squound, the beautifully curated midcentury interiors boutique specialising in original twentieth-century furniture, lighting, ceramics and homewares.
For lunch, head to one of Stockport’s veritable smash hit restaurants, Cantaloupe. Led by chefs Joshua Reed-Cooper, formerly of highly regarded neighbour Where The Light Gets In and the Michelin-starred Mana, alongside Mike Thomas of The Creameries, Cantaloupe has quickly established itself as a destination for sublime ingredient-led cooking that’s earned glowing reviews in the national press.
The ever-changing menu is shaped by the seasons, pairing exceptional produce with restrained confidence and technical precision to create refined dishes still brimming with crowd-pleasing flavour.
Continue exploring around the Underbanks before wandering through neighbouring Market Place and the surrounding streets, where independent galleries, cafés, breweries and restored historic buildings sit alongside a growing collection of creative studios.
It’s easy to spend an afternoon simply following whichever intriguing doorway, arcade or cobbled lane catches your eye, with almost every corner revealing another example of the town’s remarkable revival.
Take a well-earned break at Ōdiobā, the artisan coffee bar that transforms into an intimate, atmospheric listening bar after dark.
By day you’ll find excellent coffee, while later the celebrated sound system, eclectic DJs and carefully curated programme of jazz nights, open decks and selectors combine for a unique stop in an irresistibly chic setting.
Few restaurants have done more to shape the reborn SK1 than Where The Light Gets In. Holder of a Michelin Green Star, the pioneering restaurant champions produce from trusted local growers alongside ingredients from its own community garden, delivering an inventive, transient tasting menu built around sustainability, seasonality and extraordinary precision.
Housed inside a beautifully restored former coffee warehouse, WTLGI remains one of Greater Manchester’s definitive dining experiences.
For something more relaxed, Mekong Cat continues to justify its reputation as one of Stockport’s tougher reservations to secure. Family recipes and Southeast Asian influences run through a menu of fragrant pho, vibrant Thai salads, bánh mì and deeply satisfying noodle dishes, all served with warm hospitality and remarkable value.
Round off the day at BRUK, the lively wine and cocktail bar that has become a social epicentre of the Underbanks.
Alongside a thoughtfully curated drinks list and rotating craft beers, the venue hosts everything from life drawing sessions and wine tastings to DJs and live music.
If you’re not quite ready to call it a night, multi-floor corner joint The Underbank offers a fitting finale. The bustling neighbourhood bar has flourished since opening last year, pairing expertly mixed signature cocktails with a rotating programme of DJs, live music and regular events aided by an extraordinary Hollowsphere sound system.
Whether you’re grabbing one last drink on the terrace beneath the viaduct or settling in for a handcrafted nightcap, The Underbank provides the perfect conclusion to your visit as the total embodiment of Stockport’s food, drink, arts and nightlife revolution.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Thu 30 Jul 2020
Inspired by the vibrant flavours of Colombia, Cafe Sanjuan has earned a devoted following for its generous brunches, freshly roasted single-origin coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Standout dishes like the Despacito (toasted tortilla with halloumi, feta, mozzarella and mixed beans), the Patacon Sandwich (green plantain bread served with melted cheese, lettuce and your choice of protein) and the hearty Colombian Full Breakfast offer a vibrant alternative to a conventional fry-up.