With veganism and the animal-friendly food industry growing exponentially around the world over the last decade, it was inevitable that Manchester— now an established global food city itself—would not only keep pace, but lead the way.
In honour of Veganuary – a national new year’s initiative which invites people to try the vegan lifestyle – we’ve collated some of Manchester’s best vegan restaurants and dedicated menus running for the next month.
With almost five years of roaring and wholly predictable success under its belt, the Manchester branch of Dishoom, London’s favourite Indian for over a decade, offers an extensive vegan menu. While their breakfast choices include Akuri, naan sausage roll and date and banana porridge, you’ve got all day to try the tandoori chaat, gunpowder potatoes, vegetable samosas, okra fries and vada pau.
A long-term Manchester brekky favourite, Ezra & Gil has you covered right from the early morning into late afternoon, whether it’s a simple gingerbread porridge, avocado and siracha poke bowl or linguine al pomodoro.
Inspired by the flexitarian Mediterranean food culture, Hampton & Vouis caters to strict vegans and minimal meat-eaters with equal enthusiasm and refinement. Sourcing ingredients from independent northern businesses, their brunch menu includes housemade beans, mezze feasts, smashed avocado sourdough and biscoff French toast, alongside a soup of the day and a selection of sandwiches.
Serving full vegan breakfasts, fajitas and plant-based soups alongside a ‘huge selection of carefully chosen booze’, Fuel Cafe is a cult favourite among South Mancunians for good reason.
Tucked beside the famous Old Wellington pub and less than a minute from Manchester Cathedral, the fully vegan Allotment Eatery menu features cauliflower wings, satay skewers, bhindi curry, jackfruit tacos and more. Visitors can enjoy a selection of individual plates or grab three for £18, or five for £30.
Conceived and established in Dimeji and Saffron’s one-bedroom apartment in Salford Quays around four-and-a-half years ago, Vegan Shack’s non-meateoric rise has resulted in a wildly successful brick-and-mortar unit in Piccadilly Gardens – and another in Boxpark Croydon – which produces a colossal menu featuring Manchester’s best plant-based fast food, including burgers, loaded fries, chick’n wraps and a range of vegan shakes.
From okra fries and bhel puri to chole saag and vegan vada pav, Manchester’s Gujarati street food legends serve a sprawling menu packed with delicate yet obscenely delicious small plates, with a variety of combo packages available and an extensive beer menu on the side.
Served year-round in their achingly regal Tea Room, The Midland Hotel’s Vegan Afternoon Tea offers a range of finely crafted sandwiches including coronation tofu and watercress, salt-baked beetroot, vegan cream cheese and dill and grilled aubergine, chick pea and tahini, alongside a selection of freshly baked vegan scones and a tantalising array of cakes from their in-house patisserie.
As part of Hyatt’s various January wellness initiatives, the hotel’s Laureate Restaurant and Graduate Bar will offer its ‘Fresh Start’ menu, featuring an array of delicious plant-focused options as well and alcohol-free tipples.
Already an established local legend, Nell’s offers an exhaustive array of 22″ New York-style pizzas with a staggering variety of toppings and a dedicated vegan menu at the core of their range.
As if the folks needed any extra encouragement, Maray is shining the spotlight on its in-depth plant-based options even brighter throughout January, offering 50% off all vegetarian and plant-based dishes.
As the name suggests, dimplings take centre stage at this hugely popular spot which can be found on the third floor of the iconic Afflecks Palace. There are plenty of fillings to go at, ranging from Cheezburger and Salt & Pepper Chickn to Hoisin Mock Duck and All Day Breakfast.
It’s definitely fair to call the Herbivorous team genuine veterans and pioneers of Manchester’s vegan food scene. Inspired by the incredible junk food enjoyed during a coast-to-coast American road trip back in 2016, they’ve somehow packed all those huge flavours into a brilliant, cosy spot in Withington.
Half Dozen Other has unveiled a string of special vegan bakes for January, perfect for those after a plant-friendly sweet treat. The limited-edition creations include a burnt tofu cheesecake, the team’s own vegan sausage roll, a pecan miso cookie and a Jerusalem artichoke and chestnut mushroom Danish. All are available every weekend at both Half Dozen Other’s Circle Square and Red Bank sites
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Sat 6 Jan 2024
Offering heaving plant-based fry-ups, vegan waffles, bacon, cheese and syrup-topped American pancakes and a choice of vegetarian breakfasts, the Oldham Street linchpin covers all the bases with an all-day menu renowned for curing hangovers since 1978.