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. What’s even better, is that the team offers both pre and post-theatre dining options. The pre-theatre menu is available Mon – Sat between 4.30pm – 5.45pm, while the post-theatre menu is served Mon – Thu 8.30pm – close. Both are priced at one course for £19, two courses for £23 and three courses for £26.

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.

Gaucho is another excellent choice, and at two courses for £17.95, or three for £19.95, the quality is certainly matched by value. On the menu there’s beef empanadas, cuadril and chips, pan-fried sea bream and pumpkin and ricotta ravioli.

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.

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. 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.