The best: Pre-theatre dining offers in Manchester

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.

If you want to enjoy one of Manchester’s most gorgeous views with your dinner, then 20 Stories offers three courses and a glass of Mirabeau Rose for £35 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.

Nestled 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 £26, or three for £29. 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.

Another of Manchester’s most famous curry specialists, 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 mains section include a 200g Chorizo Sirloin and a 250g Churrasco Cuadril, while the Chocolate Volcano 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 £27.50 or three for £33.50. 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 pre-fixe menu, which is available Mon – Thu 5pm – 6.30pm and Fri 1pm – 6.30pm, allows diners to pick two smaller plates, such as Pollen Sourdough and Black Garlic Butter or Chargrilled Padron Peppers, two more substantial plates, like Gochujang-Glazed Pork Belly or Chargrilled Chilli and Lime Chicken Wings and one dessert, either Kaffir Lime Cheesecake or Sticky Toffee Pudding.

While not strictly touted as a ‘pre-theatre’ menu, Kala’s Bistro offering fits into the pre-show dining slot perfectly, available from Mon – Thu from 5pm – 8.30pm and Fridays from 5pm – 7pm. You’d seriously struggle to find better quality at this price point, with two courses for £25 and three courses for £28, and a menu that packs in mouthwatering dishes such as Torched Mackerel, Shawarma Crepe, Poached Bream, Pan-Fried Pork Ribeye.

Abiding by the Italian homage of ‘first we eat, then we do everything else’, Don Giovanni promises to kick off your night with a ‘perfectly choreographed Italian menu.’ Running between 12pm – 2pm and 3pm – 6pm, get two courses for £26.95, or three for £29.95, with a menu that features everything from traditional antipasti and bruschetta to crowd-pleasing calamari and secondi plates.