24 Hours in Manchester

21.07.2023 - 07:43 / roughguides.com

“...And on the sixth day, God created MANchester,” declares Mark Kennedy’s iconic mosaic, set into the wall of Affleck’s Palace in the city’s Northern Quarter. I've just spent 24 hours in Manchester. And the cheeky tone of Kennedy's statement – boldly linking itself to the divine with a wink and a refusal to take itself too seriously – rings true of the whole city. It's this anarchic attitude that has me immediately smitten. But where to start in so-called Cottonopolis when you’ve only got a matter of hours?

When it comes to food, Manchester will leave you spoiled for choice. For breakfast, try Pollen Bakery in the canalside district of Ancoats. It serves fantastic coffee, though it’s the baked goods that steal the show. Unfortunately, they’d just run out of cruffins when I arrived. Of course the croissant/muffin hybrids that come adorned with Lucky Charms, hazelnut praline, dulce de leche and the like would sell out fast, so arrive early if you want a taste!

I opted instead for an enormous slab of a ham and cheese croissant that kept me full until well into the afternoon. If the weather allows, grab a table outside. Keep your eyes peeled for the adorable spectacle of the doggy daycare centre that takes place across the canal.

Delicious croissants at Pollen Bakery © Annie Warren

For brunch, you can’t do better than Ducie Street Warehouse. Located between the train station and the trendy Northern Quarter, you can sit out on the sunny terrace that backs onto the canal or inside in the bright and airy restaurant.

You’ll find all your favourite brunch classics here. I opted for a homemade blueberry pancake stack and it did wonders for my sweet tooth. If you need a pick-me-up on a Sunday morning, the monthly disco brunch is the place for you.

Imagine enjoying your avocado on toast while two gold-morph-suited, disco-ball-headed dancers swirl around you to disco tunes played by resident DJs. Truly unbeatable.

Ducie Street Warehouse © Annie Warren

When lunchtime comes around, I can’t recommend Idle Hands highly enough. One word: pie. The vegan chickpea and apricot tagine pie with harissa was – and I do not use this word lightly – perfect. The filling was delightful and the crust was made from buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pastry.

How many times have you heard food described as ‘melt-in-your-mouth’? How many times has anything actually ever melted in your mouth? Exactly. But there’s a first time for everything; go to Idle Hands. Trust me.

Given how often I was hearing the name Rudy’s Pizza from the Mancunian friends I asked for dinner recommendations, I had to see what the fuss was about. Well, here I am joining the fan club – because a place doesn’t become this famous without good reason.

With two locations (one in