Manchester is home to a phenomenal range of international cuisines and in celebration of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest here’s a look at where to eat and drink your way around Europe without leaving the city.
Armenia: Armenian Tavern
Offering authentic Armenian food since 1968, this cosy basement restaurant is located within the shadow of the city’s imposing Town Hall and serves up a menu of traditional, rustic dishes.
Austria: The Vienna Coffee House
Located across from the Manchester Art Gallery, the café’s owner set up the venture after a trip to the Austrian capital, which will be hosting the Eurovision this year. Breakfast, light bites and afternoon tea are all on offer – along with a tantalising display of cakes.
Belgium: Mort Subite and Belgian Bar
Lovers of Belgian beer are well catered for in Altrincham with two bars located on the same street. Mort Subite is a subterranean drinking den offering up more than 250 beers from across Europe, with a focus on selections from Belgium while the nearby Belgian Bar is a café-style venue with a similar number of bottled beers along with a further 18 on draught.
Cyprus: Kosmos Taverna
Cyprus make a return to Eurovision this year and Manchester has plenty of places offering up a bite from the Med. Kosmos Taverna is one of the most well-known and was founded by Cypriot Loulla Astin in the 1980s. The Fallowfield restaurant has scored a number of accolades and Loulla has also fronted her own TV cookery shows.
Denmark: Kro
Although the chain has recently downsized with its former Piccadilly Gardens site now home to Byron and Ask, Kro still has sites on Oxford Road and in Heaton Moor. Grab a traditional Danish open sandwich or something more substantial from their evening menu.
France: 63 Degrees
There’s no shortage of French cuisine in Manchester but if you’re in the market for something extra special try 63 Degrees. It prides itself on modern Parisian fine dining matched with an extensive wine list celebrating the country’s great wine regions.
Germany: Hotspot Ess Paradies
Tucked away in Chorlton, Hotspot Ess Paradies serves authentic hearty German grub from across the country – think Bratwurst, schnitzels and hearty casseroles followed by strudels and their Fantakuchen (Fanta Cake). The food is complimented with bottled beers from across the country including Kolsch, Weissbier and Schwarzbier. Prost!
Greece: Dimitri’s
Greek meze and platters dominate the menu at this bustling Deansgate taverna, although there are also mains such as kebabs and moussaka. With more than 20 years in business, it’s become a Manchester institution and also boasts an outdoor area for those warmer evenings.
Iceland: Takk
Inspired by the café culture of Reykjavik, Takk (Icelandic for thank you) oozes cool and serves up a great coffee. Breakfast and lunch menus are also on offer.
Ireland: Mulligans
Did you know that Ireland are the most successful country in Eurovision history with a total of seven wins? Sadly, they've not fared as well in recent years and have come in at last place twice in the last decade (surprisingly, not the two years Jedward represented them!) Based just off Deansgate, Mulligans serves up hearty Irish grub including breakfasts and Irish stews and of course, pints of the black stuff.
Italy: San Carlo
Manchester isn’t short of Italian restaurants, and San Carlo is arguably one of the most well-known. It might be part of a chain but it’s known for its high-end food and is a good spot for celebrity spotting.
Poland (also Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania): Baltic Cellar
A fairly new addition to Manchester’s restaurant scene, speciality dishes from Poland, Russia and the Baltic States of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are on the menu at this relaxed grill bar. The drinks are just as important here: there’s a vodka bar offering brands from across the region and guests are also encouraged to accompany each course with a shot. We’ll drink to that.
Portugal: Lustiano
Forget the high street chicken chain, this Chorlton eatery serves up authentic Portuguese cuisine with recipes passed down from generation to generation. Look out for the special ‘Leitao a Bairrada’ (traditional Portuguese suckling pig) events.
Romania: La Roberto Restaurant
Romanian food may not be as familiar as other European cuisines, but if you’re in the mood to try something new La Roberto showcases the country’s delicacies, wine and beer from its site in Hazel Grove.
Russia: St Petersburg
Established almost 20 years ago, St Petersburg offers authentic cuisine and traditional Russian hospitality from its Sackville Street restaurant. It also has an extensive drinks menu including a variety of clear and flavoured vodka, along with beer brewed in the former Russian capital.
Spain: La Bandera
A wave of recent (and upcoming) Spanish restaurant openings mean there are more places to try the country’s cuisine in Manchester than ever before. A relative newbie, La Bandera is tucked away off Deansgate and focuses on traditional Spanish dishes.
Sweden: The Salt Bar
Sweden may be synonymous with meatballs, but this Macclesfield restaurant offers up much more. Meat, seafood and vegetarian options are all available – but don’t worry if you had your heart set on meatballs as they’re available too.
The UK: The Marble Arch
There’s nothing more British than a traditional boozer, and The Marble Arch combines great beer (from their own brewery just down the road) and modern British cooking in a stunning historic building. The perfect place to drown your sorrows after the inevitable ‘nil points’.
Bonus:
Australia: Australasia
For the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, the organisers have allowed Australia to field an entry for the first time ever (although Aussies Gina G and Olivia Newton-John have previously represented the UK). Spinningfields’ Australasia offers modern Australian and pan-Asian cuisine along with an extensive wine list.
Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals May 19 and May 21 8pm-10pm BBC Three. Grand final May 23, 8pm-11.35pm, BBC1.
See more food and drink in Manchester from Time Out.