Phetpailin

There are plenty of Thai and Malaysian restaurants to choose from in Manchester, some headed up by celebrity chefs (Ning), others located in swanky million pound buildings (Vermillion) or high profile locations like King Street (Chaophraya). One that has none of those things but consistently delivers good food is straight up, authentic Thai restaurant Phetpailin.

It’s a little gem in mediocre Chinatown; you wouldn’t think to look at it from the outside that it can compete with the big boys, but it absolutely can and does. Sure, it may not be as pretty inside but the food is a high standard and very reasonably priced.

Look to tangy dishes like tom yam soup and sweet and sour duck in tamarind sauce to start. For chilli heads the pla chu chee (crispy fried tilapia in a red curry sauce with coconut cream and lime leaves) is recommended, and the pad thai is great too. All dishes come served with the sort of sides you’d find in a Bangkok café, from fish sauce, to limes and fresh chilli. Staff are attentive and helpful, particularly if you’re looking for suggestions.

Better still, you can bring your own booze and there’s no corkage charge.