Proper Manchester

Just Jason Momoa in a United top casually playing 'Fucking In The Bushes' in Manchester...

Choose from the fillings above, or the likes of ox cheek and bone marrow or confit garlic chicken - you need to pre-order these 24 hours in advance. And the best thing about this January offering is it runs all through February too… Get booked in here: bit.ly/499MXWI

There’s also a truffle dauphinoise pie, and a traditional meat and potato pie, which will be supplemented by changing specials like a breakfast pie, lasagne pie, and even a pigeon pie. You can also grab a huge sharing pie to be enjoyed by up to four people.

BLACK FRIAR’S ANNUAL PIE FESTIVAL WHERE THOUSANDS ARE MADE AND SOLD EVERY YEAR RETURNS The Black Friar's annual pie festival has been going since 2021, and it’s a sure-fire way to banish those January blues.

You can now book the Winter Tavern, a private feasting space filled with rugs, candles and open fires, as well as the Cabins outdoors - bespoke cosy pods for groups of up to 8 to drink in, free to hire. Book a table here: bit.ly/4oSeTDg

This year has seen more than 3,000 baubles decorate the venue, with the festive glow-up so impressive it’s been stopping traffic on Blackfriars Road. If you want to get in the festive mood, simply head down and take it all in. You won’t be disappointed…

THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS SO IMPRESSIVE THEY’VE BEEN LITERALLY STOPPING TRAFFIC The Black Friar know what they’re doing when it comes to Christmas decorations. The pub's yearly transformation sees it adorned with twinkling lights, trees, decorations, and present towers.

Walk-ins are always welcome, and if you’re a bánh mì fan, you’ll be in very good hands. Order through Uber Eats and you can buy one, get one free on summer rolls, chicken skewers bánh mì, salt & pepper tofu bánh mì from 3-19 July. Get your order in here: bit.ly/3TznFsb

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese classic, French baguettes - filled with goodness like grilled pork, fried tofu, pickled daikon, pâté, coriander and hot sauce. Their phở is superbly executed too, with brisket, tofu, seafood or meatballs.

ONE OF THE BEST BÁNH MÌ IN THE CITY IS SERVED FROM THIS SHOP ON OLDHAM ROAD Wow Bánh Mì is the dream project of Susan and Michael Diep, Vietnamese-Mancunians who’ve lived in the city for over 40 years. After careers in IT and beauty, they opened their own place in late 2023.

As for the tapas, choose between dishes like patatas bravas, tortilla española, gambas al ajillo, croquetas, and chorizo a la sidra. The brunch is available Friday to Sunday, 11am - 4pm, and you can add cocktails and wine for an extra £6. Get booked in: bit.ly/408Wjgb

You can choose between the ‘Madrid option’ (£29), which comes with 90 minutes of bubbles or lager, three tapas and one pintxo, and the ‘Barcelona option’ (£39), which comes with 90 minutes of bubbles or lager and BOTTOMLESS tapas and pintxo.

THE NEW TAPAS AND PINTXO BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH THAT’S LESS THAN £30 El Kabron has a brand new bottomless brunch, filled with tapas and pintxo goodness.

If you order through Uber Eats, you can save £5 if you spend £27 from June 13-20th. Order here: bit.ly/4c3jLQP

Rusholme Chippy has transformed into more of a fusion chippy, with classic fish and chips alongside traditional Afghan dishes like Qabily Pillow. Their signature kobeda is a heavily-spiced minced lamb skewer, fired on the grill before being served on fresh-from-the-tandoor bread

RUSHOLME CHIPPY: THE LEGENDARY KOBEDA SPOT SERVING UP INCREDIBLE KEBABS FOR GENERATIONS Rusholme Chippy, aka the ‘king of kobeda’, has been keeping the good people of Manchester and beyond fed since 1977.

@SquareUK Meaning that instead of running on unreliable dial-up, you can grab your brews and sausage rolls without any messing around. Thank you to Square for their support on this one!

So they created a haven for walkers & cyclists for a rest and a brew - it’s just 18 minutes walk from the main road, but you could easily be in a magical woodland. Riverbank Coffee use @SquareUK to take payments quickly and accurately, and ensure smooth access to their funds.

YOU CAN GET COFFEE, PIES AND CAKES AT THIS SCENIC SPOT ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER MERSEY Riverbank Coffee is made up of a cluster of huts and cabins on the banks of the River Mersey, and it’s the perfect spot for walkers and cyclists out for a jaunt.