The picture above is an artist’s rendition of what will eventually become the new King Street, set to replace the rapidly ageing Stretford Mall to become to ep[icentre of the suburb.
Bought a couple of years back by Bruntwood, work should begin this year to completely transform the area, and add many, many more independent shops, bars and restaurants.
In the meantime though, Stretford has seen an influx of eateries over the last couple of years, kickstarted by the arrival of the Foodhall and continuing right up until as soon as five weeks ago with the opening of Stretford Canteen on ‘The Stretford Strip’.
Stretford’s borders are much bigger than you think, taking in hidden gems in Trafford Park and even the much-loved Tibetan Kitchen, located right on the (correct) cusp of Stretford and Chorlton.
So here are the best restaurants in Stretford, expect there to be many, many more additions to this list in the coming years…
Stretford Foodhall
You can’t talk about Stretford nowadays without mentioning the excellent Foodhall, the place that many people attribute as the catalyst for the current regeneration of the area, and somewhere which offers people the very best of everything under one roof. This place is mega, with a mini supermarket, plant shop, events space, bar, cafe and the food hall itself, home to up to four independent food vendors that rotate regularly. Most recently they’ve hosted the likes of Abeja Tapas, Dim Sum Su, House of Habesha and Desert Island Dumplings.
Stretford Foodhall, Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BD
Stretford Canteen
The newest eatiery to open up in the Stretford Mall is Stretford Canteen, which is still nice and shiny after just 3 weeks of being open. After five years hosting supper clubs and pop-ups at markets, Jo, Dean and their eldest daughter Eve have finally managed to settle on a bricks and mortar site, bringing their many years of experience to the venuture. Jo’s childhood was spent with her parents who owned iconic French restaurant Beaujolais, and Eve’s background includes The Creameries, Trove and Duck Soup. The menu in here is always changing, made up of bar snacks, plates, sides and desserts, always at the whim of the seasons, and centred around local produce and sustainable values.
Stretford Canteen, 118 Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH
0161 864 1911
Bakehouse32
A fantastic New York-style eatery right on Chester Road, Bakehouse32 serves up an impressive menu of pizzas and bagels, plus some pretty special cocktails to go with them. These pizzas are MEGA, made using 36-hour slow-fermented dough, and coming out as a cross between New York and Neapolitan styles. They even have a dedicated breakfast menu available on the weekends from 10am. Oh, and make sure you have yourself a slice of the Basque Cheesecake – it’s outstanding.
Bakehouse32, 1116 Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 0HA
0161 258 6151
Nila’s Burmese Kitchen
Probably the most hidden of all hidden gems to ever exist in Manchester, Nila’s Burmese Kitchen is, rather strangely, located on the old Trafford Park high street, surrounded by factories and, well, not much else. As you’d expect though, it’s a hugely favourite lunctime spot for workers in the area, and once you’re there, eating the food and chatting to Nila herself – you’ll iunderstand why they’ve kept the secret hidden all of these years. Nila’s signature dish is her Tamarind Pork, with meat that falls apart in your mouth and her homemade curry paste – it’s an absolute must try. Nilas’s Burmese Kitchen is open Mon-Fri serving lunch from 12pm – 2.30pm.
Nila’s Burmese Kitchen, 386 Third Ave, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1JE
nilas-burmese-kitchen.sumup.link
Geropolis Greek Street Food
A takeaway and eat-in spot that straddles the boundaries between Firswood and Gorse Hill and has been massively popular during its short time open in this mostly residential strip of Stretford. People come from far and wide to try their outstanding Greek gyros and street food and it’s not hard to see why. Alongside their classic gyros and kebabs is a small but impressive offering of mains, from Souvlaki Chicken to Biftekia Tiri: a unique delicacy of minced beef and lamb skewers stuffed with cheese and topped with salad, tzatziki, chips and pita breads.
Geropolis Greek Street Food, 239 Talbot Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 0YW
geropolisgreekstreetfood.com
Sublevo at Uplift Cafe
A seemingly unremarkable spot on the row of venues on ‘The Stretford Strip’, family-run Uplift is mostly known in the area for their excellent and healthy breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. But things have changed recently with the introduction of Sublevo, a pop-up kitchen from Chef Gary Yule which looks to showcase a selection of small plates from around the world. With a fondness for molecular gastronmy, Yule has created such dishes as Blackened Mackerel with beetroot meringue, Rabbit Lollipops and Seared Cauliflower with a chickpea and saffron puree.
Uplift, Unit 120, Stretford Mall, Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH
www.upliftcafe.uk
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Tibetan Kitchen
Many people think that Tibetan Kitchen is in Chorlton, however, officially – it’s in Firswood, which is Stretford. If you don’t believe me – check Google Maps. Done that? Thanks. So, Tibetan Kitchen – a place which has become a proper institution over the years – in part down to their exquitite Momo’s – thick, sturdy dumplings that are eaten across the Himalayan Pleateau and are re-created perfectly here. Their menu also features a selection of hot meat and veggie dishes – hearty curries and stir frys. But to visit and not have momos is a travesty – so make sure that you do.
Tibetan Kitchen, 254 Upper Chorlton Rd, Stretford, Manchester M16 0BN
www.tibetankitchen.co.uk
Longford Cafe
Longford Park, once home to philanthropist John Dalton and home to Longford Cafe – which serves up fresh home-made food every single day, alongside exceptional coffee, cakes and baked goods. Owner Phil Howells came to run the Cafe entirely through a rather odd set of circumstances, which ended up with him and his wife finding themselves baking sourdough bread every morning under a tree in the middle of the park. Since then it’s become a firm local favourite, and their mix of daily hot specials, fantastic coffee and a philosophy that everything is made from scratch make this one of the best cafe’s in the entire city – and a true Stretford gem.
Longford Cafe, Longford Park Bungalow, Stretford M32 8DA
BrewChimp Indian Tapas
Opened in the summer of 2021 and an instant classic amopngst locals ever since, once called the Indian Social Club, this place has been re-named in a Ronseal kinda way. Now simply known as BrewChimp Indian Tapas, you know exactly what you’re getting on the menu – street food dishes from India, many of which you won’t have seen over here in the UK before. They’re always keen to point out that Stretford is the only place in the UK where you’ll find some of the dishes, plucked from the streets of Tamil Nadu and re-created right here above a laundrette in this fantastic restaurant.
BrewChimp Indian Tapas, 164A Barton Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DP
Six Trees Kitchen & Bar
Simple, tasty home-cooked pub grub is an absolute winner at Six Trees, a pub, club and music venue located right in the middle of Trafford Park’s industrial estate. Once a warehouse, the space has been transformed into a destination bar, restuarant and club venue by Sam Oliver – who was left the space when his grandfather passed away. The food is cooked by his wife, Tash – excellent and homely, you’ll find the likes of burgers, salads, small plates, pizzas and an excellent breakfast and brunch menu too.
Six Trees Kitchen & Bar, Trafford Park Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1BN
0161 302 9157
Yeah Man Caribbean
We were recommended to visit Yeah Man Caribbean Cafe by the lads over at EatMCR. Nestled at the end of a seemingly endless terraced houses in Gorse Hill, Yeah Man is now a Stretford institution, run with enthusiasm and supreme grilling skills by Jamie for the last 13 years. The menu features a whole host of Caribbean classics, from Curry Mutton to Oxtail and the classic Jerk Chicken, as well as one of the very best Chicken Splits in the city – a delicacy of flame-grilled chicken thigh in a dumpling topped with salad cream.
Yeah Man Caribbean, 63 Norway St, Stretford, Manchester M32 0JN
yeahmancaribbean.co.uk
The Hive
A bar that offers up a sometimes overwhelming amount of events, with something happening in here pretty much every single night of the week. There’s comedy nights, open mic nights, live music, pub quizzes and bottomless brunch – plus loads more. They recently introduced a brand-new food menu too, with an impressively adventerous display of dishes on offer, from the standard pub burger, right up to Prawn Gyoza, mini Tacos and an excellent Sunday Roast.
The Hive, Unit 124, 125 Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH
0161 637 7887
