The best restaurants in Stretford and Old Trafford

Starting life as the lockdown brainchild of a local Stretfordian living in a fifth generation home, Bakehouse32 was originally in a small unit on Chester Road, but has since grown into a larger space right outside Stretford Mall. The result means double the number of tables, daytime openings for coffee from Dark Woods and Red Bank roasters, sourdough breakfast butties using Grandad’s Sausages, focaccia sandwiches for lunch – don’t miss the Ruben – and a number of other indie faves, like Cloudwater on the taps, and bottles by Top Cuvee.

A less-than-conspicuous turquoise-fronted haven in the industrial maze of Trafford Park, Nila’s Burmese Cafe truly deserves the moniker of Hidden Gem. Popular with the local workers, she serves up bright and vibrant Burmese cooking on mis-matched patterned crockery. It’s an environment that it’s impossible not to feel a bit cheerier in. Blending elements of Thai, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese and Laotian cooking, signature dishes include an incredibly tender Tamarind pork and a super-fragrant Laphet Thoke salad including pickled tea leaves and crispy fired peanuts. Expect flavours that are both fresh and comforting. Seek it out for an unforgettable lunch.

Arriving outside Papa Don on any given day it’s open is enough to prove the place is less a well-kept secret and more a go-to haunt for locals and clued up visitors. Even on a Tuesday lunchtime the spot can be full, making booking in advance a good idea. The fact this address is actually away from Stretford’s epicentre only accentuates the fact that people are making an effort to track it down. The aim here is bringing together Chinese, Thai, and South Korean flavours, with a leaning towards street food style dishes. Don’t think for a second that means small portions, mind, and each item available is cooked to absolute perfection. The Thai braised pork rice, chicken wings, kimbap (Korean-style sushi with kimchi) are no exception.

Stretford Canteen is a love letter to French bistro dining, reimagined for a new generation. Rooted in family history, this intimate eatery is the brainchild of Josephine Sandwith and Dean Taylor, who set out to bring a slice of Parisian charm to Stretford. Josephine’s parents were behind the much-loved Beaujolais, a legendary Manchester restaurant that defined French dining in the city for over three decades. Now, she carries on that legacy, delivering simple, soulful food with an old-school touch.

With no social media presence and a husband and wife duo at the helm, Old Trafford’s Red Marrakech feels thoroughly, delightfully, low-key. Tagines are the thing to go for here, especially the chicken, olive and preserved lemon one, though you ought to try the lamb shank, kofta and pastries too. As you might expect, they do a mean cous cous too. Properly authentic and full of love.

Not Nepalese, but very much just a hop over the Himalayas, Tibetan Kitchen have a cafe in Chorlton, an outpost in Chorlton Park, as well as a distinctive bus which does the festival circuit. Their menu is tight: just three veggie dishes and a couple of meat ones, of course featuring the all-important momos. For meat-lovers the pak tsel stir fry with pork and pak choi is a must, and the paneer and butternut squash curry is a crowd-pleaser, veggie or not. Their signature chilli sauce, traditionally served with those momos, has taken on such a life of its own that they sell it by the jar-load. Seek them out their fresh-but-comforting offerings next time you’re in Firswood.

Tucked away at the end of a seemingly endless line of terraced houses on Stretford’s Norway Street is Yeah Man. It’s a Caribbean takeaway and cafe that serves the neighbourhood, as well as its legions of converts who travel in from miles around for their jerk chicken, curry mutton, fried chicken and chicken splits. They also serve up warming beef and red pea soups and various chicken barms too. Seek out their bright yellow shops front or order online to enjoy a polystyrene tray full of some of the most satisfying Caribbean food you’ve ever encountered.