Rabbie's Noodle Hut

Wythenshawe is one of the region’s most famous areas, but least visited by tourists and out-of-towners. Its position has a lot to answer for — this is the very bottom end of the city of Manchester, almost as far south as Altrincham and Stockport. Once home to the largest concentration of social housing in Europe, the opening of a Metrolink tram line to nearby Manchester Airport has seen a rapid rise in the value of homes, and the area is undergoing a major transformation which will eventually see a completely new town centre, doubling down on support for independent businesses.

You don’t have to look far to see examples of that unconventional and maverick spirit, just head to the civic centre and keep your eye out for a snaking queue of hungry-looking people. They’re waiting patiently in line outside Rabbie’s Noodle Hut, and when we say it’s worth the wait we mean it’s worth the weight in gold, too. Not just a clever name, this wooden stand in between an Iceland supermarket and The Works stationery store is run by Rabbie Promnat and her partner Mike. And it may well be the very best Thai food in Greater Manchester. Although it’s hard to tell when the first bite seems to induce an opiate haze so powerful you’ll forget any thought other than joy. 

The namesake owner is the secret sauce here. Originally from Thailand, she arrived in the UK after time spent in the Netherlands and around 2020 won permission to begin serving food at the current location. Business picked up very quickly, and today the proof is in the tasting. Authenticity in the real sense, you’ll struggle to find better Pad Thai, noodle soups, and rice-based dishes anywhere this side of South East Asia. Take it from us, it’s worth stopping off if you’re en route into the city, to or from your flight.