Sweet Mandarin

The Northern Quarter has come a long way since the first street art murals began appearing on the face of its dilapidated buildings and trendy bars started popping up. Several decades in the making, the city centre district has cleaned up its act, redeveloped many of the once-empty addresses, but still maintains a countercultural atmosphere and charm which you don’t find in many city districts. The food available around here has also evolved, from the legendary rice and three curry cafes which still dominate many of the backstreets, to gastropub fare and — today — a wealth of global cuisines, street food style spots and handful of high end restaurants. 

Sweet Mandarin is found smack bang in the middle of all this. Run by a third generation of women restaurateurs, its reputation is nothing short of enviable. Picking up a slew of awards since opening, many tout this place as the best Chinese eatery in town. One of the biggest selling points is the home style cooking on offer, which is based on recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation and reflect truly authentic Far Eastern cuisine as it’s served over in the Far East. 

The menu changes regularly, but examples include Lilly Kwok’s Chicken Curry and Mabel’s Claypot, which betrays the laidback and informal atmosphere. A place where dishes are named after real people because that makes things far more. Dining aside, you’ll be pleased to know Sweet Mandarin also comes with a fully stocked and licensed bar. Behind which you’ll find trophy worthy wines, including champagnes, and a great selection of beers, ciders, spirits and more. Just like the drinks, the kitchen has won a slew of awards for the quality of service and cuisine. And, if you don’t have time to sit in, you can also place orders for collection or delivery, meaning you can have the same experience from the comfort of your own home.