“We founded The Wandering Palate with the aim of sharing with the local community of Monton our favourite range of food and drink, sourced over the years from travels we took and the friendships we made. Our passion for excellence has driven us from the beginning, and continues to drive us into the future. Expect the best wines, craft beers, UK cheese and charcuterie, tea, coffee and a host of luxury larder goodies.” Suffice to say, if you weren’t already jealous of people living in and around Eccles because they have this place right on their doorstep, you probably are after hearing the team talk about their values.
Established in 2021, The Wandering Palate is billed as “a little village wine shop that thinks its more”. Based on what we can see, grandiose ideas suit the place down to the ground, with this establishment up there with Greater Manchester’s most unique foodie hubs. The kind of place where you can pop in to pick up a great bottle of wine from any number of the world’s finest producing nations, and wind up sitting down with a few extra glasses, and savouring every sip over an irresistible cheese board, with the emphasis on top quality produce from Britain and beyond.
Trying to list specific highlights isn’t easy, as stock and selection changes over time, with the seasons and availability, but let’s just say this is a sure-fire winner in the eyes — and tastebuds — of anyone who values artisanal and craft baked goods, olives, dairy, booze, pasta, crisps and plenty besides. So much so it’s possible to buy vouchers, emphasising the fact that everything behind the counters and on the shelves could easily pass for gifts in their own right. Purchases aside, the intimate interior space also regularly hosts events, ranging from tastings to live Irish music jam sessions, and ‘one-deck’ DJ sets.