Mackie Mayor
Nestled in a stunning 1857 market hall in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter, Mackie Mayor is a food lover's paradise. The architecture alone is worth a visit, with soaring glass ceilings and rustic charm. Inside, you'll find a vibrant food hall with a communal dining atmosphere. Food stalls offer an array of culinary delights, from wood-fired pizzas at Honest Crust to artisanal cheeses at The Cheese Collective and succulent cuts at Tender Cow. It's a great spot for big groups with diverse tastes, making it perfect for pre-concert dining.
Rudy’s
Just a stone's throw away from the AO Arena, Rudy's is renowned for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas. The pizza dough is made from scratch daily and baked in a wood-fired oven imported from Naples. The result? Thin, crispy, and flavourful pizzas topped with the freshest ingredients. The menu is concise but well-curated, featuring classics like the Margherita and more adventurous options like the Calabrese with spicy salami. With its casual ambiance and speedy service, it’s an ideal choice for a quick and delicious pre-show meal.
Climat
If you’re looking for fine-dining food near the AO arena, head to Climat, a wine-led restaurant that offers up panoramic views of Manchester’s rooftops. From the team behind Chester’s highly acclaimed Covino, the daily changing menu, curated by acclaimed chef Luke Richardson, dishes up contemporary European bites with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Split into snacks and larger plates, Climat describes its culinary offering as “just food you want to eat”. Don’t leave without trying the tandoori-spiced cuttlefish with lime pickle and braised white cabbage, finished off with a scoop of the extra virgin rapeseed oil ice cream and biscuits – after all, you’ll need some energy before all that dancing.
The Black Friar
A short walk from the AO Arena, The Black Friar is a red-brick pub, doing English classics, really, really well. The menu features traditional dishes like fish and chips, burgers and hearty pies, as well as more imaginative options such as a spinach and seitan cannelloni or braised octopus with black-eyed beans, chorizo, feijoada and pimento. For special occasions, book a table in its glass room where you can watch chefs at work in the open kitchen while cocooned by greenery. It's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some comfort food before the music begins.
Dishoom
One of our favourite restaurants near the AO arena in Manchester, Dishoom offers a taste of Indian comfort food, inspired by the Irani cafés of Bombay. There’s good reason why people are still prepared to wait hours for a table at Dishoom; it is often touted as one of the best Indian restaurants in the city. Serving up street food classics, it’s the perfect place to try roti rolls, hot potato radas and pau bhaji’s – a bowl of mashed vegetables with hot, buttered, home-made buns. If you’re going with a group, don’t miss the legendary black daal and be sure to order naan for the whole table. It’s everything you need and want if you’re planning on having a few drinks. So much so that you’ll probably be back the day after for some hair of the dog and one of the legendary bacon naan baps.
Almost Famous
Craving a juicy burger and some finger-licking-good sides? Almost Famous is the place to be. Putting the classic cheeseburger to shame, this local legend is known for its inventive burger creations, serving up everything from fried-chicken sandwiches to rump steak patties smothered in blue cheese and what they like to call the "Double Wonder", a two-patty burger topped with double cheese, bacon, onion, pickles and pretty much every condiment imaginable. As well as a burger of choice, you’d be a fool not to order one of their ‘loaded stacks’ – such as the aptly-named southern-inspired ‘Everyone’s Got A Gun In Texas’ – a waffle fry topped with cheese, bacon, pulled pork and frickles. The shooters aren’t half bad either.
Pho Cue
Located in the city's Chinatown, Pho Cue is a Vietnamese gem bursting with flavour. Specializing in traditional Vietnamese cuisine, Pho Cue is serving up all the classics, from giant fragrant pho soups and rice bowls to fluffy over-stuffed banh mi baguettes and fresh summer rolls. Alongside these hard-hitters, you’ll even find its owner - Cue Tran’s take on a Mexican fusion: Vietnamese tacos. This fried pancake concoction layers iceberg lettuce with a sweet-and-sour tumble of fresh tomatoes, bean sprouts and fried shallots, finished off with a choice of prawn, tofu, beef, or pork. Let’s just say, the amigos aren’t mad about it. Perfect for big groups, looking to share multiple bits, pull up a pew, pick out your plates and whatever you do, don’t hold back – smaller plates start from just £5.50.
Whether you're in the mood for a casual bite, a gourmet meal, or international flavours, Manchester’s city centre offers something for every mood and tastebud. As the AO Arena hosts so many concerts in Manchester, hopefully you’ll get to hit up more than just one of the spots on this list. Once you've had your fill of good food and unforgettable music, consider making the most of your Manchester experience by staying at easyHotel Manchester. Just a short 14-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride away, you won’t have to worry about catching any last trains and can gain a restful night's sleep after all that dancing. Book your stay today, enjoy the show, and bon appétit!
