Albert Square
Like its geographical namesake in Eastenders, Albert Square is the epicentre of local life. Twas not ever thus. In days gone by, it was Piccadilly Gardens which served as the culinary hub. But despite various makeovers recently, it's pretty tatty and tawdry compared with Albert Square's Gothic Victorian splendour. There's also something to eat for every budget -- and several times a year this is the site for the marvellous European markets, most notably at Christmas. All year round, though, it's a good place to hang out.
Caffe Uno - Italian chain
Not terribly exciting foodwise but a prime location and a good place to sit outside over a coffee or glass of wine and watch the world go by. Particularly favoured with local councillors working in the town hall opposite and OK for a quick pasta/pizza lunch.
Livebait - Fish and Seafood
One of two fish restaurants to open in Manchester in the past few years and the only one to survive. Livebait offers everything from fish, chips and mushy peas to the extravagant seafood platter -- oysters, lobster, crevettes, tiger prawns, and the like. The ambience is a bit clinical but the food is classy and good.
Tampopo - Pan-Asian
This excellent basement restaurant offers fantastic curries, salads, noodle and rice dishes with Thai and other Eastern spices. Tampopo is canteen style in layout so there is no standing on ceremony. Don't bother with a starter -- the portions are huge. The beef rendang -- a Malaysian dish -- is to die for.
Rajdoot - Top-of-the-Raj Indian
Unfashionable but undeservedly so because the Rajdoot has the best Indian food in the city centre. There's no red gloop or huge 'one size fits all' menu here -- it's a more limited choice than in cheaper places but properly spiced and seasoned.
Armenian Taverna - Middle Eastern
You won't go hungry at the Armenian. For over 30 years this cosy basement eaterie has satisfied the clientele with its mainly Middle Eastern-style fare, some familiar, some less so. The flatbread is fabulous and made on the premises.
Fact File
Parking:
Closest option is the NCP car park at G-Mex. £3 for five hours.
Cash:
There are Lloyds TSB machines on nearby King Street and a Natwest hole-in-the-wall on John Dalton Street.
Pub:
The Square Albert is a no-nonsense hostelry designed by the same man who built the nearby Albert Memorial and is a refreshing change from the city's more pretentious places. It offers decent cask beer and an OK wine list at bargain prices.
Bar:
At the corner of Kennedy Street, Lime is a nice, trendy bar in the minimalist style with a menu to match. Salads, steaks and so on are on offer until late. It caters mainly for the under-35 market and downstairs is a club space - Sublime-- featuring a large bar, air-conditioned dancefloor and state-of-the-art music system.
Nightclub:
The Press Club on Queen Street is an institution. No-one ever came here for the décor or style but it's open til dawn and the only place in town where you might see TV stars making fools of themselves on the karaoke machine. Cheap,too. The hard part is getting in.
More Manchester Neighbourhood Watch Areas Albert Square - Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton | Burton Road, West Didsbury | Canal Street | Chapel Walks | Cross Street | Deansgate | Deansgate Locks | Drake Street, Rochdale | Faulkner Street | George Street, Chinatown | King Street | Lloyd Street | Oldham Street | Oxford Road | Palatine Road, Northenden | Peter Street | Piccadilly Gardens | Portland Street | Princess Street | Shudehill | St Peter's Square | The Curry Mile | Whitworth Street | Wilbraham Road
