With its tree-lined streets, buzzing brunch scene and great transport links, it's no surprise that Didsbury is one of the most covetable places to live in south Manchester. Its extensive food and drink scene may be dominated by breakfast spots but don't be mistaken, the suburban village, stretching from east to west, also encompasses a number of upscale dining options and popular drinking dens.
Obviously, if you want to move here, a property could set you back at least a quarter of a million. Fortunately visiting is much cheaper, and between the Metrolink, the buses and trains, it's easy to get to, especially from the city.
If you're thinking of venturing out to Didsbury any time soon - here are some of the top spots to eat and drink in one of Manchester's leafiest suburbs.
Volta
Everything you would want from a neighbourhood restaurant-meets-bar is encapsulated by the effortlessly cool Volta on Burton Road. Enjoy their globally inspired small plates menu - pan fried cod with yellow curry; scallops with nduja butter; and Iberico pork presa - either inside the vintage-style bistro or outside on the covered terrace, and wash it down with a glass of wine, craft beer or signature cocktail.
167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN
Great Kathmandu
This West Didsbury institution is one of the few Nepalese restaurants in Manchester and since opening in 1986 has picked up a number of awards, including the English Curry Awards’ Best Nepalese restaurant in the UK in 2019. Showcasing the intricate flavours of Nepal's cuisine, the extensive menu features excellent tandoori options, a wealth of vegetarian delicacies and the award-winning makhan chara - chicken seasoned in butter with tomatoes and fresh cream.
140 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1JQ
Hispi
The fifth crowdfunded venture from chef Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros, this fantastic bistro in Didsbury Village has built a strong and loyal following thanks to its no-nonsense approach to dining. Here you can opt for the main menu or the slimmed down bistro menu, with dishes spanning chalk stream trout pastrami style, braised featherblade of beef, and crispy-fried courgettes. It’s the sort of place you’ll want to take someone on a date if you’re looking to impress.
1C School Ln, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6RD
Greens
The creation of Sunday Brunch chef Simon Rimmer and his business partner Simon Connolly, Greens has been a mainstay of the West Didsbury food and drink circuit for more than 30 years, thanks to its imaginative and considered vegetarian cooking. The Lapwing Lane institution’s thoroughly accomplished menu includes favourites such as the veggie black pudding, deep-fried oyster mushrooms and truffled mushroom wellington.
41-43 Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2NT
Dish and Spoon
Formerly known as ‘And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon’ - you know from the ‘Mother Goose’ nursery rhyme - this tiny but perfectly formed cafe was way ahead of the curve on the whole pasteis de natas hype. As well as serving up delicious cakes and bakes including brownies, cupcakes and doughnuts, their afternoon tea, complete with scones slathered in clotted cream and homemade jam, plus chocolate dipped strawberries, is not to be missed.
230 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LW
Wine and Wallop
Located adjacent to West Didsbury tram stop, this bohemian wine bar is the perfect stop on the Didsbury circuit. The snug venue offers a selection of picky bits such as charcuterie and cheese, for when you’ve finished sampling from their sizable wine list.
97 Lapwing Ln, Manchester M20 6UR
La Chouquette
Walk past La Chouquette on a Saturday morning and you’ll see just how busy this little bakery in the village gets as people scramble to get their hands on their wonderful croissants. Launched by professional bakers Mairead Deignan and Florent Verove, the shop specialises in sourdough loaves, as well as traditional French pastries such as eclairs and macarons.
812a Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UH
Kiosk
Wedged between Wine and Wallop and the post office, cafe-bar Kiosk - a former storage cupboard - might only be one metre wide but has proven to be a hit with locals since openings last year. Sidle up to the terrazzo-style counter and take your pick from a top-quality selection of coffee, local beers and cocktails. Don't forget to grab a pastry too as these ones are made by the ever-popular Longbois Bakehouse in Levenshulme.
Lapwing Lane, Manchester, M20 6UR
A Taste of Honey
On your way to Burton Road tram stop you’ll find this fantastic neighbourhood deli packed out with locally-sourced produce to take away. Grab a Saint’s Salad Box and fill it up high with teriyaki carrots, Asian noodles and potato salad, or grab a slice of tortilla, a New York bagel or chunky sausage rolls slab.
138 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1JQ
Folk
Now with a slick new look featuring a wood-panelled bar and leather banquette booths, this neighbourhood cafe meets late night bar is a great spot for brunch by day and cocktails by dark. Owned by four mates with a love for fresh seasonal produce, beers, cocktails and wine, expect staples like the Folk Fry Up and Steak and Eggs, as well a signature G&T, French Martini or craft beer.
169-171 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LN
Fletcher Moss
Those who frequent Didsbury on a regular basis will be familiar with its pub crawl - a 12-part pub tour that starts out on the edge of the village - and its stops off at boozers including The Famous Crown, The Royal Oak and The Fletcher Moss. The latter is located just off the main strip on William Street, and the best course of action here is to grab a pint, a packet of crisps and head out the beer garden out back - job’s a good'un’. It’s worth noting the other 11 pubs are all grand in their own right, but a straw poll hailed Fletcher Moss as the leader of the pack.
1 William St, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6RQ
Lime Tree
Like Greens, The Lime Tree, just off Burton Road has been a firm favourite of the Didsbury crowd for more than 30 years, pleasing visitors with its fantastic local produce sourced from their own farm in Macclesfield Forest. The a la carte menu doesn’t disappoint with dishes ranging from pan-fried Capesthorne Hall pigeon breast with black pudding bonbons, to roast loin and slow cooked breast of Cheshire lamb with dauphinoise potatoes.
8 Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2WS
The Metropolitan
Affectionately referred to as The Met by those in the know, this spacious Victorian building with its own restaurant is kind of like a rite of passage for those that move to West Didsbury. The last stop on the whirlwind pub tour, if you’re still standing you might want to grab something to eat, so it's handy that The Met serves up some proper pub grub, and pizzas from its outside pizza oven.
2 Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2WS
Baity
Whilst it opened quietly without much fanfare in 2018, Baity, located on Wilmslow Road has attracted a loyal following thanks to its wholesome Palestinian dishes. It's worth a visiting just for the velvety-smooth hummus topped with dashes of orange spices and served in rustic ceramic bowls, but don’t be too hasty, the rest of the menu, spanning dishes such as crisp falafels with yoghurt tahini dip and Maqluba - a traditional dish throughout the Levant area - are also worth the trip.
743 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6RN
The Didsbury
When the sun shines down on this leafy Manchester suburb you know this imaginatively named boozer will be packed to the rafters - well, its well appointed beer garden will be. So large it is, you’re almost guaranteed to be able to grab a table. The first stop on the Didsbury Dozen is a great point of call on your way into the village - an entry, if you like, into Didsbury life.
852 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SG
Mary & Archie
Thank goodness that this Didsbury bar and café recently brought back its famous Breakfast Burrito, because it really is a gift. Yes, another brunch spot, but this snug bar with its charming hotchpotch décor is well worth a visit, not only for its breakfast dishes but its regular live music nights and quizzes.
200 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LW
Saison
Beer lovers will enjoy this charming bar at the top of Burton Road for its sixteen lines of draught beer, which change through the week, as well as its wide range of bottles and cans. The upmarket pub also hosts The Fantastic Barry Brothers’ Quiz on Wednesdays, live jazz on Sundays and an open mic night on Tuesdays.
236 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LW
Thyme Out
Set back from Burton Road you’ll find Thyme Out, a bustling brunch spot famed for its hearty Full Didsbury fry-up and Manc Eggs, the latter of which includes two Bury Black puddings. Also featuring a lovely garden terrace area, it’s a great spot to watch the world go by whether you’re sampling from the brunch menu or picking up one of their sandwiches, including The Reuben with pastrami, tomato, pickle, fried onion and Monterey Jack cheese.
147 Nell Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LG
West Village
By day, Melbourne-inspired coffee shop Another Heart To Feed operates out of this trendy West Didsbury bar, before pivoting in the evenings to classic cocktails, craft beer and plenty of dancing. Sure, there’s plenty of brunch spots along Burton Road - you’re spoilt for choice in fact - but Another Hand’s freshly baked jalapeño cornbread with poached eggs and fresh salsa, and its croissant French toast, is certainly something to write home about.
220 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LW
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