It feels like every few weeks Sale gets named ‘best place to live’ by someone. But then, it does have a fair bit going for it. It was featured by the Sunday Times in its annual list back in March, and received a fair bit of attention.
For years, its neighbour Altrincham has enjoyed plaudits from far and wide. But now it's Sale's time in the sun.
And why not? Quite apart from the schools, the transport links, the lovely housing stock and its own theatre and arts space, there are fantastic places to eat and drink too. Why even bother coming into town?
Petisco
Petisco is so-named after the Portuguese tapas culture - small plates of nice things served with a drink or two. What they do here is a little more upscale than that, but not too much. There are rustic stews of pork belly and wild boar, and fantastic use of seasonal vegetables when they’re in their element. A very fine neighbourhood restaurant indeed.
56 Stanley Square, Sale M33 7XZ
Greens
Greens has been an institution in Manchester since chef Simon Rimmer and his business partner Simon Conolly opened their pioneering vegetarian restaurant way back in 1990. Now they have their second spot in Sale. It’s got all the buzz of the Didsbury branch, but with the added bonus of a hidden roof terrace upstairs. Pop in for a bite, or just a cocktail on the sun deck.
54-55 Stanley Square, Sale M33 7XZ
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Rudy’s
From its humble beginnings in Ancoats where queues would form every night of the week, Rudy’s is now a national brand we should be proud of, its lo-fi plywood decor and cute little cans of Negroni (not to mention excellent pizza) setting it apart from the pack. There’s one in Sale, and it’s well worth a visit.
2 Northenden Rd, Sale M33 3BR
PizzAmmore
OK, so Rudy’s might have the lo-fi plywood interiors and cute little cans of Negroni, but PizzAmmore is every bit as good, pizza-wise, and it’s a lovely family business too. The pizzas are proper Neapolitan style and then there are the fabulous fried snacks, from pizza fritta - yep, fried pizza - to crocche; fried potato croquettes stuffed with melting cheese and ham, all served rustic style in brown paper.
20 School Rd, Sale M33 7XF
Cork of the North
This excellent independent bottle shop and bar has wines from all over the world, and more knowledge packed into its little space than you can fathom. There are also great beers too, and a wild range of spirits. Stop in to grab a bottle of something, and stay for a quick drink too.
13 Northenden Rd, Sale M33 2DH
Ceresis
Head a little way out of the centre to Sale Moor and you’ll find Ceresis, where they do super-authentic Roman style sourdough pizza by the slice. Cut in squares on huge trays, it’s light, crisp and delicious, with toppings changing constantly, from Italian sausage and herb-roasted potatoes, to asparagus and melting fontina cheese. Ignore the focaccia sandwiches at your peril, and if you’re catering for numbers, get a whole tray.
166 Northenden Rd, Manchester, Sale M33 3HE
The Railway Inn
An old fashioned local boozer, the Railway Inn transforms into an old school rave den of a Friday night, courtesy of DJ ‘Insane’ Ian. A - how to put this politely - veteran selector, he plays everything from Bizarre Inc to 808 State on surely the first pair of CD turntables ever produced commercially and it’s a brilliant evening out.
35 Chapel Rd, Sale M33 7FD
Yard Burger
If you’ve wondered what that little metal shed opposite Sainsbury’s behind the high street is, it’s Yard Burger, producer of some of the best burgers in Greater Manchester. Their Snobby Cow and Dirty Manc sandwiches, the latter a homage to the mighty Big Mac, are very much worth the journey to a dodgy looking car park.
9 Claremont Rd, Sale M33 7DZ
Sud
The pasta restaurant - formerly known as Sugo - was one of the first businesses to take a spot on the rejuvenated Stanley Square. With a devoted following, brothers Mike and Alex De Martiis dish out spectacular pasta, blending excellent local produce with classic Italian technique.
7-8 Stanley Square, Sale M33 7XZ
The Perfect Match
Among the few restaurants in Greater Manchester to be named in the Michelin Guide, this neighbourhood bistro is a gem, with a loyal following. Established by couple Jazz and Andrea (Andrea is a master sommelier, while Jazz cut her teeth at The Midland and The Savoy in London), their Sunday lunch has become the stuff of legend, with two roasts and a bottle of excellently selected wine for £45. Weekdays are fantastic too, with pork cheek, torched Cornish mackerel and lamb breast often on the menu.
103 Cross St, Sale M33 7JN
Zumuku
Excellently fresh sushi, from sashimi and nigiri to uramaki, this Japanese spot on Stanley Square is a total cracker. There’s tangy teriyaki, warming katsu curries, bao buns, poke bowls, tataki and sushi tacos too, served up in stylish surroundings, with options for pre or post-dinner drinks right on the doorstep.
Unit 9, Stanley Square, Sale M33 7XZ
Grapefruit Coffee
Perched on the bridge over the metro tracks, Grapefruit doesn’t mess about when it comes to making coffee, with regular takeovers from single-producer craft roasters. It’s a passion that’s infectious, and the pastries and baked stuff is spectacularly good too. You can sit in, or grab something as you zip past, either way this is a brilliantly buzzy café, and winner of Coffee Shop of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards two years running.
2 School Rd, Sale M33 7XY
Roti
This playful Scots-Indian spot (there’s the odd nod to matters north of the border, as well as south to the sub-continent), Roti adds a little twist on the well-worn path of street food. So you can get a dish of slow-cooked Kashmiri pork belly alongside a pappri chaat or tarka daal. But then there’s also Roti-style mince and tatties, haggis pakora and a crisp panga fish burger. They’re not really like anything else, and hats off to that.
24 Stanley Square, Sale M33 7ZE
Jackalope
An excellent local bar that serves up an excellent brunch too, perfect for nursing the effects of the night before. Burritos, steak and eggs, and huevos rancheros sit alongside a sturdy full English, or if you're feeling more virtuous, overnight oats. Then ease yourself back into things with a Spritz, and you're back in trouble again.
46 School Lane, Sale M33 7XE
READ NEXT:
