Ah, the lunchtime rush in the city; eating out always poses an eternal struggle between quality, quantity and cost. But, why should you have to settle for a mediocre supermarket meal deal when there are some top spots delivering unbelievable quality on a budget? Now, you'll never worry about your dreaded midday munching again, as we've rounded up some of Manchester's best cheap lunches - from affordable pubs to casual restaurants.
If you're looking for an affordable lunch in a laid-back venue then head to ASK Italian near Piccadilly Gardens. This spacious destination is filled with natural light, decorated with pretty plants and fairy lights.
There are a number of tasty Italian dishes up for grabs here, including mushroom and truffle calzones, crispy pancetta carbonara, creamy lasagna and much more.
A buzzing street food market, Hello Oriental serves up all kinds of Asian street food, whipping up delicious dishes from Japan to Korea and beyond. We're talking spicy carbonara ramen, Sichuan chilli fried chicken burgers, summer rolls and tayaiki fishes for dessert. To wash it all down, there's everything from bubble tea to pale ale.
The express lunch offer leaves you feeling full and refreshed for a price you'll love. Take your pick from the likes of braised beef stew, roast pork belly and seared salmon, served with rice or noodles and a drink for just £12.
Whether you build your own sharing board from the range of tasty small plates or tuck into a hearty classic main, the pub grub at Yates Manchester won't cost a pretty penny. Topping it off? You can get two courses for £10.99 too.
The best cheap lunch in Manchester? Blue Kitchen has got to be up there with its midweek deal for £10. There's tonnes to choose from too, including hearty meat or plant-based burgers, taco bowl salads and a hot honey chicken sandwich.
A store, bar, kitchen and social space all in one, Side Street is a trendy place for lunch in the Spinningfields area. The dynamic spot is decked out in plush velvet sofas, pretty plants and checkered floors, and you might even find some live music here.
The lunch menu features everything from chicken kiev sandwiches to squash salad to macaroni cheese, which you can pair with spritz cocktails or craft beer.
After a cheap set lunch menu in Manchester city centre? Bab NQ has choices of fancy kebab coming in at just £10 between 12 and 3pm Monday to Friday. Think chicken shawarma, halloumi with harissa tomatoes, salt and pepper tofu and more.
Saving you some serious pennies, Yard & Coop is bringing cheap eats to town from Monday through Friday, 12pm until 4pm. Head over for a cracking midday menu that sees you tuck into £6 lunch deals in Manchester city centre - think lip-smacking treats such as buttermilk fried chicken and ranch flatbread.
Ideal for a cheap lunch in Manchester city centre, Honest Burgers is serving quality beef and chicken across a variety of flavours without breaking the bank. Think flavours like pesto chicken, onion relish and smoked bacon-topped patties, and vegan cheeseburgers.
In the heart of The Depot, Freight Island packs in 11 vendors and five bars across its eclectic indoor and outdoor spaces. You can take your pick from juicy US-style burgers, Indian street food and authentic Mexican eats, to name just a few.
Get down here at the weekend for a spot of lunch and you can fill up without busting your budget. There's loads here for under a tenner, from gyros and burgers to pizza and empanadas.
Spinningfields' Thaikun is a vibrant restaurant serving authentic Thai dishes at an affordable price, with a main, side and drink on the lunch menu setting you back just £18. Dish include aromatic Thai chicken katsu, sweet and sour tofu, classic pad Thai and more.
You can eat for well under £15 at Indian kitchen Bundobust. Located in the Northern Quarter, the restaurant is a veggie haven of spicy cooking fronting two dishes for £11.25 come weekday lunch. Choose a main and a side, with options including crispy onion bhajis, okra fries and tarka dhal with rice.
With six pieces of sushi, katsu curry and ramen all coming in at under a tenner, YO! at the Trafford Centre or Arndale is an affordable place to stop for lunch after a spot of shopping. Better yet, they've got a whole vegan menu to keep everyone round the table happy.
One of the best places to eat a cheap lunch in Manchester, West Didsbury's Volta is delving out three delicious small plates for £18.50 on weekdays. While a little more pricey than some of our picks, it's well worth the visit for getting plenty of bang for your buck, thanks to succulent queenie scallops, Padron peppers and sticky halloumi.
THE BUTCHER is award-winning Amsterdam, Berlin and Ibiza brand that's delving out bargain lunches at its Urban Playground location in Manchester Arndale. Choose everything from classic cheese-topped patties to truffle-glazed beef, as well as plant-based alternatives.
A cool music space, YES is a great place to spend your lunch hour. The Charles Street spot hosts a lineup of pop-up kitchens, including pizza from Pepperoni Playboy, which offers half-price pizza between 12 and 6pm every single day. Whether you want it by the slice or whole, you can enjoy toppings like charred corn, goat's cheese and chipotle chicken.
Dishoom brings spectacular Indian small plates to middle of Manchester. After making waves in London and Edinburgh, their first spot in the city is part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Grade II-listed Manchester Hall.
The all day menu is nothing short of dreamy, packing in the likes of lamb samosas, prawn koliawada, biryani, masala and tikka. The dishes here won't break the bank either - you can tuck into mains from just 15 quid.
Inspired by the eclectic Le Marais district of Paris, Maray Manchester brings a dose of French flair to Brazennose Street. This place is super stylish, with raw concrete walls, lush greenery and artwork reminiscent of Matisse and Klimt.
The menu is just as eye-catching. Stop by at lunchtime and you can tuck into one mezze and two plates, packed with the likes of whipped goats cheese, fried chicken, crispy seabass, chickpea dopiaza and fattoush for just £20.95.
