11 Irresistible Ancoats Lunch Spots | Colony Coworking

12 November 2024

Read our rundown of the best places to do lunch Ancoats-style. From coffee and light bites to deep dish pizza and sushi, we’ve got your lunch hour sorted.

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11 Irresistible Ancoats Lunch Spots

There’s loads to love about Ancoats; lunch, brunch and dinner to name just a few. For those who regularly work in the area, finding good lunch spots is just one of the perks, and with such a diverse selection of eateries, you can enjoy all kinds of cuisine.

We’ve rounded up some of the best places to get something to eat during the day, even if it’s just a quick bite to take back to the office. And when you’ve got time for a longer lunch, Ancoats has plenty of great places to try.

1. The Counter House

Alongside delicious food, there’s guaranteed to be a lively atmosphere at any time of the day when you visit The Counter House. Expect classic brunch dishes with a few spicy twists, such as steak and eggs with garlic confit potatoes and chermoula. For light bites, try the halloumi chips with firecracker dip washed down with a zesty pressed juice. There’s a big emphasis on community at The Counter House, with regulars coming back not just for lunch, but for a catch-up with staff and other patrons too.

Highlights: Great atmosphere. Brunch-style dining. Comfort food. Relaxed and friendly staff.

Price guide: Mid range from £7 for light bites to £20 for a steak

2. Lily’s Deli

Lily’s Deli is a charming eatery serving Indian vegetarian and vegan snacks for lunch. Ancoats locals are big fans of Lily’s samosas, spring rolls and chaat, and you’ll be hard-pressed to walk away without sampling the huge range of sweet treats on offer - win everyone over in your next meeting by turning up with a selection of Lily’s Mithai. If you want something a bit more hearty during your dinner hour, there are takeaway curry pots to choose from too.

Highlights: Light bites. Cheap eats. High-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Price guide: Snacks from as little as £3 and curries for around £7.

3. Elnecot

Elnecot has been an Ancoats mainstay since it opened in 2017, blending traditional and contemporary dishes. The understated but industrial interior has that effortlessly cool look that’s become synonymous with Ancoats. Lunch at Elnecot spans simple and delicious brunch dishes, including a full English, and staples like soup and a sandwich that are just what you need during the lunchtime rush. They also do a perfect Sunday roast if you’re visiting on a weekend.

Highlights: Relaxed and lively. Simple but inclusive menu. Reasonable prices.

Price guide: Soup and a sandwich is £9 with bigger dishes around £14

4. Off The Press

If you want a decent cup of coffee on the morning commute, then Off The Press is worth a visit for that alone. For lunch, the independent cafe serves up wraps, toasties, salads and soups, perfect to power you through an afternoon of hot desking. The staff are really friendly and dogs are more than welcome, which is always the sign of a great establishment. Local businesses often take advantage of the platters, which can be ordered in advance and are an easy go-to for team events.

Highlights: Good sandwiches. Catering options. Easygoing vibe.

Price guide: A £10 meal deal gets you a wrap or toastie, crisps and a hot or cold drink

5. American Pies

Following on from the success of their original unit on Mosley Street, deep dish pizza aficionados American Pies have opened a much bigger restaurant on Bloom Street in the heart of Ancoats. Lunch with these guys promises to be an indulgent event, with thick crust pizza pies and loaded garlic bread. There’s a sociable atmosphere with booth seating, and as the pizzas are freshly made on site, you’ll have time to chat with colleagues if you’re taking a team lunch.

Highlights: Comfort food. Truffle tater tots. Friendly wait staff.

Price guide: Small snacks start at £3 and pizzas average out at about £15 each

6. Hip Hop Chip Shop

In case you hadn't guessed, Hip Hop Chip Shop fuses that most quintessential of British foods with a colourful hip hop-themed restaurant space. There’s a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options, alongside classic fish and chip dishes, and stacked butties like the Meat Junkie. Take a trip down nostalgia lane with hip hop posters festooning the walls and try not tapping your feet to the thrum of Wu Tang Clan and House Of Pain. There’s a strong possibility you won’t make it back to your desk at all.

Highlights: Quirky. Good music. Fish and chips with a twist. Vegan options.

Price guide: You’ll typically pay £10-£15 per main dish

7. Cafe Cotton

Artisanal coffee and the flakiest pastries, anyone? If you’re after a cosy kind of lunch, Ancoats-based Cafe Cotton has got the goods. Scoff a Cajun-spiced halloumi Greek Melt and warm your cockles with a hot chocolate and super gooey chocolate brownie. Cafe Cotton does no-fuss, tasty lunch items that you can eat in or take away, set among a New York loft-style interior that’s always full of Manchester locals with a friendly smile and a tale to tell.

Highlights: Strong coffee. Easy options. Takeaway available.

Price guide: Very reasonable prices with most sandwiches costing £4.95 each

8. Viet Shack

Viet Shack is much loved by Mancunians and lauded for the freshness of its food, which tastes just as good as it looks. The bright and fun decor is bound to lift anyone’s spirits, and with a spoilt-for-choice selection of small dishes and bigger plates, you can opt for a light lunch or go all in with a 3 course meal. Sink your teeth into a duck burrito, graze on some Buddha fries, or tackle the 3 for £15 lunch deal. Don’t worry about missing out; you’ll definitely be back to sample more of the flavours.

Highlights: Loved by locals. Lunch deals. Varied menu.

Price guide: Most dishes cost between £9 and £12

9. Rudy’s Pizza

It wouldn’t be a list of Ancoats lunch spots without Rudy’s. A stalwart of the Manchester dining scene, Rudy’s has been feeding hungry Mancs since 2015 and is just as loved for its chilli honey sauce as for its doughy Neapolitan pizza. With multiple restaurants across the country, the Ancoats site remains the OG, with a rustic basement aesthetic that doesn’t have to try hard to be cool. Pop into Rudy’s for a sit-down lunch and tuck into a Calabrese or Tarantina, or treat your fellow coworkers and get a few pizzas to take away. If the sun is shining, you might even want to wash it all down with their rotation of craft beers.

Highlights: The softest crusts. Relaxed decor. Easygoing staff.

Price guide: Great value with the majority of pizzas coming at £11-£12

10. Canto

Well-known on a weekend for its Tipsy Tapas, Canto is a Portuguese restaurant serving visually appealing flavourful tapas. There’s a 3 for £20 lunch offer Sunday through to Thursday, perfect for anyone working nearby. The relaxed and chatty atmosphere of Canto makes it a sweet spot for sitting down with clients or getting ideas flowing during the working day. There is, of course, sangria if you want to make it an after-work event, but if you’re lunching on the fly, the tapas-style dishes are just enough to fill you up and push you on through the 3pm slump.

Highlights: Buzzy atmosphere. Caramelised cauliflower (honestly). Sangria.

Price guide: Starters will cost you about £5 each and meat and vegetable tapas between £8-£11

11. Lucky Ramen

Ah sushi, lunchtime fodder that feels a bit more sophisticated than a sandwich (not that there’s anything wrong with a sandwich). Lucky Ramen has mastered the sushi and noodle market with its restaurant in Ancoats. Lunch here looks like Bao buns, California Rolls and Ramen (obviously). It’s walk-ins only, so be prepared to wait, or get there early. Trust us, it’s worth it. Unassuming from the outside, inside you’ll find teak and marble fittings, and an intimate and welcoming aura. There are warming soups and broths that are ideal for winter lunch trips, and a strong selection of non-alcoholic cocktails for booze-free but fun lunches.

Highlights: Intimate and authentic. Light bites or big meals. Tasty non-alcoholic options.

Price guide: Sushi and Ramen dishes start at £14.90

Work hard and lunch harder with Colony Coworking

Colony is a network of coworking spaces based across Manchester City Centre. Our Ancoats locations are in the heart of the action and walking distance from all the best Ancoats lunch spots. Whether you’re dropping in with a day pass, or have a private office space with us, making the most of the incredible eateries on our doorstep is just one bonus of being a Colony member.

Talk to us about your business or remote working needs, and start working your way through our list of places to grab lunch.