Top 5 Places to Eat in Manchester When You’re in a Rush

City life: you have a 30 minute lunch break, where do you go?

I’m pretty sure a lot of people will reliably go to Greggs and Pret A Manger. I have to admit I’m still not onboard with the famous sausage roll, and while Pret has nice things, it’s not exactly a satisfying meal. My top 5 go-to places are brought to you courtesy of Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Vietnam, and India. The Christmas markets provide lots of interesting alternatives, but this is meant to be a year-round list.

Let’s go.

1. itsu (Spinningfields)

itsu is the the undisputed king (or queen) of quick and decent meal in the city. With only one branch in town, in Spinningfields, it does all the standard rice and noodle dishes, soups, sushi etc. Prices are competitive, and even the larger dishes (like the Extra Teriyaki) is good value for money. The itsu app gives you free Miso soup when signing up, so don’t pass it up.

A few years ago they moved into self service, a bit like Mcdonald’s. and while I don’t mind it, quite a lot of people still struggle. So instead of serving customers, itsu employees are now tech advisors helping you work out the machine. One consequence of that is seeing the employees so bored, that they leap at the opportunity to be of use. While itsu has a pickup point for you to take your food, they would often bring it to you because they simply don’t have anything else to do. Surely a hybrid approach would be a win-win?

Visit itsu

2. Honi Poke (Deansgate)

Honi Poke started its journey in Hawaii, through NY and LA, all the way to London and now Manchester. They take pride in their fresh ingredients, sustainability, and flavours to match. It’s hard to disagree; everything feels super fresh, and I haven’t been disappointed once. Portions are decent but smaller than Itsu/Kakoro, and it’s marginally more expensive too.

Here’s the appeal for me: besides the signaure dishes, Honi Poke lets you create your own bowl. If you eat out a lot, it certainly adds a bit of interest to your lunch. It’s always fun mixing and matching, even if you’re not prone to cooking yourself!

Visit Honi Poke

3. Hop (Market Street)

Hop is the new Vietnamese implant from London. They opened in Manchester in September 2024, and as always in Manchester, there was quite a buzz. Like itsu, ordering yourself through self checkout takes some getting used to, so you might have to wait a little for others to get the hang of it.

They ask for your name when you order (or a nickname if you wish) which they display on the main screen. This is a fun little twist; in most places you get a number. It’s silly really, but people do enjoy seeing their name on a screen. Smart move.

Hop is closer to Honi Poke, with more variety and experimental feel to it. Menu starts with the standard Hop Boxes: rice dishes such as Caramel Chicken and Chicken Coconut Curry. They also do soups, salads, baguets, and a host of starters. You’re definitely spoiled for choice.

Portions aren’t huge, and prices are a bit more expensive than the competition. Still, lots of options under the £10 mark (arbitrary as that may be!). It has lots of tables downstairs so you’re pretty much guaranteed a place.

Visit hop

4. Kokoro (Manchester Arndale)

Restaurants inside shopping centres usually strike me as a little dubious, but Kakoro is a different breed. Oversized portions, quick service, and enough space to pretty much guarantee you’ll have a table.

Their bestseller is the Chicken Katsu, and it’s quite satisfying seeing them cut it up onto the bowl. While there’s none of the itsu finesse, portion size makes up for it. Kakoro has a choice of either rice or noodles with every main dish; a selection of beef, chicken, or vegetarian options. Having tried the Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour, and the Prukogi (a Korean favourite of my mine but definitely an acquired taste), the Katsu remains king. It’s almost comical seeing at least half the place order the same dish. At £8.35 it’s great value for money.

Visit kokoro

5. This and That (Northern Quarter)

Located in Soap st., This and That is definitely the odd one out. It’s the only Indian place on my list, but that’s not why.

It has a bit of a cult following, and the vibe is like nothing else in the city. You come in, grab a plate and take your pick of 2 or 3 curries on offer that day. It feels like some high school cafeteria only with grownups. Everyone also sits together, which can be nice but also a little intrusive. You can imagine sitting right next to someone with a cold completely ruining your experience. However, the food is really nice, and the price range is £6-8. Home cooked meal on a budget!

Visit This and That