The Skinny Food and Drink Survey 2015 Winners: Northwest

BEST PUB 



The Castle Hotel
66 Oldham St, Manchester
0161 237 9485 | @thecastlehotel 

Popular Northern Quarter pub hosting live music and literary events, with ten locally brewed ales on tap, and one of the best jukeboxes around. For more info on The Castle head on over here.

Evil Eye
208 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool
0151 352 1805 | @evileyeburritos
This Mexican restaurant serves a huge selection of wines and craft beers along with their mix and match burrito menu. More on Evil Eye here.

Fallow Cafe
2A Landcross Rd, Manchester
0161 224 0467 | @fallowcafe

Bar and small live music venue serving local ales and fruity cocktails, popular with new music fans and the student crowd of Fallowfield. Check out our Fallow Cafe profile for more info.

The Grapes  
60 Roscoe St, Liverpool
0151 708 6870 | @LiverpoolGrapes
Historical pub in the heart of Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, specialising in craft ales, speciality gin and Thai food. More on The Grapes here.

The Marble Arch
73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester
0161 832 5914 | @TheMarbleArch

A traditional pub with an astonishing range of beers, as well as a seasonally changing food menu featuring gourmet meals and pub classics. Get the latest on The Marble Arch here.

BEST CAFE

Aubergine Cafe
Blenheim Building, The Crescent Walk, West Kirby
0151 625 2662 
| @theaubergineco
A quirky cafe serving up food freshly made with locally sourced ingredients, and well-loved for their hangover curing full English breakfast. Read on for more about Aubergine Cafe.

Bold Street Coffee
89 Bold St, Liverpool
0151 707 0760 | @boldstcoffee 

A coffee shop on one of Liverpool’s most popular shopping streets, selling speciality teas and coffees and hosting live music and art exhibitions during the evening. Interested to know more? Read our profile on Bold Street Coffee here.

Fallow Cafe

2A Landcross Rd, Manchester
0161 224 0467 | @fallowcafe
This bar also doubles up as a cafe throughout the day and into the evening, serving up breakfast, brunch and burgers. Keep up to date with the latest goings on at Fallow Cafe here.

Home Sweet Home
49-51 Edge St, Manchester
0161 244 9424 | @HomeSweetHomeNQ

A Northern Quarter hotspot well loved for their American inspired comfort food and sugar rush-inducing cakes by local baker Bake-O-Rama. Plenty more information on Home Sweet Home here.

Leaf
65-67 Bold St, Liverpool
0151 707 7747 | @leafteashop
An independent tea shop, popular for its wide selection of unique tea flavours and artisan food. Also home to the occasional live act and community classes, including yoga and a book club. Keep up to date with Leaf here.

BEST NEW PLACE

El Capo
12 Tariff St, Manchester
0161 237 3154 | @ElCapoNQ

Northern Quarter bar specialising in tequila, with over 80 to choose from. El Capo also serves authentic South American food throughout the day. For more on El Capo visit our profile page.

Evil Eye
208 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool
0151 352 1805 | @evileyeburritos 

Mexican eatery with a mix and match menu for creating your own burrito. Student friendly prices and seriously delicious food. Read more here!

Maray
91 Bold St, Liverpool
0151 709 5820 | @MarayLiverpool 

Casual dining experience for those who are looking for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired dishes. Visit Maray for sharing plates made from fresh, high quality ingredients. Find out more on Maray here.

Splendid Kitchen
11 St James Sq, John Dalton St, Manchester
0161 833 1016
‘Dirty food’ joint that recently went through a revamp, and now specialises in chicken and burgers that are like something out of a Man Vs Food challenge. Plenty more info on Splendid Kitchen here.

Superstore
G18, Smithfield Building, Tib St, Manchester
0161 834 3303 | @SuperstoreNQ
Originally opened as a convenience store, Superstore is now very much about its cuisine, including Asian fusion dishes and mammoth Sunday roasts. Check out more on them here.

BEST DATE PLACE

Berry & Rye
48 Berry St, Liverpool
@berry_and_rye
A prohibition era inspired bar, complete with hidden menus and a hard to find exterior. Try out some of their extensive whiskey collection, or have a cocktail brought to you by one of their waiters. Thirsty for more? Read on.

Evil Eye
208 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool
0151 352 1805 | @evileyeburritos
A South American inspired bar and burrito shack, perfect for an inexpensive meal out or a few evening drinks. Read on for further info on Evil Eye.

Fallow Cafe
2A Landcross Rd, Manchester
0161 224 0467 | @fallowcafe
A student friendly bar which also doubles up as a cafe for a casual dining experience, serving up brunch, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Keep up with the latest events at Fallow Cafe here.

Mr Cooper's House & Garden
The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester
0161 932 4128 | @MrCoopersHouse

Michelin-starred restaurant located in Manchester’s Midland Hotel for those who are looking for high-end fine dining. Also a bar with an extensive cocktail and wine list. Discover more here.

Panoramic 34
West Tower, 34th Tower, Brook St, Liverpool
0151 260 7749 | @Panoramic34
Fine dining restaurant located on the 34th floor of Liverpool’s West Tower, where you can enjoy afternoon tea or a three course meal while admiring the city’s stunning views. Discover more about Panoramic 34 here.

BEST PLACE ON-THE-GO

Aubergine Cafe
Blenheim Building, The Crescent Walk, West Kirby
0151 625 2662
 | @theaubergineco
This cafe is a great choice for a quick, freshly made meal, whether you’re looking for soups, pasta, salads or sandwiches. See what else Aubergine Cafe have to offer here.

Evil Eye
208 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool
0151 352 1805 | @evileyeburritos

If you’ve not got time to eat in at Evil Eye, you can also take out one of their mix and match burritos and take advantage of their lunch time offers. Hungry to find out more?

Fallow Cafe
2A Landcross Rd, Manchester
0161 224 0467 | @fallowcafe
Head to this Fallowfield cafe to grab a bite to eat on your lunch break or in between lectures, or visit in the evening for a pre-night out meal. Stay abreast of Fallow Cafe's latest goings on here.

Slice
1A Stevenson Sq, Manchester
0161 236 9032 | @SlicePizzaMCR

Gourmet pizzas created with fresh ingredients and dough made daily. Sold by the slice and made available throughout the day and into the night if you’re looking for an alternative to kebab shop food. Plenty more info about Slice here.

Viet Shack
49 High St, Manchester
@vietshack
Traditional, healthy Vietnamese food sold from a stall in the Arndale Market. Popular during the lunch time rush for their cheap prices and delicious, convenient meals. More details about Viet Shack can be found here.

FAVOURITE LOCAL BEER

First Chop
Unit 3, Trinity Row, Salford
@firstchopale
Salford based brewery that has created over 20 different ales since 2012. First Chop’s beers are stocked in bars and pubs all over the North West, and the brewery itself hosts live music on occasion. Read on for the latest on First Chop Brewery.

Liverpool Organic
Unit 39, Brasenose Road, Liverpool
0151 933 9660 | @LivOrganicBrew
Family run brewery using the finest ingredients to make over 20 different varieties of beer. Book a place on their brewery tour to learn how they make all of their ales, and try a few samples on your way round too. Find out more about Liverpool Organic here.

Mad Hatter
Unit 1, Palmer Hill Building, Caryl Street, Liverpool
07474 797 450 | @MadHatBrew
Independent brewery based in the Baltic Triangle, never producing the same creatively titled beer twice and always experimenting with new flavours. Find their beer at pubs and restaurants in Liverpool and Manchester. Further info for your perusal here.

Marble
@marblebrewers
Manchester based brewery which also owns three pubs across the city. Since beginning in 1997 Marble Brewers have created over 50 different ales. Discover more about Marble here.

Privateer
@Privateerbeers
This brewery has since closed.

FAVOURITE FOOD SHOP

8th Day Co-op
111 Oxford Rd, Manchester
0161 273 4878 | @EighthDayVeg 

Supermarket and cafe specialising in vegetarian and vegan products. Everything stocked on their shelves is organic, ethical and locally sourced. Hungry for more? Read our venue profile.

ALDI
Everywhere | @AldiUK
Supermarket chain which has grown in popularity for its low prices, quality fruit and vegetables, and its aisle of ever-changing oddities. Somehow had your head in the sand? Head here for more info.

Epicerie Ludo
46 Beech Rd, Manchester
0161 861 0861 | @EpicerieLudo
Chorlton based deli selling gourmet groceries, fine wines and craft ales made by local breweries. Their deli counter stocks a variety of meats and cheese, as well as French food that you wouldn’t find in a typical supermarket. Discover more info about Epicerie Ludo here.

Matta's International Food
51 Bold St, Liverpool
0151 709 3031 | @MattasLiverpool

Family business selling Asian, Middle Eastern, South American and European products that you may not find anywhere else, located on the bustling Bold Street. We've more on Matta's International Food here.

Unicorn Grocery
89 Albany Rd, Manchester
0161 861 0010 | @UnicornGrocery 

Organic wholefoods supermarket based in Chorlton, with a seasonally changing stock of locally sourced fruit and vegetables and specialising in vegetarian and vegan products. Get more info on Unicorn here.

BEST INTERNATIONAL CUISINE

Aubergine Cafe (Thai menu)
Blenheim Building, The Crescent Walk, West Kirby
0151 625 2662 
| @theaubergineco
As well as a menu of pasta, sandwiches, stews and a full English breakfast, Aubergine Cafe is also much-loved for its Thai menu, which guests in the cafe once a week. For more on Aubergine Cafe head here.

Etsu
25 The Strand, Central, Liverpool
0151 236 7530 | @EtsuRestaurant

Family run restaurant serving up sushi and other Japanese delicacies, including curries, udon soup and tempura. A great choice if you’re looking for an alternative to Yo! Sushi or Wagamama. Read on for more.

Lucha Libre
96 Wood St, Liverpool
0151 329 0200 | @luchaliverpool
Authentic Mexican restaurant with a menu that’s a world away from ‘Tex-Mex’ fast food. Choose from a variety of fillings for their tacos or share one of their street food platters with friends. Hungry for more? Have a read here for more info.

Mughli
30 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester
0161 248 0900 | @mughli

Indian street food restaurant located on Manchester’s Curry Mile, taking inspiration from the roadside cafes of Lahore. More info can be found here.

Ning
92-94 Oldham St, Manchester
0161 238 9088 | @NingMcr
Malaysian restaurant located in the Northern Quarter and owned by author and celebrity chef Norman Musa. Students - take advantage of their student nights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for their offer of two courses and a drink for £12.50. For more information on Ning head here.

This & That
3 Soap St, Manchester
01618324971
A hidden gem on the streets of Manchester serving delicious Indian food at low prices. With 12 different curry options on offer each day, there’s plenty to choose from. Their £5 ‘rice and three’ is a favourite amongst many. Find out more about this secret spot here. 

Try Thai
52-54 Faulkner St, Manchester
0161 228 1822
Chinatown based restaurant that has proved popular with Mancunians with its extensive menu of authentic Thai food. Their lunch time menu offers a £5.95 express meal, with seven rice and noodle dishes to choose from. Get more information on Try Thai here.

• Check out the winners in Glasgow and Edinburgh here