Any Manchester or Stockport food-lovers around?

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Hi everyone - DH and I need to be in the Manchester or Stockport area this weekend (10th Oct) and I'd like to book us a nice lunch somewhere. Manchester seems to have quite a high infection rate so we want somewhere that has a covered (due to expected weather) outdoors area where we can have some food.

Any ideas? Googling isn't getting me far

What sort of thing do you like?

@anxietrist we're pretty open to ideas - we both love most food types! I honestly can't say there's anywhere we'd rule out. I guess we wouldn't seek out a vegetarian or vegan restaurant as we both love meat, but then, we've had great veggie meals in the past. Good quality ingredients are important; and normally I'd say atmosphere and ambience are important but frankly as long as it's outdoors and covered, we'll be happy!

I should add that the problem I'm having is that most places I've tried don't allow you to book a table in their outside area. It's first-come-first-served, which I'm not keen on as I like the security of a booking.

'Where the light gets in' in Stockport is good for fine dining. Or the produce hall- has a selection of foods but the Cambodian is the best

Hi @WillowSummerSloth - thank you; although I don't think either of those places meets the "bookable outside covered eating area", from what I can tell?

Where The Light Gets In doesn't have any availability at all, sadly, and it's not clear from the Produce Hall website that it's even possible to dine outside.

I've not been there yet buy freight island in Manchester is covered outdoors.

Ha I'm vegan but I'll ask DP who will know meaty places

Depends how posh you’d like to go - Grub is a weekly food fair in the Green Quarter of Manchester (walkable north of city centre). Although, just thinking of it, they might have moved inside this weekend. Great street food though and vendors which change each week.

DP says he hasn't been anywhere since Covid so doesn't know what's changed but reckons el gato negro has an outdoor rooftop and I've eaten there it was lovely. He loves hawksmoor but doesn't think they have outdoor seating.

Freight Island looks absolutely perfect, @WillowSummerSloth . . . except they don't have availability! I'm gutted. Should have looked at this sooner; I might have left it too late.

Thank you, @anxietrist!

Thank you, @XenakisCarter - will have a look at Grub. It absolutely doesn't have to be posh, just good food.

Oh and thanks to your DP, @anxietrist

We are only allowed to meet people from other households in outdoor public areas, in Greater Manchester. This is why you may well struggle to find places with these available to book currently, as that is what pretty much every single booking will be looking for!

secretmanchester.com/outdoor-dining-manchester/

Sparrows. The best place to eat manc. Relaxed atmosphere, really good wine.

I second the Produce hall, few places to get a drink around there too. You can usually eat outside at the front

Hatch is outside. It is a bit fancy foodhall, but there's a lot of choice.

Not sure if you can book, though.

Zouk also has a big, covered, outside area.

The midway?

Last time we were in Manchester we had lunch at bab, fabulous food served on a home made flat bread.

Foodwell has an outdoor terrace, not sure if you can book though.

The launderette in chorlton - not amazing but you can definitely book the outdoor heated terrace.

Escape to freight island - like an outdoor food market.

Others with outdoor space but you’d need to check if you can book: Alberts shed, the wharf, Dakota grill, the river restaurant at the Lowry, 20 stories, the ivy roof terrace, the alchemist spinningfields, the refinery.

That explains it, @Onthedancefloor - CANNOT find anywhere

Thank you so much for all the suggestions - there are a couple there that I haven't tried, so I'll give them a go today.

The Bridge In Sale is fab. Has a gazebo up for wet weather.

V-REV in Manchester has very nice food and good service