To think we would be better off at McDonald's!

[Hmum0fthree]

Its coming up to my birthday so arranged to go for a day of shopping with DH and DC at the Trafford centre, thought I'd have a look in advance at the restaurants and book.

The prices are so high £20+ for a burger? Which fair enough eating out you expect but all of the reviews are awful! Iv looked at 4 restaurants and all of them have disappointed customers!

We are looking at £100+ with drinks and dessert for what looks like McDonald's standard food!

How does everyone find nice places to eat now? Seems like everything's gone down hill since covid but prices have gone up 😩

The Burger King Plant Whopper is surprisingly good.

Never been to Wagamama's

@Hmum0fthree

Never been to Wagamama's

It's nice and you wont need pudding if you go for one of their massive bowls of noodles or rice

YABU for going to a chain restaurant and expecting good food.

I’ve just looked at the list of restaurants in the Trafford Centre as it’s years since I’ve been. What an uninspiring line-up. The only one I would choose is Wagamama. Otherwise just go somewhere else.

Wagamamas > TGIs. If you go in with the expectation TGIs is just essentially McDonalds wrapped up in some over-themed restaurant then it’s fine but it really is the bottom of the chain of chain restaurants IMO.

Read lots of positive stuff about Dishoom Manchester. Is that no longer true?

@EmbarrassingHadrosaurus

Read lots of positive stuff about Dishoom Manchester. Is that no longer true?

It’s great but it’s city centre, not TC.

@ivykaty44

There are so many good places to eat out in Manchester, Trafford centre is full of mediocre fast food chains that will be ping food. There are though within short distances some great places to eat on a Sunday

Any recommendations?

I would go to a Wetherspoons if they have one

You have 2 options OP.

1. Eat somewhere overpriced in the Trafford Centre, which might be a bit crap/rushed.
2. Eat somewhere NOT in the Trafford Centre - you need a new thread "Good Pubs or Restaurant recommendations near the Trafford Centre"

Personally, I'm 35/40 miles away and wouldn't go there if you dragged me. I'd rather go to Chester.

Anything at the Trafford centre is going to be mass produced chain food, probably reheated rather than cooked fresh. I'd go to Maccies and save your money for a nice meal out another time.

@mrsbyers

I would go to a Wetherspoons if they have one

I don't like getting my shoes grubby from their special sticky carpets.

Dishoom is an absolutely fantastic restaurant, orders of magnitude above everything else mentioned on this thread. It's actually good - as opposed to trying to pick the least bad chain which make enough profit due to their crappy food to occupy a lease in tc

(I am aware there are multiple dishooms)

I went to slims chicken last time at the Trafford Centre. I really enjoyed it 😊

The cosy club in corn exchange is very nice and they do a mix of different cuisines so something for everyone. And sounds what you're looking for... food, drinks, dessert.
PHO is so good, but your kids might not like it/not everyone's cup of tea.

Can you go on Groupon/wowcher and get a good deal on there? Usually they have alot of pizza express/prezzo type places ! Just make sure the voucher can be used on the specific day you want.

I always think that when looking at online reviews, you see more bad than good.
Generally if you go to a restaurant you like you don’t automatically think to go online and write a review.. whereas if it’s crappy you want to rant so you get on the website and write how bad your meal was.

Look at how far apart the bad reviews are. One a month? Probably an ok restaurant.
One a day? Probably rubbish

Have you thought about Cheshire oaks instead OP? They have great shopping but also have a much better range of restaurants there.

@Iamadietstarter I will have a look thanks

Also just 2 junctions down the M60 (like 5 minutes) and you are in Didsbury and there are several great restaurants - Alberts is great in Didsbury

Look up places to eat in Urmston, that’s nearby. Otherwise go to town, hundreds of good choices!

TC: I’d only spend my ££ on sushi (Selfridges) or Wagamama, or simply brave the mob that is the McDs ‘queues’. Unfortunately, the Yang Sing upstairs has closed.

Come out of the TC and head to Monton area you will find some nice places .

Good court! Cheaper and something for everyone plus my kids live sitting in there

We get the big sharer platters and unlimited in drinks from Nandos.

It's not fine dining but I refuse to pay up to 100 quid for glorified maccies or in the case of places like prezzo microwave meals