Housed in a former tool shed belonging to the owner's uncle, this quality restaurant in the heart of trendy Castlefield triumphs when it comes to the delivery of hearty cuisine. Expect everything from fish stew and Italian penne to Lancashire cheese and onion pie to be on the menu.

This popular Thai restaurant enjoys an incredible setting with an open kitchen and sunken seats. Combine this with top-of-the-notch cuisine and an extensive menu and you simply can't go wrong.

Aiden Byrne, the youngest chef to ever win a Michelin star, runs the kitchen at Manchester House. The food is fancy without being pretentious, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you're after a long lunch, the tasting menu is not to be missed.

Akbars is the place to find a curry with class. It sets itself apart from the rest of Curry Mile (a long strip of Indian restaurants along and around Wilmslow Road in Rusholme) with contemporary furniture and an interior flush with bright colours - and that's before you even taste the delicious food.

Relaxed and sophisticated, Aubaine sits within the Selfridges department store. A light and airy French brasserie, it boasts unforgettable views of the city via floor-to-ceiling windows. A great lunch time treat for shoppers or for those who want to dine in elegant surroundings on confidently-prepared food.

Manchester has seen an unlikely rise in Mexican and Tex-Mex joints and Lucha Libre is its leading light. Its menu is based on Guadalajaran street food, but you'll find all the usual Mexican suspects here like thickly stuffed tacos and fully filled burritos.

Picking up where the one-time Cornerhouse Cafe left off, Home is three cafes in the Manchester Arts Centre that offer the same light lunches as its predecessor. With a selection of filling salads and decent pizzas, this is the ideal spot to grab a bite before catching a play or an art house flick in the centre itself.

This bustling little deli offers friendly, efficient service and serves up reasonably priced sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and cakes. Lilting towards Greek and Mediterranean favourites, the beef sizzler and paella are both top choices.

With legions of regular customers, this restaurant offers stylish but unpretentious Korean food, including noodle soups, dumplings and Korean specialities such as kimchi itself - spicy pickled cabbage.