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Alternative Meridian Manchester, Manchester (2025)

31/10/2025

Happy Halloween Manchester!

30/10/2025

As an Aussie/Kiwi, I’m very proud of the coffee culture in Sydney and Auckland - so when I found out there was an Allpress Café right here in Manchester, I was ecstatic (though not surprised 😉).

Allpress has been a trailblazer in coffee culture since the late ’80s - starting as one of New Zealand’s first coffee carts before roasting out of a tiny Auckland garage. Fast forward to today, and they’re now roasting in Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, London, and of course, serving up perfectly smooth brews right here in Manchester.

Built on relationships and a commitment to flavour, Allpress roasts for over 2,000 independent cafés around the world — connecting local communities through coffee that’s consistent, considered, and full of character. ☕✨

On the day, we had a perfect cappuccino and a smooth piccolo, paired with a super flaky, buttery croissant. The café itself is warm-lit, minimal, and effortlessly aesthetic - the kind of place where time slows down, conversations flow, and coffee takes centre stage.

📍 Allpress Coffee Roasters, Manchester
☕ Specialty coffee | aesthetic esign | Flavour that connects the world | Coffee Lover

👉 Save this for your next caffeine fix — because good coffee should always feel this good. 💛

28/10/2025

Guys, I know it’s freezing outside and an ice cream sundae might not be the first thing that comes to mind… BUT I have a theory - cold + cold = hot 😅🍦

We had to stop by Tsujiri in Manchester’s Chinatown for their Black Sesame Sundae - and oh my god, it did not disappoint. It’s nutty, smooth, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet. With the red bean, you’ve got one of the most delicious flavour combos ever.

Fun fact: black sesame is said to be good for your hair and skin, so technically… it’s self-care, right? 😉✨

We also tried their classic Basque cheesecake, and as always - heaven.

📍 Tsujiri, Chinatown Manchester
🍵 Japanese matcha desserts | Black sesame heaven | Cozy vibes

👉 Save this for your next dessert stop — even if it’s freezing out! ❄️💚

27/10/2025

Could really do with some of that Autumn sunshine we had on Saturday. 🍁🍂

24/10/2025

It’s Friday and you’re looking for a relaxed spot with good vibes, great food and even better company - say hello to House of Social 🍷✨

Located in the heart of Manchester’s Oxford Road corridor, this massive new food hall is home to some of the city’s best names under one roof — from Mughli and Choi Wan to Burger & Beyond, OK Taqueria, and Dough Religion. Think: five kitchens, a 360° bar, and endless foodie temptation.

On our visit, we had to try the viral prawn crumpet from Choi Wan (yes, it’s as good as it looks 🤤), the butter fries, and that dreamy butter chicken & naan from Mughli. Pro tip: you’ll definitely have extra curry sauce - grab some rice and mop it all up, thank me later 👀🍛

Of course, we paired it all with a gorgeous glasses of wine from the central bar - because what’s a Friday night without a little wine & dine energy?

House of Social just gets it right — vibrant cool atmosphere, incredible food, and the kind of place where you can eat, drink and hang out for hours.

📍 House of Social, Manchester
🍽️ Five kitchens | Great vibes | One seriously good night out

👉 Tag your weekend crew & save this for your next foodie catch-up! 🍷🍤

22/10/2025

If you ever needed a reason to fall back in love with pizza, Saucy Neighbourhood Pizza in Stockport is it 🍕

Founded by Alex, a lifelong pizza lover who’s been obsessed since he was 10, Saucy started as a summer pop-up that became one of Stockport’s most favourite spots. After a sell-out run, it’s now found its permanent home inside The Bakers Vaults - the cosiest pub in Old Town known for live music, craft ales, and good vibes.

The pairing couldn’t be more perfect: great pizza, cold drinks, and a cosy pub vibe in the heart of Old Town.

Each dough is fermented for 48 hours, giving it that perfect New York-style balance - thin, soft, yet beautifully crispy at the edges. Everything’s made fresh in-house each morning, topped with high-quality local ingredients and a whole lot of love.

The best-sellers? A toss-up between the Classic Margherita (simple, timeless perfection) and the Meaty Hero - a bold combo of marinara sauce, a 3-cheese blend, British pepperoni, nduja, and ham hock. If you ask him about his favourite, it’s the Zola - inspired by football legend Gianfranco Zola and loaded with Parma ham and parmesan.

Last week’s special, “Hoisin in the Hood,” blew us away - duck, pork, and 5-spice salami from Stockport Provisions (a local deli in the Market Hall) came together for a flavour profile we never knew pizza could have. Think the best Chinese restaurant meets Italian craftsmanship - and it works.

When we visited, we got to meet Alex himself - genuinely one of the friendliest, most passionate people you’ll come across. Our personal favourites were the Manchester by the Sea (marinara, 3-cheese blend, capers, anchovies, and black olives) and the special of the week.

And can we talk about the little details? The pizzas are served on plates found in local charity shops, each one different - it’s such a thoughtful touch that makes every meal feel personal.

So here’s the deal - Saucy Neighbourhood Pizza isn’t just another pizza spot. It’s community, creativity, and pure passion!

📍 Saucy Neighbourhood Pizza @ The Bakers Vaults, Stockport

[ INVITE ]

17/10/2025

If you’ve ever walked through Chinatown and spotted a queue outside Kung Fu Noodle, that’s your sign to join it 🍜🔥

We finally made it there the other day, and now I completely get the hype. From the moment you walk in, you can see the magic happening - chefs in the open kitchen twisting, stretching, and slapping dough against the counter to make those famous hand-pulled noodles. It’s part performance, part culinary art - and completely mesmerising to watch.

Kung Fu Noodle first made its name in London’s Chinatown, turning the centuries-old craft of noodle-pulling from Gansu province into a full-on spectacle. Their Manchester branch carries that same spirit - traditional skills, bold flavours, and a serious respect for the craft.

We ordered hand-pulled noodles with braised beef, hand-pulled noodles with braised chicken, the stirred (dry) noodles with braised chicken, sweet & sour wontons, chilli oil wontons, and a refreshing cucumber salad to balance out those rich broths.

Every bite was ridiculously good - the noodles had that perfect chewy texture, the broth was deep and aromatic, and the chilli oil? Honestly next level 🌶️. It’s no wonder they make it in huge batches every few days - it gives everything that smoky, layered kick that makes you keep going back for one more bite.

Also… the portions are huge. Like, “you could easily share one bowl or take half home for later” huge.

So here’s the deal: Kung Fu Noodle it’s all comfort food that commands your full attention. It’s loud, a little chaotic, always busy, and absolutely full of life. You walk out smiling, warm, and stuffed. This is Manchester spot is no frills, just flavour.

📍 Kung Fu Noodle – Chinatown, Manchester
✨ Hand-pulled noodles | Huge portions | Authentic

👉 Tag your noodle partner & save this for your next Manchester food fix! 🥢

16/10/2025

I'm not sure of the name of this gorgeous building in Manchester but look at the detail.

14/10/2025

Last Friday night, my friend suggested trying a new spot in Chorlton called Kaana South Asian Canteen. She described it as a “rice and three” place - and I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant. I’ve tried a few of those before: affordable, sure, but often lacking flavour or authenticity. So I went in curious, but cautious.

The moment we stepped inside, I knew this place was different. The staff greeted us with genuine warmth, and the space had such a relaxed, welcoming energy. Kaana has taken over the old Jam Street Café - place that was once all about community and connection - and I love that they’ve kept that spirit alive. Their name, Kaana, means “to eat” in Urdu, but it’s about more than just food. It’s about coming together, sharing stories, and creating memories around a table.

The menu changes daily, celebrating South Asian home-style cooking with slow-cooked masalas, fragrant naans, and colourful veggie dishes. You can tell each curry is made with care - no shortcuts, no heavy oil, just honest flavour.

I went for the Lamb Keema, Butter Chicken, and Channa, with a side of garlic naan - and guys, when I say I was shook, I mean it. Everything was so rich, vibrant, and full of depth. It genuinely tasted like something a South Asian aunty would make straight from her kitchen - which, if you know, is the highest compliment possible. The food was light yet satisfying, and every bite felt like comfort.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without trying the Mango Lassi - hands down one of the best I’ve had in Manchester 🥭. For dessert, we shared the Kheer - a creamy rice pudding that was perfectly balanced, not overly sweet but still indulgent.

And the best part? The prices are just as comforting as the food - my thali was only £13, and the lassi £3.50. For this quality, that’s honestly a steal.

Kaana has nailed it: authentic food, genuine hospitality, and an atmosphere that feels like home. Whether you’re eating in or grabbing a takeaway, this is a place that reminds you why we gather around food in the first place. I'll be back very soon for sure!

📍 Kaana South Asian Canteen – Chorlton
✨ Authentic flavours | Perfect Thalis

08/10/2025

🍁 Salford Quays mood check!
This mirrored building always divides opinion - is it modern architecture magic or just a reflective eyesore? 😅
Today, with those autumn tones and grey skies over Manchester, I kind of don't mind it

What do you think? Vote below !

06/10/2025

Perched above the River Tyne, with skyline views and Northern charm - a weekend stay that redefines the word “underrated.”

We drove up from Manchester for a weekend in Newcastle and checked into the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead - perched perfectly on the riverbank with sweeping views of the Tyne Bridge. From the moment we arrived, the welcome felt genuinely warm- just that effortless Northern friendliness that makes you instantly relax.

The rooms were a beautiful surprise: calm, contemporary spaces with soft lighting, plush bedding, and that view - the kind you find yourself pausing to look at again and again. Watching the city wake up across the water with a coffee in hand felt like a moment worth slowing down for.

Parking was right on site (a blessing when you’ve just done the 3-hour drive), and the walk into the city couldn’t have been easier - just a few minutes across the bridge and you’re surrounded by Newcastle’s energy, architecture, and coffee spots.

There’s also a lovely bar that faces into the city, perfect for a quiet drink while the skyline lights up across the river. And if you are Hilton Diamond membeer the Executive Lounge is a hidden gem!

Honestly, this has to be one of my most underrated Hilton stays - elegant without trying too hard, effortlessly convenient, and quietly memorable in all the right ways.

03/10/2025

A few weeks ago, we spent a weekend in Newcastle - and honestly, it completely surprised me. Growing up abroad, it was never really high on my list of UK cities to visit. In my head, Newcastle was “that party city” (no offence to anyone local 🫶) - but wow, what a rock I’d been living under.

The city absolutely blew me away. The architecture, the winding streets, and neighbourhoods like Ouseburn were so cool to explore. And don’t get me started on the independent food and coffee scene - honestly top tier. I’ll share more on that in another post, but here are a few photos from an early morning wander through the city.

And the Tyne Bridge… let’s just say I might have a soft spot for it - it looks so much like the Sydney Harbour Bridge that it felt like a little slice of home 🏙️✨ (fun fact: the Tyne Bridge actually inspired Sydney’s).

For anyone visiting the UK (or even those of us nearby in Manchester - it’s just a 3-hour drive), Newcastle is so underrated and 100% worth a weekend trip.

✨ A few fun facts:
• Newcastle has more listed buildings than any other UK city of its size.
• St. Nicholas’ Cathedral has been a place of worship for over 900 years.
• The Geordie accent is one of the oldest in England, with roots in Anglo-Saxon.

Newcastle really is one of those cities that feels both historic and fresh at the same time. Can’t wait to go back!

Alternative Meridian Manchester

31/10/2025

30/10/2025

28/10/2025

27/10/2025

24/10/2025

22/10/2025

17/10/2025

16/10/2025

14/10/2025

08/10/2025

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