Manchester is a busy, sprawling city where underrated activities are just as easy to discover as its famous landmarks and attractions. From authentic food made with passion to fascinating historical and cultural experiences, CrossCountry is uncovering the very best hidden gems in Manchester.
Catch a train to Manchester Piccadilly with CrossCountry from key locations across the UK, including Birmingham New Street and Bristol Temple Meads.
Quirky Places to Eat in Manchester
WakuWaku
Have you ever wanted to be transported inside a comic book? The laws of science and nature are always more fun at the whim of the imagination. On Portland Street in Manchester, you can step into a bizarre 2D world. WakuWaku is part optical illusion, part artistic masterpiece, and a complete must-visit.
The restaurant combines two of Japan’s most beloved highlights: its cuisine and its Manga. Here you can enjoy a steaming bowl of curry udon or tofu ramen surrounded by quirky doodles and smiling staff. WakuWaku is easily one of the most unusual places to eat in Manchester – and that’s why we love it!
Conni’s Pizza Bar & Bakery
Straight from Naples, Conni’s Pizza is more than just a pizzeria. With a passion for food and how it can bring people together, Conni’s promise is authenticity and a warm welcome. They do the classics beautifully (just try the margherita or the marinara), and their special creations are a revelation. The Honey of Manchester features a ricotta-filled crust, with Fior di Latte, provola, gorgonzola, parmesan, and honey. Alternatively, the Tedesca has beef sausage and French fries on top!
Conni’s is located in Salford, around a thirty-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, or just ten minutes on Manchester’s free bus network to Parsonage, followed by an eight-minute walk.
Wow Banh Mi
You’ll find Wow Banh Mi in ‘Little Vietnam’ in Ancoats, a bright, sunshine-yellow restaurant adorned with painted nón lá hats, bougainvillaea, and murals inspired by classic Vietnamese street scenes. The menu is authentic and enticing, nonchalantly covering the diverse spectrum of Vietnamese cuisine – from street food to complex fermented noodle soups.
Order your favourites, like Banh Mi Heo Quay, overflowing with crispy pork belly, or a comforting bowl of Pho Ga (chicken pho). Or try something new, like a salted yolk latte or the Bánh cuốn, rice noodle rolls with wood ear mushrooms, ground pork, and minced shallots.
Wow Banh Mi is on Oldham Road, about a twenty-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, or roughly nineteen minutes by a combination of bus and tram.
Mama Z Filipino Kitchen
Mama Z is a vibrant Filipino café in West Didsbury. Established in 2022, it quickly became a community favourite serving dishes from throughout the 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines. Inspired by family recipes and world travels, the menu also features influences from other cultures, such as Korean kimchi and Chinese bao.
Menu highlights include chicken adobo, a braised chicken thigh dish that’s a real winner in the Philippines and the Sisig, any way you want it. While traditional Sisig celebrates the 'nose-to-tail' philosophy with pork jowls and ears, Mama Z offers a modern riff on the classic. Whether you choose duck, tofu, or vegan pork belly, you’ll get something scrumptious and sizzling - stir-fried with soy, garlic, and vinegar, then served with lime aioli.
Mama Z Filipino Kitchen is located on Barlow Moor Road in West Didsbury. You can catch a bus from Charlotte Street (a ten-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly) to Parkfield Road South.
Unusual Things to Do in Manchester
Victoria Baths
Open from March to November, Victoria Baths is an eclectic event space and historic public bathhouse. When they opened back in 1906, the baths were described as a ‘water palace’, and when you wander amongst the marvellous stained glass and mosaic floors, you can see why. Today, the space operates an exciting programme of events for the local community, covering everything from yoga to beer festivals.
While the historic venue is well worth taking a tour of for its beauty alone, it is no longer possible to go swimming here. Victoria Baths closed as a functioning public bathhouse in 1993. Even though you can’t practice your front crawl, Victoria Baths is still worth a visit to get a unique view of historic Manchester.
The Circus Tavern
The Circus Tavern on Portland Street supposedly has the smallest bar in Europe, with space enough for one person. It is also one of the smallest bars in the city, at just one bay wide. The interior oozes character, with its walls covered in Manchester United memorabilia and tiny corner booths. The Circus Tavern promises the ‘biggest welcome in the world’, so why not pay a visit and enjoy a lager at one of Manchester’s best hidden gems?
The Circus Tavern is a ten-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly or five minutes on a free Bee Network bus. The cosy interior and interesting history make it a great candidate for a unique first date. If conversation dries up, the tavern itself provides plenty to chat about!
The Pankhurst Museum
The Pankhurst Museum tells the monumental story of women’s suffrage in the home of Emmeline Pankhurst – the activist who organised the Suffragette movement. You can find the small museum on Nelson Street, which comprises two Victorian villas. Decorated with Edwardian-style furnishing, the experience is totally immersive and thoroughly educational. As you learn about the fight for the right to vote from so many brave women, you’ll no doubt feel a sense of solidarity, pride, and gratitude.
The Pankhurst Museum has a small tearoom and garden where you can enjoy a coffee and a chat. There’s also a souvenir shop with gifts and books to help you continue your learning. The museum can be reached by bus from Manchester Piccadilly, just travel to Manchester Royal Infirmary, and it’s a two-minute walk.
The Portico Library
One of the most unique experiences in Manchester is a visit to the Portico Library, a members' library with over 25,000 books and more than 200 years of history. While a membership gains you access to some of the most stunning reading rooms we’ve ever seen, the general public can still appreciate the public exhibition space, which plays host to talks, exhibitions, and workshops.
On weekdays, visitors can also stop by the Portico Kitchen, which serves a selection of soups, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. The standout option here is the Portico Breakfast: poached eggs, baked beans, sautéed potatoes, grilled tomato, back bacon, and sourdough toast.
If you’re planning some quirky things to do in Manchester, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
Join the celebration and attend a St. Patrick’s Day event this March. See live music, dance at a céilí, and enjoy a full Irish breakfast with CrossCountry.
Have an adventure at the best theme parks in the UK.
Show your mum or mother figure how much you appreciate them this Mother’s Day. Find the best things to do for Mother’s Day with CrossCountry.
There are lots of museums to visit in Cambridge. Whether you’re into science, technology, archaeology, or design, catch a train to Cambridge with CrossCountry.
Take a look at the laugh-a-minute comedy clubs in Newcastle
