Five dishes, two drinks and plenty of Manchester stories along the way. Flavours of Manchester Tours offers a rather delicious way to discover (or rediscover) the city.
We love Manchester. We love food. And we’re particularly partial to an afternoon that involves both.
So Flavours of Manchester Tours rather caught our attention.
The independent Manchester business runs food and drink walking tours through the city centre, but this isn’t simply about moving from restaurant to restaurant. Instead, the idea is to tell the story of Manchester through its food, drink, history and, perhaps most importantly, its people.
Come hungry…
Taking around three-and-a-half to four hours, each tour includes five Manchester food plates and two alcoholic drinks, with non-alcoholic alternatives available.
Along the way, guests are introduced to some of the independent venues and characters that make Manchester’s hospitality scene what it is, while guides share local stories, quirky facts and pieces of the city’s history that you might otherwise walk straight past.
And we rather like the idea that even those of us who think we know Manchester could discover something new.
Three ways to taste Manchester
And if you’re wondering where those three-and-a-half hours might take you, there are currently three different routes to choose from, each telling a different part of Manchester’s story.
A Taste of 2 Cities crosses Manchester and Salford, exploring the history, food and drink that connects the two neighbouring cities.
Cottonopolis takes you through the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, mixing Manchester’s industrial and cotton heritage with the area’s very different modern-day food and drink scene.
Or there’s Innovation, Inspiration & Intellect, which introduces some of the people, ideas and innovations that helped shape Manchester with, thankfully, plenty to eat and drink along the way.
We rather like that these aren’t simply three variations of the same food tour. You could quite easily do one, come back for another and discover a completely different side of the city.
Not just for tourists
While Flavours of Manchester attracts visitors from across the UK and overseas, and has picked up a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award along the way, the tours are also proving popular with Mancunians looking at their home city through fresh eyes.
They’re also available for corporate groups and private parties, making them an interesting alternative for birthdays, celebrations or the work social that everyone might actually want to attend.
There’s something rather lovely about experiencing a familiar city this way. Instead of rushing from A to B, you get to spend a few hours eating, drinking, wandering and hearing the stories behind the streets and businesses around you.
The details
Tours cost £85 for adults and £60 for under-18s, with five food dishes and two alcoholic drinks included (non-alcoholic available too). You’ll be walking between stops, so comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
And the weather?
Well, it is Manchester.
Sunshine can’t be guaranteed, so we’d probably add a brolly to the packing list too.
If you’re visiting Manchester, planning something with friends or simply fancy playing tourist in your own city for an afternoon, this sounds like a very enjoyable way to do it.
Find out more and book a tour at Flavours of Manchester Tours.
