Casual dining covers a lot of eateries, and our shortlist, suggested by our critics and readers, reflected Manchester’s growing and diverse dining scene.
From city centre spots to new pizza parlours, suburban burger joints and dining destinations in Cheshire, it was a varied bunch.
But when we put the list out to public vote, you picked a Northern Quarter institution to be named CityLife Awards 2015 Best Casual Dining spot - grilled cheese joint Northern Soul Mcr.
The eatery, in two converted outdoor market tunnels on Church Street, just around the corner from Manchester Arndale and Market Street, secured 33 per cent of the overall vote, pipping its nearest rival by just two per cent.
What has made it such a sensation? Well, no doubt Manchester’s pursuit of post-night out recovery food has something to do with it! We speak from extensive experience when we say there’s nothing that recovers you quite like a Pig On A Lead - a pimped up Mac Attack, with grilled cheese, macaroni cheese and BBQ pulled pork... Yeah.
But anyone who has popped down there in and around lunchtime will testify to regular queues outside the door, and a bum on every seat in the house - despite it doubling its capacity in 2015.
Next in line for the Casual Dining title, and a very close runner up, was newcomer Rudy’s Pizza, out in Ancoats and recently voted Manchester’s best pizza place by the MEN’s What’s On editor, with 31 per cent of the overall vote.
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Just behind that on 27 per cent was the spectacular Market House, at Altrincham Market - probably our critics' favourite casual dining destination in the region. And families visiting Altrincham Market welcomed the stunning transformation of the old Market House too following its swanky renovation with a £175,000 food hall.
More than 2,200 diners wolfed down delicious treats from the stylish dining space, gobbling up treats including nearly 600 wood fired pizzas on the opening weekend.
The listed building, next to the 19th century covered market, has been revamped with financial support from Trafford council into a premium food court with nine new permanent shops and a 180-seater eating arena.
Occupying the available outlets, which are all housed behind traditional Victorian-style shop fronts, are Ramsbottom pizza specialist Honest Crust, Salford’s BlackJack Brewery, Didsbury-based Reserve Wines, and chocolatier Sam Joseph.