If you’re a big Manchester City fan and are considering traveling to see your favourite team tear up the turf on their home ground of Etihad Stadium, it’s time to make your sporting dreams come true! Manchester is an exciting, vibrant city, and you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to see and do around catching a Citizens’ match or two.
As part of your planning, it’s important to think about the best places to eat near the Etihad Stadium so that, once the time comes, you can concentrate on simply enjoying the match and soaking up the unique ambience of Manchester. Below, I’m going to give you all the information you need on the best restaurants close to the stadium, along with some great family-friendly and budget options so that, whatever type of trip you’re planning, you’ll be well fuelled for it.
Top 6 Restaurants Near Manchester City Football Stadium
Wondering where you can head for a delicious meal before Manchester City FC game at Etihad Stadium or a celebratory slap-up dinner (fingers crossed!) afterwards? No need to worry; I’ve done the groundwork for you. All of the restaurants below are not only highly-rated eateries but are within one mile of the Etihad Stadium.
Vermilion, Hulme Hall Lane
This spectacular restaurant is well-known throughout Manchester and beyond, with its labyrinthine three stories where you can discover delights, including the Cinnabar cocktail lounge, the Maharaja Room – which serves up sumptuous Indian and Thai cuisine – and the Abacus Gallery. It really is an experience for all the senses. If you’re looking for somewhere special to celebrate a Manchester City FC win or simply being on vacation, a visit to Vermilion is a must.
Cabral’s, Ashton Old Road
An easy walk from the Etihad Stadium, Cabral’s serves up generous portions of sizzling Brazilian, Portuguese, and South American fare, and you’ll doubtless find plenty of fellow Citizens’ fans also stopping off for a meal here on their way home from the game. If you have a post-match hankering for some authentic, home-cooked Brazilian food, this is the place to set your sights on.
Erst, Murray Street
A Michelin-rated restaurant about a mile from the Etihad Stadium, Erst is one of Manchester’s most popular eateries. Laid back, elegant, and welcoming, the establishment offers a sumptuous range of simple and seasonal small plates, perfect if you need something light but delicious before taking your place in the stands to support the Sky Blues. The wine list and selection of on-tap beers are worth a mention, too.
Caribbean Cookout, Manchester Road
Caribbean food with a twist, this fun and lively restaurant less than a mile from Manchester City’s home ground offers diners a menu of Caribbean-inspired dishes with a twist, such as the must-try Reggae Roast (served on Sundays), Curry Goat, Peppered Steak, and Jerk Chicken. I’m giving you fair warning, though: once you visit, you’ll likely feel compelled to come back as soon as possible to sample more of the delicious food.
Grove Inn, Ashton New Road
Well-known among those who regularly visit Etihad Stadium, the Grove Inn boasts a wonderful atmosphere where the staff are keen to make visitors feel at home as soon as they walk through the doors. It’s also just an easy ten-minute walk from the ground, so it is a great place to drop in for a pre or post-match meal. You’ll discover a menu of traditional English fare here and a great choice of beers and wines.
Mana, Blossom Street
A stylish Indian restaurant about a mile from the Manchester City venue, Mana offers a warm welcome, impeccable service, stylish surroundings, and an impressive range of dishes, including the chef’s taster menu, which allows you to sample a selection of delectable morsels! The open kitchen adds to the sense of theatre, while the chilled-out vibe is the perfect tonic for an edge-of-your-seat football match.
Where to eat breakfast on your Manchester City FC trip
It’s not just lunch and dinner to think about when you’re traveling for sports. Starting the day with a good breakfast is essential to give you the energy needed for an exciting day of football team supporting and sightseeing. Here are my top picks of where to enjoy the most important meal of the day – all are within an easy fifteen-minute walk of the Etihad Stadium.
- Bonnie’s Cafe, Hillkirk Street, is just a few minutes walk from Manchester City’s home stadium and offers a range of reasonably-priced breakfast dishes. If your accommodation is in the vicinity of Etihad Stadium, you’ll do well to find a more convenient spot to enjoy a hearty breakfast.
- Magic Muffin, Bradford Road, is the place to go for a traditional full English breakfast, delicious bacon and egg rolls, or a generous non-meat full breakfast – many Mancunians rate the Magic Muffin’s breakfast offerings as some of the best in the entire city.
- The Bakery 2, Ashton New Road, offers breakfasts and lunches, including bacon sandwiches, sausage butties, and a tempting selection of cake and pastries – well, you are on vacation, after all!
- Pollen Bakery, New Union Street tempts diners with a beautiful array of handmade pastries as well as amazing seasonal brunches and savoury yummies such as ham and cheese croissants, bacon and poached eggs, and hashbrown sourdough baps served with fried eggs.
- Ancoats Coffee Co, Royal Mills is one of the most popular places for coffee in Manchester – and on top of this, the cafe serves plenty of sweet and savoury breakfast bites to enjoy alongside your beverage. The atmosphere is always warm and laid back here, making it a wonderful spot to relax before the excitement of the day ahead.
Closest family-friendly restaurants near the Etihad Stadium
If you’re traveling for sports with the kids, then it’s extra important to have where you’ll be eating all planned out to prevent the dreaded “hangry” tantrum! Believe me, I sympathise. To help things run more smoothly, below you’ll find some of the best family-friendly eateries close to Manchester City FC’s Etihad Stadium.
Professor Skully’s Perfect Pizza Emporium, Faraday Street
Make a beeline for this fun and funky pizza joint for some crowd-pleasing food that all the family will relish. As well as being family-friendly, the pizzas are genuinely delicious – and surprisingly affordable, too. There are vegan options on the menu that go down a storm with the Professor Skully regulars.
Invisiburger Mcr, Port Street
Inivisiburger Mcr is a super highly-rated burger restaurant around a mile from the Etihad Stadium, where you’ll discover plenty of kid-friendly American-style fare such as classic cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, cooked-to-perfection fries, a great selection of sides, and much more.
Canto Restaurant, Blossom Street
With its vibrant tapas menu and bright and breezy Mediterranean menu, Canto is a great choice if you’re traveling with slightly older kids. The food is lovingly prepared and seasonal, with dishes including Chargrilled Peri Peri Chicken, Salt Cod Fritters, and Patatas Bravas on offer. Why not select a variety of small plates and enjoy a shared family feast?
The Hip Hop Chip Shop, Blossom Street
Another great family-friendly eatery on Blossom Street, the Hip Hop Chip Shop, is a sure-fire winner. With a relaxed, fun retro vibe (and great music usually playing), everyone will enjoy tucking into a plate of traditional British fish and chips here; in fact, the establishment is so well-regarded that it’s a regular stop on various of the city’s food tours. And the adults will appreciate the selection of post-match beers available, too.
What’s the Tea – Lever Street
If anyone in the family is vegan or requires gluten-free menu options, then What’s the Tea, close to both Manchester’s city centre and the Etihad Stadium, could fit the bill nicely. Here, you’ll discover a tempting selection of freshly homemade sweet and savoury fare, with breakfast, brunch, and lunch available. Whether your crew needs a quick light bite or something more substantial, What’s the Tea has the answer.
Budget-friendly food near the Etihad Stadium
Traveling for sports can be expensive, no doubt about it. But, even if you’ve had to shell out a significant amount for football tickets, there are many ways to take at least some of the pressure off your bank balance. These include getting smart about where you eat during your trip. Happily, there are lots of eateries in Manchester that offer great food, at great prices, and I’ve listed the top five that are near Etihad Stadium below.
- The English Chippy, Midlothian Street – famous with Citizens fans who regularly make the journey to see their team play live at the Etihad Stadium; this traditional chippy serves up delicious fish and chips at delicious prices!
- Mr T’s Diner, Ashton New Road – a cheap and cheerful diner where you’ll find all the classics: burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, and fries.
- El Ammar Bakery, Whitworth Street – be tempted by the bakery counter delicacies or sit in to enjoy authentic Lebanese fare such as Lahm Belajim and Zatar bread. The traditional sweets are also worth checking out!
- Waterside Cafe, Redhill Street – eating out during your travels for a sports vacation doesn’t need to break the bank. The Waterside Cafe is just a mile from Manchester City’s home turf and has an extensive menu of value for money, light meals and snacks to help your travel budget stretch even further.
- Peri Peri Chicken ShaQ, Oldham Road – if you’ve got a craving for some post-match peri peri chicken or doner kebabs, the ShaQ has got you covered. Burgers and pizza are also on the menu, with everything priced super reasonably.
Best places to score a good meal near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium
Whether you’re in the mood to tackle a big meal in one of Manchester’s best eateries before the football match or grab some traditional British fish and chips on the way home from the game, you’re not short of choices, all of which are conveniently close to the Etihad Stadium.
Use this guide as part of your traveling for sports planning so that, once you’re in the city and preparing to support the Citizens live, all you’ll have to worry about is getting in tune to sing the team’s classic fan songs. A little rendition of Blue Moon, anyone?
