Manchester Christmas Markets' best food, and where to find it in 2024

Manchester’s Christmas Markets are back and many favourite food stalls have returned, from Porky Pig’s Yorkshire pudding wraps to the Dutch mini pancakes. There are some newer faces too.

Ancoats favourite Hip Hop Chip Shop makes its debut and The Flat Baker returns for its second year. Whether you fancy spicy street food or a sweet treat, there’s so much to choose from.

This year there are stalls to suit every taste and spanning nearly every continent. But with dozens to choose from across nine zones it can be tricky to know where to begin.

We’ve rounded up some of the best foods to try this year at the markets.

READ MORE: Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 price list for food and drink at every location

Tuck into spicy Indian street food, munch on fried Brussel sprouts or take a shot of melted chocolate - whatever you choose, one thing is for certain: you won’t go home hungry. Read on for the best places to try.

Shepherd’s Pie Loaded Yorkies, Piccadilly Gardens

Yorkshire pudding wraps may be a Christmas Market staple, but this year there’s a new kid on the block - Shepherd’s Pie loaded Yorkshire puddings. It doesn’t stop there either. You can choose between a minted lamb Shepherd’s pie, chicken Christmas dinner, Butchers sausage or Mexican chilli beef filling, then it’s all topped with fluffy mash and baked with cheese on top for £10. Yum.

BangGa BangGa, Piccadilly Gardens

For an epic cheese pull BangGa BangGa pound coin bread (£6) is an absolute must. It’s crisp waffle-like dough that’s baked in the shape of a giant coin, filled with cheese and baked. Flavour-wise it’s a sweet and salty treat, but definitely packs a visual punch.

Mr Crimble Crumble, Piccadilly Gardens

After huge success last year the crumble masters are back. Easily one of the best additions to last year's markets, it's great to see them back and doing what they do best - serving up massive servings or fruit crumble with copious - but not excessive amounts of custard.

For the uninitiated, simply grab a bowl and choose your base of either apple and cinnamon; winter berries; or chocolate caramel brownie, then pick a crumble, then push the boat out on a range of toppings including toasted meringue and marshmallow. Regular bowls are £7 - and trust me, that's plenty.

Dine with Saira, Exchange Square

Dine with Saira serves up Indian street food which packs a punch. They’ve got various box combos you can buy with different curries, kebabs and rice which are all £10 each. The chicken tikka is an absolute must, it’s both visually stunning and full of flavour. The samosas (£5) are delightfully crispy, but have a powerful chilli kick - guaranteed to warm you up on a chilly winter’s day.

El Gato Negro, King Street

El Gato Negro have once again got a market stall right outside their King Street restaurant and this year it’s offering up chorizo, juicy lamb meatballs (you can even get them served in a sandwich) and, of course, patatas bravas. We tried the meatballs and bravas combo deal (£10) which appeared deceptively simple, yet the textures and flavours worked wonderfully together. Think crisp patatas, smooth aioli, a rich sauce and tender meatballs - lovely stuff.

Waffle Kart, King Street

Waffle Kart has garnered a cult following and it’s easy to see why, giving fried chicken and waffles an Asian twist. In fact while we were there one fan even exclaimed his joy at the stall’s return when he walked past (“It’s back!”). The waffle prawn (£12) toast is divine; the prawns fill all the crevices creating the juiciest prawn toast you’ll ever have, topped with black and white sesame seeds. The Chilli crisp chicken sandwich (£12) is a visual feast too, with bright pink spicy mayo, green cucumber and red chilli.

C&C chocolate and strawberry waffle cones and chocolate shots, St Ann's Square

Take a bow C&C because you might just have secured an early win as the best food stall at The Manchester Christmas Markets for 2024. The chocolate taps are akin to an infinity pool - and we're fine with that - but its the strawberry waffle cone (£8) that really deserves your attention this festive season. There's more though - from four types of affogato (from £6) and strawberry pots (£7), to hot chocolate laden with shavings and plenty of cream (£5.50), this place really hits the spot.

Porky Pig foot-long deep-fried giant pig in blanket, Exchange Square

After the success of their regular-sized deep-fried battered pigs in blankets in previous years, Porky Pig have gone even bigger this year. New for their 2024 return is the foot-long deep-fried giant pig in blanket (£9). As if the batter did not deliver crunch enough, it's served slathered in your choice of either cranberry sauce or apple sauce with crunchy onion bits on top.

Oh and it sits on a bed of fried onions too for good measure and the full combo is quite the taste sensation. Also new this year to their Yorkshire pudding roster is a classic Toad in the hole (£10). It's packed with sausages and you can also add mashed potato, gravy and onions too, although be warned it's a tad fiddly to eat.

Hip Hop Chip Shop Brussel sprouts, Piccadilly Gardens

Ancoats' favourite Hip Hop Chip Shop have arrived at the Christmas Markets for the first time - and are giving us their own festive battered treat alongside their famous fish and chips on Piccadilly Gardens. For they've only gone and dunked the humble brussel sprout in their signature batter to deep fry for an intriguing new market snack.

You can get a portion of the green veg battered up for £6, or give yourself a real treat and add a pot of dipping gravy for £2 extra. If the thought of sprouts literally turns you green, you can get the regular fish and chips combo for £12 for medium portion or go large for £15.

La Bavette Steak Frites, New Cathedral Street

A classic combination but also something a little different if you're now a bit over the whole bratwurst and mulled wine hype. The Bavette Steaks are cooked medium rare, but they're pretty amenable here and will cook your steak through if you ask nicely. Have yours with chips (£10) or opt for a ciabatta (it comes with rocket and crispy onions), and simply tuck in. They also do a raclette cheese (£4), peppercorn sauce (£2.50) and wild garlic butter (£2).

Flat Baker, Piccadilly Gardens

Ancoats staple Flat Baker are pulling out all the stops this year after a successful debut in 2023 with their cinnamon roll served alongside generous lashings of sauce, and their pistachio croissants topped with whipped cream. This year, we're pretty sure the showstopper will be the signature cookie hot chocolate (£7.99) served in a gingerbread cookie cup with festive sprinkles, whipped cream and shavings of Belgian milk Chocolate.