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Tucked away in the shadow of Strangeways, only minutes from Manchester’s bustling Victoria Station, lies a restaurant that feels like a world apart. Step through the doors of Wust Al Balad (مطعم وسط البلد) and you’re no longer in North West England, you’re transported straight into the heart of Arabia.
Wust Al Balad (مطعم وسط البلد), Strangeways
Mohammed and the front door of Wust Al Balad
This is Mohammed’s dream made real: a Yemeni and Saudi restaurant where the warmth of the welcome is as generous as the portions (and trust me, you’ll want to arrive hungry). The space itself tells a story, traditional Yemeni booths line the walls, antique guns and Middle Eastern trinkets spark curiosity.
Perhaps the most enchanting detail? The private dining cloisters. Hidden behind curtains, these intimate nooks invite you to sink into the cushions, slip off your shoes, and dine as though you’ve been whisked to Sana’a or Riyadh for the evening.
What is Yemeni cuisine all about?
Unique flavours at Wust Al Balad
So what is Yemeni cuisine all about? If you ask Mohammed, he’ll grin and say: “It’s all about flavour, big flavours!” And he’s not wrong. Yemeni food is bold, hearty, and made to be shared. Think slow-roasted lamb and chicken so tender it falls apart, served on mounds of aromatic rice with saffron. Think bubbling hot stews such as saltah, spiced with fenugreek and herbs that wake up every sense. And, of course, the endless baskets of fresh flatbreads, the kind you tear apart with your hands, dunk into sauces like the irresistible sahawiq, and pass around the table. Food here is an invitation to slow down, gather together, and eat like family.
But here’s the twist: Mohammed never set out to be a restaurateur. With a shrug and a laugh, he told me, “I didn’t have a big background in food. But next door we had the Arabic supermarket, (Lulus Middle Eastern Grocery and Arabic Food) and customers kept asking, Where’s the Yemeni place to eat? I thought, okay, why don’t we do it? Let’s give it a go.” And just like that, Wust Al Balad was born.
Fast-forward seven months, and the gamble has paid off, big time. The place is buzzing most nights, often fully booked, with word spreading fast across Manchester that this is the spot for Yemeni and Saudi food in the city. It is actually the only one in the city centre, but not the only one in Greater Manchester.
So what’s it like inside? Admittedly the area is industrial, but then amongst the blue corrugated iron you’ll find their magic door. So, step on through. The interior as much about atmosphere as it is about what’s on your plate. Step inside and you’ll find walls dressed with Yemeni relics, cosy booths where you can kick off your shoes and sit down with friends and family, and nine private dining rooms where you can draw the curtains and feast in your own little world.
Private dining rooms
“For me, as a Muslim, I can eat in a public restaurant, no problem,” Mohammed says with a chuckle. “But if I have a private room, I feel more comfortable. And when you feel comfortable eating… well, you order more food!”
What’s on the menu at Wust Al Balad?
Food here is bold, aromatic, and rooted in tradition. The Laham Mandi (£13) is a showstopper: slow-cooked lamb, spiced with saffron and secret blends, served over basmati rice. The Chicken Mandi (£11) is just as popular: marinated, tender, and garnished with nuts and raisins. You can even order a whole lamb Mandhi, for up to 20 people – but it must be ordered a day in advance and will set you back £250.
Also well worth trying is the Kabsa Alham with Abu Bint rice simmered in a rich tomato broth with aromatic kabsa spices, topped with tender chicken. Vibrant in colour and bold in flavour, it’s a dish that demands attention.
Bread is baked daily in-house. “That’s why our food is always fresh,” Mohammed explained. “Sometimes six o’clock, seven o’clock, we sold everything. Customers are upset, but for me, no problem. If you want good quality, you have to control the quantity.”
The unmissable Lamb Aqda
If you swing by Wurst Al Balad, you CANNOT miss the Lamb Aqda, it is honestly one of the best things I’ve ever tried. It arrives steaming in a sizzling pot, cooked in onions and tomatoes in a rich sauce flavoured with delicious Arabian spices. The lamb falls apart while you scoop it up, and is so rich and tasty – you just cannot miss it.
That dedication to consistency has earned Wust Al Balad a loyal following. “Fifty-five per cent of our customers are English,” Mohammed says proudly. “They come from the station. Seventy-five per cent give tips, sometimes ten pounds! One customer from Australia told me he hadn’t eaten food like this in two years. He said, ‘It’s beautiful food.’ For me, that’s more than good.”
“I think people will love the food here if you haven’t tried Yemeni or Saudi food before, the flavours are great, and I think it’s something everyone can enjoy.
Wurst Al Balad decorations
It’s true: there is little like Wust Al Balad in Manchester. A place where culture and cuisine meet, where the hospitality is as nourishing as the food. “We’re the only Yemeni restaurant close to the city centre,” Mohammed points out. “And the biggest one.”
For those who crave something different, Wust Al Balad is a revelation. It’s an absolute diamond in the rough and ready area around Strangeways – but there’s no doubt it could well become a firm Mancunian favourite.
Book a table at Wust Al Balad
It’s a restaurant that shows Manchester at its best: diverse, welcoming, and full of surprises.
You can find out more about Wust Al Balad by clicking here
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