{"id":556707,"date":"2025-11-08T06:35:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T06:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/556707\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T06:35:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T06:35:32","slug":"the-best-food-stalls-at-manchester-christmas-markets-2025-where-to-find-them-and-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/556707\/","title":{"rendered":"The best food stalls at Manchester Christmas Markets 2025, where to find them and prices"},"content":{"rendered":"

From French toast to loaded hash browns, mac ‘n’ cheese to tacos, all the best new foods at Manchester Christmas Markets\"FestiveFestive mac ‘n’ cheese at Cheezy Bandits (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, food is the main star of the show at the Manchester Christmas<\/a> Markets.<\/p>\n

While there are many longstanding favourites such as the Porky Pig Yorkshire pudding wrap and the Dutch Pancake House, every year there are some new additions to look out for.<\/p>\n

French toast was a big theme this year with two stalls doing a take on it. Other newcomers include jerk chicken by Rita\u2019s Reign and loaded hash browns by Hash & Dash.<\/p>\n

We also had new dishes from regular stall holders too, such as El Gato Negro dishing up a festive spin on Patatas Bravas.<\/p>\n

The beautiful thing about the markets is there\u2019s something for everyone. Whether you\u2019ve got a sweet tooth or prefer a savoury snack, you\u2019re guaranteed to find something you\u2019ll enjoy.<\/p>\n

Join our Christmas in Manchester WhatsApp group HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve rounded up the best foods we tried at this year\u2019s Manchester Christmas Markets and also included a few other stalls we didn\u2019t try but reckon will be incredible if you get the chance.<\/p>\n

Rita’s Reign, Albert Square\"Rita'sRita’s Reign (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

We absolutely love Rita’s Reign on the food market at Piccadilly Gardens<\/a> – it’s the one with the massive queue and smell of Caribbean and African flavours wafting through the air. So, we’re really glad they’ve given the markets a go over at Albert Square mini market.<\/p>\n

The Fusion Box (\u00a315) – a mix of boneless chicken jerk chicken, boneless curry goat, rice and peas, jollof rice and homemade purple slaw is an absolute must, while the festive flavour box (\u00a312) is a tasty lunchtime treat with the option of jerk chicken, curry goat or vegan curry.<\/p>\n

We tried the Christmas Crunch (\u00a310) with jerk gravy, mixed fresh salad, crispy fried croutons and homemade purple slaw and it didn’t disappoint. All hail Rita’s Reign at Manchester Christmas Markets.<\/p>\n

Mr Crimble Crumble, Albert Square\"MrMr Crimble Crumble (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s not the first year at the markets for the Mr Crimble Crumble stall, it\u2019s still a firm favourite and for good reason. It\u2019s a mix and match set up: you can choose your filling – berry, apple and cinnamon or chocolate brownie, a standard crumble topping or a granola crumble topping, and then finish it with cream or custard. It\u2019s \u00a38 for a regular and \u00a312 for a large.<\/p>\n

We had the apple and cinnamon crumble topped with lashings of custard – and we mean lashings. Every spoonful was a delicious mix of perfectly spiced fruit, crunchy crumble and smooth custard. Just to be sure we sampled some of the brownie filling too, a great option for those who aren\u2019t keen on fruit puddings.<\/p>\n

French Toast, Albert Square\"FrenchFrench Toast(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

In the heart of the mini market in Albert Square is the sugary-pink French Toast stand, serving up Instagram-worthy cones of diced French toast (\u00a38.50) with an assortment of toppings, along with hot drinks including the matcha.<\/p>\n

Pistachio is very much having a moment so it seemed only right to go for the pistachio and white chocolate option (\u00a311). The cubes of French toast were perfectly bite-sized, with a crisp sugary exterior and a soft interior, while the sauce was just the right level of sweetness.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong French Toast, King Street\"HongHong Kong French Toast(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

If one French toast stall wasn\u2019t enough, this year two are making their debut at the markets. But at the Hong Kong French Toast stall you can expect something a bit different. This is Hong Kong-style with layers of white bread and peanut butter dipped in egg and deep fried, served with a range of toppings.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most eye-catching is The Dubai French Toast (\u00a38.50), which is smothered in pistachio cream, and topped with edible gold, pistachio crumb and knafeh – crispy pastry strands. It\u2019s indulgent but oh-so moreish as well as visually stunning – we couldn\u2019t get over how amazing the gold looked. Every bite was a delicious combination of sweet sauce and crispy toast, and it was rather reminiscent of donuts you\u2019d get at a fairground.<\/p>\n

El Gato Negro, King Street\"ElEl Gato Negro festive bravas (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

Once again this beloved tapas spot has got its own market stall, right by its King Street restaurant. Last year we were impressed by El Gato Negro\u2019s Patavas Bravas (\u00a37), yet this year they\u2019ve managed to go one better by adding a festive twist.<\/p>\n

The festive bravas (\u00a310) are crispy potatoes topped with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Essentially a bit like having the roasties from your Christmas dinner but even crispier and in perfectly formed bite-sized pieces.<\/p>\n

Cheezy Bandits, King Street\"CheezyCheezy Bandits (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

Big bowls of creamy mac \u2018n\u2019 cheese (\u00a38.50) are on the menu at Cheezy Bandits, which can be pimped up with a range of extras including Southern fried chicken (\u00a33) and bacon bits (\u00a31.50). Naturally you can expect some festive variations and we opted for the Festive Pig (\u00a312).<\/p>\n

One for those with a big appetite, this mac \u2018c\u2019 cheese comes with pigs in blankets, a huge stuffing ball and drizzled with cranberry sauce. The cheesy pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was just the round amount of creaminess. The pigs in blankets added a nice salty kick while the stuffing was wonderfully savoury, contrasting with the sweet cranberry sauce.<\/p>\n

C&C chocolate and chocolate shots and strawberry waffle cones, St Ann’s Square\"C&CC&C Chocolate (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

The markets have always been known for the staples – think Bratwurst, mulled wine and huge beer steins – but last year our hearts were stolen by C&C who introduced us to their hot chocolate taps and strawberry waffle cones.<\/p>\n

Thank goodness they’re back because if you missed them last year, you have no excuse this time around. With the chocolate taps you can choose from milk, white or dark, while the cones (\u00a39) can be loaded with strawberries and brownies then slathered with sauce.<\/p>\n

Pots of strawberries will set you back \u00a37.50, while an affogato in flavours spanning classic, Amaretto, Baileys and pistachio start from \u00a36.50.<\/p>\n

Hash & Dash, Exchange Street \/ St Ann’s Square\"HashHash & Dash (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

It’s about time that someone took the small but mighty hash brown and gave it a festive makeover – no longer should these be reserved for those hungover Sunday expeditions to Maccies.<\/p>\n

Anyway, right next to the chocolate taps you’ll find these potato heroes properly decked out. From Salt & Pepper (\u00a312.50) and Truffle Mayo & Parmesan (\u00a313.50), to Buffalo Chicken (\u00a314), they’ve really been elevated.<\/p>\n

Want a regional spin? Try the Northern Hash (\u00a312) with cheese and rice gravy, or go all out on Christmas with the Turkey Trimmings (\u00a314.50), Merry Maple (\u00a313.50) and Brie and Caramelised Onion (\u00a313.50)<\/p>\n

The Hot Chocolate Bar, Exchange Square\"TheThe Marshmallow Stroopwafel Dipper hot chocolate (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not hard to come by hot chocolate at the Christmas Markets but if you want something extra special, head to the Hot Chocolate Bar in Exchange. Here you can get Belgium hot chocolate served with all sorts of treats including S\u2019mores and hot chocolate bombs. We tried the Marshmallow Stroopwafel Dipper (\u00a37), which was extravagantly toasted with a blow torch for a finishing touch.<\/p>\n

Little Piece of Bahia, Piccadilly Gardens<\/p>\n

At Little Piece of Bahia you can tuck into a range of Brazilian foods including tasty stews and delicious croquettes. You can also get authentic Brazilian soft drinks and sweet treats.<\/p>\n

The croquettes (\u00a36.50) come in a variety of flavours, and we tried the beef and cheese which had one of the best cheese-pulls we\u2019ve ever seen, along with the chicken and cheese which is excellent when paired with the Brazilian chilli sauce. The stall also serves cheesy bread bites which are perfect if you\u2019re after a savoury snack.<\/p>\n

The ones to look out for:\"OneOne of the dishes at Holy Duck (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

New for this year are Fuego Tacos, in Exchange Square where you can get two queso tacos stuffed with cheese, onions, cirando, pico de gallo and your choice of birria or chipotle chicken, served with lime (\u00a310).<\/p>\n

As you\u2019d guess Holy Duck,in Exchange Square is all things duck. Tuck into a crispy duck wrap (\u00a311) and duck potatoes (\u00a311) – crispy potatoes topped with roasted ducks, spring onions, sesame and hoisin sauce.<\/p>\n

Over in Picadilly Gardens you\u2019ll find Pasta Claus, serving up fresh pasta including lasagne (\u00a310.50), arrabiata (\u00a39) and carbonara (\u00a312), and some are even prepared inside a giant parmesan wheel.<\/p>\n

For more of the latest What’s On news, click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From French toast to loaded hash browns, mac ‘n’ cheese to tacos, all the best new foods at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":556708,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[748,35745,393,4884,2465,146045,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-556707","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-christmas","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-manchester","13":"tag-manchester-christmas-markets","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115512694112326594","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=556707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/556708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=556707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=556707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=556707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}