Date spot in Manchester
Lily's Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Take the tram out to Ashton for a vegetarian Indian feast at the family restaurant that grew out of a cash-and-carry café.
Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne
Address: Lily's, 85 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Why it's a good date: It's been run by the same family since the 1970s and the cooking is the reason people make the trip. Order more than you think you need, share it all, and pick up something sweet from the counter on the way out.
More from our Manchester guide
Nell's Pizza, Kampus
Minshull Street, Kampus
Address: Nell's Kampus, 20 Minshull Street, Manchester M1 3EF- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Split a giant New York-style pizza at Nell's in the Kampus garden quarter, a few minutes from Piccadilly.
Why it's a good date: The slices are huge and the room is relaxed, so it's an easy, cheap dinner before a gig or a film. Kampus has some nice spots for a drink afterwards too.
New Wave Ramen
Tib Lane, city centre
Address: New Wave Ramen, 16 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JB- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Warm up over big bowls of ramen at the small noodle bar on Tib Lane, just off Cross Street.
Why it's a good date: A good rainy-day pick: steamy windows, rich broth and a quick, friendly turnaround. They keep space for walk-ins, but booking is safer on a Friday or Saturday.
Society
Barbirolli Square, near the Bridgewater Hall
Address: Society, Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Pick from a handful of independent kitchens and grab a long table at the basement food hall under Barbirolli Square.
Why it's a good date: You can each order from a different kitchen and meet back at the table, and there's a proper bar in the middle. Handy before a concert at the Bridgewater Hall next door.