Where to Eat Middle Eastern Food in Manchester

The main Zouk restaurant may be on the other side of the Pennines, but Manchester’s branch just off Oxford Road is more than worth a visit. Meat, vegetarian and seafood dishes are cooked on an authentic Sigri charcoal grill, providing a point of difference to other similarly themed restaurants in the city centre. The cuisine is a melting pot of Indian, Pakistani and Egyptian dishes with a vast variety of fusion dishes to discover.

Chorlton is full of restaurants boasting an array of cuisines, but ask locals which is their favourite eatery and Jasmine will rank highly. This Middle Eastern restaurant is perfect for large groups with a wide variety of hot and cold starters that can be ordered en masse for a tapas-like dinner party. Expect to find plenty of authentic dishes on the menu with many vegetarian options available.

Located in the heart of the city centre, Armenian Tavern is a bit of a hidden gem. One of the oldest restaurants in the city, those who have lived here for years count it as one of their favourites and despite the staggering array of new openings in the area, the tables are always busy. Owners Arman and Arusyak are Armenian themselves, ensuring that the cuisine and hospitality is as authentic as it gets. The menu boasts plenty of seafood dishes and focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Yara may be located in Altrincham and technically not in Manchester, but it’s more than worth the short train journey to dine in this hidden gem. Many Altrincham locals name Yara as their favourite takeaway, and thankfully it’s also dine-in so those who live a little further away can sample what is arguably the best baba ganoush in the north-west.

Over in Withington, there are two excellent but unassuming Middle Eastern restaurants right next to each other. The first, Pasha offers a mixing pot of Mediterranean, North African and Arabian dishes, prepared simply with a focus on fresh ingredients and delicious flavours. The staff are renowned for being incredibly welcoming and dining in the small downstairs room feels like you’re eating in your own home.

Just a couple of minutes down the road, Aladdin is another authentic Middle Eastern eatery that calls Withington its home. This small yet popular restaurant has been open since 1988 and is still a local favourite, offering Middle Eastern dishes that will get your taste-buds salivating. An excellent choice for parties with its long tables and bring-your-own-bottle policy, Aladdin attracts diners from a much wider radius.