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The trendiest areas in Manchester – the UK’s trendiest city

Manchester has been named the trendiest city to live in the UK - but which are the trendiest areas?
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No excuse needed for us Mancunians to feel better about our city, but it just so happens that, in a recent survey, Manchester was found to be the trendiest place to live in the UK.

You may say we knew that already. But but for the benefit of people who aren’t familiar with Manchester, where are the best areas to soak up all this coolness?

You could ask your mate who collects vinyl or you could check out our picks for the trendiest areas in Manchester. Guaranteed to boost your social media game in just a few afternoons.

Our list isn’t based on things like the number of startups, the proportion of the population aged 20 – 35, or even the number of businesses working in the arts. It’s more about cool haircuts, beards and bars.

Green Quarter

Redbankco Green Quarter

Here’s an area so trendy that despite its proximity to the city centre, you may never have actually heard of it. That’s not to say you’re walking around with your head in the clouds – it’s still relatively new but it’s still the home of some very cool people and places.

Walk along the railway arches and you’ll find the quaint RedbankCo serving brunch, wood-fired pizzas, coffee and alcohol in their two-story cafe. If you want a £1 pizza and a pint in Manchester’s most secluded beer garden, this is the spot.

The Green Quarter is also home to Runaway’s brewery which excitingly is also home to GRUB’s monthly food fair. Enjoy the best street food around, served straight from the source – whilst tweeting all of it, of course!

Didsbury

Chalk Bar And Grill Didsbury

The south Manchester suburb we’re all familiar with, but sorry East, West is best when it comes to being hip.

Burton Road is the epicentre of all West Didsbury happenings. Get your cake/caffeine kicks at the bijou And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon, then pop into Volta for a boozy dinner, music & ambience at Chalk Bar & Grill and take the good times home with a selection of craft goodies from the Epicurean.

A cute dog and smart shoes are a must if you want to fit in with the locals.

Chorlton

The Laundrette Chorlton

Where to begin? Stereotypically home of the middle-class, hummus-gorging hipster, often spotted wearing sandals and scarily devoid of a Manchester accent.

There’re lots of places to explore here. Brunch like a boss at Tea Hive, grab some cocktails & carbs at The Laundrette, dine in style at Parlour and get your not-so-basic basics at Epicerie Ludo. All in a days work for Chorlton kids.

But don’t be a mug. Just make sure you shop around for the most reasonably priced quinoa.

Northern Quarter

Rosylee Northern Quarter

Perhaps not as a cool as it once was, this gentrified patch of the city is still home to lots of superb independents worthy of your time.

We’ve had a lot of brunches so far, so let’s go to Ginger’s Comfort Emporium for ice cream, situated in the idiosyncratic maze that is Affleck’s. Sweet toothers can also shiver with sugar-induced excitement at new venture Milk Jam, which sees Ginger’s, Bakeorama and Lush Brownies come together to create all of our dreams.

Newbies to NQ can have fun getting lost in the sidenstreets. Veggies need to head to Earth Cafe for some seriously chilled cuisine, and if you’re thirsty, make your way to 57 Thomas St for drinks and nibbles. For a truly authentic NQ experience, Soup Kitchen is the place to be spotted reading Woody Allen’s Complete Prose.

Try a Sunday roast at Rosylee followed by cocktails and live music upstairs at The Fitzgerald.

But hold on, what are you wearing? Quick, get in Oi Polloi and make yourself presentable. And there was you thinking you could walk into North Tea Power dressed like that. Tut.

Ancoats

Ancoats Coffee Manchester

A stone’s throw away from the aforementioned NQ but completely different in character, Ancoats is a haven for those who want to digest only the best but without the hype and hysteria.

This is very much a developing area but your coffee, food and drink needs are not only catered for but are in for a treat as Ancoats is doing things right. Very right.

Pizza? No brainer. Get awesome Neapolitan dough from Rudy’s. Ancoats Coffee Co. has it down on the caffeinated front. As for refreshments, Crown & Kettle and The Smithfield Tavern. Start at either, just make sure you do both or you’re walking home a loser.

And yes, the pubs might be home to the craft aficionado and real ale bore, but let’s be honest, their knowledge is something young fanboys can only dream of.

Monton

The Blind Pig Monton

Affectionately known as Monton Carlo, this Salford village has scaled the trendy ladder with a spree of solid openings. Head down Monton Road and you’ll find breakfast and afternoon tea at Vintage Ambience, live music and food from The Blind Pig, champagne & cocktails at Bodega and real ale goodness in Malt Dog.

Seriously, if you want to impress a mate who’s done it all on Manchester’s dining circuit, bring them here.

Levenshulme

No self-respecting trendy person hasn’t had breakfast at Trove. Get an Eggs Benedict and Heart & Graft coffee down your gullet or hang your head in shame! And don’t tell me you’ve not been to The Buttery and tried those lovely pies? It’s a little rough around the edges, but Levy has plenty of charm and kudos if you know where to go.

Did we miss something? Let us know: [email protected]

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