Atlas Bar’s new food menu offers all the classics, done perfectly

Atlas Bar is the jewel in the food and drink crown of Manchester’s Deansgate. 

It’s a stone’s throw from the enormous Deansgate Square development with all the nearby transport connections, shops and nightlife venues a Mancunian could want. 

This charming bar kickstarted the gin trend in the city back in 2012 and now hosts one of the most extensive collections of juniper-based tipples anywhere in the country. 

Not only that, their kitchen serves up some of the most satisfying food in the area at a price that won’t break the bank.

If you’ve eaten at one of the bar’s regular monthly gin supper clubs, you’ll know that the Atlas Bar kitchen team combine their culinary know-how with a wealth of inspired ideas. 

And that’s precisely what you’ll find on their new cafe menu. 

Designed for daytime dining, whether that’s breakfast, brunch or lunch, this food menu is available from 10am through to 4pm, with a smaller bar menu running from midday up to 9pm, offering nibbles and sharing plates. 

All the classics are there and done perfectly. 

Looking for a hearty feast to kickstart your day? Tuck into the full English breakfast (you’ll also find vegetarian and vegan versions) or some poached eggs and hollandaise sauce with all kinds of toppings, ranging from smoked salmon to the Atlas special: chorizo and avocado. 

Of course, if this heatwave lasts, the smart choice is the yoghurt, granola and mixed berries. It’s a filling bowl of all-natural goodness, packed with fresh flavours and designed to slow-release energy throughout the day. 

The lunch options are just as mouthwatering. 

The three-cheese toasted sourdough sandwich is an absolute must-try. It’s two hefty slabs of crunchy toasted bread with melted cheese oozing out from all sides, plus hot salty chips, a bright crunchy salad and an addictive little pot of spiced tomato chutney, all for under a tenner. 

The avocado salad is another dish ideal for a summer’s day meal, full of fresh ingredients like cucumber, spring onion, lettuce and spinach, plus the perfect amount of dressing to add zingy flavour without overpowering the rest.  

However, the star of the show has to be the pulled pork burger. But it’s not for the faint-hearted – it’s one of the biggest items on the menu so make sure you come hungry. 

For a bargain £10 you get a huge burger bun packed with tender, slow-cooked pulled pork coated with a delicious layer of cheese sauce and with a side of chips. 

This would be a treat on its own, but the accompanying pot of pineapple and jalapeno chutney takes the whole plate to all new heights. As far as burger relish goes, it’s unique and moreish, perfectly showing off the inventive ideas of the head chef. 

And of course, it wouldn’t be Atlas Bar if we didn’t mention the staff. 

The venue has some of the friendliest staff members in town, showcasing that classic Northern charm but with a work ethic that means you’ll never be waiting too long for a drink or bite to eat. 

When it comes to lunch in Manchester, Atlas Bar is well and truly on the map.