Fit to burst? Where to eat in Manchester after the Christmas binge

Every Christmas we inevitably eat to bursting point, feel disgusted with ourselves, and then promptly feel the urge to lose the bloat.

But giving our body some much-needed TLC and nutrients doesn’t mean chomping our way through endless plates of lettuce or sipping lacklustre soup. There are lots of exciting cafes and restaurants around Manchester that provide plenty of healthy eating options.

So, whether you’re looking for inspiration, a place to pop in, or somewhere to sit down and dine, these are the spots for you.

Kettlebell Kitchen

Kettlebell Kitchen lays claim as the city’s first healthy, clean fast food joint. The team’s tapped into something as there are now restaurants in First Street and Salford, as well as Ancoats, the site of its flagship store.

Like the décor, the food on this menu is stripped back. The idea is to tuck into tasty food minus the toxins and the options are far from bland, including Steak ‘n’ Eggs, Burrito Wrap, Katsu Curry, KBK Clean Kebab and Protein Pizza, as well as shakes and build-your-own Kettleboxes.

You can dine-in, take-out and even order their meal prep delivery service if you’re looking to kickstart a new eating plan.

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3 Squared Restaurants

The new 3 Squared in the Royal Exchange Arcade describes itself as the next generation ‘free from’ café.

Everything served here is gluten-free, dairy-free, wheat-free and refined sugar-free. The horror you might think, but the hope is it doesn’t feel or taste like you’re depriving yourself.

Dishes, which can be eaten in or taken out and pre-prepared, include brunch options, graze plates and nourish bowls and there are striking seasonal drinks to choose from too. The venue’s stylish and the dishes beautifully served, so given we eat with our eyes that’s a great starting point if the concept’s new to you.

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FoodWell

Los Angeles is the home of the healthy eating so it’s apt that a new food and wellness offering has been inspired by La La Land.

Called FoodWell, this multi-tasking venue opens at Salford’s One New Bailey in January and will occupy a 9,000 sq ft unit on the ground floor next to party palace Menagerie. By day it will be a coffee shop and deli, and then a 150-cover restaurant by night serving ‘a diverse offering from healthy but indulgent food to superfood cocktails’.

There will also be a yoga studio, which can also be used for classes and workshops; a click and collect lunch service, supported by an app aimed at office workers, and live music at the weekend.

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Pho

Inspired by the founders’ travels through Vietnam and the street food they tasted along the way, dishes are made on site from ingredients delivered daily.

Located in The Corn Exchange, there’s an expansive menu that includes salads, soups and house specials, as well as variations of the signature dish.

Pho, pronounced fuh, is a noodle soup served with a side plate of herbs, so you can tailor it to your own personal taste. Hearty, healthy and full of goodness, it’s the sort of comfort you need on a chilly day, only minus the calories.  

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Friska

Friends Ed and Griff founded their first Friska in 2009 and almost 10 years on recently opened their first Manchester venue in St Peter’s Square. Their ethos is simple, to serve food “which makes you feel great”.

The focus is breakfast, lunch and coffee with vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy free options clearly signposted on the menu. Choose from enticing boxes and pots, wraps and burritos, overnight oats with tasty twists and even pastries, toasties and muffins.

It’s a great option if you’re looking to eat well without going the whole cleansing hog.

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Evelyn’s

Tucked away on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter, a well-groomed crowd snap turmeric, ginger and blue shots and nolo (no and low alchol) cocktails for the gram.

The breakfast menu is dominated by dishes with sourdough, scrambled tofu and shakshuka. Throughout the day there are small plates, such as carrot fritters and slow duck, as well as salads and grains; and then in the evening, dishes such as Indonesian chicken, lamb chops and sea bass adorned with various vegetables take precedence.

If you like your greens with a side of glam then this is the one for you.

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