This & That

Tucked down a side street in the Northern Quarter, This & That is one of the area's original curry cafes, where you can pick-up a filling "rice 'n' three" (choices of curry) for a few quid. It's a no-frills joint, but the food is fresh, homemade and uses whole spices to give the dishes the kind of wallop of flavour that you wouldn't normally expect at a sub-£5 price. The various lamb curries usually deliver a good savoury gravy and a reasonable amount of tasty meat, but, for me, its the veggie curries – particularly the chana masala, the daals and the spinach curry – that really sing with flavour.

This hard to find restaurant, down a dingy Northern Quarter back alley, has been serving delicious home cooked Indian curries for over thirty years. The original owners sold up around fifteen years ago and relocated to Bolton under the name Rice ‘n’ Three, which was named after the signature concept of eating a pile of rice along with three curries chosen from a canteen style offering of that day’s choice. Other major UK cities have similar pockets of low price Asian daytime diners, but it seems that the famous rice 'n' three institution is uniquely Mancunian.

Fast-forward 200 years and it is, of course, no surprise that Greater Manchester is teeming with vegetarian restaurants, from unassuming back-alley curry houses such as This & That to glossy, Scandi-chic tasting menus at the appropriately named 1847. But with 2019 hailed as ‘The Year of the Vegan’, Manchester has been modestly building on its noble pedigree, creating a vast vegan scene peppered with a gaggle of truly top-tier spots helmed by Mancs who possess an infuriatingly natural ability to combine creativity and cool with very little pomp and ceremony.

As you may have noticed from our list, dining out in Manchester takes you on a trip around the world, celebrating the diverse culture of the city and enjoying the talents of chefs with skills from all around the globe. What better way than to finish this list than in South Asia with This & That – a Manchester institution for 35 years?. Now there are no shortage of South Asian restaurants in the city possibly it is one of the most crowded markets and with chicken Tikka Masala being one of the most popular dishes in England there is no shortage of demand.

2021 Review: “Good-quality, well-cooked and inventive burgers – and some genius specials” (remember the ‘Spam Allardyce’?) draw a steady stream of salivating carnivores to this Northern Quarter joint, “although the trademark barrage of social media seems to have calmed down last year, as has the constant invention/reinvention of new burgers”. “The steaks are also some of the best around, and they make a decent bearnaise”, as well as four different meat-free burgers. Outposts in Prestwich and Preston have closed down, but there’s still one in Didsbury.

Located near the National Football Museum and the Arndale, this curry house is the place to be if you love Indian/Pakistani food or just want to try some new dishes. If you find yourself craving an authentic taste of the city’s vibrant culinary scene, look no further than this establishment. This unassuming gem is a favourite among locals and visitors alike, known for its unbeatable combination of delicious, home-cooked Indian and Pakistani dishes and incredibly affordable prices.

Legendary Northern Quarter curry house This & That every day offers punters a choice of a wide range of meat & veggie friendly curries to go with their lovely, fluffy rice. Expect plenty of lamb, beef, chicken, chick peas, lentils and potato getting thrown around to create some of the best curry in the city. It’s cheap as chips too, which is always a good thing now that pints cost around £6 and you struggle to get the bus for a week and still have change from a £20 note.

Manchester's curry cafes deserve an article in their own right and, while there's some debate over the very best, we always find ourselves going back to This & That. Tucked away on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter, this family-run restaurant is beloved for its ‘rice and three’, which handily comes in for less than a tenner. Serving up a hungry lunch crowd seven days a week, curries here are constantly evolving, keeping customers, new and old, on their toes.

This and That is the innovator of the “rice and three curries”: a self-explanatory menu system where you can order, get this, a portion of rice and three different curries. The cheapest (rice and three veg) comes in at £4.50 while the most expensive (rice and three meat) tops out at £6.50. Both are incredible value for money and the curries themselves, whether it’s a fragrant daal or rich keema, never disappoint.

Probably the first place any self-respecting Manc will point you if you ask for a cheap eats recommendation, This & That’s rice and three cafe is fabled here in the city. As the name suggests, you get three curries and rice for a fixed price – £4.50 for veg, £5 for two veg and one meat etc. – from a set list of curries that change on a daily basis. Tucked just off the beaten path, find it on Soap street by Trof.

This & That, a humble family-operated curry café since 1984, is tucked away on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter. Renowned for its homemade dishes crafted from freshly-ground whole spices for maximum flavour, the café offers a compact, straightforward menu with varying daily specials like chicken tikka masala, lamb and spinach, and mixed vegetable dishes. 3 Soap St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter

Dishoom Manchester offers a luxurious dining experience to all individuals that are seeking sumptuous and authentic Indian dishes. All their meals are carefully concocted using the finest ingredients and made for the pleasure of all their guests and customers. Offering hearty dishes good for the whole family, you will enjoy their cosy and fab ambience with wonderful and intricate interiors and decorations.

Address: 3 Soap St, Manchester M4 1EW, United KingdomPhone: +44 161 832 4971Website:thisandthatcafe.co.ukDetails: $, Indian restaurant. Tucked away in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, This & That is a hidden gem that has captured the hearts of both locals and visitors alike. With a no-frills approach, the restaurant exudes a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that instantly makes diners feel at home.

This legendary Manchester café has been running over 40 years and still going strong with over 4.5 starts on Tripadvisor. It’s tucked away on a back street in the Northern Quarter and serves up homemade curry using fresh whole spices with a changing daily menu so you know it’s fresh. On Monday’s expect to see Lamb and pumpkin, Tuesday’s Lamb Karahi chops, Wednesday’s Vegetable biryani, etc etc.

This place is what we Mancunians call a ‘rice ‘n’ three’ canteen, and it’s been dishing out top-notch curries since the 80s. It’s the sort of no-nonsense, laid-back spot you wander into on a whim, only to leave chuffed to bits that you’ve discovered it. Every day, the menu at This & That flips to offer a fresh set of curries, always ensuring there’s a hearty mix of both meat and veggie options.

Simply a Manchester institution selling fabulous curries, and for a great price too. Embraced by the locals as Manchester’s beloved curry haven and renowned for its iconic rice and three offerings, This & That has held its esteemed status since its inception in 1984. Providing an extensive array of delectable curries, the establishment also boasts a considerable selection of vegan options.

Ask any Manchester local where to get great curry and it’s guaranteed that This & That will be on any list they give you. This family-run curry house serves a classic menu of Indian curries that range from delicious to, well, even more delicious. Fresh whole spices make all the difference here, with dishes coming out tasting like you’ve ordered it straight of the streets of India.

If you’re in the mood for a true hidden gem, head over to This & That in the Northern Quarter. This humble canteen serves Indian curries on a budget, and their “Rice & Three” combo (three curries and rice) is a favourite among locals. It’s hearty, delicious, and the closest thing you’ll get to a home-cooked meal for under GBP 7.

Open 7/7 Non-stop from 11h30 to 20h00(Fridays and Saturdays until 21h00). A Manchester institution, This & That (also known as Rice & Three) is a family owned restaurant and has been around since 1984. The concept is simple, you get rice and can pick up to 3 different curries to accompany it.

This and That Cafe is a quirky, laid-back Manchester institution. They serve up a mix of British and international comfort food, like burgers, sandwiches, and loaded fries. They also have some more unusual offerings, like the kimchi and pulled pork hash or the beet and goat cheese salad.

This & That, which has taken on the nickname of ‘Manchester's favourite Indian curry houses’ also gets a welcomed mention. The city centre establishment, on Soap Street, has been serving its authentic dishes since 1984 and is cited by many as the home of the ‘rice and three’.

Everyone’s heard of NQ backstreet gaff This & That, even if they’ve not actually found it (it’s up the ginnel by Trof’s empty barrels) – renowned for its daily changing “rice and three” meal deal and winning vegan and vegetarian choices, it’s been an institution since 1984.

Despite a little price hike (from six to eight quid), This & That remains astonishingly good value for a proper curry. This legendary spot has been going since 1984 now, and though it doesn’t grab the headlines, it remains an important part of Manchester’s culinary fabric.

A Manchester institution, This & That have been offering pick up from their location in the Northern Quarter since the start of the first lockdown. That’s right, everyone’s favourite ‘Rice & Three’ can still be enjoyed, just head on down and grab what you like.

Located in the Northern Quarter, This and That is one of the area’s original curry cafes, serving rice and a choice of three curries for under a fiver. One TripAdvisor traveller said: “Great value for money and probably one of the best curries in Manchester.

Timings: Sun-Thur: 11:30am to 8pm, Sat & Fri: 11:30am to 9pm. This & That is one of the best restaurants in Manchester since it serves affordable rice bowls. It has been serving hungry Manchester residents rice 'n' three since 1984 and is still going strong.

You know it’s going to be delicious when you’re off the beaten track and the interiors are like an Indian dining room experience. Enjoy three veggie curries and rice for £6 and the meat option for no more than £8. If you go anywhere, it needs to be here.

Abel Heywood Boutique Hotel – A gastropub and hotel in the northern quarter with cosy rooms at affordable prices, this is a great choice for couples. Paying extra for breakfast might be worth it, with a full fry- up being served until noon each day.

One of Manchester's favourite Indian Curry Houses is a family-run business namely This & That. It was founded in 1984. They have a vast selection of wonderful curries and are nestled away on Soap Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter.