Bundobust is proof that you don’t need meat to make incredible food. This Indian street food and craft beer spot on Piccadilly has been packing them in since day one, and it’s entirely vegetarian. The vada pav is a must — a spiced potato dumpling in a soft bun that costs next to nothing and tastes like a million quid. Okra fries are crispy, salty, and vanish before you’ve put your pint down. The bhel puri is sharp and fresh and the tarka daal with rice is proper comfort food.
The craft beer selection is seriously good and rotates regularly, with plenty of local Manchester breweries represented alongside international picks. No bookings, so you rock up and grab a seat when one appears — the communal tables mean you’ll probably end up chatting to strangers, which is half the fun. Prices are genuinely affordable. You can eat well and have a couple of beers for under twenty quid, which is almost unheard of in the city centre these days. Bundobust is essential Manchester eating.