Rochdale Town Centre's outstanding food & drink scene

Rochdale Town Centre's impressive and continually evolving food and drink scene is cementing its reputation as a must-visit destination in the North of England.

The town centre recently welcomed three more exciting venues - house music bar The 13ar, micro pub D'Ale House and social hub and bar Hoochi Koochi, where you can enjoy everything from comedy nights to Northern Soul nights - bringing the grand total to over thirty food and drink venues, all within short walking distance of one another, in the heart of Rochdale.

Rochdale has recently been compared to Manchester's Northern Quarter, due to the number of quality, independent eateries and the outstanding variety on offer in such close vicinity... and who are we to argue?!

Vicolo Del Vino

Paul Ambrose, Business Improvement District Manager, said:

"Rochdale’s food and drink scene has gained momentum and recognition over the last few years. The impact of the growing food and drink offer cannot be underestimated as it boosts footfall, it makes a significant contribution to the local economy and it is helping to change the perceptions of a centre that it is transforming.

"The recent Food and Drink Festival showcased some of the very best of Rochdale’s diverse offerings and patrons took advantage of tasty offers at our lauded local businesses who strive for ensuring a great customer experience. I encourage everyone to connect with our town centre food and drink businesses and their owners."

The Baum and Pioneers Museum

There is something for everyone, to suit every occasion, taste and budget, from rustic wine bars to historic pubs; Indian street food to authentic Italian cuisine; gin trees to cheeky vimto fishbowls!

The 13ar

Tom McNeeney, Business Development Manager at The Lancashire Hospitality Co-operation - the team behind The Flying Horse, The Baum and Bombay Brew - commented:

"While the last 18 months have been a real challenge for hospitality, since we’ve been able to reopen the offering in Rochdale is just going from strength to strength! There’s finally a real sense that the town centre is changing, that it’s finding a real identity of it’s own, with incredible new venues opening their doors every month and the existing businesses constantly reinvigorating what they do best it’s really a place that’s starting to turn heads. Whether it’s cocktails with the girls or live music, fine dining or street food, Rochdale can honestly say it’s got the lot."

The Flying Horse Hotel

Helping to diversify the offering even further, Rochdale BID has been successful in introducing the popular Food & Artisan Market and Vegan Market into the town. The Food & Artisan Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month and the Vegan Market will be returning on 18th December 2021.

Live music is well and truly back throughout many town centre venues, including at The Flying Horse, where you can find local bands, jam nights, sunday sessions, along with a huge range of real ales and homemade dishes.

The pedestrianised outdoor dining area on Packer Street is still proving popular post-lockdown, serving customers of The Flying Horse Hotel, The Empire, Yate’s and KoKo’s.

The Medicine Tap

Just across the road, The Medicine Tap retains its historic character and charm of the old central Post Office and offers a unique place to relax while enjoying the finest coffees, quality locally sourced food and a fabulous choice of ales.

The outdoor terrace at Bean Cafe at Rochdale Riverside is also a firm favourite with visitors, providing a stylish, relaxing environment in which to enjoy lunch, fresh coffee and cake.

The Baum in Rochdale’s historic Toad Lane always turns heads with it’s enviable beer selection but now boasts a modern British menu and newly transformed walled beer garden, beautifully lit with festoon lights.

The Baum

The much improved and re-branded Baillie Street Quarter is home to Petit Bistro where you can find everything from bottomless brunches to club sandwiches and delicious hearty meals.

Petit Bistro

Above Petit Bistro is the fabulous Treehouse bar - the place for cocktails and rum.

Just around the corner is La Mancha, offering authentic Spanish Tapas in a relaxed atmosphere.

La Mancha

Also in the Baillie Street Quarter is hidden gem, Vicolo Del Vino, a beautiful rustic wine bar combining real traditional Italian food with an array of specialist wine, beer and gin from around the world. There's also outdoor seating on a quaint cobbled street and live music nights.

The new Baillie Street quarter

Situated above Vicolo Del Vino, quirky micro pub The Pint Pot offers rotating cask ales, a fantastic range of bottled beers, wines and a light lunch and nibbles menu.

Located on South Parade in the former Union Bank of Manchester, is the impressive Mannerist bar and restaurant, offering an exciting cocktail menu and a fusion of Italian and American cuisine where diners can enjoy everything from pizza to chilli beef tacos to mouth-watering steaks.

Mannerist

The former RBS building is now Hogarths; a grand bar with wide drinks menu and a large outdoor terrace with alpine ski hut seating, overlooked by a giant cockerel!

Hogarths

Next to Hogarths, lively Wetherspoons pub The Regal Moon remains a firm favourite. The Reed, just off Yorkshire Street, is another fun, friendly venue and the perfect place to start a night out.

The delectable Heavenly Desserts, based at Rochdale Riverside, provides the very finest in sweet treats and a new addition to The Butts is Jamaican restaurant, Caribbean Vybz.

Austrailia's leading gourmet pizza brand Crust has opened at Rochdale Riverside and is already proving popular.

Street food and craft beer emporium, Bombay Brew, has now reopened with a new menu of reinvented Indian classics alongside a fantastic beer line out and a dreamy cocktail list. They serve beautiful small dishes which are made to be shared alongside their take on traditional curries.

The Cask and Feather, at the top of Drake Street, boasts a comprehensive and varied selection of cask and keg ales which can be enjoyed in the cosy interior or the charming beer garden.

The River Roch and Rochdale Town Hall

Other fantastic venues for lunch with friends or coffee and cake include Pudding Paradise, Cafe Grand Abaco, M&S Cafe, Costa (within Next) and the newly reopened Russells Cafe.

Many venues featured are part of the LoyalFree app where you can find exclusive deals and loyalty schemes. Download for free at www.loyalfree.co.uk/download or search ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Google Play stores.

Keep up to date by visiting www.rochdaletowncentre.co.uk and following @rochdaletowncentre on Instagram and Facebook.