Uncover the Ultimate Guide to Summer Dining in Manchester

The Perfect Al-Fresco Spot

The Ultimate Guide to Al Fresco Dining at the Corn Exchange in Manchester

The vibrant city of Manchester is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, bustling streets, and flourishing culinary scene. When it comes to enjoying a delightful dining experience in the heart of the city, the Corn Exchange stands as a prominent destination. With its stunning architecture and a plethora of restaurants with outdoor terraces, we offer an exceptional al fresco dining experience that caters to a variety of tastes.

In this article, we’ll explore the charm of dining outdoors at the Corn Exchange, highlighting the diverse range of culinary options available to you and even giving you our top summer menu picks!.

3 Great Reasons to Dine Outdoors at the Corn Exchange:

Dining outside in the sun at Salvi's restaurant

1. Soak in the Ambience

Al fresco dining at the Corn Exchange offers an opportunity to revel in the unique ambiance of this iconic venue. As you sit outdoors, you’ll witness the bustling streets of Manchester, immersing yourself in the city’s energetic spirit. Whether it’s witnessing the vibrant atmosphere of Exchange Square, people-watching over Cathedral Gardens or simply enjoying the architectural splendor of Manchester Cathedral on Cathedral Street, dining outdoors adds an extra layer of charm to your culinary experience.

Outdoor Al Fresco Dining at Banyan Corn Exchange Manchester

2. Great choice of cuisines

The Corn Exchange offers a delightful range of al fresco dining options from around the globe that will tantalise your taste buds. Whether you crave Italian, Thai, Indian, Greek or even Vietnamese. Plus with vegetarian and vegan delights, or classic pub grub, even the fussiest eaters will be happy. The terraces provide a vibrant atmosphere, allowing you to soak in the energy of the city and feeling like you are on foreign shores while enjoying your meal.

People dining at Cosy Club & Banyan restaurant in the background

3. Perfect for Socialising

One of the greatest joys of al fresco dining is the chance to socialise and connect with friends, loved ones and sometimes strangers. Our outdoor terraces provide a relaxed and sociable environment, allowing you to enjoy quality time with company or even making new friends while savouring delicious food and drinks. Whether it’s a casual lunch, a celebratory dinner, or an after-work gathering, we have a great choice of spots to relax and unwind.

With so much choice available, we have done all of the hard work for you and chosen our top picks from the menu to enjoy in the sunshine. Do you agree?

Don’t forget to tag us in your Al Fresco pics on all the socials @cornexchangemcr #cornexchangemcr

Al Fresco Spaces, our Top Picks plus a refreshing drink:

banyan-50%-off-january-corn-exchange-manchester
Banyan Al Fresco Dining Salad Bowl at Corn Exchange Manchester

Exchange Square

Banyan: Our top picks: Alpine Chicken Schnitzel – Flattened chicken breast layered with Emmental cheese and ham, encased in a golden crumb and topped with a fresh tomato salsa. Served with house fries and aioli. | Revitalise Bowl – A nourishing mix of halloumi, roast butternut squash, red and golden beets, avocado, tomato, roast peppers, quinoa and a superfood dressing.  (V) | Fruit Bomb – Grenadine, cranberry, orange, fruit jam.

Cosy Club: Our top picks: Spanish Chicken – Paprika spiced chicken breast on a bed of chorizo, twice-roasted new potatoes, spinach, red pepper, tomato, and garlic aioli. | Vegan Cheeseburger – Signature burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle with fries and slaw (VG) | Morning Cooler – lemon, elderflower and mint, finished with soda and cucumber.

Zizzi: Our top picks: Pan-Fried Salmon & Pesto Risotto – Rich & creamy risotto topped with pan-fried salmon fillet, green pesto, fresh spinach and courgette ribbons. | Campanelle Lentil Ragu – Fresh Wildfarmed pasta in a lentil ragu made with sunblush tomatoes, spinach and nero chickpeas. (VG) |  Pineapple & Citrus Refresher – Pineapple, lime, orange, and soda.

The Real Greek: Our top picks: Chicken Monastiraki – Chicken thigh, marinated with Greek herbs, served with tzatziki, onion and tomatoes | Jackfruit Gyros – Flatbread filled with falafel, tahini, chips, fresh tomatoes, red onion, and sweet paprika (VG) | Mythos Beer

Salvi’s: Our top picks: Pasta Nonna Teresa – Pasta with pancetta and pistachio pesto | Risotto – Mushroom, Vegan Parmesan and Truffle Oil (VG) | It has to be an Aperol Spritz! – Aperol, Prosecco & a splash of soda water

Vapiano: Our top picks: Gamberetti e Spinaci – King prawns cooked in a cream and pesto sauce with fresh spinach, and Italian tomatoes | Penne All’arrabiata – Tomato sauce, garlic, onions, chilli (VG) | Strawberry & Ginger Crush – Everleaf Mountain aaperitif, strawberry & ginger syrup, lime and ginger ale.

Pizza Express: Our top picks: Smokey BBQ Chicken Pizza – Sweet & smoky BBQ chicken, mozzarella, roasted peppers, red onion, and parsley, on a BBQ sauce base | Beetroot Buddha Bowl – Balsamic roasted beetroot, mixed grains, roasted and baby tomatoes, spinach, rocket, creamy houmous and spiced toasted seeds (VG) | Strawberry Sicilian Still Lemonade

Tampopo: Our top picks: Nasi Goreng Royale – Wok-fried rice with chicken, charred green beans & red peppers, flavoured with chilli, garlic, lime leaf & crispy shallots, served with homemade sambal & a fried egg | Singaporean Vermicelli Noodles – Thin rice noodles cooked in mixed curry spices & light soy with fresh vegetables. (VG) | Lychee & Kiwi Cooler – Fresh lychee juice & kiwi topped with sparkling apple, Thai basil & fresh lime.

Riva Blu: Our top picks: Branzino – Pan-fried sea bass fillets, scarola, cannellini beans, chilli, endive & semi-dried tomatoes | Zucchini Al Tartufo Pizza – White base, soy truffle cream, vegan mozzarella-style cheese, courgette ribbons, chestnut mushrooms, chilli & basil (VG) | Take Me South – Mango & Pineapple with passion fruit & lime.

Exchange Square

Banyan: Our top picks: Alpine Chicken Schnitzel – Flattened chicken breast layered with Emmental cheese and ham, encased in a golden crumb and topped with a fresh tomato salsa. Served with house fries and aioli. | Revitalise Bowl – A nourishing mix of halloumi, roast butternut squash, red and golden beets, avocado, tomato, roast peppers, quinoa and a superfood dressing.  (V) | Fruit Bomb – Grenadine, cranberry, orange, fruit jam.

Cosy Club: Our top picks: Spanish Chicken – Paprika spiced chicken breast on a bed of chorizo, twice-roasted new potatoes, spinach, red pepper, tomato, and garlic aioli. | Vegan Cheeseburger – Signature burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle with fries and slaw (VG) | Morning Cooler – lemon, elderflower and mint, finished with soda and cucumber.

Zizzi: Our top picks: Pan-Fried Salmon & Pesto Risotto – Rich & creamy risotto topped with pan-fried salmon fillet, green pesto, fresh spinach and courgette ribbons. | Campanelle Lentil Ragu – Fresh Wildfarmed pasta in a lentil ragu made with sunblush tomatoes, spinach and nero chickpeas. (VG) |  Pineapple & Citrus Refresher – Pineapple, lime, orange, and soda.

The Real Greek: Our top picks: Chicken Monastiraki – Chicken thigh, marinated with Greek herbs, served with tzatziki, onion and tomatoes | Jackfruit Gyros – Flatbread filled with falafel, tahini, chips, fresh tomatoes, red onion, and sweet paprika (VG) | Mythos Beer

Salvi’s: Our top picks: Pasta Nonna Teresa – Pasta with pancetta and pistachio pesto | Risotto – Mushroom, Vegan Parmesan and Truffle Oil (VG) | It has to be an Aperol Spritz! – Aperol, Prosecco & a splash of soda water

Vapiano: Our top picks: Gamberetti e Spinaci – King prawns cooked in a cream and pesto sauce with fresh spinach, and Italian tomatoes | Penne All’arrabiata – Tomato sauce, garlic, onions, chilli (VG) | Strawberry & Ginger Crush – Everleaf Mountain aaperitif, strawberry & ginger syrup, lime and ginger ale.

Pizza Express: Our top picks: Smokey BBQ Chicken Pizza – Sweet & smoky BBQ chicken, mozzarella, roasted peppers, red onion, and parsley, on a BBQ sauce base | Beetroot Buddha Bowl – Balsamic roasted beetroot, mixed grains, roasted and baby tomatoes, spinach, rocket, creamy houmous and spiced toasted seeds (VG) | Strawberry Sicilian Still Lemonade

Tampopo: Our top picks: Nasi Goreng Royale – Wok-fried rice with chicken, charred green beans & red peppers, flavoured with chilli, garlic, lime leaf & crispy shallots, served with homemade sambal & a fried egg | Singaporean Vermicelli Noodles – Thin rice noodles cooked in mixed curry spices & light soy with fresh vegetables. (VG) | Lychee & Kiwi Cooler – Fresh lychee juice & kiwi topped with sparkling apple, Thai basil & fresh lime.

Riva Blu: Our top picks: Branzino – Pan-fried sea bass fillets, scarola, cannellini beans, chilli, endive & semi-dried tomatoes | Zucchini Al Tartufo Pizza – White base, soy truffle cream, vegan mozzarella-style cheese, courgette ribbons, chestnut mushrooms, chilli & basil (VG) | Take Me South – Mango & Pineapple with passion fruit & lime.

mowgli-street-food
Delhi House Cafe Menu Selection

Fennel Street / Cathedral Gardens

Delhi House Cafe: Our top picks: Mom’s Buttered Chicken Tikka Masala – Tandoori cooked chicken tikka in a rich creamy tomato sauce for a Delhi-ite Delight, served with Butter Naan | Vegan Roadside Chole Chawal – Chickpea simmered in spiced tomato & onion sauce, served with basmati rice (VG) | Bade Log – Mango, Mint, Lemon & Soda.

Garten Bar: Our top picks: Chicken Shish – Grilled marinated chicken, durum, tzatziki, tabbouleh, grated carrot, arugula, tomato & onion salad | Beyond Truffle Burger – Brioche bun, veggie patty, pickled gherkin,
lettuce, truffle mayo, melted cheese, and fries (V) | Gutenberry – Elderflower, raspberry, rosemary & apple.

Fennel Street / Cathedral Gardens

Delhi House Cafe: Our top picks: Mom’s Buttered Chicken Tikka Masala – Tandoori cooked chicken tikka in a rich creamy tomato sauce for a Delhi-ite Delight, served with Butter Naan | Vegan Roadside Chole Chawal – Chickpea simmered in spiced tomato & onion sauce, served with basmati rice (VG) | Bade Log – Mango, Mint, Lemon & Soda.

Garten Bar: Our top picks: Chicken Shish – Grilled marinated chicken, durum, tzatziki, tabbouleh, grated carrot, arugula, tomato & onion salad | Beyond Truffle Burger – Brioche bun, veggie patty, pickled gherkin,
lettuce, truffle mayo, melted cheese, and fries (V) | Gutenberry – Elderflower, raspberry, rosemary & apple.

sixes-sri-lankan-burger-vegan-corn-exchange-manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Burger and Fries

Cathedral Street

Sixes: Our top picks: Botham Burger – Smash patty, melted cheese, Sixes burger sauce, pickles, shallots and services with fries. | Veggie Fire Pizza – Vegan ‘nduja, roast peppers, red onion, pesto & fior di latte (VG) | Sixes Fruitee-Total Cup – Everleaf Mountain, Anon English Garden, mint, Lixir ginger ale.

Mowgli Street Food: Our top picks: Monkey Wrap – An open roti wrap with succulent, charred tandoori chicken, jewels of pomegranate, spinach, mint & that crazy rainbow of homespun Mowgli chutneys. | Holy Chow – Vegan showstopper. Spiced chickpea, potato, spinach, fresh ginger & mango served in a loaf. (VG) | Mago Lassi (Long Yoghurt Cooler) – The absolute all time Indian favourite. Indians are obsessed by the soft, rare Kesar Mangoes.

Pho: Our top picks: Chicken Rice Bowl – Rice bowls topped with loads of veg & herbs, served with marinated chicken thigh | Phở Xào – Tofu & mushroom wok fried flat rice noodles with lemongrass, chilli and Asian greens (VG) | Fresh Juice – Spinach, Cucumber & Pear.

Cathedral Street

Sixes: Our top picks: Botham Burger – Smash patty, melted cheese, Sixes burger sauce, pickles, shallots and services with fries. | Veggie Fire Pizza – Vegan ‘nduja, roast peppers, red onion, pesto & fior di latte (VG) | Sixes Fruitee-Total Cup – Everleaf Mountain, Anon English Garden, mint, Lixir ginger ale.

Mowgli Street Food: Our top picks: Monkey Wrap – An open roti wrap with succulent, charred tandoori chicken, jewels of pomegranate, spinach, mint & that crazy rainbow of homespun Mowgli chutneys. | Holy Chow – Vegan showstopper. Spiced chickpea, potato, spinach, fresh ginger & mango served in a loaf. (VG) | Mago Lassi (Long Yoghurt Cooler) – The absolute all time Indian favourite. Indians are obsessed by the soft, rare Kesar Mangoes.

Pho: Our top picks: Chicken Rice Bowl – Rice bowls topped with loads of veg & herbs, served with marinated chicken thigh | Phở Xào – Tofu & mushroom wok fried flat rice noodles with lemongrass, chilli and Asian greens (VG) | Fresh Juice – Spinach, Cucumber & Pear.

Please note that the menu options and signature dishes may vary, and it’s always a good idea to check with the individual restaurants for the most up-to-date offerings.