Discover our locals' 63 hidden gems in Manchester

Discover the soul of Manchester with Spotted by Locals! From indie music venues to hidden cafes, our Spotters show you the city's vibrant culture. Experience Manchester through the eyes of true locals.

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Check out our latest hidden gems in Manchester

Things to do in Manchester

ManCoCo

Manchester's best coffee, full stop

With a modest social media presence and a reputation built on hard work and word-of-mouth, "ManCoCo" has taken the title of Manchester’s best coffee.

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Coffee & tea

by

Denise

Tench

Apr 19, 2025

The Corner Plaice

MCR's best fish and chips

Reliable and consistent, "The Corner Plaice" has become known as this part of Manchester's best and friendliest chippy dinner fix...

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Restaurants
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Snacks

by

Denise

Tench

Apr 19, 2025

Kim's Kitchen

Local hangout with heart and soul

"Kim's Kitchen" in Manchester has once again earned a great reputation for its freshly made, creative dishes, lively atmosphere and down-to-Earth crowd.

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Bars
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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Denise

Tench

Apr 19, 2025

Hulme Garden Centre

Soothing green haven

"Hulme Garden Centre" in Manchester is a green haven, a remedy to all the concrete - a community-led project that's designed to promote well-being...

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Relaxing
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Restaurants
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Shopping

by

Denise

Tench

Apr 19, 2025

Kro Bar

An unbeatable breakfast game

Denmark-inspired "Kro Bar" presents one of the best slow breakfasts in Manchester. The only problem is knowing where to start - eggs are always a good bet!

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Bars
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Coffee & tea
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Restaurants
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Snacks

by

Denise

Tench

Apr 19, 2025

Heaton Park

Grade II listed park

"Heaton Park" in Manchester is a historical park that's much bigger than it seems at first. My favorite part is the animal centre, but there's tons to do!

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

by

Lauren

Rochford

Apr 10, 2025

Islington Mill

Creative arts hub

"Islington Mill" in Salford, close to Manchester, it's one of my favorite industrial hubs-turned-creative spaces. Its events deserve a special mention!

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Art & culture

by

Denise

Tench

Apr 10, 2025

Vinyl Fiction

A rock n roll nerd's paradise

"Vinyl Fiction" in Manchester has a simple concept: they sell vinyl and books. I love how it's not stuffed to the gills and doesn't feel claustrophobic...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Lauren

Rochford

Apr 10, 2025

Whitworth Park and Gallery

Art in the park

"Whitworth Park and Gallery" Manchester has art even outside in the park, with regular exhibitions out in the open. It also has a play park with a zipline!

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

by

Lauren

Rochford

Apr 10, 2025

Longford Park

A bit of everything

"Longford Park" in Manchester simply has everything! Playparks, a cafe, sports courts... One of my favourite details is the stone mounting block.

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Relaxing

by

Lauren

Rochford

Apr 10, 2025

The Peterloo Massacre Memorial

200th anniversary

"The Peterloo Massacre Memorial" in Manchester marks the 200th anniversary of when 18 people were killed & 700 injured protesting for parliamentary reform.

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Art & culture

by

Alice

Hunter

Apr 10, 2025

Highfield Country Park

A wonderful picnic getaway

"Highfield Country Park" in Manchester is a nature reserve I've been going to for as long as I can remember. It makes me feel like I'm outside the city.

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Relaxing

by

Lauren

Rochford

Apr 10, 2025

Heading to Manchester?

63 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

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Going to Manchester?

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What to expect?

Authentic & Unbiased Content

Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!

Go off the Beaten Path Gems

We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.

Responsible Travel

By visiting our locals’ favorites and lesser-known places, you contribute to a more sustainable way of traveling. You support the local economy and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots. And in the end, those are the best places right?

Hi! Nice to meet you.

We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.

Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.

With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.

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