Zouk?

There is nowhere "near" the airport really, but it's a very quick (15 mins) train ride to Manchester Piccadilly, and from there you can walk to any of the city centre choices (for example Abode is a 5 min walk from the train station).

Another spot-on review, Harters. Love this place and it has the edge on its newer Didsbury outpost I'd say.

Yes. North Tea Power on Tib St would be my tip for best coffee around there, though.

Teacup? Insanely popular though.

Or take a short walk to Fyg on Tib St.

I rather liked this place for a quick dinner, but you make some good points. It's a bit weird. That sauce is a grower.

They've had long enough to grow now. I would echo Harter's feelings, parts of the food is very nice but there's far too many mistakes, and its pricing structure is way off. Our waiter was completely inept too (his wine recommendation was "red").

Yet another occasion where you have to take Manchester Confidential's opinion with a large salt lick.

If you can lean in a Korean direction, I've had a couple of good meals at Ban di Bul...

Great and useful review as always, Harters.

This being the internet, someone, somewhere will have taken this quest to almost insanely detailed extremes. And here they are:

http://www.cr0.co.uk/

Good review, thanks! If not Dilli, then which would you rate as top?

Yep, dead on. When I had a deal for a £5 lunch, it was fine. Its current prices are absurd for what is a pretty poor place all in all.

I like Akbar's, but East z East pips it in my opinion. And of the two, the branch on Princess St has the slight edge.

But it would be a terrible shame not to take the tram up to Aumbry.

Alchemist for cocktails (new one just behind Piccadilly Gardens).

I'm sure somebody else can recommend Chinatown places. I like Ban di Bul (Korean) and there's lots of people like Yuzu.

Outside of town, take the bus to West Didsbury's Burton Road for The Lime Tree, Rose Garden, or a few other places that aren't at all bad.