You've stepped out of your front door, or if you've checked into your hotel, or serviced apartment if you're clever, then your setting foot in Manchester for the first time, and you're looking something to eat. All you can see on the high street are the same uninspiring pasta/pizza/pub grub/fast food options that you get in every town. So where do you go for a decent feed in Manchester? That, dear friends, is what we're here to tell you.

China Town

Let's start off with the easy stuff. China town - about as self explanatory as it gets, it's a small area in the centre of the city that consists mainly of Chinese restaurants, shops, supermarkets. Manchester's China Town is a pretty concentrated affair as it only covers about three small streets at the most, which makes it easy for you to compare and choose your restaurant of choice. Set menus and cheap all you can eat deals are popular, especially with the students, but there's certainly scope to splash out on a proper banquet, if your budget allows. As well as the expected Chinese restaurants there's also a few Thai, Malaysian, Japanese and even a Nepalese eatery, giving you plenty of Far Eastern choice.

The Manchester Curry Mile

Next on the 'easy list' is the famous Curry Mile, a stretch of road (but no, it's not exactly a mile long) just outside the centre that boasts the largest concentration of Asian restaurants in the UK. I don't have the space or time to list every restaurant here but rest assured, whether you're after a bog standard curry, Pakistani sweets, a Sri-Lankan feast or anything in between, then this is the place for you. You will find 'normal' curry houses here but there's also a plethora of slightly more unconventional restaurants, some are more like cafes with a bring your own booze policy, others simply a take away with seats.

Spanish Food

The other main imported food influence in Manchester that's worth noting is Spanish, with a number of authentic Spanish eateries popping up recently. In contrast to China Town and the Curry Mile, they're not all in one place. There are a handful in the centre, most notably El Rincon de Rafa and La Tasca, both on Deansgate and both offering the option of either a full meal or some tapas at the bar.

Fine Dining

Aside from all that, Manchester is like any big city and there are places to eat everywhere, with varying quality. If you're after a posh meal in luxurious surroundings, you could start in Spinningfields, the new financial hub near the centre, with big names such as Zizzi, Carluccio's and Wagamama setting the bar reasonably high, but if budget really isn't in your vocabulary we'd recommend you head for one of these wallet-emptiers:

• Ithaca - Japanese elegance with a classy twist;
  
• The Restaurant Bar and Grill - classics with a pricy edge;
  
• Michael Caines at ABode - set in the basement of a city centre hotel, start in the champagne bar and move on to the a la carte menu for a full on luxurious dining experience from the kitchen of this two-Michelin-starred chef;
  
• The Podium - part of the new Hilton Hotel on Deansgate, a mixed, international menu in cool surroundings.
  

Pub Grub
If a decent feed and a pint are more your thing there are some great pubs around. Try The Old Wellington Inn for a bit of grub with some history - the pub was dismantled and moved 100 metres, brick by brick, after the 1996 IRA bomb. Sam's Chop House right in the centre offers a unique Victorian Gin Palace feel with decent food and the Lass O' Gowrie (or just 'The Lass' to the locals) claims to be Manchester's perfect pub, serving up home cooked, locally sourced food that is as kind on the wallet as it is on the taste buds. For some trendy gastro-pub action head to Deansgate locks to mingle, and eat, amongst the beautiful people. The popular Northern Quarter offers a mix of relaxed bars and cafes serving everything from tea and cake to a full on meal, or you could grab some street food from one of the small take away vendors.Read more about Pubs & Bars in Manchester