Local Lunch Favourites, Koba @ 100 Barbirolli Square

We’ve all been there – it’s Thursday, 12:42pm, you’re on the wrong side of feeling peckish, and that Tesco meal deal you grabbed on the way in suddenly doesn’t look so appealing. Luckily for you, you’re in Manchester, home to some of the most varied eateries around, so you’ll never be short of something new to try!

We’ve collected a list of some of our favourite lunch spots right around the office that have been tried and tested to offer a great lunch when you need something a little more inspiring…

Banh Mi Co Ba

Now, we promise we’re not just choosing this one because it’s basically got the same name as us (really!) but for any banh mi enthusiasts, this is your spot – Banh Mi Co Ba is just 3 minutes’ walk over on Oxford Road, and guarantees a quick and delicious lunch, with a fair few veggies packed in. The baguettes start from £10, with the usual array of spring and summer rolls to accompany them. If you’re feeling for something a little more warming, make sure to try out their pho. The tender brisket gets a special shout-out!

Haunt

The next spot is a collective Koba Community team favourite, with the ultimate stamp of approval – we’ve even made the trip on a weekend. If that’s not commitment to a delicious coffee, I don’t know what is…

Haunt is the go-to spot for an excellent day-to-night menu, with the sweet and savoury lunch menu of dreams. They have a range of fresh sandwiches ranging from £9 – £12, and the suggested accompanying mimosa wouldn’t go amiss either! If you’re a brunch lover at heart, their full breakfast menu won’t disappoint – anyone with a sweet tooth will want to know more about their Tiramisu French Toast. Available every day until 4pm, the chic Parisian setting is perfect for a quick meeting or catch up with a colleague.

Nell’s

If you’re feeling the squeeze at the end of the month and want some bang for your buck, Nell’s offer an excellent lunchtime deal that’s worth knowing about. Their closest spot is over at Kampus, where every day you’ll find entire 14” pizzas for £7.77, 12-4pm. Best of all, we’ve partnered with Nell’s to get you 10% off any in-store order, when you show the discount card on your Koba app. You can’t say we don’t treat you!

(Word on the street is that they’ve just launched their Karaoke room on site. If you’re currently planning your office Christmas do, save that one for the after-party…!)

Fat Pat’s

We couldn’t write a Lunch Spot Best Of without mentioning a contender for Manchester’s favourite sandwich – highly recommended by our very own Community Host Alice comes Fat Pat’s. This is by no means guaranteed to be a glamorous experience, but it’ll definitely be a tasty one. Served up from their window are a series of delicious subs, with everything from a Hot Honey Fried Chicken to a Shrimp Po’Boy, sure to transport you to a distinctly less rainy locale than the alley where you’ll be standing!

These certainly aren’t the cheapest sandwiches on the list, but considering these will easily sort you out for two lunches, why not head over with a colleague and go for the split?

La Collina

To round out the list with a final rec, we’re heading to La Collina for a sit-down lunch just across the road from us here at 100 Barbirolli Square. Set in the gorgeous Art-Nouveau style Canada House, this spot has more than their fair share of delicious sandwiches, ranging from the Tuscan Chicken to the Milano Stack – not leaving out the vegans, of course, who have the Vesuvio to look forward to, featuring a smoky vegan bean chili with tempeh. Delish!

Pair that with one of their excellent coffees and you’ve got a perfect lunch break sorted.

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Hopefully next time you’re feeling the lunch dread set in you can give one of these spots a go – and if you have any more recommendations, let us know! We’re always on the lookout for the next great bite to eat.

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Written by Laura Badley (Community host, Koba @ 100 Barbirolli Sq)