Meridian Café & Bar — Restaurant in Manchester

Great location, great value, great service, but most importantly great food. As the venue is still quite new, the staff encourage feedback on the food and drinks.

Portuguese custard tarts - Made fresh on the day. Pastry is perfectly crisp and the custard is delightfully sweet. They make these themselves and limited. Highly recommend.

Prawn Toast - Chunky and fluffy. You can actually taste the prawns. Comes with a side of sweet chilli and interestingly garnished with some crushed pistachio.

Salt & Pepper Wings - I think we were fortunate at the time we went as this isn't officially on the menu yet I don't think but they were trying new menu options and asked us to sample. Soft, juicy and tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. Well seasoned.

Pork Cutlet with Malaysian Curry - I felt the pork itself could have been flavoured better but this was balanced with the exceptional curry. There were a few drops of chilli oil/flakes on the top which I liked but maybe ask without this if you can't take spice. My friends had the chicken curry and it was the upper limit of their spice level. I was also pleased to see some chopped potatoes in the curry, a staple of traditional home-made curry my mum used to make!

Vanilla Ice-cream - Garnished with crushed pistachio. Quality creamy ice-cream used.

In all, a good mix of flavours and a lot of favourites. The only issue I had was deciding what to get. Will definitely be back to try other menu items.

They have advised that the meats are halal too (not pork, obviously).

I went for early dinner after work but they appear to have a station for quick take-out lunches which would be great for local businesses and...

I usually wait for a while before I visit a newly opened cafe or restaurant but I couldn't resist and it was only officially opened last week!

The building is big and spacious. Simple design: one side (where the TV is) that makes you feel like at home, and the other side (left side of the entrance) that gives you the privacy and peace to enjoy your food and drink.

However, the concept seemed rather mixed. I'm unsure whether this place is heading towards fusion cuisine as their name 'Meridian' suggests or purely focusing on Southeast / East Asian cuisine as their food menu is predominantly of these cuisines.

Nonetheless, I ordered a hot chocolate, Meridian Trio, and Malaysian Curry Chicken that comes with rice. Food and drink came at reasonable time. Decent portion size and hot in temperature. Reasonable price considering it's located in city centre.

As a foodie, I'm quite critical on food and drink. They were acceptable but there were gaps for improvement which I gave feedback to the manager Daniel.

The service was excellent all the way through. After the meal, Daniel was very engaging and he wrote my feedback on the food and drink in his notebook. In fact, he even went to improvise on one of the things I mentioned straightaway too.

Overall, a positive visit. There are some gaps for improvement but I feel assured that Daniel will improvise them. I'm definitely coming back and bringing my friends with me next time. Thank you for today and see...

Meridian Bar & Café is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality that truly sets this place apart. The pricing is incredibly fair across the board, making it a fantastic spot for both a casual drink and a full meal.

One of the highlights is their fresh drinks—especially the hot chocolate, which is made with real melted chocolate. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely divine! The attention to quality is evident in every sip and bite, as all their food is made with high-quality ingredients that result in flavoursome, perfectly balanced dishes.

The staff are beyond helpful and kind, consistently going above and beyond to make sure every customer feels valued. They frequently offer samples and complimentary refreshments, a thoughtful touch that makes the experience even more special.

A special mention has to go to Daniel, who is a true breath of fresh air. His energy, warmth, and passion for the café and its food shine through in every interaction. He takes the time to connect with each customer on a personal level, making you feel welcome and leaving you with a smile.

If you’re looking for a place that delivers exceptional food, great value, and outstanding service, Meridian Bar & Café is the place to go. Highly...