Mackie Mayor
Our verdict · A stunning restored Victorian market hall in Manchester with a tight, high-quality set of independent kitchens.
Go if
Spectacular restored Grade II-listed Victorian hall
Skip it if
No bookings and shared seating, so expect a wait at busy times
Plan your visit
Mackie Mayor
From ~£10 per dish
Indicative price at the time of review.
Housed in a beautifully restored Grade II-listed hall built in 1858 for Manchester's original Smithfield Market, Mackie Mayor is as much about the room as the food. Reopened in 2017 by the team behind the acclaimed Altrincham Market, it gathers a compact roster of independent kitchens serving wood-fired pizza, steaks, Reuben-style sandwiches, burgers and ramen around shared benches, with speciality coffee, craft beer and cocktails to match. It opens from 9am for breakfast and runs on a no-bookings, find-a-seat basis, which can mean hovering for a table at peak times. There are fewer traders than the big London halls, but the light-filled Victorian ironwork and easy, buzzy atmosphere make it one of the most atmospheric places to eat in the North West.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Spectacular restored Grade II-listed Victorian hall
- Small, well-curated set of independent traders
- Great coffee, cocktails and communal atmosphere
Cons
- No bookings and shared seating, so expect a wait at busy times
- Fewer traders than the big London halls
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Borough Market | 96/100 | From ~£8 per dish (indicative) | overall |
| 2.Seven Dials Market | 92/100 | From ~£9 per dish (indicative) | variety under one roof |
| 3.Mackie MayorThis pick | 94/100 | From ~£10 per dish (indicative) | food hall setting |
| 4.Digbeth Dining Club | 88/100 | From ~£8 per dish (indicative) | rotating traders |
| 5.Baltic Market | 86/100 | From ~£8 per dish (indicative) | a night out |
Good to know
- Address
- Smithfield Market Hall, 1 Eagle St, Manchester M4 5BU
- Nearest station
- Manchester Victoria
- Price
- From ~£10 per dish (indicative)
- Building
- Grade II-listed 1858 Smithfield market hall
- Seating
- Communal benches, no bookings
- Drinks
- Cocktails, craft beer and speciality coffee
Opening hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address, hours & rating verified via Google · Aug 2026
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Updated
- 31 August 2026
- Last verified
- 31 August 2026
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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