A mere eight minute train journey from Manchester’s Piccadilly Station sits the industrial town of Stockport.

Once a leading commerce and distribution point during the Industrial Revolution, and the epicentre of the UK’s prevalent hatting industry during the 19th century (you can still learn about Stockport’s rich textile history at the Hat Works Museum), the town is today building a name for itself as an ever-growing foodie and cultural hub.

It’s historic cobbled streets known as ‘The Underbanks’ which, not all that long ago, were becoming tired, unloved and derelict, are now bustling with flavour, flair, and a new lease of life having been injected with funds and development from the council, along with plenty of love from independent restaurateurs, bar owners and retailers who became besotted with Stockport’s undeniable charm and chose to call the market town their home.

It’s a work in progress, and whilst it's not quite as bustling as Altrincham or Manchester’s Northern Quarter yet, it’s quickly gaining recognition as a desirable destination for eating, drinking and socialising, having been awarded Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2023/24.

To honour this ever-developing town, its rich history, and its fantastic display of community, culture and quality produce, foodie aficionados Manchester Bites has teamed up with Stockport Council and created a unique food tour in celebration and support of one of the UK’s strongest and fast growing local food scenes.

On Saturday (8 February), I was kindly invited along by experience gifting company Indytute to see just what hidden gems you can discover on a Stockport Food Tours. Here are a few highlights.

2025 02 09 Stockport Underbanks — **The Underbanks from above** Image: Confidentials

In the capable hands of Manchester Bites’ expert guide Julia, the private tour began at Stockport Gin - Stockport’s first (and only) gin distillery, located at 19B St Petersgate.

Owned and run by husband and wife duo Paul and Cheryl, the business was born in 2019 from a joint love for craft gin. After exploring bars in the area they quickly discovered there wasn’t a local gin available so took it upon themselves to create one, throwing themselves head first into researching and perfecting recipes, launching their first gin from their garage at home before quickly outgrowing the space and moving into their St Petersgate distillery and bottleshop.

2025 02 09 Stockport Gin Owners — **Paul and Cheryl, owners of Stockport Gin** Image: Stockport Gin

Using a 100L stainless steel column to produce their gins in house, each bottle is then filled and labelled by hand before being distributed all across the UK.

Now, with four award-winning blends under their belt (Original, Pink, Twist of Lime and Gunpowder), Stockport Gin has gained notoriety, bagging a silver medal at The World Gin Awards which has helped take the brand (whose logo features the town’s famous towering viaducts) of this now well-established Stockport business to new heights.

2025 02 09 Stockport Gin Gins — **Stockport Gin's four blends** Image: Stockport Gin

By now, we’d built up an appetite so took a short 30-second walk over to the warm and welcoming Cafe Sanjuan; a quaint little spot that was so populated with locals on this cold Saturday morning that the windows had fogged up from all the heat.

Owned by community hero Luis, Cafe Sanjuan at 27 St Petersgate serves up authentic and lovingly-made Colombian food and coffee.

2025 02 09 Cafe Sanjuan Luis — **Luis, owner of Cafe Sanjuan** Image: Confidentials

Julia ordered me one of their shredded chicken (pollo mechado) arepas with cheese whilst she opted for one of their vegan versions, made with aubergine skins and seasoned with special spices to create a sort of jerky texture.

Served on traditional ceramics with a small ramekin of refried beans on the side, this homely dish was just the ticket needed for a brunchtime refuel; beautifully seasoned pulled chicken atop a cheesy arepa with a crispy seared underside and a soft and fluffy centre. I could have devoured a whole plate of these.

I’ll certainly be returning to Cafe Sanjuan in the very near future with my partner and our friends in tow as it has a brilliant buzzing energy and community feel to it.

2025 02 09 Cafe Sanjuan Arepas — **Cafe Sanjuan's arepas** Image: Confidentials

It seems you don’t have to mooch very far in Stockport to find a spot worth stopping for and, heading back into town towards the Market Place, we came across Alan’s Superstore - yet another gem on St Petersgate.

2025 02 09 Alans Superstore — **Alan's Superstore** Image: Confidentials

From the outside, Alan’s is an unassuming grocery store with its bright and colourful fresh produce stacked high out front ready to entice you in. But step inside and you’ll discover a whole array of freshly baked Iranian sweet treats, pastries and breads.

At the back of the store sits an oven with a circular plate that turns as it cooks, producing beautifully baked flatbreads which pairs wonderfully with halva - a type of buttery spread made from tahini - which can also be purchased from Alan’s.

We did just that before heading over to a bench on the bridge above the Little Underbank to sit and enjoy.

2025 02 09 Alans Bread — **Freshly baked bread and halva from Alan's Superstore** Image: Confidentials

As we tore off pieces of the fresh, warm flatbread and dipped them in the halva, Julia pointed out historical landmarks of note, like the Queens Head pub; a building which was actually cut in half to make way for the exact bridge we were sitting on, but now unfortunately sits dormant.

Hopefully it's reopened as a traditional pub and joins the other hospitality hotspots making up the now-bustling Underbanks soon.

2025 02 09 Queens Head Stockport — **The Queens Head pub on Stockport's Underbanks** Image: Confidentials

Bellies full of bread, we continued the walking tour, weaving our way around the Market Place which was now heaving with visitors as the monthly Makers Market was in full swing. It was fantastic to see so many people out in full force on a frosty February afternoon, supporting local businesses and sharing in the joy of shopping independently.

By now I had gotten to know Julia a little better and discovered that she was originally from Switzerland, having moved to the UK eight years ago to live with her partner. She expressed how living in Manchester, and spending lots of time in surrounding towns like Stockport, had become a welcome second home to her, relishing in the warmth and friendliness that is Northern hospitality.

I also learned that Julia actually has her own stall at the Makers Markets where she sells beautiful sustainable stationery - give her a follow on Instagram @MellowApricotStudio.

2025 02 09 Produce Hall — **Inside The Produce Hall** Image: Confidentials

Over the next few hours, Julia unveiled to me some of Stockport’s most incredible independent venues, their owners and their stories, along with little snippets of history that make this fantastic town what it is.

We concluded the tour with a little something sweet, heading back up to the Market Place and into Stockport’s Market Hall.

Despite many people thinking of traditional markets like this one as a thing of the past, Stockport’s Market Hall is continuing to thrive and flourish, selling everything from fresh fruit and veg to artisan cheeses and craft beers. Some of the stalls even stay open late to take part in ‘Foodie Friday’ - the town’s once-a-month celebration of local hospitality, turning the hall into a stage for live music, entertainment and, of course, great food.

Our final stop-off point was Sticky Fingers, a female-owned business selling Polish cakes and pastries.

2025 02 09 Sticky Fingers — **Sticky Fingers in Stockport Market Hall** Image: Confidentials

I delighted in an absolutely humungous raspberry and cream bake which had a lovely fluffy centre and crispy, sugar-coated edges.

Every seat around the stall was full of diners digging into their afternoon sweet treats with a cup of tea or coffee. Sticky Fingers is a spot that has become so popular and well-loved that there’s plans to expand the business to their own premises on the Underbanks in the very near future. Watch this space.

2025 02 09 Sticky Fingers 2 — **A pastry from Sticky Fingers** Image: Confidentials

This three-hour tour is just the tip of the iceberg of what this town’s vibrant hospitality scene has to offer - you’d need a whole month and then some to try it all - but it’s a fantastic place to start if you’re looking to dip your toe into Stockport, or you’re a local looking to learn more about what you’re lucky enough to have on your doorstep.

If you’d like to try Manchester Bites’ Stockport Food Tour for yourself, you can book a ticket here.

For more great spots to discover in Stockport, head to ConfidentialGuides.com.

‘Shaped by the day’s best produce’: Dacha, from Where the Light Gets In

Front Page 07/02: 6 Music Festival and something called a Food Hall

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