El Piloto Manchester

You'll find this taco spot tucked into Barbirolli Square, where the after-work crowd from the nearby offices mingles with concert-goers grabbing a quick bite before the Hallé starts up. The space is compact but never feels cramped, with exposed brick and industrial touches that suit the area perfectly. The menu is refreshingly focused – this isn't Tex-Mex nonsense but proper Mexican street food executed with care. Each taco arrives on corn tortillas that are pressed to order, topped with slow-cooked meats that actually taste like they've been marinating for hours. The al pastor has the right balance of pineapple sweetness and chilli heat, while their house salsas range from gentle to properly punishing. It's the kind of place where you order three tacos thinking it'll be enough, then immediately want three more.