The Dog & Partridge

You'll find this Didsbury stalwart doing what neighbourhood pubs should: serving proper drinks to proper locals without any fuss. The heated patio means you can nurse a pint outside year-round, while the bowling green at the back gives it that quintessentially English pub garden feel that's increasingly rare in the city. The kitchen turns out a surprisingly decent range of food, from solid pub grills to proper curries that actually have some heat to them. It's the sort of place where you pop in for one drink and end up staying for three, chatting to whoever's propped up the bar. The Didsbury crowd keeps it busy but never pretentious – exactly what you want from your local.