Tapping into Liverpool’s love affair with the sharing experience, this tiny bistro serves eclectic and inventive dishes with mainly Middle Eastern inspiration. The place—all bare bricks, upcycled furniture, and edgy artwork—takes its name from the Marais district of Paris, though it’s actually inspired more by the falafel joints of the French capital's less scenic Bastille district. There are two outposts at the Albert Dock and in the suburb of Allerton, plus a Maray in Manchester.

Despite their civic and footballing rivalries, Liverpool and Manchester enjoy a fraternal relationship when it comes to music and, increasingly, food. There is a regular exchange of talent along the M62. For example, Bold Street Coffee recently brought its banging breakfast sandwiches to Manchester, and Albert Dock taco ace Madre will open a Manchester restaurant in November.

Opening its doors in Manchester last year, Maray is a Liverpudlian export that takes its inspiration from the Marais neighbourhood of Paris, a bubbling pot of Lebanese, Syrian and North African cuisine. Packed with Middle Eastern flavours, the restaurant has made quite a name for itself with its signature ‘disco’ cauliflower, served whole and doused in a potent mix of harissa, tahini, pomegranate and chermoula. Unlike the majority of the eateries on this list, the menu is dominated by fragrant veggie options, such as the spiced lentil mejadara and tahini-doused sweet potato.

We gave you the inside scoop on this Lincoln Square spot after we went there for lunch and enjoyed a couple of Agent Cooper’s. Lucy T also emphasised that “there’s a lovely little outside terrace that catches the sun while we are lucky enough to have it”, and if you ever feel like sipping on a Lebanese white when the temp is double figures, this is the place. The tables are delicate and European-feeling, there are umbrellas, a nice view of the not-so-hidden gem, and a little stripy awning which gives the whole spot that certain je ne sais quoi.

Middle Eastern-inspired Maray are offering a delicious vegan menu to fill those cravings of tapas-style food this Veganuary. With falafel sharers, disco cauliflower and crispy chickpea dopiaza with an abundance of mezze options to add on top, Maray are providing exceptional dining options for everyone trying to eat plant-based, as well as offering non-vegan options for anyone not joining in. From the 2nd January, they’re offering 50% off vegetarian and vegan dishes from their main menu, so all the more reason to book in to Maray this month.

Maray’s Paris-meets-the-Middle-East menu stretches into its Sunday offering too, and it’s superbly good, among the absolute best in the city. The blushing roast beef is a picanha cut with a nice fat cap on it, and the chicken is luxuriously adorned with lemon, saffron and za’atar, while the nut roast is made from spiced chickpeas, in a nod to the glorious falafel. The roasties are spiked with fenugreek, but other than that, the additionals – roasted carrots and parsnips, buttered greens – are pleasingly trad.

Nationally acclaimed, Liverpool-born restaurant Maray, opened its doors in Manchester last summer. Founded in 2014 by James Bates, Tom White and Dom Jones, the concept was originally inspired by their experience in the Le Marais district of Paris – a buzzing district touted as a culinary melting pot of Middle Eastern flavours and vibrant cocktail spots. Dishes span the much-loved disco cauliflower, served with chermoula, harissa, tahini and yoghurt, crispy buttermilk chicken and a diverse selection of mezze.

Middle Eastern/Parisian restaurant Maray is a must for its veggie and vegan small plates, brilliant cocktails and spiced falafel roast dinner. Must-tries here include the signature ‘Disco Cauliflower’, which comes baked whole and loaded with sauces and pomegranate seeds, the warm garlic flatbread, hummus and bright green house falafel. Easily one of the best places for vegan and veggie food in Manchester even if they do dabble in plenty of meat and seafood.

Inspired by their experiences in Le Marais, Paris, James Bates, Tom White and Dom Jones founded Maray in 2014. The Middle Eastern restaurant in Manchester city centre (and with two locations in Liverpool too) puts together bold flavours, superb wine and refreshing cocktails. The Brazennose Street venue features modern, textured walls, potted plants and notes of rich turquoise by the open kitchen to create a relaxing space to dine with friends.

Maray is the place to go for Middle Eastern-inspired sharing plates, cocktails, and wine, so it is already pretty cool by default. Colourful dishes are paired with bold cocktails and wines, and the restaurant's bright and contemporary setting features tiled floors, ample natural light, and private dining options. While menus change regularly, expect tasty options such as lamb kofta and falafel, along with a dedicated vegan menu.

Maray Manchester is a restaurant and bar located in the heart of Manchester, England. They offer a diverse range of cuisines, including Marche, Québécois, Syrian, Yemenite, Alsace, Austrian, Couscous, Creole, Falafel, Kaiseki, Kazakhstani, Laotian, and Madrilian. They also specialize in small plates, steamboat, and eclectic dishes.

Maray, originally from Liverpool, has brought its Middle Eastern magic to Manchester. Inspired by Paris’s Marais district, it’s a melting pot of Lebanese, Syrian, and North African flavours. The real showstopper here is their ‘disco’ cauliflower – it’s a whole head, slathered in harissa, tahini, pomegranate, and chermoula.

The arrival of Liverpool’s Maray (and its broadly eastern Mediterranean/post-Ottolenghi food aesthetic) has been warmly welcomed in Manchester. Expect falafel, fattoush and lamb shawarma, labneh and salt-baked beetroot or pork cheeks with tahini, amba sauce, balsamic and red pepper.

Maray offers an amazing selection of vegetarian dishes in their eclectic Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant. Check out review here. Located in the bustling city centre, Maray is a hidden gem that’s well worth seeking out tucked away on Brazennose Street just behind Lincoln Square.

Maray Manchester is the fourth of its kind, but the first to sprout outside of Liverpool. Inspired by Le Marais quarter in Paris, where founders Tom, Dom and James tried “some of the best falafel in the world” on the streets of Rue Des Rosiers.

Maray Manchester, 14 Brazennose St, Manchester , M2 6LW - Visit now. This acclaimed Middle-Eastern restaurant has a small but very pleasant outside area, perfect for small plates and wine in the sun.

Diners can enjoy 50% off veggie and vegan dishes, all day Monday – Thursday, for parties of up to seven people. Maray, 14 Brazennose St, Manchester M2 6LW

with nearby restaurants such as Wreckfish or Maray, not Duke Street’s street food outlets. In that regard, Pilgrim could be anywhere in Liverpool.