The Rice Bowl

4.4 ( 1341 reviews )
Checking... 12:00 AM - 11:00 PM See Hours
33A Cross St, Manchester M2 1NL, United Kingdom
+44 161 832 9033

The Rice Bowl, nestled at 33A Cross St, Manchester, is a hidden gem that has won over the hearts of many diners. Customers rave about the exceptional service, highlighted by Alicia's experience of receiving friendly attention despite a short wait for her perfectly cooked chow mein. The warmth of the food matched the hospitality, consistently earning praise across various reviews.

Unexpected delights like free fruit after meals add a unique touch, enhancing the overall experience. Emily's choice of beef in black bean sauce noodles, loaded with fresh vegetables, speaks volumes about the restaurant's commitment to flavor and quality. Melissa highlights the delectable Thai red curry and crispy beef, albeit noting a slight concern about portion sizes.

Johannes underscores the standout dish—the crispy duck, which showcases the culinary expertise at The Rice Bowl. With an inviting ambiance and charming decor, this establishment creates a relaxing dining atmosphere complemented by classic jazz music. Overall, whether you're on a lunch break or dining leisurely, The Rice Bowl promises an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine, making it a must-visit spot in Manchester.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • No wheelchair-accessible car park
    • No wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • No wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Service options
    • Has no-contact delivery
    • Offers delivery
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Has great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves late-night food
    • Quick bite
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Paid street parking

Reviews For The Rice Bowl

Alicia
Jul 1,2025
Stopped here last minute while walking past and found one of the best hidden places in Manchester. Some of the best and friendliest service I’ve received and even though a small wait for food was 1000% worth it! I got the chow mein of the lunch menu which was an amazing portion size with meat and noodles cooked to perfection. The food came out super hot and fresh! Can’t wait to come back!
Bukola Fadahunsi
Jun 30,2025
Great place. I walked past it and didn’t even know that I was already there, but it’s nice inside. I had a 30 minute break from work, and quickly popped in there, and asked the waitress for the fastest food that I could possibly get, and they came up with this just in time, and I finished it before my break ended. It tasted soo good as well.
Emily Clatworthy
Jun 10,2025
A lovely restaurant. The food was delicious and arrived very quickly. The staff are very attentive, and provided free fruit after the meal. Lovely decorations too. We had the beef in black bean sauce noodles, which had so many veg packed in, and chicken noodles
melissa hughes
May 22,2025
honestly, if your local and craving hearty food, this is the spot! we got the thai red curry, chilli crispy beef and 2 portions of rice. IT WAS ALL DELICIOUS!!! the flavour was so spot on, the food was delicious, and the waiting time was great to be honest. my only concern is the portion size, as they’re just a bit small. good attentive service too! the general vibe and classic jazz playing gives it a comfortable feeling. before your bill they give you fruit too which is so cute!! 100% recommend, the food is outstanding
Johannes Thomä
May 2,2025
I had an excellent dining experience at The Rice Bowl in Manchester. The food was absolutely outstanding—every dish was top-notch, but the highlight was definitely the duck. It was incredibly crispy and flavorful, truly a must-try! The service was exceptional as well. The staff was highly professional, attentive, and efficient—some of the best service I’ve ever experienced. The restaurant’s ambiance perfectly matches its style, creating an inviting and authentic atmosphere. The overall setting, with its Chinese-inspired decor, adds to the experience, and the price-performance ratio is very reasonable. If you’re in Manchester, The Rice Bowl is a must-visit. Highly recommended!
Florin Cirlomaneanu
Apr 8,2025
A Hidden Gem in Manchester! After a walk through Manchester city centre, we were looking for something different to eat. Everywhere seemed to offer the usual burgers, pizza, or fish and chips but we wanted something more unique. While wandering down the street, we stumbled upon this place and let me tell you, it was amazing! The staff were friendly and polite, and the place was spotless. **The food? Just incredible!** I had the Thai-style coconut chicken, and it was absolutely packed with flavour—something truly divine. The egg fried rice was also a solid 10/10! The starter King Prawn: delicious, hot and full of flavour, perfect! Without a doubt, this is the best Chinese restaurant in Manchester I’ve tried so far. Well done to the team! We’ll definitely be back.
peterf
Apr 1,2025
Best Chinese in Manchester. Forget Chinatown! This is far and away the best Chinese restaurant in Manchester. I’ve recently moved here from the South and was looking for restaurants that Matched London’s Chinatown. I was disappointed with Manchester Chinatown which had the usual mix of sticky vegetables in cornflour gravy and bland mains. Rice bowl is different in every way. The food is varied and tasty, ranging from mild to spicy hot. The dim sum is always available and is delicious. There’s a large variety of mains and their sizzling dishes need particular mention. The premises are spotlessly clean with great attention to the little details. The staff are really friendly and their customer service skills are excellent. The restaurants in Manchester are many and varied but I keep going back to Rice Bowl.
Ben Wigley
Mar 24,2025
Fantastic food, great staff friendly and attentive throughout our meal. I would highly recommend!

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