Tampopo Albert Square

Someone from this business manages this listing.

1,296 reviews

#7 of 2,527 Restaurants in Manchester££ - £££, Asian, Thai, Singaporean

+44 161 819 1966+ Add website

Hours

Sun

10:30 - 22:00

Mon

10:30 - 23:00

Tue

10:30 - 23:00

Wed

10:30 - 23:00

Thu

10:30 - 23:00

Fri

10:30 - 23:00

Sat

10:30 - 23:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

1,296 reviews

#7 of 2,527 Restaurants in Manchester

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Asian, Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

“Nasi Goreng heaven”

“... impressed by the authentic Thai food, I highly recommend the pork dumplings.”

“Sea Bream, Fillet Steak and Red Curry were incredible.”

“Ordered sharer plate to start which included satay, corn fritters, spicy pork...”

Location and contact

16 Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PF England

+44 161 819 1966

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Details

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About

The original Tampopo: small, but perfectly formed. On Albert Square and overlooked by the impressive Manchester Town Hall. Popular for work lunches, after work eats or gig and theatre dinner. Seats 66. Solo diners, couples or small groups all welcome. For enquiries and bookings please call the restaurant directly or go online to book via our website.

PRICE RANGE

£9.00 – £25.00

CUISINES

Asian, Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

FEATURES

Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants

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4.5

1,296 reviews

Excellent

916

Very good

229

Average

Poor

Terrible

James B

2 contributions

Excellent service from Marta

Jan 2020 • friends

I visited Tampopo today on my lunch break. I ordered a starter and main course off their express lunch menu and was really pleased with the quality and price of the dishes. Service is always great and our experience at the restaurant was made by our server Marta. Thanks again.

Written 15 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello James, I really appreciate you taking time to review us - Marta was absolutely over the moon to see that you enjoyed being served by her today, it means a lot! Thanks again and hopefully see you soon, Karolina & the Team

Written 15 January 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mel

Manchester2 contributions

Brilliant!

Jan 2020 • none

I heard great opinions about Tampopo and today was the day when i finally tried it out. I must admit - it was utterly delicious. I was served by two male servers - their service was extraordinary, they made sure that my meal was not only promptly delivered, but also packed up to take leftovers home. I have to give special compliments to the chefs - I have never tried Tamarind Duck before but it was so soft and tender, cooked to perfection. Will definitely come back and recommend to my friends and family. Well done!

Written 15 January 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Mel, it's amazing that your visit as successful. Our chefs and servers always give 120% during service, for you to enjoy! See you again soon, Take care, Karolina & the Team

Written 15 January 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Owen M

Worsley4 contributions

Fabulous service, fabulous food and fabulously short waiting time.

Feb 2020 • none

Myself and my girlfriend arrived and were greeted by a staff member who sat us down and gave us our menus and offered vegan/vegetarian options also. Then from then on, we were served by a lovely man called Kaz. He had such a lovely manner and was so polite and when my girlfriend questioned about certain dishes/ingredients he answered promptly and with knowledge and had such a friendly tone. Our food was made, thoroughly and we had a very little waiting time which was fantastic! Lovely food, Tampopo is our favourite place to eat and we regularly visit different ones but this one deserved a review! x

Written 3 February 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello Owen, Kaz was over the moon when we told him about your review - it really means a lot to see that you have appreciated his service, he always goes above and beyond. We are thrilled that you are a returning customer and we are definitely looking forward to your next visit, Best wishes, Karolina & the Team

Written 16 February 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lucy S

7 contributions

Inconsistent/poor Nasi Goreng Chicken

Feb 2020 • none

As a regular to the £5 take out menu, I was a little disapointed to see none of the dishes on menu were £5, they are all £6 on deliveroo app (which you have to go through to get the take out/pick up option.) As I like the dish, I paid the £6. Colleciton was swift and the waitress who gave me my pick up order was friendly. I got back to my office and there was 3 small pieces of small chicken in the whole dish, no crackers which is normally the case and no homemade sambal. Really dissappointed and wont be ordering it again.

Written 6 February 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Lucy Thanks for sending through your feedback. Just to give you some background, unfortunately the third party who used to manage our online click & collect service ceased operating at short notice so we were unable to give our regular customers any notice of a change to our ordering procedures. As we are on board with Deliveroo for our home & office delivery we decided to transfer to their pick up service as an immediate alternative. We made the tough call to slightly increase the price of the takeaway lunch menu mainly due to the fact we have to pay Deliveroo commission to use their platform, but it is also the case that we have not reviewed the pricing of this offer since we first introduced it nearly two years ago so we hope that customers understand that regrettably in time our cost base increases. In terms of the amount of chicken you received, the quantity has not been reviewed and I can only apologise if you did not receive the adequate amount. If you would like to have the dish again I'd be more than happy to shout you one on us. Just give us a call whenever you fancy it and the team will gladly arrange this for you.

Written 6 February 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Neil L

Northwich67 contributions

Great quality, good service,

Mar 2020 • none

Tampopo in Albert Square is down a flight of steps, so people with mobility problems may find it difficult to access. The restaurant is in a cellar. They do not give you a table to yourself, it's bench seating on tables that 10 to 12. I like the idea, it's practical and egalitarian. It's not the sort of place to impress someone with the fancy decor, it's the sort of place where you impress someone by giving them good food. The service was quick and efficient, I had a pot of green tea which was possibly the tastiest green tea I've had outside of Japan. The menu is a mixture, you might call it "the best of S.E. Asia", with dishes from China, Japan , Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. It's mainly rice and noodle based. I bought tempura king Prawns and prawn Nasi Goreng. The King prawns were large and juicy, excellent quality. The Nasi Goreng was spicy. If there was any criticism, the prawns still had a segment of the tail shell on them. I really enjoyed the food. The meal cost £22, not exactly cheap but good for central Manchester. I thought it was good value for the quality of the food and service. Tampopo used to do a Malaysian black rice pudding which was the best dessert on the planet, just as well it wasn't on the menu as I was really full after my meal.

Written 8 March 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello Neil, very good points about the restaurant - we couldn't summarise it better! It is and has always been all about the food. Our goal is to produce the most authentic pan Asian dishes and provide prompt and friendly service. Regarding the Black Rice Pudding - we do not hold it on the menu anymore but if you have any requests of the past dishes that we do not do anymore - just ask our chefs! Many of them have been working here for several years, going through all sort of enchantments and changes of the menu, still having old recipes in mind and willing to go above and beyond. Glad to see that your visit was great and we hope to see you again soon! Best wishes, Karolina & the Team

Written 15 March 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

emma

1 contribution

Food and service is good, but I don't enjoy being forced to donate after a meal

Dec 2019 • none

I have no problem with the food and service, but I will not go there any more since I was charged 1 pound donation to a charity that I haven't heard of. I only noticed this when I get back home and looked at the receipt. Tampopo, if you want to donate to the charity of your choice, then that's absolutely fine. But hide this charge into the customer's bill without asking their permission is not very nice. Never again, sorry.

Written 15 January 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello Emma, I have read through your feedback and I am really sorry of the unpleasant experience that you have had in Tampopo. Regarding the £1 donation that appeared on your bill, we have joined forces with the Mayor's campaign to try and end homelessness and rough sleeping in the City. As part of this initiative, several Manchester restaurants are asking if customers would donate £1 in the lead up to Christmas to try and raise as much money as we can. Where we fell short on this occasion is that we omitted to place a bill-fold on your tray explaining what this amount was. It was and always will be totally discretionary and can be removed should anyone not want to contribute. Sincere apologies for the lack of clarity. To avoid miscommunication in the future, we will make sure every customer is being informed whilst being given a bill and we will add an info card for those interested in supporting Street Smart further. Thank you for taking the time to send your feedback over as it has been very helpful and informative. I apologise for all the inconvenience that we may have caused. All the best wishes, Karolina & the Team

Written 15 January 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Deb528791

Oldham10 contributions

Taste sensation

Jul 2020 • none

My daughter and myself had a late lunch here. I always love the food and ambience here. The food was excellent has ever. My daughter was transported back to her travels in ASIA. We felt very safe, no problems with social distancing, the waiter still managed to give a great hospitable service, despite restrictions. The food is absolutely delicious, containing fresh ingredients. I can’t wait to dine here again soon.

Written 17 July 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Deb529791, We are so glad that you enjoyed your experience with us and that we managed to create a sense of reminiscence for your daughter. Our staff have been freshly trained to follow government guidelines and in ensuring that our customers feel safe at all times. We hope to see you again very soon! Best wishes, James & the Tampopo team.

Written 23 July 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

walks_like_an_egyptian

Leeds6 contributions

First meal out since lockdown

Jul 2020 • couples

First meal out since lockdown and OMG it was amazing!! I had the tamarind duck and my gf had Nasi goreng after a prawn tempura starter, all cooked to a good standard and so so tasty. All staff were friendly, and it was a nice chilled vibe. Social distancing measures well adhered to and in a way that didn’t feel weird, but felt safe. Can’t wait to return!

Written 12 July 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello walks_like_an_egyptian, Firstly, fantastic username! Secondly, as we are so excited to serve customers in our restaurant, we are pleased to admit that our social distancing measures are the first thing we implemented before we reopened. Keeping our customers and staff safe is our highest priority! Having said that, seeing that you enjoyed your food and your visit is one of the biggest compliments. We really hope to see you again soon, Best wishes, Karolina & the Team

Written 14 July 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cliff

5 contributions

finally got a chocolate and coconut fondant again

Jul 2020 • family

This is still one of our favourite restaurants and we have missed it greatly during lockdown. Tampopo still has a super chilled feeling but we feel that they have got all the necessary things in place to deal with the pandemic. There is hand sanitiser on the table along with cutlery being placed after you sit down. It feels so nice to have a sense of normality again and we feel that other restaurants could take a leaf out of tampopos book! I felt really relaxed eating here as it is so open and people seated are spaced out from each other! Thanks so much for a great experience and first meal out after lockdown! Ps - food was amazing as ever!!!!

Written 5 July 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Cliff, What a great review to greet the end of the lockdown with! We are making sure that both and customers and our staff are feeling safe with our Social Distancing measures in place. At the same time, we have not changed the highest standard of our service and food quality! Brilliant to serve you again and hopefully we will see you again soon, All the best, Karolina & the Team

Written 14 July 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jody

2 contributions

Amazing vegan food

Jul 2020 • none

We visited Tampopo on Sunday 26th July and were so happy with the whole experience. As a vegan, I was blown away by the 'vegan sharing platter', which was full of so many varying flavours - my favourite was the tofu. It's a great option if you want to try a little bit of everything. We also got the vegan katsu, which was incredible & I would highly recommend- a huge portion too! We definitely overestimated how much food we were ordering, as the portion sizes are huge.. which is brilliant. The staff were so friendly, unbelievably accommodating and really humorous, which made the experience so much better. I will definitely be going back to Tampopo!

Written 31 July 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Jody, Thankyou so much for your review! We pride ourselves on having a varied vegan menu, to make our food as accessible as it can be to people, and we are thrilled to know that you enjoyed your experience with us! The Katsu is definitely a favourite amongst customers, and staff! Furthermore, our staff, we agree, are fab! They are all trained in maintaining perfect customer service and we are glad to see that they made your dining experience enjoyable! We hope to see you again soon to try some other delicious vegan dishes! Thanks so much, James & the Tampopo team :)

Written 1 August 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

daniellegY2274HW

Manchester2 contributions

Delicious and great value for money

Aug 2020 • family

This was the first time we have ventured out since lockdown and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We ate outside with the tables well spaced and it was a very relaxing experience. We are frequent visitors to Tampopo’s and the food was delicious and tasty as always. We ate from the 3 course set menu which was very good value for money and even better with the eat out to help out discount. The staff were friendly and the service was excellent. I would highly recommend.

Written 13 August 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Danielle, Welcome back! We are so happy to hear that your first experience post lockdown was such a positive one. Our outdoor seating has recently expanded meaning that customers can now enjoy al fresco dining, with spacious seating to allow a more comfortable and relaxed dining experience. Be sure to reserve a table and pop back down next week to make the most of the Eat Out to Help Out offer. We would love to host you again. See you soon and take care, James & the Tampopo team :)

Written 21 August 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie P

14 contributions

Worth a try

Aug 2020 • family

Went as a family of 3 and selected their special 3 course eat out to help out menu for £10 per person. They specialise in Asian dishes but don't expect the food to be 100% authentic. I chose nasi goreng which was nothing like I've had in Indonesia but it was tasty enough. Service was fast and efficient.

Written 25 August 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Julie P, Thankyou for your review, we are always glad to hear from our customers to improve our restaurant as best we can! We do believe that our food is as authentic as it can be, given the fact that our staff take yearly trips to Asia to develop their knowledge of Asian cuisine, and implement this into our cooking. We are sorry to hear that the Nasi Goreng wasn't to your standards, however we will take this feedback onboard and try and adjust dishes to an individuals' taste. Many Thanks James & the Tampopo team :)

Written 3 September 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jon H

3 contributions

Lovely family lunch

Oct 2020 • family

Jackfruit Randang & Nasi Goreng both really tasty. My eldest son is 14 now but they let him order his favourite from the kids menu as a full size portion. My youngest was kept busy with the activity sheet and ate all his food. Delicious as always. Great service. Socially distanced layout. So nice to get out for a lovely family meal - a rarity in these strange Covid times.

Written 31 October 2020

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello Jon, what a great review to read through - thank you so much for the 5*! The times might be strange but we put all the effort to make you feel as comfortable as possible while staying safe. We are currently closed off for the public but you can still find us on our Click&Collect website and Deliveroo. See you soon, stay safe, Karolina & the Team x

Written 6 November 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sandr U

1 contribution

Sandra

Jun 2021 • couples

I came first and last time. When I came with my fiancé they told me that I have to order in app and left us. We was struggling to order, but finally we did. I order a cocktail passion fruit or something and it was horrible taste. When man bring us food I asked him if he can change drink for me because I can’t drink his answer was you gonna have to pay for another one we don’t change drinks. I said I won’t drink anyways he said it doesn’t matter. Not very polite and I was very shocked if I pay money and I can’t drink it.. Anyways I didn’t touch the drink witch I paid for it. Food was less then average. No one came to ask how was food or anything.

Written 11 June 2021

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hi Sandra. Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback & sorry to read of your negative experience with us. Since we re-opened for internal dining in May we have been encouraging customers who wish to sit outside to use our order & pay system as it can be challenging providing full table service in both areas with a small team of staff. If you were struggling to navigate it then we should've been on-hand to assist so apologies that we weren't. In terms of the cocktail, we did offer to sweeten the drink for you by adding more gomme syrup to it as you said you were finding it a bit sour. At the time we deemed this to be a fair solution to the problem which you declined. Apologies if it came across as impolite, but we usually find that is a reasonable way to rectify things that most customers are happy with. Unfortunately it seems like we didn't gauge quite how much you were dissatisfied with the way it was handled so sorry about that. Best wishes James

Written 11 June 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ana P

1 contribution

Amazing Tuesday Vegan Feast

Apr 2022 • couples

We had a lovely time at Tampopo Albert Square Manchester this April. They are still serving their Vegan Taster Menu every Tuesday and it was incredible. Our waitress Phoebe was very attentive and treated us like royalty! The food is very well served and tasty! (Would even recommend a couple sharing a 5 course meal and adding a dish to the side rather than having two 5 course meals).

Written 5 April 2022

TampopoAlbertSquare

Hello, We are so happy to hear you had an incredible experience with us at Tampopo! Our vegan taste tour has definitely been a popular choice over the last month. Phoebe is certainly a proud member of the Tampopo family, we are so happy she made your experience with us a 5 star one! Hope to have you back soon for some of our tasty vegan dishes! Many thanks, Hollie and the Tampopo team.

Written 7 April 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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