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Saffron Otter

The Greater Manchester restaurants, bars and takeaways where you are most likely to bump into a Premier League footballer

Premier League players are familiar sight in Greater Manchester - thanks to the region being home to the biggest football clubs in the world.

Manchester City and Manchester United players can be spotted enjoying their leisure time in the city's luxury restaurants and bars, which have also attracted the attention of top players from elsewhere.

While some long-established eateries have become hotspots for hosting stars, some local gems have also become popular with famous faces from the pitch.

READ MORE: I thought fish and chips were awful - now I run one of the UK's best chippies

Here are just 13 of the restaurants, takeaways and bars where you're most likely to bump into a Premier League footballer in and around Greater Manchester.

Menagerie

Seema Malhotra (left) and Stacey Forsyth (right ) with Karina Jadha (middle) (Manchester Evening News)

Menagerie in Salford fast became a hotspot for the rich and famous after it opened in 2016.

It's co-owned by Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Seema Malhotra and Stacey Forsey, alongside bar entrepreneur Karina Jadhav.

A year after opening its doors, Karina told the MEN : "Footballers are some of our best customers, they’re just really nice people to have in - they’re polite and keep themselves to themselves."

The restaurant even attracts players from different cities, with Leicester City footballers having their Christmas do there one year, with Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Kasper Schmeichel in attendance.

Peter Street Kitchen

Riyad Mahrez outside Peter Street Kitchen (Stephen Farrell)

Winner of 'Best Luxury Restaurant’ in the UK at the British Restaurant Awards 2019, it's no surprise that footballers frequent Peter Street Kitchen.

It offers contemporary Japanese and Mexican small plates, with signature cocktails and fine wines in the heart of Manchester.

Manchester City's Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez were papped there recently.

Rosso

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho seen leaving Rosso restaurant (Manchester Evening News)

Rosso has long been known as one of the biggest celeb haunts in Manchester.

It may have something to do with the fact it's co-owned by former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand.

The fancy Italian at the top of Spring Gardens was known as a United playground in its early days and last year underwent a major renovation.

Mama Flo's

The renowned Mama Flo’s on Buxton Road, just by Stepping Hill Hospital, frequently welcomes the likes of Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire.

Last month, Walker popped in for a takeaway picking up two orders of Flo’s curry goat, with rice and peas, and a cornflake cake for pudding, according to owner Florence Coke.

Sunrise Caribbean

Another takeaway causing a stir with the stars is Sunrise Caribbean.

The Salford eatery began in 2006 as a mobile unit, before moving to a food van two years later.

Following that success, the owners acquired a shop at 120 Broughton Lane and have been there to this day, crafting and perfecting their take on Caribbean cuisine.

Many celebrities and footballers frequent the joint, including former Manchester United attacking-midfielder Angel Gomes.

San Carlo

Mario Balotelli travelled in his red Ferrari to Manchester to dine with friends at San Carlo (Jon Baxter)

Authentic Italian restaurant San Carlo has become known as one of the first spots footballers dine in when they move to the city.

There's not just the renowned King Street West branch in the group, but Cicchetti, the Bottega and Gran Cafe in Selfridges, Fumo, and Fiorentina in Cheshire's Hale - the heartland of celeb-spotting.

Former United goalie Víctor Valdés celebrated in style at San Carlo the day he signed his contract, while other visitors include Matteo Darmian, Paul Pogba, Memphis Depay, Mario Balotelli - to name a few.

The restaurant even hosted Manchester United’s 2009 Premier League title party.

Liv and Yours

Footballers party at Club Liv - Jason Puncheon and Raheem Sterling (Manchester Evening News)

Club Liv is the brainchild of hospitality mogul Mo Mohamud and has hosted footballers since day one.

When it first opened its doors on Peter Street in 2014, Manchester United players attended the opening night. It's since moved to Deansgate, and it's still likely you'll bump into a star there.

Last year, Mo also opened his first restaurant - Yours - the ideal backdrop for picture-perfect celebrations, with its unique decor and its very own selfie corridor adorned with cool graffiti.

A succession of footballers have already dined at the pan Asian eatery, including Juan Mata, Shinji Kagawa and David De Gea, and it's proven to be the ideal place for date night - with Corrie's Brooke Vincent and footballer boyfriend Kean Byran recently paying a visit.

George's

This canalside neighbourhood bistro in Worsley is co-owned by Ryan Giggs, who grew up in the village, and his school friends Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor.

The former Manchester United star can often be spotted enjoying a meal there with his friends and family or hosting business meetings.

Australasia

The swanky subterranean restaurant, hidden in stylish Spinningfields, has long been a favourite with footballers and WAGs since it opened in 2011.

It pairs a laid-back luxe decor with an extravagant Australian menu, with Indonesian and Japanese influences.

David De Gea and Kevin De Bruyne have been spotted there, and it's established as a popular date night venue with the stars.

The Ivy

Sancho leaving The Ivy (Eamonn and James Clarke)

Get your footy shirts at the ready to be signed if you're headed to The Ivy in Spinningfields.

The flamboyantly decorated multi-storey restaurant has catered for many football stars since it opened in 2018.

Manchester United players gathered there last summer for a pre-season meal - with David de Gea, Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba and more papped on the night.

Victors

Victors started in Hale back in 2014.

Following its success, there are now three sites in total, with another in Alderley Edge and one in Oxford.

It has a signature decor of luxurious neutral tones with wisteria hanging elegantly from the ceilings of its restaurants.

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen were captured dining at the Alderley Edge site around Christmas time.

Cibo

Ronaldo pictured with Amad Diallo - who is on loan from Manchester United (@amaddiallo19 via Instagram)

Another glitzy Italian that has become a firm favourite with United stars is Cibo, in Hale.

The United squad dined there last November for a team bonding lunch ahead of the Manchester derby.

Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly were all pictured at the restaurant.

Cibo serves hand-made pasta, pizzas, seafood and meat dishes from Italy.

Which venues have you spotted a Premier League player in? Let us know in the comments.

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