The Travel Critic

Manchester is one of those cities that you walk into and feel, not just see. It has a pulse, a buzz, a kind of gritty glamour that most cities only wish they could fake. It has an energy, an identity that makes it thrilling just to be there, like you’ve stepped into a world that’s going places, fast. It’s exciting. And Australasia – right in the thick of it – is one of those venues that embodies exactly that.

There’s history in this place, not the dusty kind but the kind that feels lived-in and storied. Tucked away below the pavements, Australasia feels like a secret only the city’s in-the-know glitterati are privy to. You step down into this slick, glass entrance, and suddenly, you’re in another world. It’s not just somewhere to eat – it’s a place to be seen. And trust me, that’s part of the fun.

You’ve got your glamorous women – all lips and heels, sipping their cocktails as though they’ve been hired to add to the scenery. There’s footballers, of course, casually draped over the sleek leather banquettes like they own the place, which, in a way, they sort of do. Because this is the spot where the stars come to sparkle, and you can’t help but feel a bit shinier yourself just by proximity.

Now, the food? Well, it’s not bad. That might sound like faint praise, but hear me out. You’ve got sushi rolls that look like art installations and small plates that’ll make your Instagram account sing. It’s got that pan-Asian flair that’s been in vogue for a decade but doesn’t feel old here. There’s a sense of craft to it, a knowing wink from the kitchen that says, “Yes, we’ve done this before, but we’re doing it just right.”

Manchester is lucky to have Australasia – it’s different. It’s one of those special places that makes the city what it is: bold, brash, and a little bit fabulous. It’s a place where you want to linger, soak in the scene, and maybe even become part of the legend yourself.