'I visited popular UK Christmas market - price of brussels sprouts dish made me wince'

Eager for the festive season to commence, I was one of the first to turn up at this year's Manchester Christmas Markets. Of course, the rows of quaint wooden stalls also bring with them another annual tradition - moaning about the prices.

But has this year seen a significant leap? I headed on over to the City Centre for a hearty Christmas lunch to find out - and noticed a few changes from last year, not to mention a nice but pricey side dish which will likely divide market visitors down the middle.

I arrive at the a little after 11 am - just over an hour since the stalls opened - and already the festivities are in full swing.

Widely regarded as one of the best in the UK - but sadly beaten by Birmingham and Edinburgh in a recent Christmas Tree World study - the northern town's sprawling annual markets take over the city centre each year, with a twinkly mix of Bavarian feasts, proud local produce and lots and lots of glühwein.

Speaking of booze, I kickstart the official beginning of (in the M1 postcode at least) with a taster of Manchester-based Diablesse rum's festive offerings. As seen on the official First Dates cocktail menu, the award-winning Clementine Spiced Rum is a real winter warmer, and ideal if you're planning your own cosy at-home dates as the cold nights draw in. At around £30 a bottle, it's on the pricier side but will likely see you through to New Year, thirsty guests depending.

However, my favourite boozy tester had to be from fellow Manc business The Cocktail Co., whose Hot Apple Gin Gle warm serve (£15 for a 700ml bottle) tastes like a particularly delicious apple crumble on a chilly Sunday afternoon. e who?

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Although it still felt a little early for a full drink, I did check out the prices of some of the markets' classic tipples - and noticed a few price hikes from last year, with the cheapest beers starting from £6. Some of the classic food items have also risen in price in the last 12 months. Aa half-metre bratwurst in a big roll from Bratwurst has gone up from £7 to £8, while a Yorkshire special wrap is now £10 up from £9.

Naturally, with rising costs across the country, this is to be expected, but it still made me wonder how long it would be until families are priced out of this beloved annual tradition altogether. One stall that has kept prices the same since 2017 is The Bee's Knees Cheese, a purveyor of unusual cheeses including the famous, and positively mouthwatering, Chip Shop Curry cheese - which at £3 a block (or £10 for four) will make for an interesting addition to your festive cheeseboard.

After enjoying the relative peace of St. Ann's Square and Exchange Square, I make my way up Market Street to the Picadilly Gardens section of the markets, where there's a bit more of a party vibe. Lunchtime is in full swing by this point, and I'm spoiled for choice as I plan my first festive feast of the year.

As well as the usual sausages and pancakes you'd expect from a Christmas market, Manchester's festive fairyland offers plenty of trendy choices, showcasing the city's quirky and diverse foodie culture. From Sonreir's traditional Latin American empanadas to the brilliantly named Italian stall, Pasta Claus, there are enough cuisines to tempt customers back right for the next six weeks.

I kick things off with a snack-sized portion of dumplings from Oi Dumplings, winner of the British Street Food Awards 2023. At £8, this was perhaps a little steep for a snack but it was absolutely delicious - like a particularly delicious chicken soup - and definitely filling enough if you're not in the mood for something huge and stodgy. I inhaled them in about 30 seconds.

I followed this up with a portion of deep-fried Brussels sprouts from the trendy Hip Hop Gravy, complete with a pot of gravy so tasty, I could have drank it if it wasn't so busy. If you hate Brussels sprouts, then this perhaps isn't for you, but I was won over. A much better veggie treat than cauliflower wings in my opinion. However, at £8, I couldn't help but think how much more you could have gotten for your money here just a few short years ago.

Of course, no trip to the Christmas markets would be complete without a sweet treat, so I finished off my meal with a 'Plain Jane' with ice cream from the iconic Cookie Dough stall. At £8, this is at the pricier end of what I would pay for a dessert, but Christmas comes but once a year. And there's nothing that makes me feel more like a kid at Christmas than a warm box of cookie dough.

By this point, I felt as though I'd eaten an entire Christmas dinner, and couldn't even so much as look at another food stall. Luckily, food and beverages aside, there are plenty of excellent gift options here for those looking to get their Christmas shopping underway nice and early.

My personal favourite had to be The Manchester Shop, usually found in the city centre's iconic Afflecks' Palace, which stocks a range of sweet Manc-inspired Christmas ornaments - including a gorgeous Emmeline Pankhurst bauble. Those looking for thriftier choices should also check out Elf Made, which sells hand made baubles which are budget but still special - with prices starting around the £3 mark.

And if you have any art lovers in your life, then make sure to stop at Sasha Ray Art for plenty of Manc inspired prints - and I also saw a cheeky Liverpool FC print tucked away in there.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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