Panino 23 is a sandwich shop in Northern Quarter, Manchester. Rated 5 stars from 103 Google reviews. Known for bread that stands alone and fillings that actually taste like something. Best for lunch break and takeaway.
Rankings updated April 2026
Panino 23
Quick Verdict
Yes. Locals keep coming back because the sandwiches are genuinely excellent and Frida's service makes you feel like you matter.
Go if you want the best sandwich you'll find in Manchester for under a tenner, and you don't mind eating at a counter.
About Panino 23
Panino 23 sits on the 1st floor of Afflecks in the Northern Quarter, and it's a counter-service sandwich shop run by Frida, who'll chat you through the menu while she builds your order. The sandwiches are Southern Italian style—thick bread, generous fillings, proper cheese pull—and they're made fresh to order. You're eating at a counter or taking away; there's no reservation system, no pretence. Reviewers keep mentioning the same things: the bread is so good you'd eat it dry, the fillings have flavour oozing out, and Frida makes you feel welcomed rather than rushed. The meatballs 23 and the Umami are the ones people come back for. Catering's available too if you need sandwiches for an event. At £1–10 per sandwich, it's the kind of place that makes you wonder why you've been paying twice as much elsewhere.
What Stands Out
Bread that stands alone
"The bread is so good I'd eat it dry, happily too" and "The bread was fresh and had the perfect consistency that it didn't fall apart under all the filling."
Fillings that actually taste like something
"Flavour oozing out of it and the cheese pull is a joke!" and "The Umami sandwich is delicious" (mentioned by 3 separate reviewers).
Service that doesn't feel transactional
"Frida was lovely and was more than happy to have a chat about which sandwich to go for" and "Amazing friendly service, made us feel welcome and appreciated."
What Customers Say
Fresh every time, and the bread is so good I’d eat it dry, happily too
If you're looking for catering for a party or any event, this is absolutely the best.
Frida’s paninis blow my socks clean off every time!
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
1st Floor, Panino 23, Afflecks, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, United Kingdom
+44 7539 505503Frequently Asked Questions about Panino 23
Currently closed. Check their Instagram [@panino23_mcr](https://www.instagram.com/panino23_mcr?igsh=NHhsd3B6dTYzbGw2) for updates on when they're trading again.
The Umami and the Meatballs 23 are the ones reviewers mention most. The weekly special's also worth asking about—people rave about it. Frida will help you pick if you're unsure.
£1–10 depending on what you order. Most reviewers praise the price as reasonable, especially compared to other sandwich places in Manchester.
Yes. One reviewer specifically praised them as "the best catering service I could find in Manchester" for parties and events. Contact them via Instagram to arrange.
No. It's counter service only. You eat standing at the counter or take away.
Also in Northern Quarter
View all11 venues changed rank in Northern Quarter this week → See full zone ranking
How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
How our monthly rankings work