Bolton Makers Market
Located in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Make a day of it, indie style
Independent businesses near Bolton worth knowing about before or after the market.
Photo: EKAM CAFE N LOUNGE
A stylish Asian restaurant and cocktail lounge on Infirmary Street with an excellent food menu and creative cocktail list. Known for beautifully presented dishes, generous portions and exceptional value — the Groupon deals are particularly popular. Open Sundays from 2pm. A strong choice for a post-market evening meal with friends.
“We’ve visited here a few times and the food, cocktails and service are always amazing and very reasonably priced. Can’t recommend it enough!!”
Photo: Jimothy Z
A friendly, family-run café inside Bolton Museum and Library on Le Mans Crescent, open Sundays 11am to 3pm. Fresh sandwiches, excellent coffee and homemade cakes in a calm and welcoming setting — the gluten-free peanut butter jelly brownie has attracted fans from across Greater Manchester. A natural pairing with a visit to the museum next door.
““Excellent service and a pleasant atmosphere. The staff are attentive and professional. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a calm and friendly café.””
Photo: House of chai (bolton)
A vibrant Indian-inspired café, restaurant and cocktail bar on Bradshawgate with a loyal local following and over a thousand reviews. Beautifully decorated with a lively atmosphere — the steak benedict, French toast and desi breakfast are standouts. Open from 10am on Sundays right through to midnight. Great value and consistently praised for its service.
“I went there with my friend today and it was truly so lovely!!! Food was amazing, the service was great, presentation on drinks was great and the price wasn't crazy! Reem was our server, she was totally lovely and help us to choose from the menu. I wish I had cash to tip her!! Overall a great exp...”
Photo: Le Feast - Bolton
A coffee shop with a perfect five-star rating at Bolton train station on Trinity Street — three minutes from the market and the ideal pre-market stop. Exceptional coffee, bacon barms and a genuinely warm team who know their regulars by name. Open from 8am on Sundays. One of those rare station cafés that is worth going out of your way for.
“Amazing drinks, and even more amazing service! Always greeted with big smiles (shout out Courtney!) and the matcha is 10/10 every time, such a gem!”
Photo: Chris Lowry
Bolton's independent record shop on Bridge Street — a proper rummage destination stocked floor to ceiling with vinyl across all genres, alongside CDs, cassettes and music memorabilia. Open Sundays 11am to 4pm, a five-minute walk from the market. The kind of shop where you go in for one record and emerge an hour later with five. Well priced and worth the browse.
“Good shop to buy from but don't sell your records here, they will try to rip you off. Had a round 40 lp's to take in, most of them classics and in good condition and I got offered £20 for the lot! Opportunists!”
Photo: Earl's | Day & Night Deli | Bolton
An outstanding independent deli, sandwich bar and cocktail lounge on Chorley Old Road — the kind of place Bolton has been missing for years. Exceptional freshly made sandwiches including a legendary buffalo fried chicken sub, alongside a brilliant wine and cocktail selection and a DJ at weekends. Open Sundays 8am to 5pm. Already a firm local favourite since opening.
“Cannot recommend Earl's enough! We'd pre-ordered our sandwiches to make sure we didn't miss out, and everyone was super helpful that we were eating some in house and taking some away. Love the decor and the cocktails are next level. You're missing out if you don't check this place out - stunning ...”
About this area
Places to go, see and play
Photo: Shaun
A fun indoor entertainment venue tucked in the vaults below the Market Place Shopping Centre, home to an 18-hole themed crazy golf course, soft play, an arcade and an ice cream counter. Open Sundays 11am to 5pm. Great value and a genuine surprise for first-time visitors — the Temple-themed golf course in particular is worth the trip.
“Brilliant mini golf! We had some fun here and is well worth it via groupon. Our tickets included a drink too which included alcohol! Plenty of snacks available including real bean coffee which was lovely. Toilets inside too! For a bit of extra cash, your kids can play in the centre after golfin...”
Photo: Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive
A superb free museum on Le Mans Crescent, a short walk from Newport Street. Home to a genuine Egyptian mummy, a freshwater aquarium in the basement, extensive local history collections and a beautiful library. Open Sundays 10am to 4pm — well worth an hour before or after the market. Café on site.
“Had a great visit on my own early this morning, the staff were very friendly and welcoming and the exhibits were interesting, eye catching and very enlightening! Glad to see the white deer was still on exhibition to, I remember my Grandad taking us to see it as a child and him telling us he had s...”
Photo: Steven Lord
A hidden gem on Mornington Road housing one of the finest collections of working mill steam engines in the country. Volunteer-run, free to enter and open specifically on Sundays 11am to 3pm — making it a perfect complement to market day. On steaming days the engines are run under full power, filling the engine house with noise, smell and spectacle. Not to be missed.
“Absolutely lovely Museum, as good a museum as you will ever visit! We attended on one of their steam days and it was like stepping back in time. Everything is so well maintained and it's brilliant having everything on full display so you can easily view the engines and machines. Staff couldn't do...”
Places to eat, drink and party
Photo: saffiyah hafiz
A hugely popular halal steakhouse on Bradshawgate open from 2pm on Sundays. Wagyu, USDA prime and Angus cuts served alongside theatrical presentation, lobster starters and bao buns — and a mac and cheese that has become something of a local legend. Over 2,600 reviews and consistently one of Bolton's most talked-about dining destinations. Book ahead.
“We had to wait despite booking a table. The music is unnecessarily loud. The menu is accessed via QR code. We had the spicy chicken wings starter which was excellent. We had the Argentinian beef fillet which was good and a generous portion. I would have preferred the chimmichuri to be served sep...”
Photo: Tapaz Restaurant & Bar
A long-established Spanish and Mediterranean tapas restaurant on Bradshawgate, open Sundays from 2pm to 9pm. Reliably excellent food — the calamari, gambas al ajillo and chorizo dishes are standouts — in a smart, relaxed setting with attentive service. The Sunday deal offers exceptional value. One of Bolton's most consistent and trusted restaurants.
“This Tapas restaurant offers an excellent culinary experience. The food was succulent and presented a remarkable variety of options. Regarding the dessert, a reduction in the amount of sauce would be beneficial. I highly recommend this establishment.”
Photo: Ciao Napoli
A beloved Italian restaurant on Mawdsley Street that has been a Bolton favourite for years. Open Sundays from 2:30pm — the chorizo tagliatelle, homemade tiramisu and three-course set menu at £19.95 are perennial highlights. Small, personal and consistently excellent — booking is essential, it fills up even on weeknights.
“It’s a great little Mediterranean restaurant. The décor is a bit dated, but the staff are friendly, polite, and attentive throughout the meal. I started with the squid, which was nicely cooked—tender rather than rubbery—and well seasoned. For the main, I had the chorizo tagliatelle, which ...”
Places to Stay near Bolton
Make a weekend of it — find hotels, B&Bs and guest houses close to this market.
