We did the Cheshire Ring last week which included the Peak Forest as well (Bugsworth). We did it all in a week with even a few hours to spare on some days, but be mindful of the potential hold ups.
Going clockwise from Preston Brook here are a few suggestions.
In Manchester you can moor up at Thomas Telford Basin and have access into the city. Or at the moorings in Piccadilly Basin, but beware of all the geese feces! We stopped here at lunchtime fr an hour and the basins were empty
The Ring O'Bells at Marple Junction had a lovely carvery spread on when we popped in after doing the marple flight, has a good selection of beers and a nice beer garden.
The Navigation Inn in Bugsworth at the end of the Peak Forest (if you will add that to your trip). Their lamb chops special was to die for!
If you can, moor up at Bollington Aqueduct, amazing views, with direct access to the town below. Didn't eat here but had a great time in their pubs.
Bluebell in Kidsgrove is great, but you could moor up near the Red Bull, and walk up the hill (Congleton Road - 10 mins walk) to the pub opposite the fish and chip shop. Nice pub with 2 darts boards and a pool table. Didn't try their food as we went to the fish and chip shop after a pint and it was very very nice. Good convenience store next door too.
Middlewich - King's Lock, small pub and need to book a table in advance but food is amazing. We ate in there then walked along the canal to the town and tried out the Boar's Head. Has a god range of beers, Pool room and a big sports screen. The Kindleton next door looks nice and upmarket. We passed by the Big Lock Pub which looks good from the outside but havent been in it. A bonus is a park with a few swings a few metres along the cut which you can moor at.
There are mnay more pubs along the way which we didnt really stop at!