A South American rodizio, a new chippy and three new vegan joints
If you have been disappointed by any of the closures in Manchester over the past few months, our list of some of the most exciting new openings across the region might just be the perfect antidote.
Lockdown projects, plant-based street food and extra cool natty wine bars have all recently opened, but we think we've spotted some up and coming corkers that you might have missed.
Read on for an extensive list of new and recent openings across Greater Manchester (and a little further).
What: 9 Cut Chicken
Where: Dog Bowl, Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5WW
When: Open now
Like so many new businesses in Manchester this year, Yard and Coop founders Laura and Carl birthed 9 Cut Chicken during lockdown. Named for the way they take a whole bird and cut it into nine pieces giving a different experience in every bite. Find 9 Cut in Dog Bowl or sneak around the corner to the heavily graffitied door on Great Marlborough Street for details on how to order pick-up.
What: 92 Degrees
Where: Middlewood Locks, 4 Lockside Ln, Salford M5 4YL
When: TBC
Named for the ideal temperature to brew a cup of Joe, 92 Degrees originated in Liverpool where it has shops all over the city. The new Middlewood Locks location will be the second site for the brand in Greater Manchester, joining the other branch on John Dalton Street. These guys are real coffee aficionados and are big into supporting cooperatives and community farming projects too - they donate 10% of profits from their bagged coffee to the charity Project Waterfall. They offer a 10% discount to lucky Middlewood Locks residents in-store and online as well as other perks.
What: Arlo’s
Where: 15 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1JJ
When: open now
The Northern Quarter welcomed this new resident in September, squeezed into the tiny spot between Wilson’s Social and the Corner Boy site. Natural wine from Rossendale-based It’s Alive, bakes from KerbGooey and PKB's bakery arm Half Dozen Other, and coffee supplied by Dead Good in London make Arlo’s a right little gem. Not forgetting charcuterie platters and lunchtime bagels too.
See also: Kerb natural wine shop in Ancoats and Flawd over on Islington Marina for even more natty wine noobs.
What: Box Bar
Where: 126 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY
When: 27 November
Offering a front-row seat to all the matches, Box is a cube filled with that timeless combination of sports and booze. Joining sister venues in Leeds, Headingley and Chapel Allerton, the new Deansgate venue for Box Bar will have Sky, BT and Box Office events showing every sport imaginable across multiple HD wide screens.
What: Casked
Where: 2-4 Prince Street, Ramsbottom BL0 9FN
When: Open now
This one's been a long time brewing but finally opened its doors in October. This enormous "crafty alehouse and ginporium" has room for the whole population of Rammy and is going for an American diner-style with an old-school Manchester bus colour palette for its unique to the area lookbook. Expect local and localish beers from the likes of Seven Bro7hers, NightJar, Brewsmith, Deeply Vale and Fierce alongside more spirits than a Man Con Halloween things to do round up. Parkin gin, we're looking at you for our next visit.
What: Cibus Ristorante
Where: 847 Stockport Road Levenshulme Manchester M19 3PW
When: Open now
From humble beginnings as a pizza pop up above Fred's Ale House and on Levey Market, Cibus has now developed into a fully-fledged restaurant in its own right - Levenshulme's first sit down Italian. Its new home is the former M19 nightclub and the food coming out of that kitchen is astonishing - well, maybe not so much when you realise that owner Giorgio Fontana used to work for Giorgio Locatelli in London and Head Chef Marco is a life long pizziaola who has done stints at Salvi's amongst other places. You might know Cibus for its excellent pizza but we went to the opening night of the new gaff and can assure you, the small plates are more than worth your attention. Read our Cibus interview for more.
What: Dom's Italia
Where: 374 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LY
When: 2022
While it may have been a shock to hear that Dom's Tavola Calda down at the bottom end of Deansgate was closing its doors in August, it’s a relief to learn that the family-run firm will be taking over the site of another sorely missed bar. The Knott, which didn’t re-open after the pandemic will be transformed into Dom's Italia over the coming months. Fans missing the authentic Italian grub can still visit another of their venues Vincenzo Trattoria on St. Ann Street until then.
What: Eden
Where: King Street
When: TBC
Owners Ava and Dan have been busy on King Street over the last couple of months sharing Eden’s progress on social media. A restaurant and cocktail bar, Eden promises to be a “culinary experience inspired by nature, made with love.” The instagram page is full of inspiration for the menu from handmade cannoli to grilled octopus. We see a lot of Manchester Gin too - a potential paradise.
What: Exclsve
Where: 67 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BQ
When: open now
Co-owners Jordan Green and Andrew Doyle also own Exclusive Law Solicitors, Exclusive Law, Exclusive Health and Exclusive Hire Solutions. So why not open an Exclsve eatery too? Former Grado chef Steve Midgley is on the pass, while GM Dave Winsworth counts Restaurant Bar & Grill, El Capo and Panacea as exes. Bar manager Jamie Takacs moves over from Alberts Schloss to complete the gang. We won’t tell them there are a couple of vowels missing if you don’t.
What: Franco Manca
Where: 39-43 King St, Manchester M2 7AT / Wilmslow Road, Didsbury
When: TBC
Bit of a two-for-one is this, with word of two new Franco Manca sites gracing our streets in the coming months. King Street welcomes the Brixton-born pizzaiolos in the former Boots site which has seen Google Garage come and go over the past few years. There are also whisperings of a third venue coming to Didsbury. Watch this space.
What: Gallery Lounge
Where: Islington Wharf, 145 Great Ancoats St, Manchester M4 6DH
When: TBC
Still very much a work in progress, The Gallery Lounge will be an art gallery and cocktail bar (with food and coffee too) all housed in a bright and airy spot on Islington Wharf. Paintings and sculptures are set to be on display in this relaxed lounge set to open in the coming months, fingers crossed.
What: Herbivorous
Where: 445 Wilmslow Rd, Withington, Manchester M20 4NW
When: Open now
Following the huge success of its original site in Hatch on Oxford Road, Herbivorous has moved on to greener pastures in Withington. Proving once and for all that the plant-based movement certainly isn’t a phase. We went to check out the new festival-inspired venue in the suburb of the moment and were bowled over by its lambless kebabs and lemon bon-bon cocktails.
What: Jardim
Where: 70 Stamford New Rd, Altrincham WA14 1EE
When: November
Bringing a ray of sunshine to Altrincham this autumn, this South American rodizio restaurant will open in the former Old Post Rooms building. Owner Robert Melman is the co-owner of Manchester's Fazenda and Tast - both firm favourites of team Confidentials - so we reckon he'll be more than up to the job of serving up some top quality Brazilian fare.
What: Kimji
Where: 41 Bolton St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HU
When: Open now
This South Korean Restaurant run by husband and wife team Sam and Mandy Chen has been a hit in Preston since 2018. Now open in the foodie village of Ramsbottom, the new restaurant is busily serving up traditional Korean noodle dishes, Korean barbecue and ginseng chicken soup.
What: Lily’s Deli
Where: Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BF
When: Early 2022
Ashton's much-loved Indian vegetarian franchise has followed up the success of its Chorlton deli and secured its first inner-city spot on covetable Ancoats Cutting Room Square. A deli by name, but with a small number of seats for cafe-style snacks like chaat and hot samosas, Lily’s looks set to be the spiciest spot on the block.
What: Lucky Mama’s
Where: 565 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 8AD
When: TBC
Currently operating from a trailer in Eccles, you might have spotted Gaby and Mamadou, the smiling faces of Lucky Mama’s, serving their homemade fresh pasta and pizza at Festa Italiana at Cathedral Gardens in the summer. Now the jammy pair have secured a bricks and mortar spot on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton and we can’t wait to visit.
What: Namii Kitchen and Cocktails
Where: New York Street
When: 6 November
Namii’s Instagram page has us all excited for its pan-Asian cuisine with Vietnamese influence, and innovative cocktails. That’s fighting talk from a bar that’s going to be neighbours with The Alchemist on New York Street. Bookings are live on the website now, so grab a table if you want to be one of the first to try its “authentically modern” pho before anyone else. We feel another listicle coming on.
What: Off the Hook
Where: 8 Northenden Rd, Sale M33 3BR
When: Open now
It looks easy to get hooked on Off the Hook’s offering that ranges from traditional cod and chips to a healthy baked teriyaki salmon option. Gluten-free batter and vegan banana blossom options suggest that this outfit that first arrived in Sale as a pop-up in early 2020 is fishing for compliments from all manner of punters.
What: Off the Press
Where: Unit 1, Express Building, 1 George Leigh St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5DL
When: Open now (closed at weekends)
Based in the iconic One Express building on George Leigh Street, the suitably named Off the Press is a slick little Antipodean inspired cafe and creative space that has already slipped right into the Ancoats way of life. Bread is by local bakers Companio with cakes, salads and pastries as well as treats that cater to plant-based diets.
What: Oh My Glaze
Where: Trafford Centre
When: 29 October
Fans of Corrie start owned burger joint The Spinn in Gatley will be delighted to hear that bezzie mates Scott Graham and actor Adam Thomas are bringing their coveted Oh My Glaze sticky sauces to the Trafford Centre in the coming weeks. We're talking chicken wings, wraps and a specially created "Dome Burger", devised exclusively for hungry punters at The Traff.
What: On the Hush
Where: 24 Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PN
When: TBC
“Are we a cafe, a bar or an art gallery?” asks this new venue opening soon in the Northern Quarter. Well, if its Insta page is anything to go by, it looks like it’ll be all three. Self-proclaimed as “Manchester’s best kept new secret”, this not so tight-lipped team has already started leaking information including snaps of syrup-drenched French toast and heavily spray-painted walls. This is just as well really, as not telling anyone about your new venture isn't the best marketing plan we've heard.
What: Potion
Where: Third Floor, Afflecks, 52 Church Street m4 1PW
When: Open now
That top floor cafe in Afflecks has had more owners than a Xmas cockapoo, so we hope its latest residents Potion have the right magic ingredients to make it their forever home. Owned by the team behind the Earth Friendly Rocker zero waste shop on the third floor, this "indie witch" caff is all about local, sustainable, vegan-friendly and affordable fare. While the menu has a big focus on dishes for vegan diets, there are non-veeg options too. The owners say their focus is on sustainability above all so they might avoid the likes of avocados shipped in from miles away and are also saying “no, ta” to Coca Cola.
What: Smoke and Mirrors
Where: 21 Ashley Rd, Altrincham WA14 2DP
When: open now
It’s not all smoke and mirrors in Altrincham. This new restaurant fuses European and Eastern cuisine with an extensive shisha menu that includes pomegranate, bubblegum and the intriguing Love 66. So if you’ve ever fancied Thai style fishcakes and halloumi fries with a side of fruity scented vapour, you know exactly where to head.
What: Vegan Shack
Where: One Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M1 1RG
When: open now
Vegan Shack dubs itself “the future of fast food” and lands slap bang in the middle of Piccadilly Gardens. Conveniently near all the bus stops, it’s great for a quick dash and dine after work. The menu offers vegan substitutes across the board from chik’n wraps and burgers to a fillet faux fish. Shack shakes are made with soy milk - which can almost be forgiven when blended with Biscoff and Oreos.
What: Vietnamese Pot Bellied
Where: 520 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AW
When: Open now
Boasting the best name for a Vietnamese restaurant since Pho Cue, Vietnamese Pot Bellied is a revamped concept of this little restaurant's former incarnation as Pho Bowl. A family affair, this place doesn’t stray too far from convention so you can expect classic restorative broth and noodle dishes like pho and bun bo hue, as well as banh mi, grilled pork skewers and papaya salads.
What: The Vurger Co.
Where: Unit 2, Tib Street, M4 1 LG
When: TBC
Think Manchester already has enough vegan burgers and London franchises? Well, this meat-free London hustler begs to differ. This sassy southerner is swanning up here with a tote bag full of "chicken", "bacon" (made from coconut) and even "brisket" none of which has been anywhere near a slaughterhouse. It also does its own line in "cheesy" sauces and vegan mayos but our interest is most piqued by its unashamedly made-from-veg dishes like deep-fried oyster mushrooms and an aubergine, tempeh and chickpea burger.
What: Wingstop
Where: 11-13 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LY
When: November
The first northern venue for the brand, Wingstop serves, well, chicken wings. There are 10 flavours to choose from ranging from the sweet and tangy Hawaiian to Atomic which has five little flames next to it on the menu. There’s also an option to go wet or dry - something we could all get behind. I mean because of the weather - get your mind out the gutter.
Read next: 'Raises eyebrows around the table' - Sixes, Corn Exchange, reviewed
Read again: New opening: Vegan favourite Herbivorous opens in Withington
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