We give our rundown of what's happening in the city's food scene
UPCOMING OPENINGS
Pelican, Northern Quarter
Friday 31st March
Local favourites Squawk Brewing Company have stuck with the avian naming for their new craft beer bar, Pelican, which is opening on Friday [31st March] in what was Beatnikz on Dale Street.
Orme, Urmston
May
For years the forgotten sibling of Altrincham and Sale, Urmston is very much on the up, with Orme, (pronounced Orm) due to open in May with a menu inspired by the British Seasons - upcoming nuclear winter not included - along with ‘a nod to Mancunian charm’.
Lucky Cat, King Street
End of May
The high priest of swearing about artichokes has finally decided to grace Manchester with his presence. Yes, Gordon Ramsay is coming to town, opening a swanky new Lucky Cat restaurant in the bank building once occupied by one-time yin to Ramsay’s yang, Jamie Oliver.
Double Zero, city centre
TBC
That it’s taken this long for the “Best Pizza in Greater Manchester” (Confidentials *cough*) to branch out is astonishing really, having been the firm favourite of many a dough-bore since opening its Chorlton restaurant in 2015. The new place on Fountain Street will, much like proving your doppio zero dough, be worth the wait.
North Westward Ho’
TBC
With a name to be hollered from the front of a galleon ship, or the top of the 192, the brains behind Pomona Island Brewing Co are opening their own pub in the former Chaophraya site above Sam’s Chop House on the corner of Chapel Walks and Pall Mall.
DieCast
Summer 2023
A new spot for deafening some poor sod with your thoughts on Copenhagen, DieCast promises to be not just four walls, three bars and a sound system, but a ‘new creative neighbourhood’. Be sure to brush up on your Christiana trivia ahead of its opening this summer.
Soho House
Summer 2023
We’ve made it, Manchester. We’ve finally made it.
Lane 7, Altrincham
Summer 2023
Dressed up like a panic attack, the latest branch from boutique bowling alley behemoths Lane 7 comes to Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter.
Maya, Chorlton Street
TBC
Ringing all the right bells (canal-side brasserie, art deco building) and with Michelin-honed Mancunian Gabe Lea at the pass, sites like Maya could lend the waterways of our little city some Parisian swazz.
Oldham Beer Festival
31st March and 1st April, Elizabeth Hall in the Civic Centre on West Street.
As if the words “beer” and “festival” weren’t enough to entice you along for a few jars, part of the proceeds from the day will help support the Mayor of Oldham’s chosen charities such as the Oldham Young Carers Service.
Residence Inn by Marriott
Rooms available from 1st May
Marriott International will officially open the doors of its first extended stay hotel in the North of England in May, so if you fancy following in the footsteps of Howard Hughes, Oscar Wilde and Coco Chanel and making yourself at home in a hotel, then be their guest.
NEW FACES
Little Blanchflower, Chorlton
After the blossoming success of their Blanchflower cafes and bakeries in Altrincham and Sale, a third site has sprung up on Wilbraham Road in Chorlton. The quaintly-named Little Blanchflower is also open later on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner, drinks and nibbles.
Taking the place of Tom Kerridge’s Bull and Bear in the Stock Exchange Hotel comes the new brasserie from the Schofield brothers, the brains behind swanky drinking haunts Sterling, Atomeca and “fourth best bar in the UK” Schofield’s Bar. Having mastered the Old Fashioned they turn to classics such as steak tartare and langoustines with brown butter.
Kong’s Chicken Shop, NQ
Feeding fried chicken to the drunken hoards of Northern Quarter should be like shooting fish in a barrel, and so it’s proving for Kong’s NQ, who have taken up residence in the former CBRB site on Oldham Street.
Home Chinese Manchester
Newly ensconced in the former Jasmine Grill site off Canal Street comes Home Chinese Manchester, a family-run restaurant complete with dim sum menu and cocktails to boot.
Dom’s Italia
The longstanding local favourite Dom’s Tavola Calda takes up a slightly new name in snazzy new premises near to Deansgate station.
Onda Pasta Bar
Fresh pasta bar Onda have taken up residence in late night bar and all round vibe emporium Exhibition.
DNA VR
If you think the city centre at 2am on a Saturday is a different reality, try fighting off giant spiders in an abandoned train station, or battling a zombie apocalypse. Luckily DNA VR has a bar to battle those jangling nerves.
NEW MENUS AND RESIDENCIES
Kampus
The Kampus development between Piccadilly and Canal street is welcoming some new food and drink businesses into its garden neighbourhood, including Madre, the taco and tequila spot that’s much-loved in Liverpool, along with Salford brewers Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co and Three Little Words, the cocktail bar from the founders of Manchester Gin.
Freight Island
Freight Island is reopening on April 1, and boasting 12 new kitchens to bring in the springtime including Mega Gyros, sushi house KOKO and outdoor BBQ spot The Smoking Coal.
Platzki spring menu
Polish cuisine experts Platzki are back with another hearty menu for Spring. Serving up signature dishes made with fresh produce and ingredients, expect colourful plates packed with flavour.
Take the Rolada for example; Silesian beef rolls stuffed with pickles and onions, and served with potato dumplings and red cabbage. Or the self-named Platzki; potato pancakes, topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill.
Situated at Great Northern Warehouse, this cosy and intimate restaurant is the perfect spot for dining at sunset in the garden terrace or opting for an Eastern European brunch as you look out at Deansgate.
Dining Deals
BAB
NQ fancy kebab favourites BAB have a set two-course menu for £18.95 and an Early Bird deal running Monday to Friday 3-6pm for £18.50.
Nothing cheers the soul like the words “Happy Hour”, and it’s hard not to grin at two cocktails for £12 from Monday to Friday. Book ahead on a Monday and it’s 50% off the entire menu.
Corn Exchange
Easter is nearly upon us, and with it a raft of new menus and dining offers across the Corn Exchange, including ‘Kids Eat Free’ at The Real Greek from 2-16 April and a new spring offering at Pizza Express.
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