Thai tapas, special bitter, and a Kurdish caff in Levy
This year is already shaping up to be a pretty rousing one for Manchester and its burbs thanks to rumours of a new Salford-based festival, a legendary music venue re-opening, and a sheep on the bus in Bolton. However, there’s nowt more exciting to kickstart the year than an unsung foodie opening that’ll have you breaking your clean eating resolutions faster than you can say “deep pan Detroit pizza”.
With everything from Chorlton-based bagels to Pokemon-themed cocktails, Greater Manchester is proving that variety is the spice of life for another year on the bounce, and there’s a whole list of new openings that you might have missed on your latest scrolling session.
Read on for some new bar and restaurant openings you might not have heard about.
What: 99 Reasons
Where: 99 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9GA
When: Open now
We’ve got 99 problems but finding somewhere for brunch in Chorlton ain’t one. Having opened its doors in November 2021, this new Chorlton spot has got bagels, buns, brunch, and boozy offerings in the form of local gins, beers, and vino. Sit in and enjoy the trendy interiors or take your order away for a dog-spotting stroll through the streets of Chorlton, this new cafe is open every day from 9am til late. If you’re after some eggs over easy and a decent cup of coffee, this spot has just under 100 reasons to persuade you.
What: One Eight Six Didsbury
Where: Location not yet confirmed
When: February 2022
Although a very unfortunate turn of events left One Eight Six on Deansgate in tatters this New Years Eve, this barbershop-meets-cocktail bar come live music venue is battling through with a new location in the burbs. Coming to Didsbury in February this year (fingers crossed), the new mystery spot is currently having a complete renovation makeover to create the same vibe as its mothership in central Manchester.
What: Ad Hoc
Where: 28 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HN
When: Open now
Swanning in as an ad hoc solution to Manchester’s need for premium bottles and unique spirits, Ad Hoc on Edge Street has had our dinner party wine offerings and late-night tipples sorted since it opened its doors last October. Get your wine and beer delivered to your door via @foodstuffmcr or pull up a high stool by the window for an NQ people-watching session. Ad Hoc is a much better option than a Sainsbury’s wine aisle panic. Some Ad Hoc offerings come courtesy of Brew By Numbers, Silesian Winery, and Little Pomona, dry Jan who?
What: Chinese 203
Where: 203 Bramhall Lane, Stockport SK2 6JA
When: Open now
Bringing some home-cooked Chinese flavours to Bramhall Lane, Chinese 203 challenges you to “eat as much as you can” (a risky game) with its massively varied menu of authentic soups, gon chow dishes, and just about every kind of aromatic crispy meat and rainbow fried rice that you can imagine. Available for home delivery and collection too, this spot promises to hike your average Chinese takeaway up a notch with proper flavours and a cosy burbs location.
What: Corner Slice
Where: Location not yet confirmed
When: February
Failsworth’s favourite squad of Detroit Pizza peddlers are bringing all things deep-pan, crisp and even to the middle of town this Feb with a brand-new city-based side hustle. Expect elevated crusts and inventive toppings. Try the "Vamos Pablo" chilli smash ricotta cream, green chilli, red pepper and olives, or maybe "Rancher" with smoked garlic chicken, sumac tomatoes, herb aioli and pickled red onion. Er, yes please. This new opening’s exact location is yet to be confirmed, but we’ll be ready when it's ready
What: Gaijin Dumpling House
Where: 948 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3NN
When: Open now
Established in November 2021, Gaijin Dumpling House is Levenshulme’s one-stop shop for Halal dumplings, bao, and the intriguingly named “lamb on crack” (Surely crack's haram? Ed). The team at Gaijin is rustling up the likes of mushroom and spinach bao and chicken katsu curry, whilst also conjuring up some more playful creations like a spicy Szechuan chicken burger and white rabbit custard buns with condensed milk. Unassuming from the outside and packed with flavour on the inside, this dumpling house is one to add to your list of Levy places to try in 2022.
What: Giggling Squid
Where: Spinningfields
When: Opening soon
Thai and tapas are two “T” words that are pretty tough to turn down, and Giggling Squid has boshed them together in a pestle and mortar. Opening its first Manc-based venue after a squid-iculously successful stint in loads of spots across the UK, Giggling Squid brings the likes of Phuket mussels and som tam papaya salad. There's also a "speedy squid" menu with two courses for £12.50. Opening soon for eat-in, delivery, and collection, and with a range of Thai cocktails including a "matcha-tini" and a "me-time margarita", this barrel of laughs takes over the old Carluccio’s spot in Spinningfields very soon.
What: Kurdish
Where: 946 Stockport Road, Manchester M19 3NN
When: Open now
A little slice of Kurdistan in Levy is always a shout, so this new opening next to the equally new Gaijin Dumpling House on Stockport Road is already keeping locals happy. The menu is packed with Kurdish classics like shawarma, falafel and fatayar and locals say it's giving Levenshulme Bakery a run for its money. That's fighting talk.
What: Loaf
Where: St James’s Building, 83 Oxford Road, Manchester M1 6EG
When: Spring 2022
Although these supercharged slabs of loaf cake have been poppin’ off in Pollard Yard since May 2020, Loaf's Colin the Caterpillar, Lotus Biscoff, and pink wafer embellished sweet treats are heading to a new site on Oxford Road later this year. “Manchester’s first loaf cake company" is taking over the old Patisserie Valerie spot right by our fave Indian veggie spot Bundobust Brewery. With mini loaves, full-sized monstrosities and loaf-nuts of all varieties, Loaf has got your sugar crashes sorted for the foreseeable.
What: Matterello
Where: Trafford Palazzo
When: Summer 2022
Hot off the press, a new Italian spot is set to grace Trafford Palazzo in the Summer of 2022. Matterello is promising fresh and authentic Italian flavours as well as on-site pasta making classes and other experiential opportunities for foodies and DIY dons alike. Developed by Manchester restaurateur Steve Pilling, dishes on the menu include an iconic Fettucine, bruschetta with salsa rossa, and pesto with gorgonzola. Matterello will also be joined by a brand new Archies in the old Barton Square location right next to the growing range of shopping and leisure brands that have popped up in the Palazzo over the past few years.
What: Petisco
Where: 56 Stanley Square, Sale, Manchester M33 7XZ
When: Opening 26 January
Pronounced pe-tea-sh-co, this hot spot is located in Sale’s buzzing Stanley Square development and is set to open later this Jan. Taking inspo from “the neighbourhood bars and casual eateries of Portugal”, the restaurant promises to bring small plates and Portuguese delights that are “designed to savour and share”. Menu highlights include pork belly and pig cheek with artichoke puree, saffron poached octopus, and short rib pica-pau. A carefully selected Portuguese wine list goes hand in hand with all the usual boozy suspects for a varied and authentic taste of Southern Europe on the streets of Sale.
What: Pixel Bar
Where: 10 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1DH
When: Open now
Jumping on the Transpennine Express from Leeds to Manchester, Pixel Bar is one for the gamers, gadget heads, and anyone that fancies a fluorescent green creeper cocktail. With a drinks menu that includes the white-rum based Jigglypuff garnished with candyfloss, and foodie offerings in the form of a Pac Man pizza and skin on tikki salted fries, dinner in front of the PlayStation doesn’t always have to involve a microwave meal and a dark living room. Open til late every night, you can battle, duel and race til your eyes are square and your head is squiffy.
What: Prestwich Social
Where: The Radius Scheme, Prestwich Social, Unit 3, Fairfax Rd, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AS
When: Open now
An all-day social spot with brunch, coffee, cocktails, craft beers, and plenty of party vibes, Prestwich Social is an “all day suburban café bar” with bountiful food options and social Sunday specials. Also offering a load of live music events, casino nights, and bottomless brunches, this spot is tucked away in Prestwich’s Radius Scheme and is ready for a good time, all the time. If a new burbs opening with burgers, sarnies and truffle fries isn’t enough for you, then a late-night happy hour from 8 til 12 Sunday to Friday might just sway you into some social fun with pals and prosecco.
What: Sureshot Brewing Company
Where: 5 Sheffield St, Manchester M1 2ND
When: 21 February
2022 has already proven that it’s all coming up craft beer with a new Cloudwater spot promised for Kampus in the Spring, and hot on the heels of this indie brewing brand is another sure-fire hit from Sureshot Brewing Company. Coming to Sheffield Street on 21 Feb, SBC is the brainchild of long-term brewer and beer-fanatic James Campbell, and with an Insta that’s already packed with unique pints and an extra special bitter, it’s time to pencil in a cold one with the boys at another brand new bev spot.
What: The Wild Goose
Where: 2 Goose Green, Altrincham WA14 1DW
When: Open now
Searching for a good place to eat out in Alty has never been a wild goose chase but that's no reason not to welcome this fresh new opening and its a la carte menu of “retro classics with a modern twist”. With carefully restored interiors and a massive range of Anglo-French classics including a traditional tuna niçoise and some crispy salt-aged Goosnargh duck, this spot is all exposed beams, fairy lights and fancy French desserts. To celebrate its successful new endeavour, The Wild Goose is also offering 25% off food for the rest of Jan when you book online and quote "The January Sale”. More January deals here.
What: Zeugma
Where: 747 – 749 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6RN
When: Open now
Zeugma reckons “love is the secret ingredient” when it comes to really good Turkish food. This suburban restaurant hopes to supply Didsbury with a taste of Dalaman. Starting with a selection of meze, shish, kofte, and kebabs, Zeugma ticks all the Turkish boxes from the get-go, Mains feature all manner of grills and platters to share as well as classics like moussaka. This might be one to note down for your next trip to Wilmslow Road.
Read next: First look inside: Lily’s Vegetarian Indian deli in Ancoats
Read again: Crisp butties, Omicron, dine in the dark - MCR food & drink news
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
