The concept is expected to open in the city centre this September
Open Restaurant Group has announced plans to launch a new restaurant, this time in Manchester.
The new concept, Counter, will occupy a 1,700 sq ft city centre location, providing 62 covers and creating up to 30 new jobs in the area.
Renowned chef Andrew Sheridan, the face behind exceptional Liverpool fine dining spot Restaurant 8, will lead the venture. Unlike the Liverpool site, this new concept will move away from the traditional format of starters, mains and desserts and instead focus on dishes designed to share. Menus will evolve throughout the day, from breakfast through to late night eats and desserts.
A full-scale rotisserie and dedicated meat and fish dry-ageing cabinets will be introduced and the menu will focus heavily on specials cooked over fire. At the centre of the restaurant, guests will dine beneath towering four-metre elm trees, bringing the outdoors in. Curved booth seating, a dramatic brass wine display and an entirely open-plan layout are designed to create movement, energy and theatre throughout the space.
A chef’s counter dining option will also be available, seating up to eight guests directly at the pass with unparalleled views of the action as it happens. Outside, a 20-cover terrace will add another layer of atmosphere, ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks.
The drinks programme is being led by Jake Nutt, returning to Open Restaurant Group after roles at Ynyshir and Gwen. Cocktails will sit alongside premium spirits, local beers and a strong focus on English wines and regional producers, with Manchester-brewed beers, gins and locally sourced ingredients woven throughout the offering.
Future plans also include chef residencies, collaborations and rooftop takeovers curated by Open Restaurant Group across weekends.
Co-founder of Open Restaurant Group Sam Morgan said: “Manchester is one of the greatest cities in the world for music, creativity and culture. We wanted to create a restaurant that genuinely reflects that energy. The Counter is about atmosphere as much as food. It’s glamorous but still grounded. High quality but relaxed. Somewhere people can come three times a week, whether that’s for breakfast, drinks, dinner or a long Sunday lunch. We want this to feel like a restaurant Manchester can really own.”
Executive Chef and Co-founder of Open Restaurant Group Andrew Sheridan added: “The food at The Counter is all about cooking the things we genuinely love eating. We want guests to order naturally, share everything, stay longer and enjoy the experience. It’s ingredient-led, produce-led and chef-led, but most importantly it’s fun.”
The Counter Manchester will officially open in September 2026 and marks the first stage of a wider rollout for the concept across major UK cities.
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