Yet more new restaurants, bars and cafes opening in Manchester

We've been reporting lately on lots and lots of closures happening in Greater Manchester. It's had us feeling a bit down in the dumps, to be honest. Times are tough and restaurants and bars are our spirit (and beer and wine) animals. It sucks to hear of them struggling. But as that bastard that is the wheel of fortune turns ever faster, to paraphrase Vic and Bob, places close and new places open. To cheer ourselves (and you) up, here is another roundup of new restaurants that have recently opened or are set to do so very soon.

Here are yet more new restaurants, bars and cafes opening in Manchester that you need to know about.

What: Alibi Altrincham

Where: 10 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU

When: Open

From the team behind Common Ground, just a few doors down on Shaw’s Road, comes Alibi. The brand new cocktail and karaoke den that refuses to disappear up its own arse about drinks. Everything about Alibi is focused on fun. From the passionfruit popping pearls that top its zombie-inspired cocktail to the disco ball in the (gender-neutral) loos, and the neon-lit downstairs corridor designed for striking selfies. If it’s a good time you’re after, grab up to 15 mates and tell them to meet you in the basement at Alibi where you can warble your fave karaoke classics all night long.

What: Big Licks

Where: Liverpool Road, Manchester

When: Autumn 2022

One for your sweet tooth but not your heart health, Big Licks is coming to Liverpool Road with all the big C’s (crepes, cakes, cookie dough, cheese bites, creamy flavours etc). Established in bonnie Scotland back in 2008, Big Licks does desserts, shakes, burgers and ice cream to eat in or takeaway, and the new spot is nestled between Akbar’s and Rump N Ribs steakhouse. Big Licks definitely opts for the more is more approach to cheese pulls, chocolate drizzles and ice cream toppings, so it’s not one for the faint-hearted.  

What: Bold Street Coffee

Where: Unit 5 140 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9GP

When: Open

Scouse coffee and buoy (big breakfast sandwiches in buns) purveyors Bold Street Coffee have opened their second site in Manchester and it’s slap bang on the University of Manchester green. Excellent news for students, professors and locals alike. As good for a morning flat white on the move as a proper sit-down brunch session, there’s plenty of pastries and goodies on offer too if you’re lagging in the afternoon.

What: The Coffee Block

Where: Merseyway Shopping Centre, Stockport 

When: Open now

Another indie for the Stockport roster, The Coffee Block is all hand crafted coffee, homemade cakes and stacked toasted sarnies. Right on the high street next to The Body Shop, this spot is owned by local lad David Howarth and the interiors are all hanging plants, exposed industrial beams and dark blue tiles. You can also buy bags of beans and pour over kits from the little retail shelves, and, like all good cafés, its a doggo friendly ordeal.

What: Department Store

Where: Bonded Warehouse, 18 Lower Byrom St, Manchester M3 4AP

When: Open

Situated on the second floor of the Bonded Warehouse complex next to The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience, Department Store is an “an experiential social space with a bar, lounge and lifestyle pop-ups, open to members and the public.” We’d suggest it’s a café, but that doesn’t sound as good. An all-day dining menu of brunch options awaits as well as smoothies and fresh juices. The small plates on offer include crispy whitebait with garlic aioli and Vegan meatballs in a tomato and chilli sauce. Open from 8am - 7pm, Monday to Friday.

What: Federal

Where: Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7FS

When: Autumn

There’s another Federal coming to Manchester and it’s touching down on Oxford Road on the corner of snazzy new development, Circle Square. Dust off your queuing boots. The Antipodean brunch hotspot will no doubt bring its mix of specialist coffee, cocktails and brunch big hitters as well as the mysteriously teased something new. With brand new Kiwi eatery, Tahi, a literal stone’s throw around the corner, Oxford Road just got a serious breakfast upgrade.

What: Fuwa Fuwa

Where: Carding Building, Whitworth St, Manchester M1 3NR

When: Open

Meaning “fluffy fluffy”, Canadian brand Fuwa Fuwa has touched down in Manchester’s new Manchester New Square. If you’re looking for soft, jiggly pancakes piled high with fruity, creamy, chocolatey toppings, then get down to this new opening on Whitworth Street, stat. Then wait 15-20 minutes because that’s how long these egg white delights take to make. Every soufflé pancake is made to order and needs low’n’slow cooking to get the texture just right. It’s also au fait to film TikTok content while you’re there. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

What: Higher Ground

Where: Faulkner House, Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4DY

When: 2023

The Flawd team are launching a restaurant and it’s going to drop down in the Bruntwood-owned Faulkner House on Faulkner Street. Higher Ground will see current Flawd chef, Joseph Otway, on the pans, working with the finest North West produce (presumably including produce from Cinderwood Market Garden) and a trademark selection of natural wines. We’d guess that members of the Flawd team will also move over to get the venture off the ground bringing their effortless brand of hospitality and service.

What: House of Habesha at Contact

Where: Contact Theatre, Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA

When: Open now

If you’ve not already heard about House of Habesha’s amazing platters of Eritrean and Ethiopian food, you need to up your foodie social media game. The charming Samson Yitbareck’s pop-up has flitted around Greater Manchester from Mala’s not-so-secret beer garden in the NQ to wine bar Blossom Street social in Ancoats to The Eagle pub in Salford and now it’s found a new full time home at the wonderful Contact Theatre. Yes HOH does a good burger but the pros know that it’s the full house platter served traditional style (where possible) with a colourful wicker cloche revealing an edible plate made of injera (kinda like a sourdough Staffordshire oatcake) topped with sunset coloured servings of everything from spicy yellow lentils to mild lamb stew - it’s the ultimate tear and share. Not many people realise you don’t have to go to Contact just when there is a theatre show on. It’s open 10am til late Mon-Sat so make a point of popping in for food one lunchtime.

What: Musu

Where: 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN

When: October 2022

Taking over the former Randall & Aubin spot on Bridge Street next to Neon Tiger, Musu is a contemporary Japanese restaurant pencilled in for an October opening. Bringing an “immersive” dining experience, expect video walls and chef Michael Shaw, who has been “honing his passion for Japanese cuisine, with all the precision, skill and flavours that entails”. The menu will be separated into three options: an a la carte option (Sentaku), a seven and eleven course set menu (Kaiseki) and a six-seat sushi counter experience (Omakase), currently the only true one of its kind outside London.

What: North Westward Ho

Where: 19 Chapel Walks, Manchester M2 1HN

When: Early / mid 2023 

The Pomona Island Brew Co team are on the verge of escaping from Freight Island (it’s just the team leaving, the beers will remain) and have announced plans for a new pub in the former Chaophraya site on Chapels Walk. The pub, getting a full renovation, will sit atop Sam’s Chophouse and will be named after “the legendary old pub ship that was moored at Pomona Docks in the 70s.” The team want the pub to feel like “a proper boozer” with an inclusive feel and wide range of drinks to cater to all tastes. Another great addition to any Cross Street crawl.

What: Peace Garden 和平花园

Where: 57 Booth St W, Manchester M15 6PQ

When: Open now

Chinese restaurant Peace Garden has moved into the corner unit that was once Czech Bar and then Frankie’s on Booth Street, you know, the street that runs parallel to Oxford Road on the very edge of Hulme. The hefty menu promises peace in your tummy with a big focus on “nutritional soups” to share as well as a good range of traditional homestyle dishes, seafood and dim sum. Decor is modern and colourful with an appropriate garden theme and lots of doves. Read more about Peace Garden in our recent review.

What: Provence Wines

Where: Unit G21, Provence, 3 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3HF

When: TBC

When you think of Provence, it might be swaying lavender fields or Van Gogh’s psychiatric rehabilitation that pops into your head - or it might be very pale pink wine. If it’s the latter, your head could be turned by this new bar set to open in Spinningfields. Going for the Ronseal approach to restaurant naming, Provence wines is a wine bar with a strong focus on wines from the Southern France region. But it’s not just a wine bar, there will be tastings and a bottle shop on site and it will also sell coffee - not a natural bedfellow of wine but a helpful alternative if you're off the grog.

What: OMG Social Hub

Where: Prestwich

When: Open now

Who doesn't love a little freebie now and again? How about a whole space devoted to complementary drinks, snacks and WiFi from the team behind Zara Cakes? Described as a "thank you to our community and a way to give back", OMG Social Hub is a walk-in space that can be used however you see fit. Covering everything from meeting spaces to networking opportunities and a spot to sit and meet friends for a chat, the new opening is in Prestwich and launched on Thursday 6 October. The vision is to unite local businesses and volunteers, and the team are going to see where the venture takes them in the future as the possibilities are endless. 

What: Pupa Restaurant

Where: 37 Turner St, Manchester M4 1DW

When: Open now

Pupa only opened a month ago and it’s already got 14k followers on Instagram. Why? Because it’s taken over what was once the very well-loved Solita on Turner Street (and its socials too). The restaurant is not, as we first thought, named after a grub that is about to get its wings, but actually, it’s the bloke’s name who runs it. Albanian chef Armando Pupa has put together a Mediterranean menu for his new gaff but you won’t find Tavë kosi, byrek or baklava on there, more’s the pity. Neither will you find any of Solita’s famously OTT burgers (to the chagrin of existing Instagram followers). What you will find is calamari, skewered grilled meats, steaks, whole grilled fish and something called a Brandy Burger which has, wait for it, whiskey sauce on it. There are Albanian wines made from the local Serina grape on the drinks list as well as more pocket-friendly Casillero Del Diablo. Cocktails include the intriguingly named Rub The Raspberry (insert appropriate emoji).

What: Sakura

Where: 8 Salisbury House, St Stephen St, Salford M3 6AX

When: Open

Already being touted as a hidden gem, Sakura is a small, cosy restaurant dealing in Hong Kong delicacies. Regularly referred to as “comfort food” on Google reviews, which is wholesome. Located over Trinity Way from the Kings Arms pub, Sakura sits on a neighbourhood precinct and opens for two sittings, 12 - 2.30pm and 4.30pm - 9pm, daily except Wednesday and Sunday. BBQ meats, rice bowls, wok-fried dishes and snacks are on the menu but it’s the beef brisket, tendon and tripe that are house favourites (served with broth and noodles) that are worth trying.

What: Shogun Ramen & Bar

Where: 55 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PW

When: Open

Peck & Yard is no more. Long live Peck & Yard. But it’s sort of okay because the heads behind the former pan Asian chicken shack are back with a new ramen enterprise. Ramen at Shogun comes with the options of chicken, pork and shiitake mushroom bases, with signature Tonkotsu as well as a vegetarian and vegan-friendly option. Izakaya sides include bao, chicken yakitori and vegetable gyoza and there’s also plenty of cocktails to wash it all down with.

What: Tom Yam

Where: Monton Road, Monton

When: Open now

Award-winning Thai food is about the only thing that Monton is missing from its endless list of places to eat and drink, but luckily Tom Yam is here to fill the hole with its second Manchester venture. Having opened its doors just over a month ago on Monton Road, Tom Yam has a menu full of classics like Panang Tao Hoo, Gang Keow Wan Gai and king prawns with cashew nuts. The original Tom Yam spot is in Poynton, but this new one is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner on the road with all of Monton’s best foodie finds. 

What: Tortilla

Where: 50 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 5EJ

When: Open

Out with the old burrito and in with the new, California-inspired burrito chain Tortilla has taken over the former Chilango’s site for more of the similar. Expect that trademark choose-your-burrito quickstep as you shuffle along the queue picking rice, meat and other fillings before the tin foil tuck. Seating inside too. Tortilla also do a thing on Fridays between 12 - 2pm where at random select locations (picked earlier in the week), they charge £3 for a medium burrito or bowl with extras included.

What: Vino Buono

Where: Heaton Moor

When: Opening mid-October

If you’re wondering what links Stockport to the sweeping Italian hills on the borders of Slovenia, it’s not just the mild climate and the beautiful landscapes. Small wine producer and stockists Vino Buono has its own winery in Friuli Venezia Guilia, and soon it’ll have a permanent little spot in Heaton Chapel on School Lane. According to its Insta, Vino Buono will be a wine bar, a deli, a pizzeria, and the perfect spot for some aperitivo and an evening wine tasting session. The sign is up, and owner Davide is hoping to be open by mid-October, but for now you can catch this indie at various markets across Greater Manc. Saluti.

Read next: Exhibition: vendors announced for new Peter Street foodhall

Read again: First look: Libertine, Withington - open fire cooking in a former bank

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