Things are difficult in the Manchester restaurant scene right now. And despite some limited moves by the government to try and help businesses, they're still struggling with prices of raw materials going through the roof - everything from cooking oil to the gas that's needed to pour your pint - to energy price hikes.
But those plucky folks who just want you to have a good time won't back down, and October will see some great new spots opening around town. So go and support them, if you can, because these lot deserve it.
ThatZiki
ThatZiki started life as a food truck pitching up in Worsley and as a pop-up at spots like the BrewChimp bars. Now it’s taken over the spot previously occupied by Zad’s in Chorlton, where it will be dishing out its splendid gyros - soft pitas, stuffed with all manner of great things from crisp halloumi to homemade shawarma. Oh, and chips. Chuck some chips in there.
354 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 8AZ
Great North Pie Co
The latest new spot to pop up at Kampus, Great North Pie Co - best known for its sterling pastry work at Altrincham Market - will find a new and permanent home on the revitalised Little David Street, flanked by handsome warehouse apartments. It’ll join the likes of Nell’s, Beeswing and Pollen in its new home, so it’s in very esteemed company indeed.
Little David St, Manchester M1 3FY
Exhibition
Situated in the glorious surroundings of Manchester’s old Natural History Museum, Exhibition will boast not only a smart place to eat out, but some exciting food vendors joining the fray, including Prestwich’s scandi-inspired kitchen Osma, Caroline Martins’ Sao Paolo Bistro and Ramsbottom fave Baratxuri.
Museum Street, Manchester, M2 3NQ
Shogun Ramen
The folk behind the popular ‘pan Asian chicken’ spot Peck & Yard in Chorlton are to return with a new ramen concept in the same unit on Manchester Road. Called Shogun Ramen and Bar, it’ll be in the business of hot bowls of noodles and cool platters of sushi. It’s open now.
55 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PW
Mnky Hse
What it may lack in letters, it will make up for in swag as the second Mnky Hse outside London opens in our fine city. A Latin American restaurant, bar and nightclub, it will be a ‘one-of-a-kind dining and drinking experience’, and doubtless attract the well-heeled crowd for its cocktails and people watching.
18 Lloyd St, Manchester M2 5WA
Federal Cafe Bar
A new unit for the antipodean-inspired brunch experts is set to open in the new Circle Square development, on the site of the old BBC offices on Oxford Road, joining the likes of Canvas and Kiwi restaurant Tahi. Following branches in the Northern Quarter and on Deansgate, this iteration of the Federal brand should continue their fine work in the coffee and breakfast departments.
Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7FS
Bold Street Coffee
A second outlet for the Liverpool-founded Bold Street Coffee is now open on University Green, serving up Flat Whites, Mocha, Espresso, Cortado, Cappuccino, Latte, Americano, Short & Long, Black and Piccolos for those who treat their coffee very seriously indeed. And this is the place to do it, of course.
Unit 5, 140 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9GP
Musu
Moving into the site formerly occupied by fish restaurant Randall & Aubin, high-end Japanese concept Musu is being headed up by chef Michael Shaw, formerly of Raymond Blanc’s multi-Michelin starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. There will be wagyu beef, blue fin tuna sashimi and ‘infinite possibilities’, as the name Musu translates.
64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN
Salt & Pepper
Once the toast of the Arndale, with daily queues snaking through the market hall, Salt & Pepper moved to Black Dog Ballroom for a pop-up, and will soon be opening up at their own place on High Street in Northern Quarter. Prep for crispy fried prawns, salt and pepper chicken, and fries for miles.
68 High St, Manchester M4 1EA
House of Habesha
The wondrous House of Habesha, delivering dazzling Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine in pop-ups and food trucks around the city, will now have a home at the Contact Bar + Kitchen, in the Contact Theatre, via the folks at food market Grub. They’ll be serving up delicious stews and curries, mopped up with those spectacular sour pancakes from 10am until late, Monday to Saturday. Heavenly.
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA
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