Eats

Independent Chinese street food favourite Little Bao Boy announces closure in Manchester

They're baoing out.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd January 2025

Little Bao Boy has shared ‘sad news’ this week, announcing its departure from Manchester.

The Chinese street food favourite has been serving freshly-made bao, plus contemporary Asian dishes like loaded katsu fries, tofu bites, and spicy slaws.

But now this much-loved indie, originally from Leeds, has announced it’s baoing (sorry) out from our city for good.

Little Bao Boy has said it has just over a week left in Manchester, where it’s been operating as part of the North Taproom at Circle Square.

The team said it’s been a ‘tough decision’ as they’ve ‘had a blast’ at the new development off Oxford Road.

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Little Bao Boy wrote: “I’m afraid to say we’ve got some sad news…

“As of the first of February we will be coming out of Circle square taproom in Manchester. It was a tough decision as we’ve had a blast there the last couple of years but sometimes you need to take one step back to take two more forward.

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Little Bao Boy has announced its closure in Manchester
Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Little Bao Boy has announced its closure in Manchester
Credit: Instagram, @littlebaoboy

“We want to ram all our focus into making Leeds as good as it can be and that’s what we’re going to do moving into this year.

“We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone from Manchester who has come down to support us over the years it really does mean a lot!

“Maybe one day you’ll see us pop back up in the M1 postcode but for now it’s see you later, thanks for having us and the always welcome to come see us in Leeds. James & JB.”

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Eats

The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Cut and Craft bottomless brunch Boxing Day 2025

This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.

Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…

Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.

Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.

Credit: The Manc Eats/The Hoot

Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.

The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.

Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.

Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.

If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.

You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns. 

We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.

Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing. 

Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.

Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.

The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.

If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.

The very best and booziest bottomless brunches in Manchester city centre

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

Three Manchester pubs are officially serving some of the best Guinness in the UK

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Harp Guide - Three Manchester pubs are officially serving some of the best Guinness in the UK

Guinness has released the first edition of its Harp Guide, which has highlighted the best pubs around the UK to grab a pint of the black stuff – and three are here in Manchester.

The iconic Irish brewery has singled out just 35 British pubs that are serving worthy pints of Guinness stout.

Of the three in Manchester that made the list, one is a legendary Irish pub in the city centre, while the other two are neighbours out in the suburbs.

Up first is – unsurprisingly – Mulligans of Deansgate, an authentic Irish pub in the heart of Manchester city centre that’s been a popular watering hole for Mancs for more than a century, selling more than 13,000 pints a week.

The pub expanded last year and now has two spaces – its traditional, den-like ground floor, and its much larger live music space with vaulted ceilings upstairs.

Pádraig Brady, owner of Mulligans, said: “Being recognised in the inaugural Guinness Harp Guide is a real privilege.

“It’s no secret that every pub gets the same kegs of Guinness delivered, but what makes the difference is everything that happens after that.

“The right equipment, correct cellar procedures and conditions, staff who know how to pour it perfectly, the atmosphere, the daily live music – it all matters. We’ve always focused on doing things consistently, and being the sole Manchester city centre pub in the guide is testament to that consistency.”

Mulligans in Manchester is in the Guinness Harp Guide
Mulligans in Manchester is in the Guinness Harp Guide
Mulligans in Manchester is in the Guinness Harp Guide. Credit: The Manc Group

Next in the Harp Guide is Kennedy’s in Didsbury, a pub which has only been open since August following the success of its original location in Altrincham.

The pub recently welcomed Yard & Coop into its kitchens too, so you can get a traditional Irish spice bag with your Guinness.

Kennedy’s said: “We are super excited to announce that we, amongst 34 other bars across GB, have been selected for the Offical Guinness Harp Guide 2026.

“Not only is this an exceptional achievement within the Guinness community, but it’s an accolade that represents everything we work towards here at Kennedy’s Irish Bar.

“The Guinness Harp Guide celebrates those few bars that capture the warmth, character, and vibrancy that makes enjoying a Guinness so special, and of course, those that serve beautiful Guinness’.”

Completing the list is The Station pub, also in Didsbury, a cosy local favourite and key stop on the legendary Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.

This popular Irish pub has sports, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness – and now it’s officially one of Britain’s best spots to drink it.

These are officially the spots to head if you’re a discerning Guinness fan. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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