We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are not nearly enough places in the city centre to go for a good Polish scran, which is why we love Platzki so much.
First opened in the city in 2018, initially it was housed back on the Mews but has since moved onto the main Deansgate strip, sandwiched between Alex’s Bakery and Bar Hutte.
Over the past four years it has developed something of a cult following amongst local foodies, who flock for its flavourful, traditional dishes, be they in groups or happily dining alone, all year-round.
And now the team has added another string to its bow with the addition of a brand new breakfast menu that nods to their chefs’ collective Polish and Ukrainian heritage.
Served on weekends only, it is the collective creation of chef-owners Lukasz Mazurek and Przemek Marcinkowski and their newest kitchen addition, Alona, a Ukrainian refugee who has newly arrived in Manchester.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Having fled the war in her home country alongside her fifteen-year-old son, Alona moved here a few months ago in search of some peace and stability and is now living in Stockport with her son and a local family who have taken them in.
A chef herself, she now works closely with Przemek and Lukasz. All three regularly share dish ideas and inspirations as they go, and as a result, they stumbled across the idea to combine their favourite breakfast dishes on a new menu. Trust us, it really is something special.
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We’re talking traditional Kielbasa (crispy fried Polish smoked sausage stew with tomato gherkin and mustard) loaded onto toasted sourdough and double pork schnitzels wedged into bagel-like baps and served with heaps of pickles, mushroom and traditional mayo vegetable salad.
Elsewhere, you’ll find fluffy egg and cheese omelette with tomatoes and spinach. chunky roasted pork neck baps with horseradish and sauerkraut, and Krokiet (crispy pancakes filled with Polish Black pudding with a fried egg on the side).
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
As for Alona’s contribution, there is just one Ukrainian dish: Syrniki. A dish that, from what we understand, is enjoy just as much at dessert as it is for breakfast, it comes as a plate of miniature, pillowy-soft cheesy pancakes plated up with a healthy dollop of mascarpone and reams of glistening cherries, still swimming in their juice. Divine.
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When we visit , it’s Manchester Pride weekend and the atmosphere in the city (and Platzki itself)is buzzing. The restaurant is full of pride flags, there’s a Pride shot offer on, and a large, giddy table behind us greedily curing their two-day hangovers with generous helpings of Kielbasa.
Sitting in the gorgeous plant-filled terrace dining room overlooking the Great Northern Warehouse, we’ve got the best view of the family Pride fun going on outside, with glamorous queens strutting past in full sparkles as we sip our morning coffee (or in my date’s case, a mango bellini and fruit juice smoothie, simultaneously).
Not only is Platzki in a prime spot for people-watching, it’s now also ideal for boozing a few bellinis and tucking into some traditional brekki dishes thanks to this latest addition.
Available from 9am-1pm every Saturday and Sunday, bookings are advised as it can get very busy.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
City Centre
Huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest craft fairs will be taking over a historic Manchester building later this year.
More than 200 of the UK’s finest contemporary makers and artists will gather in Manchester this autumn, as the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) returns to the magnificent Victoria Baths in October, creating a shopping experience like no other.
Set within the spectacular Grade II-listed venue, the fair will transform the building’s iconic empty Gala pools into one of the UK’s most distinctive settings for contemporary craft.
Since launching in Manchester all the way back in 2008, the GNCCF has showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers, welcomed over 90,000 visitors and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent creative businesses.
A huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: GNCCF (via Facebook)
Now in its nineteenth year and expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the UK, the GNCCF has become one of the highlights of Manchester’s cultural calendar, having showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent businesses.
The fair will bring together designer-makers from the fields of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking, sculpture, and fine art.
Every exhibitor is selected by an independent panel of craft experts – with 2026 set to welcome 70 exhibitors making their GNCCF debut, alongside many of the UK’s most respected makers.
Prices will range from affordable handmade gifts to collector-quality pieces, meaning the fair will offer something to suit every budget, every taste, and every stage of collecting.
“Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s most remarkable heritage buildings and provides an extraordinary backdrop for the fair,” explained Victoria Scholes, who is the Development Director of GNCCF.
“The contrast between its beautiful Edwardian architecture and the very best in contemporary craft makes visiting GNCCF a truly memorable experience. People often tell us they love exploring the building as much as the craft.”
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2026 will be taking over Victoria Baths from 15-18 October, and you can get tickets here.
Featured Image – GNCCF (via Facebook)
City Centre
Police charge and name man after broad daylight stabbing of 19-year-old in Northern Quarter
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged and publicly named after the stabbing of a teenager in the Northern Quarter last week.
Bandar Alzahar has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place, and has been remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled appearance at Manchester & Salford Magistrates Court today (Monday 3 August 2026).
The charges come after a 19-year-old man was stabbed in the Northern Quarter, in Manchester city centre, last Friday (31 July).
The shocking incident took place in broad daylight at around 12:50pm on Church Street.
After police attended the scene, they ‘quickly located’ a suspect – initially described as just being a man in his early 20s – at Manchester Airport within three hours of the incident occurring, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault.
The victim sadly remains in hospital in a stable condition but with life-threatening injuries, police have confirmed.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are still appealing to the public for information. In a public plea, police wrote: “We are still asking for information from anyone that may have witnessed the incident on Church Street to get in touch with us.
“This includes any CCTV, mobile phone or Dashcam footage that may assist our enquiries.”
Any information can be submitted to GMP by calling 101, quoting log 1580 of 31/07/2026. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2022 
