Eats

Almost Famous set to re-open less than a month after shock closure

A familiar face has swooped in to save the day.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 17th February 2025

In a surprising but joyous turn of events, Manchester burger icons Almost Famous will be reopening this month barely a few weeks on from closing all of its UK sites.

Quite literally famed for spearheading the ‘dirty burger’ trend here in Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond, Almost Famous stunned local foodies when it announced it would be shutting down all of its restaurants back in January.

However, in what we can only dub a mini-industry miracle, Almost Famous is now set to reopen later this month after the brand has been rescued by one of its old staff members.

In fact, we could actually see at least one location reopen as early as Friday – yes, as in this Friday (21, February). An unbelievably quick turnaround.

Credit: The Manc Eats

With the franchise being taken over by developers D2 – the same food, drink and hospitality-driven team behind the popular PINS Social Club in Liverpool – Almost Famous’ Northern Quarter and Liverpool venues will both be returning by the end of February.

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Although there is currently no news on the previous Greater Manchester sites and other previous locations such as Leeds, it looks as though the recovery process is happening fast.

Spearheaded by D2’s new MD, Daniel Kelly, who was Almost Famous’ former operations director between 2018 and 2022, he will oversee both the original restaurant in NQ and its Merseyside counterpart moving forward.

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Announcing the return of a Northern culinary favourite, Kelly said: “We’re buzzing to get Almost Famous back – hire as many of the old team as we can, get the grills on and the burgers flying out.

“I’ve been part of this brand and I know what it takes to maintain its bigger, better, and make-it-outrageous approach.

Even their vegan and ‘Famous at Home’ offerings are among the best around. (Credit: The Manc Group)

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He went on to add: “We’re here to bring back the legendary AF experience – killer service, next-level food, and all the chaotic, messy, unforgettable vibes that made Almost Famous, well… Famous.”

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Nothing short of fantastic news and a much-needed win for the industry given the run of recent closures not just in Greater Manchester but up and down the country.

We’re very glad that the OG Manc burger scene is coming back and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for them.

20 of the very best burgers in Greater Manchester

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

‘Classy, clever, confident’ – New Manchester restaurant receives glowing Guardian review

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson British classics at Winsome, Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Winsome, one of the newest restaurants on Manchester’s dining scene, has gone and received a seriously glowing review in The Guardian this weekend.

Legendary restaurant critic Grace Dent said that the British bistro ‘may well be my new favourite restaurant’, lauding chef patron Shaun Moffat’s ‘elegant but plentiful modern cooking’.

She said that there’s even a teeny touch of Toby Carvery in their Sunday offering, with meaty and saucy dishes and ‘cartoon-esque XL yorkshire puddings’.

Winsome opened back in March under the steer of three hospitality heavyweights – ex-Edinburgh Castle chef Shaun Moffat, former Schofields head bartender Tom Fastiggi, and Belzan founder Owain Williams.

It’s a beautiful, stripped-back space at the foot of the Whitworth Locke aparthotel and Moffat’s first venture as a chef patron.

Based on this Guardian review, he’s doing a pretty good job so far…

Grace Dent said of Winsome’s nostalgic yet modern menu (featuring dippy eggs and puddings that sound like school dinner puds): “This is Cool Britannia wearing a napkin bib with a side portion of rhubarb jelly and custard for pudding.”

Novelty crockery at Winsome. Credit: The Manc Group
Novelty crockery at Winsome. Credit: The Manc Group
Chef patron Shaun Moffat at Winsome. Credit: The Manc Group
Chef patron Shaun Moffat at Winsome. Credit: The Manc Group
Dippy egg and asparagus. Credit: The Manc Group
Dippy egg and asparagus. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside WInsome on Princess Street. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside WInsome on Princess Street. Credit: The Manc Group

She also wrote that it’s ‘far from a novelty restaurant’ in spite of its animal-shaped crockery.

And Dent added that while there’s an element of fine dining, it’s unpretentious enough that you’re happy to smear it all over the tablecloths and, indeed, yourself.

‘Deeply nostalgic’, ‘forward-thinking fine dining without any of the faff’, is how she described her Winsome experience.

“This is confident, clever cooking that stays just the right side of earnest, or at least as earnest as a chef can be when he also serves up a dessert that is essentially a 1980s school sponge pudding with a scoop of milk ice-cream flecked with multicoloured sprinkles, or hundreds and thousands as they will for ever be known in my heart,” she wrote.

Grace Dent’s Guardian review concluded with: “Winsome may well be my new favourite restaurant, and it’s the new, big, generous beating heart of Manchester hospitality. It’s classy but come-all – bring your gran, bring your baby, no one need feel conspicuous.

“There’s something about the place that makes me want to use it as a canteen, not least out of sheer curiosity as to what Moffat will put on the menu next. Great cooking, and forward-thinking fine dining without any of the faff.

“Bring your appetite and don’t wear pale colours. Aaah, Manchester, you have so much to answer for. Winsome will seriously impact your waistline.”

Winsome said in a post on Instagram: “It doesn’t get much better than that! We’re over the moon, full of pride and could not be more grateful to the team who’ve worked so hard to help us deliver this dream.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Hidden Manchester bar Mala to offer unique ‘movie night’ experiences inside private cabins

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

You can have your own private film experience inside little wooden cabins at a popular Northern Quarter bar this summer.

Manchester city centre secret garden spot Mala is hosting an event where you and your friends can enjoy a private movie night with food, themed drinks, and bucket loads of free popcorn.

Listed as the ‘Cabin Movie Night’, get ready to sit back, relax and watch a cult classic, all from the comfort of your own personal wooden hut.

The film you’ll be watching is very on-brand too, as it’s none other than none than ‘Labyrinth’.

This secret garden spot is hiding right in plain sight over on Dale Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and as well as hosting events such as these, they’re also home to some top tier eateries too.

Currently El Jefe, Doodles, Wok Bros, Christakis, D&X Caribbean, and Gulf are all serving up some cross-continental delights for you to enjoy in this marvellous space.

Their most recent vendor, Gulf, is taking the title for the city’s best kept secret, expanding from their cute Middle-Eastern structure hidden inside the neighbouring Chapter One Books into this secret garden location.

Some mouth-watering scran from El Jefe.
Some mouth-watering scran from El Jefe.
Wok Bros have some delicious noodle boxes.
Wok Bros have some delicious noodle boxes.
Credit: The Manc Group

The Cabin Movie Night’ is the perfect way to round up your friends and watch a classic with a cocktail in hand.

There’s a handful of group packages available too at an additional charge, ranging from £30 to £50, which includes themed cocktails for each guest in the booking, and the cost of the ticket.

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The ‘Cabin Movie Night’ is coming to Mala on Monday 2 June from 7pm, and tickets are already on sale now HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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