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

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

How to eat at Manchester’s Michelin-recommended restaurants for less

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson How to eat at Manchester’s Michelin-recommended restaurants for less

Greater Manchester is a great culinary destination, currently boasting 13 listings in the most prestigious and well-known of guides, the Michelin Guide. 

These now include two Michelin Stars, thanks to Skof nabbing one less than a year after opening, plus three Bib Gourmands. 

Bib Gourmands celebrate ‘high-quality food at reasonable prices’ – though they’re still not something most of us can afford to visit every week. 

These are the very best restaurants in Greater Manchester, and come with a price tag to reflect that, and while they’re worth every penny there are ways to go and sample these establishments without spending your entire week’s food shop on one single dish. 

We’ve pulled together a list of how you can try some Michelin-recommended restaurants in Manchester for less. 

You can see the full list of all the Greater Manchester restaurants included in the Michelin Guide HERE. 

Mana, Ancoats

Topping the list of Michelin-recommended spots is Mana, which became the first restaurant in 40 years to bring home a Michelin star for Manchester, thanks to its incredibly technical, creative tasting menus served from its stunning space in Ancoats. 

The Michelin Guide says: “The personality and experience of chef-owner Simon Martin shine brightly at this stylish, modern restaurant, where every one of the well-spaced tables has a view of the kitchen.”

The normal ‘complete’ tasting menu will set you back £175 plus service – a VERY special treat for most – but if you want a little taste of what they can do, go for their ‘Extracts menu’ at £95, which will show you in nine courses a little of what chef patron Simon Martin and his team can do. 

It’s very special. 

Skof, NOMA

Michelin-recommended Skof scooped a star in its first year.
Michelin-recommended Skof scooped a star in its first year. Credit: Cristian Barrett
Chef Tom Barnes
Chef Tom Barnes inside his restaurant Skof / Credit: Cristian Barrett

This relative newcomer to Manchester has already scooped itself a Michelin Star, mere months after launching – and we can’t stress enough how well-deserved that accolade is. 

With a real Michelin-tinted CV, including honing his skills at three-star L’Enclume, chef Tom Barnes is destined for great things.

And you can try it for yourself at lunchtimes for a very reasonable £50, where you’re given a few courses to show off their links to Our Farm for fresh produce, fantastic desserts, and locally-sourced meat. 

Of the two full tasting menus, one is priced at £120, the other at £165. Don’t scoff at me when I say they’re worth it. 

Another Hand, Deansgate

Jaan by Michelin-recommended Manchester restaurant Another Hand
Jaan is a new Persian bread kitchen from the team behind Another Hand restaurant in Manchester
Jaan by Michelin-recommended Manchester restaurant Another Hand

Another Hand is one of those restaurants that’s just quietly getting on with it and doing a fantastic job, serving, according to the Michelin Guide, ‘eye-catching’ small plates.

Another Hand has a little sister site too, in Jaan, tucked into one of the kitchens at the beautiful Exhibition food hall. 

Here you can get a taste of their fantastic cooking along with dishes from other traders, with a lot of Persian flatbreads.

Higher Ground, New York Street

Higher Ground is officially one of Britain's best local restaurants. Credit: The Manc Group
Higher Ground is officially one of Britain’s best local restaurants. Credit: The Manc Group
Higher Ground in Manchester has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand
Higher Ground in Manchester has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand

It’s not just the Michelin Guide that’s been impressed by Higher Ground – it’s also one of Rick Stein’s favourite places to eat in the UK, which is the kind of high praise we can get on board with. 

Every dinner at Higher Ground is different, with a menu that rolls with the seasons, whole-animal butchery, veg from their own Cinderwood Market Garden and excellent wines. 

You can order a la carte, but they recommend putting yourself in their hands with a sharing menu, which is only £40 at lunch times (compared to £58 in the evenings). 

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El Gato Negro, King Street

Another restaurant that’s earned itself a Bib Gourmand is Simon Shaw’s El Gato Negro, the brilliant, multi-storey Spanish restaurant right in the heart of King Street.

Famed for its great-value tapas and gorgeous interiors, they also have a decent deal that allows you to try this Bib Gourmand-level Spanish food for less. 

Every weekday between 12pm and 5pm, then again all day on Sundays, you can get three tapas dishes for £20. 

And if you’re feeling really patient, they also do tend to pop up at the Manchester Christmas Markets with Spanish sandwiches and street food.

Where The Light Gets In, Stockport

Sam Buckley’s incredible restaurant over in Stockport put the town firmly on the culinary map and earned itself a ‘green’ Michelin star a couple of years ago, recognised for its sustainability practices.

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Over there, its full tasting menus start at £125 per person, but the team are currently running an exciting pop-up series in Manchester, including a bistro pop-up with four courses for £​50. 

They also hosted a fast food-inspired diner earlier this year, with every single burger made from just one cow – once the beef ran out, the restaurant closed. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

A bottomless brunch with unlimited booze AND pizza is happening in Manchester this weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Cheesy pizza

You can feast on all the pizza slices and booze your heart desires at a bottomless brunch happening in Manchester this weekend.

Manchester street food market and social hub, GRUB – which is tucked away in the Green Quarter, just outside of the city centre – is home to a wide range of rotating independent food and drink vendors that regularly hook Mancs up with some of the best eats from across the globe.

It’s also known for hosting a jam-packed lineup of events all throughout the year, and this bottomless pizza brunch is one fine example.

Teaming up with new independent trader, Pizza Mutt, foodie fans are invited to head on over to GRUB this Saturday for 90-minutes of tasty Tavern-style pizza slices and a stunning selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

When it comes to pizza, you can choose from a wide range of toppings.

There’s everyone’s favourite pepperoni, as well as double cheese and veggie picante for vegetarians, and marinara for vegans – with vegan cheese also available.

Detroit Slims is a brand new pizza project in Manchester from the team behind Ramona. Credit: Supplied
Pints of beer
A bottomless brunch with unlimited booze and pizza is happening in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Detroit Slims | Flickr

Then, on the drinks lineup, there’s a selection of house beers – including GRUB’s very-own lager and pale ale – and Hogan’s Cider, as well as Aperol Spritzes, mimosas, and fizz, as well as some low and non-alcoholic options and plenty of soft drinks too.

Taking place this Saturday 22 February from 12-6pm, there are three sittings to choose from when booking – the 1pm, 2pm, and 4pm.

Each sitting includes 90-minutes of bottomless drinks and pizza.

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Tickets will set you back £25 each, and you can grab them from the GRUB website here.

Featured Image – Heather Barnes (via Unsplash)

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