Two of Liverpool’s cult-favourite and beloved independent vegan eateries have announced they are expanding delivery services across Manchester next month.
In what is sure to be music to the ears of the city’s plant-based foodies, vegan junk food restaurant and cocktail bar Down The Hatch and sister eatery – plant-based Chinese chippy Woo Tan Scran – are teaming up and coming to Manchester next month.
It’s certainly not an understatement to say these two restaurants have developed a cult following on the Liverpool food scene since opening doors.
And now it’s Manchester’s turn to see what the fuss is all about.
Down The Hatch – which prides itself on delivering “damn good food” – is inviting everyone to “fill your boots and stuff your faces” without judgement at a vegan junk food restaurant committed to “making sure your belly is full and your hangover is cured, one overflowing plate at a time”, with everything from burgers, loaded fries, ‘home cooked’ classic meals and more making up the menu.
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Down The Hatch x Woo Tan Scran
Woo Tan Scran, on the other hand, is a fully plant-based Chinese chippy – serving up vegan salt and pepper boxes, spring rolls, dumplings, prawn toast and everything else you’ve come to expect from a decent Chinese chippy – that’s gone down a real hit with the locals.
Such a hit in fact that, according to Deliveroo, it was found to be the most-ordered-from takeaway in Liverpool during the last national lockdown.
In what is believed to be due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both eateries will be opening under ‘Dark Kitchen’ format only from next month.
Similar to a traditional takeaway format, a ‘dark kitchen’ refers to food that is prepared at separate takeaway premises, rather than a restaurant, and sees orders placed online only without the option for the public to enter the premises.
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Further information on delivery radius and Manchester launch dates are expected to be announced soon.
It is also not yet known whether the DTH x WTS Manchester project will seek to expand to a permanent premises in the future, so foodies are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled and fingers crossed for more updates.
You can follow Down The Hatch on Instagram here – as well as the brand new specially-dedicated @DownTheHatchMCR account – and find Woo Tan Scran on Instagram here.
Eats
Drake-backed Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
The cult LA-born fried chicken brand backed by Drake is expanding in Manchester once again, this time with a brand-new site at the Trafford Centre.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open its latest location inside the huge shopping centre, bringing its signature Nashville-style heat to The Orient food hall.
Already causing a stir with its first Manchester site at the Printworks, the fast-growing US chain has built a reputation for long queues and a chicken spice level so extreme you have to sign a waiver to eat it (The Reaper is not for the faint of heart).
And now hoardings have appeared at the bottom of The Orient at The Trafford Centre, joining Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Slim Chickens.
The new Trafford Centre restaurant is expected to follow the same winning formula, serving up its famous hot chicken tenders and sliders, available in seven spice levels and served on a slice of bread to soak up all the spice levels.
Fans can also expect a menu packed with loaded fries, creamy mac and cheese, kale slaw, and indulgent top-loaded shakes, alongside refreshing slushers to cool things down after the heat kicks in.
Born in a Los Angeles car park back in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has exploded in popularity in recent years, with Drake becoming a high-profile investor as the brand rapidly expanded across the US and into the UK.
The Trafford Centre opening marks another major step in the brand’s UK growth, following successful launches in London, Birmingham, and Manchester city centre, and signals that the fried chicken heavyweight is only just getting started.
If the scenes at previous openings are anything to go by, Mancunians can expect queues, hype, and plenty of spice when the doors finally open.
Popular Manchester brunch spot Bruncho teases what’s to come with new Northern Quarter cafe
Daisy Jackson
Bruncho has shared a glimpse of what’s to come when it officially opens the doors to its new Northern Quarter cafe.
The brunch spot has had queues down the street since launching on Deansgate, with enough popularity to warrant it opening a second location.
Bruncho is moving into the old Feel Good Club, a huge unit in Hilton House that’s been left empty since the cafe’s shock closure.
And as the clock ticks down to Bruncho’s launch into the Northern Quarter, they’ve shared an exclusive look inside at their very big plans.
The team have now confirmed that the new venue will have a salad bar and vegetarian buffet, as well as coffee raves with DJs at select hours.
New CGIs of the space also show a drastic change from the site’s days as Feel Good Club, filling the giant cafe with wooden tables, hanging pendant lights, plants, and soft textures.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
A glimpse inside Bruncho Northern QuarterBruncho will have a vegetarian buffet when it opens in the Northern QuarterHow Bruncho Northern Quarter will look
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th November 2020 
