One of Greater Manchester’s coolest new restaurants has quietly opened in recent months, and if you’re looking in the direction of Ancoats, turn around – we’re off to Stalybridge.
This often-overlooked town in Tameside has welcomed Cafe Continental, a charming little neighbourhood restaurant that feels like it’s been plucked from a pretty Parisian back street.
With its cafe curtains, red leather furniture and wood-panelled walls, it feels like the sort of local hangout that’s been here for decades.
But Cafe Continental is barely eight weeks old, and already firmly finding its feet as one of the region’s most exciting newcomers.
As with all good neighbourhood restaurants, the menu spans breakfast all the way through lunch and dinner and into cocktails, stopping off for an epic Sunday roast too.
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It’s also got one of the internet’s most viral sweet treats, a proper Paris hot chocolate, where you dollop thick cream into dainty cups of molten hot chocolate.
Inside Cafe Continental in Stalybridge. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Paris hot chocolate. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Cafe Continental in Stalybridge. Credit: The Manc Group
This place might have caught the attention of the social media food crowd, but it’s far from gimmicky.
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On its menu you’ll find classics that will stand the test of time, like giant tiger prawns with garlic butter, ribeye beef, flame-roasted chicken, croquettes and hand-dived scallops.
There’s a lunch menu that will stop you in your tracks – think seasonal soups with wedges of bouncy focaccia, spicy twice-fried chicken buns, and a steak sandwich with fries.
There’s also an excellent cacio e pepe pasta, served with an egg yolk on top that you can pop and twirl into the pasta.
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It’s co-owned and created by Ryan Robinson, who’s quick to point out that Cafe Continental isn’t the first restaurant worth travelling for in Stalybridge, which already has a deep-rooted independent food scene.
The fried chicken bun. Credit: The Manc GroupCacio e pepe pasta. Credit: The Manc Group
“We’ve already got some really good food establishments in the area,” he said, “With Gladstone and SK15 and Guiseppes, so the skeleton’s there with Stalybridge, you just need to have some meat on the bones, really.
“And obviously, like we’ve jumped in and hopefully that adds value to the area and then hopefully we see a few more drinking and dining establishments.
“There’s loads of space for development in Stalybridge, and it’s just gonna get better and better.”
Ryan says his inspiration comes from his travels to cities around Europe, and the sort of off-the-beaten-track, full-of-locals restaurants that are so often the most memorable part of a holiday.
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“No matter where you are, whether it’s France or Italy or Spain, there’s always that one restaurant you seem to find that’s set in the back streets, and it’s busy and it’s noisy and the food’s amazing, and you end up having such a good time on the off chance, that you just want to tell everyone about it.
Soup and focaccia at Cafe Continental. Credit: The Manc GroupCod bites and a chicken bun. Credit: The Manc Group
“You want to stay there all night, and that was kind of the inspiration for Cafe Continental.
“We just wanted to make a really buzzy local place.”
Ryan, who previously worked as a DJ and across the hospitality industry, has always had a big passion for food.
He’s teamed up with a good friend who is his head chef, and a couple of other friends as business partners, who just ‘believed in the idea and trusted it’.
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It seems to be paying off, with Cafe Continental already luring people out of the city centre to visit, and drawing in a decent returning local crowd.
Ryan finished by saying: “Support locally this Christmas – there’s a lot of great restaurants in Stalybridge and the surrounding areas that are working hard to bring people the best Christmas possible.
“So if everyone can support local, that would be amazing.”
Cafe Continental is open now at 5 Melbourne St, Stalybridge, SK15 2JE.
An app that can get you 50% off at top local restaurants has arrived in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
An app that unlocks exclusive restaurant deals in top local spots has officially arrived in Manchester.
EatClub has launched into our city with some big local restaurant names included, like Maki & Ramen, Noi Quattro, and Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar.
The rapidly-growing dining app is backed by Marco Pierre White and has been picking up pace across the UK since launching in London last year.
EatClub is bringing next-level, exclusive dining deals to Mancs, while helping our local restaurants make the most of quieter times.
Participating restaurants and bars can offer smart, real-time pricing during off-peak hours, which can mean up to 50% off deals appear for diners.
As a customer, that means you can save big by dining when it’s quieter, knowing you’re filling vital tables for your favourite businesses.
EatClub has been designed by restaurateurs who understand the realities of running busy venues.
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You’ll find local favourites, hidden gems, and much-loved brands on the app, which handles the entire discount process discreetly in-app.
Once you’ve downloaded EatClub, you unlock an EatClub Pay digital card to add to your phone wallet – then select your chosen offer before you arrive, dine, and pay your bill with the EatClub Pay card to apply your discount.
Wondering where you might get to eat for less in Manchester? Restaurants already signed up to EatClub include Italian favourites like Ciaooo, The Pasta Factory, Noi Quattro; South Asian restaurants like Maki & Raman and Soul & Surf; and stylish spots like TYGA Restaurant & Bar, On The Hush, and Avan Lounge Restaurant & Shisha Bar.
You’ll also find refined restaurants like KAJI, plus Doux Chaton, Fress, Chai Latte, Stan-M1, Arnero, and Napoleons Restaurant on EatClub in Manchester.
The Pasta FactoryMaki & RamenDoux Chaton
Based on data from London, EatClub users increase their dining frequency by 70%, while restaurants see up to a 10x uplift in targeted off-peak windows, equating to roughly a 12% annual revenue lift.
Originally founded in Australia by hospitality insiders including CEO Pan Koutlakis and legendary chef Marco Pierre White, EatClub is now expanding across the UK, following a $27 million AUD (£14m+) oversubscribed Pre-Series B funding round led by Marbruck, with continued support from EVP and CoAct.
Pan Koutlakis, CEO and co-founder of EatClub, said: “Manchester has such incredible energy when it comes to hospitality and we’re so excited to be working with a fantastic range of venues from day one.
“EatClub is all about making it easier for people to dine out more often, discover new favourites and enjoy great value, all in a way that feels effortless.”
EatClub is available to download now, with loads of Manchester restaurnats already signed up – download and find out more HERE.
Smash-hit sandwich shop Earl’s is set to open another site in Bolton
Danny Jones
Yes, beloved Bolton butty shop and bar, Earl’s, is set to open up their second location in the Greater Manchester borough, taking the food from the town centre over to Farnworth.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a metropolitan expansion either this year or next, but for now, we’re just glad to hear we’re getting more of the good stuff.
Earl’s Day and Night Deli, to give them their full name, is the latest name to join the lineup of new foodie faces joining the culinary boom over at the Farnworth Green development.
Soon, the stacked sandwiches, quality coffee and laid-back vibes will be coming to one of the best up-and-coming new neighbourhoods.
Founded by two local lads, Jonny Eckersley and Andy Partington, the first venue only opened back in December of 2024, but has gone on to become a North West-wide sensation.
Carb connoisseurs will literally travel for this scran, and having tasted it for ourselves a couple of times now, it’s no wonder.
Taking inspiration not only from regional food and drink, but also from the wider atmospheres and culinary cultures of Lisbon, Sydney, Antwerp and more, if they can translate even half the levels of chill from the OG Earl’s into this soon-to-open sister site, we’re sure it will hit the ground running.
As per an official press release, fans and those who’ve never tried it before can “expect a menu packed with freshly made sandwiches, alongside a line-up of hot and cold options available for both grab-and-go and delivery.”
Crucially, they’re also looking to carry over that feeling of a seamless transition between services, blending everything from morning coffee runs and the lunch rush with casual evening hangs.
Co-founder Jonny said in a statement: “We are staying true to our roots by bringing a second Earl’s in Bolton. This new venture helps to fuel our expansion plans and widen our catchment area so even more local people can enjoy the Earl’s experience.
“We have big plans for the space and can’t wait to get started.” An exact opening date hasn’t even been confirmed yet, but we’re already getting excited.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital and Centric (the developers behind Farnworth Green) added: “We back standout local operators, and Earl’s is right up there – great food, loads of energy and a proper following already behind them.
“Farnworth Green is shaping up to be a neighbourhood with real character, and Earl’s is only going to add to that. Expect it to be busy.”
Daisy Jackson -
31st October 2024 
