Do you have those same few places that pass all the time, but for one reason or another, you never end up actually walking in and simply keep repeating “Oh, I’ve been meaning to go there for ages” whenever it comes up in conversation?
Because we certainly do, and it’s becoming a somewhat chronic problem at this point.
So much so, in fact, that we’ve now declared war on this foolish and completely self-imposed culinary inertia, because we recently took the plunge and finally visited a Chinese spot in the Northern Quarter that we’ve been meaning to try for ages, and we’re more frustrated with ourselves than ever.
This is Chef Diao over on Oldham Street in the NQ Quarter, and it might just be up there with our newest favourites in the entire city centre.
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Eponymously named after head chef Zhenwen Diao himself, whose CV spans more than three and a half decades working in fiery kitchens all over the world – and it shows.
He and his talented cooks aren’t just self-proclaimed ‘dim sum experts’; they’ve well and truly earned this title through consistently good albeit deceptively quiet trade over the course of nearly a decade now.
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Chef Diao is a master of everything from dumplings and hand-pulled noodles to traditional Cantonese specialities, more contemporary takes on Chinese classics and everything in between.
But besides a pretty feature wall and a nice bar, the interior is simple and straightforward – they just want to get you sat down at your table to enjoy the area in which they really shine: the scran.
Our order featured multiple recommendations from the extensive dim sum menu, one noodle main and one rice-based dish, as well as a smattering of other selections.
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Here’s a closer look at what arrived at the table.
The star of the show, for our money.Slightly rude looking, we know…(Credit: The Manc Eats)
What you’re looking at is not only an incredible selection of dumplings, gyozas, pork and prawn siu mai, among many other siu mai, but an incredible saucy and sizzling Cantonese steak dish, that incredible red rice paper number (top right), just to spotlight a few.
There were also these super flavourful boiled ribs over steaming white rice, which packed a lovely amount of succulent flavour when eaten off the bone with a touch of soy sauce; a very solid chow mein-style chicken dish centred around noodles with the perfect amount of chew.
Chef Diao‘s soup dumplings were a standout, too, done so soft and delicately, helping round off a wonderfully authentic spread of bamboo steamers and perfectly portioned plates.
Bringing a wealth of experience from his time in the likes of China and Vietnam, as well as the likes of local restaurants such as Ocean Treasure over in Middleton for a time, Chef Diao and his team opened back in 2021 and have gradually grown a loyal following.
This is not to say that they’re unheard of or that busy isn’t steady, by the way; they’ve certainly been on the radar among plenty of those more in the know, although it’s no way near as busy as it should be given the sheer quality and skill on show.
So if you’re looking for a new Chinese restaurant that can pull out all the stops in central Manchester, we urge you to give the understated but undeniably impressive Chef Diao a try.
Bangkok Diners Club moves out of Ancoats just months after Michelin Guide win
Daisy Jackson
Bangkok Diners Club, the critically-acclaimed restaurant above the Edinburgh Castle pub, has closed its restaurant space.
The Thai restaurant was added to the Michelin Guide last October, not long after taking over the upstairs of the popular pub.
It also received a rave review in The Guardian from restaurant critic Grace Dent, who said it would be ‘one of Manchester’s hottest dining tickets’.
But now Bangkok Diners Club has decided its time in Ancoats is up, and has closed its beautiful restaurant space with immediate effect.
In an email sent to customers with reservations, they wrote that Bangkok Diners Club ‘sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle’.
Owners and husband-and-wife team Ben and Bo Humpheys aren’t leaving things there though, announcing plans to move into the Exhibition food hall on Peter Street.
Co-owner Ben Humphreys outside Bangkok Diners Club. Credit: The Manc GroupThe food earned them a place in the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ll be joining MoreJoy and pasta concept Anatra in the space, but bidding farewell to their own dedicated restaurant for now.
The email sent to customers reads: “We have just noticed that the system has allowed you to make a reservation during a time that we are closed. We apologise that this has happened.
“Ben and Bo are cooking at Exhibition during 2026 and Bangkok Diners Club sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle.
“Sincerest apologies for all the inconvenience caused.”
Doux Chaton debuts in Manchester: Vietnamese and French cuisine meets the North West
Danny Jones
Regardless of our rivalry, the Scousers have given us a lot: The Beatles, two Premier League football clubs for us to get regularly riled up against, even the Bold Street brand – and now it’s the turn of Doux Chaton, who just landed in Manchester.
Vietnamese food right in the heart of town, but like you’ve never had it before, Doux Chaton is the Southeast Asian spot with a European twist that’s already turning heads.
In fact, despite quietly opening on the main Deansgate strip over the festive period, there was already plenty of passion for this place down the Mersey, as this Liverpool-founded business has developed a foodie favourite following here in the North West.
Run by owners Jimmy and Jennifer Ly, whose parents Ko and Linda moved to the UK back in the 70s, this place might be regionally born and bred, but it’s still deeply rooted in the rich heritage of two ex-pats helping bring some seriously incredible flavours to our shores.
Walking past the old unit on the ground floor of Great Northern Warehouse – during a real ghost town period for the city centre this past Christmas – we saw a team hard at work putting together their first Manc venue.
This was at around 10/11pm from memory, as we saw a man on ladders finishing the hand-lettered sign by lamplight; this is all relevant because, before anything, it’s worth noting that this place from 9am until 9pm all week round.
Yes, as in every single day.
Since they’re still relative newcomers, we’re not entirely sure when they take any time (if, indeed, they do at all), but one thing we can already vouch for is that hard work can well and truly be tasted in the food and drink they put out.
Expanding their traditional Vietnamese menu in Merseyside, Doux Chaton Deansgate has seen them create a whole new selection of sweet treats, doubling not only as a neo-French patisserie but as a platform to showcase both traditional and modern bakes from their home country.
There is a long history of their national cuisine being deeply influenced by the classical culinary culture in France, but when we tell you their bahn mi sandwiches and clever take on a sausage ‘pho’roll were even tastier than their decadent croque monsieur croissant, you know you’re on to something special.
And then there are the bowls of broth and noodles themselves; we tried plenty of pho in and around Greater Manchester, with plenty purporting to be ‘authentic’ – and many of them are – but there can be a question about this first and second generation team.
Taking ‘Mama Hong’s treasured recipes from the streets of Hanoi and elevating them ever so slightly in certain spots, whilst still letting the flavours, textures and smells speak for themselves, it’s comfortably some of the best Viet scran we’ve had in these parts.
The cute little cat in a bowl logo almost feels like the most warm and fitting welcome you could hope for.
Service with a smile, simply fantastic food, a bloody GREAT cup of stylish drip coffee and a big chalkboard where you can even leave your own message, not to mention unrelenting opening hours – this could be our new go-to at any given time of day.
Danny Jones -
23rd September 2025 
