Chotto Matte is one of the hottest openings of the year in Manchester, a luxury new Japanese-Peruvian restaurant with a sizeable rooftop terrace.
Plans for the Nikkei restaurant were announced several years ago as part of the plans for Gary Neville’s landmark St Michael’s development.
The development has been taking shape behind the old facade of the Bootle Street police station, and is already home at ground level to Circolo Poppolare and Grind.
But much higher up, you’ll soon find Chotto Matte, a brand famed for its Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.
Chotto Matte will be located at the top of No.1 St Michael’s, with views across the Manchester skyline.
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Inside, there’ll be a 502-cover restaurant, as well as a 348-capacity roof terrace with access to those panoramic views all year round.
Expect open sushi and robata counters, large private dining rooms with access to the terrace, and lighting that shifts from day to night, plus bold graffiti-style murals by an as-yet-to-be-announced local artist.
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On the menu designed by executive chef Jordan Sclare, there’ll be signature dishes from across Peru but made with Japanese techniques, like sea bass ceviche, Nikkei gyoza, and Pollo Den Miso (miso-marinated chicken with carrot, daikon and yellow chilli yogurt).
That’s alongside cocktails, live music every weekend, and what looks set to be a truly beautiful restaurant space.
An opening date has been released now along with a whole raft of new CGI images – and it’s all set to open for real in October 2025.
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CGIs of Chotto Matte in Manchester
How Chotto Matte in Manchester will lookA bar area in Chotto Matte ManchesterThe rooftop terrace will be year-roundA bar area A local artist will create bold graffiti-style muralsChotto Matte’s private dining
It’s the first time Chotto Matte has ventured into the North of England.
Founder Kurt Zdesar said: “Manchester is one of the UK’s fastest growing cities with a booming hospitality scene making it a perfect place for Chotto Matte’s next site.
“Working closely with Gary Neville and Relentless Developments, I knew the St Michael’s site was exactly what we were looking for as soon as I saw the plans. What Gary has created is vibrant, bold and sophisticated, everything we are as a brand.
“We are really looking forward to launching and taking over one of the most beautiful roof terraces in the city whilst bringing our new Nikkei dining concept to Manchester.
“St Michael’s will be one of the most sought after locations in the city and we are so proud to be part of this development alongside Gary and his team.”
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Gary Neville, Director of Relentless Developments said: “Opening our doors at No.1 St Michael’s after more than 15 years of planning and development is a really proud moment for us. Chotto Matte is a global brand with a wealth of experience and exactly the kind of occupier we wanted for our stunning top floor and roof terrace.
“I’ve really enjoyed working alongside Kurt and look forward to welcoming him and his team to Manchester ahead of the launch later this year.”
Chotto Matte will open in Manchester in October 2025 – you can stay up to date with the latest at their Instagram account HERE.
Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant
Danny Jones
One of Manchester’s oldest and most loved Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, has sadly announced that they are closing their original restaurant after more than a decade and a half.
Having served authentic recipes from Naples and been at the forefront of the cuisine in this city for well over 15 years, it can be hard to remember a time before Salvi’s.
With that in mind, we’re gutted to hear that their OG location over in the Corn Exchange is now shutting its doors imminently.
But fret not: it’s not all doom and gloom, as they promise this isn’t the last you’ll see of them.
Often considered the first true Manc-Neapolitan eatery, which turned from a small counter and deli into, at one point, a big and beloved group of local independent restaurants with multiple locations, most people know the name and the sign, and plenty have patronised them since day one.
Sharing an emotional message in the caption of the post above, founder Maurizio Cecco and his wife Claire said: “For sixteen years, Salvi’s has been part of Manchester’s story. We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve built together.
“As the city changes, independent businesses have to change too. Today will be our last day of trading at Corn Exchange. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey all these years.
“This isn’t the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter – stay tuned. Grazie Mille.”
Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the news has been bittersweet, with people obviously saddened to hear of this latest closure but also looking back fondly on its past.
One person wrote in the comments: “I remember launching this amazing place all those years ago and have continued to watch you thrive!! Best of luck for the future!” Another added: “Will miss Salvi’s great food, great staff, not forgetting the Italian festival. All the best, Maurizio and family in your new adventure
As mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Maurizio and Claire are also behind the equally famous Festa Italiana, which draws crowds of tens of thousands across a full weekend every single year.
Having been regulars and firm fans of both their first family-owned flagship site and the aforementioned festival for many years, we’re equally gutted to see it go.
But as they made clear, this is not a definite ending for the brand, and it’s safe to say we’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.
Thanks for the memories and all the incredible food and drink you’ve served us – we hope we hear from you again sometime very soon.
Iconic old Manchester boozer named the best pub in the UK
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most legendary pubs – which happens to be home to its most legendary landlady too – has been named the best in the UK.
The Peveril of the Peak has shot to the top of a list of the 22 Best Pubs in the UK, compiled by Time Out.
The comprehensive list spans the length and breadth of the country looking for the watering holes that nail a ‘convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks’.
And it’s Manchester’s very own Peveril of the Peak, or The Pev, that made it into the number one spot, being labelled by judges as ‘perfect’.
Time Out praised the pub’s ‘dazzling’ tiled exterior, its jukebox and pool table, and its 96-year-old landlady Nancy Swanick, who (along with her family) has overseen the pub for more than 50 years.
The Peveril of the Peak wasn’t the only Manchester pub to make it onto the list of the best in the UK – there was also a nod for another local icon, The Marble Arch, which placed 15th.
Elsewhere in the North West, The Golden Lion in Todmorden, and The Roscoe Head in Liverpool made it onto the list, along with a couple of pubs in Sheffield.
Inside The PevThe Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester
Speaking of The Pev, Time Out wrote: “The Peveril of the Peak — or the Pev, for short, always — is the kind of pub that’s so perfect, it deserves to serve as the venue for the wetting of your head, your wedding and your wake. And, preferably, as much life between.
“Standing freely on Great Bridgewater Street, the Pev beckons you in with its dazzling green, yellow and brown tiling, retro windows and heavy emerald door. Inside, it’s a ‘proper pub’ and then some: a jukebox, pool table and dartboard are all crammed into a cosy snug, smattered with vintage stools, sticky tables and framed Pub of the Year awards from decades gone by.
“The boozer — rumoured to be both a former brothel and a haunt for ghosts — has been overseen by legendary landlady Nancy Swanick, who still lives above the bar and is now well into her 90s, for over 50 years. Expect a knees-up for the ages when she hits the big 100. Cheers!”
The full list of Time Out’s 22 Best Pubs in the UK 2026
Daisy Jackson -
1st August 2025 
