Eats

Another Deansgate Square restaurant closes as Salvi’s shuts down

'Grazie Mille a tutti'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th August 2025

Salvi’s has announced the closure of one of its restaurants, in another blow for Deansgate Square.

The much-loved, decades-old Italian restaurant group opened the sprawling 3,000 sq ft restaurant in the luxury skyscraper neighbourhood back in 2022.

While its other sites around town have always been cosy, traditional trattorias, Salvi’s went for a more lavish, luxury and modern touch in Deansgate Square.

It was nestled down beneath the city’s swankiest apartments and was split into a heated drinks terrace, elegant restaurant space, Italian deli, bar, and private dining room.

But now, Salvi’s has announced the closure of its Deansgate Square restaurant.

The Italian spot has shut down with immediate effect, teasing that it’s going to ‘make way for an exciting new concept in Manchester’.

All reservations for Deansgate Square will be honoured at their other, original site at the Corn Exchange.

Salvi’s wrote in a statement on Instagram: “When one door closes, another opens… From tonight Salvi’s Deansgate Square is saying ciao to make way for an exciting new concept in Manchester!

“You can still get your Salvi’s fix at the Corn Exchange. All bookings will be honoured there and we’ll be in touch soon if you’ve got a reservation with us.

Salvi's in Deansgate Square has shut down
Salvi’s in Deansgate Square has shut down
It's the second restaurant closure at Deansgate Square in as many months
It’s the second restaurant closure at Deansgate Square in as many months

“Grazie Mille a tutti.”

One person commented: “So sad to hear but also excited to hear that there is something to look forward to.”

Another said: “Only there last night, cant believe that.”

And someone else simply wrote: “I’m starting a protest.”

This is the second restaurant closure at Deansgate Square in as many months – back in June, critically-acclaimed Medlock Canteen also shut down for good.

Medlock Canteen wrote: “With heavy hearts, we’re announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen. When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can’t wait to eat.

“But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we’ve fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they’re ones we just can’t compete with.

“We’re proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues. If you’ve got opportunities going, drop us a message – we’d love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Pizza Pilgrims – why Manchester’s newest pizza joint isn’t ‘just another pizzeria’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Pizza Pilgrims - why Manchester's newest pizza joint isn't 'just another pizzeria'

Pizza Pilgrims has finally opened its very first restaurant in Manchester, and its 26th in the UK.

It is another pizza joint for a city packed with pizzerias, but it’s not ‘just another pizza joint’ – it’s got a lot of heart and story behind it.

Pizza Pilgrims was co-founded in 2011 by brothers James and Thom Elliot, who took a trip to Italy on a pilgrimage… of pizza.

They picked up a three-wheel Piaggio Ape van, drove thousands of kilometres, immersing themselves in all things pizza along the way, falling in love with the traditional, floppy-bottomed style of Napoli.

To this day, Pizza Pilgrims has strived to remain committed to the authentic Neapolitan style.

That means both sourcing the very best ingredients from this Italian region, as well as trying to bottle the frenetic, lively spirit of Naples itself.

When The Manc headed over to Naples with James and Pizza Pilgrims, they gave us a lot of insight into the inspiration behind this popular pizzeria, from the San Marzano tomatoes harvested at the foot of Mount Vesuvius to the world-class 00 Caputo flour used in the bases.

Completing the ‘holy trinity’ of ingredients that goes into a Neapolitan pizza is the Campanian Fior di Latte mozzarella they use too.

The brothers want your dinner at Pizza Pilgrims to replicate a holiday to Naples in just one hour – though hopefully without a moped almost running over your foot.

Inside their first Manchester restaurant, they’ve called upon artist ad Mancunian legend Stanley Chow, who has immortalised those three producers in his signature style, their portraits proudly displayed inside.

He’s also immortalised Napoli footballing legend Diego Maradona, whose likeness is plastered all over Naples city.

Pizzas here include classics like a margherita that shows off those beautiful imported ingredients, a salsiccia e friarielle topped with Italian sausage and wild broccoli, and a mushroom and truffle pizza with a white ricotta base.

Inside Pizza Pilgrims in Manchester

You've Got Maiale and a Carbonara
You’ve Got Maiale and a Carbonara
Cacio e pepe bites
Cacio e pepe bites
Inside Pizza Pilgrims Manchester
Inside Pizza Pilgrims Manchester
The retro Fiat Panda bar
The retro Fiat Panda bar
Neapolitan pizzas at Pizza Pilgrims
Neapolitan pizzas at Pizza Pilgrims
Colourful interiors
Colourful interiors
Pizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next week
Pizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next week
A Nutella ring with ricotta
Pizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next week
Pizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next week
Classic margerita with chilli oil
Classic margerita with chilli oil
Fiat Panda seats in a booth
Fiat Panda seats in a booth
Colourful interiors at Pizza Pilgrims Manchester
Colourful interiors at Pizza Pilgrims Manchester
The Pizza Pilgrims workshop space
The Pizza Pilgrims workshop space
A Maradona margarita
A Maradona margarita
The retro Fiat Panda bar
The retro Fiat Panda bar

Then there are Pizza Pilgrims favourites like the carbonara, with crispy guanciale bacon, black pepper, and even spaghetti; and The 8 Cheese, with eight. different. cheeses.

The interiors of the new Manchester Pizza Pilgrims are extravagant, colourful and playful, including a retro Fiat Panda turned into a cocktail bar and mismatched laundry hanging overhead like bunting.

You’ll dine beneath vines studded with lemons, while a slushy machine churns up a Maradona margarita at your side.

So pull up a seat at a checkered tablecloth, count all the Maradonas on the wall, and prepare to feel like you’ve spent an hour in Naples.

Pizza Pilgrims Manchester officially opens on Monday 18 August, but there’ll be a free slice giveaway from 12pm on Wednesday 13 August.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The Salmon of Knowledge – An Irish pub has opened at MediaCity for the first time ever

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Salmon of Knowledge is now open at MediaCity

For the first time in MediaCity’s history, there’s a new Irish boozer now open for business.

It’s a third site for The Salmon of Knowledge, which also operates busy pubs in the Northern Quarter and in Didsbury, making part of the infamous Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.

The new pub at MediaCity threw open its doors last week, serving legendary Irish fare like Guinness and spice bags (skin on fries, tossed in house seasoning with buttermilk chicken tenders, fried onions and sliced chillies).

The Salmon of Knowledge opened at the Salford hub over the weekend, with a packed schedule of traditional and contemporary live acts, as well as sporting events shown on the big screen.

It’s still operated and owned by the same team behind Dockyard, which previously stood on this site and was part of Salford Quays for 13 years.

Joe Foster, Managing Director of Northern Lights Group, is behind the original Dockyard and the brains behind the other Salmon locations.

He says the pub will have ‘the same local soul and community spirit lives on, just with a bit more Irish charm this time round’.

Stephen Kirk, Head of Asset Management at MediaCity said: “The Salmon of Knowledge is one of the many businesses joining us at MediaCity during our phase of growth and we’re particularly proud to be supporting homegrown talent, after their successful debut in the Northern Quarter.

“We are confident that the new opening will help us work towards our aim of bettering our spaces, not just for businesses, but also for our residents and visitors.”

Joe Foster, Managing Director of Northern Lights Group, the team behind The Salmon of Knowledge said:“We’ve felt the love in the Northern Quarter, and now it’s time to bring the magic to MediaCity.

“Salford’s got soul, and we can’t wait to add to the soundtrack with great tunes, great food and, of course, great Guinness.”

For more food and drink news, follow @themanceats on Instagram.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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