Summer’s finally here and we’re pretty much permanently dreaming of sitting in the sun, cheersing drinks with mates and munching on endless scran, which is why we’re so buzzing to hear that there’s a big street food festival coming to Manchester’s Circle Square.
Taking over the thriving city centre district this week, Food.Fest will be showcasing some of the best and most beloved street food brands Greater Manchester and the North West have to offer.
Kicking off at noon on Thursday, 27 June on the main square along Oxford Road, this is going to be the perfect place to go and grab something for dinner (yes, we mean lunch) or turn that penultimate day of the working week into a good excuse for an early dart.
With pizzas, burgers, baos and more on offer from a great lineup of familiar street food traders you know and love, we’re about to eat a serious amount of calories.
Circle Square is set to welcome a summery street food festival to Manchester (Credit: Supplied)
So who’s taking part in Food.Fest then? Well, for starters, you’ve got Prestwich‘s prized Triple B X Eat New York, a big favourite of ours and always queuing around the block when it lands at the Christmas Markets, who will be offering their infamous smashed burgers and mouth-watering bagels.
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Next up is Macclesfield’s Neapolitan-style pizza expert Tommy’s Pizza, who’ll be firing up their pizza oven and serving slice after slice of their incredible creations dripping in flavour.
In at number three, you’ve got Little Bao Boy, who have already grown a great following in the area by operating out of their home at North Taproom on Circle Square itself, but you’d be mad not to take a bao at Food.Fest – especially as they’ll be dishing up their signature Chicken and Gravy Baos.
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Last but by no means least, you’ve got the masters of top-flight Asian street food, Hello Oriental, who’ll be opening their doors to create a special grab-and-go offering for the event with a selection of menu favourites and must-tries.
If you aren’t already salivating at the thought of this street food festival then we simply can’t be friends, sorry, those are the rules.
In all seriousness, we highly recommend you popping along later this week and making the most of this event – we’ll handle all the praying for good weather on our end.
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Once again, Food.Fest will be taking place at Circle Square from 12-4pm on Thursday, 27 June. Catch you there.
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
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.”
Danny Jones -
23rd June 2024 
