Gordon Ramsay has revealed the exact date he will be bringing his Michelin-starred restaurant Lucky Cat to Manchester.
The news marks the first major opening for the celebrity chef and Michelin-starred restauranter and is the second Lucky Cat to open worldwide, cementing Manchester’s reputation as a leading destination for food, drink, and entertainment.
The opening date for the new restaurant – which will open at the top of King Street in the former Jamie’s Italian site has been confirmed as 1 June, with bookings open from 10am on Thursday 11 May.
The new Manchester location promises to be a dining experience like no other, capturing the essence of the original Mayfair eatery in the very heart of the city in a truly iconic building.
Situated at the top of King Street, the new restaurant will move into a stunning Art Deco building, spanning three floors with opulent private dining vaults in its basement.
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Michelin describes the Mayfair restaurant as follows: “Gordon Ramsay’s foray into Asian culture is a moody, masculine space in the former Maze, with a chef’s table, a striking bar, a banging soundtrack and a fun feel.
“Accomplished Japanese and Chinese dishes blend British ingredients and are designed for sharing; the bonito fried duck leg bao is a must-try.
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Sashimi selection. / Image: Lucky Cat
Outside Lucky Cat in Mayfair. / Image: Lucky Cat
Taking over the former bank, Lucky Cat Manchester will pay homage to the building’s heritage while offering locals a ‘brand new’ dining experience.
With private bars and dining spaces tucked away for special events, Lucky Cat looks to fuse the vibrant atmosphere of 1930s Tokyo jazz kissas and drinking dens with a world-class dining experience.
Promising fine wines and cocktails, live DJs and a real party atmosphere, Lucky Cat is already a destination on the London scene – and now it looks to achieve the same reputation in Manchester.
The new Manchester location promises to immerse guests in the extraordinary culinary narrative from Gordon Ramsay and Lucky Cat Executive Head Chef Andre Camilo, who have crafted each dish with sharing and excellence in mind.
Diners are invited to ’embark on a gastronomic journey of culinary icons’, digging into the likes of sublime black cod, sumptuous sirloin weeping tiger and the legendary Lucky Cat Duck Bao.
The team has taken the very best of its Mayfair menu heroes and added some new dishes to offer ‘a dining experience like no other’, encouraging guests to ‘journey onward to the ocean’s depths’ with sublime sushi and raw dishes, from sumptuous tuna tartar to mouth-watering dragon rolls.
The Michelin-recommended ‘must try’ bonito fried duck leg bao. / Image: Lucky Cat
The chef’s table at Lucky Cat Mayfair. / Image: Lucky Cat
An innovative cocktail list, meanwhile, includes the one-of-a-kind Lucky Negroni, where the gin in your drink is determined by a captivating game of chance.
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With three dice hidden inside a mysterious box, the numbers rolled will unlock the perfect combination of gins, vermouths, and bitters destined for your drink. With a staggering 216 possible combinations, your Lucky Negroni is a personalised, exhilarating experience, crafted by fate itself.
Gordon Ramsay shares his unbridled enthusiasm for the project, with a nod to Manchester’s vibrant dining scene, commenting: “I’ve toured and worked in much of Asia over the years, and the culture, the flavours, and the incredible cooking truly inspire me.
“Manchester is renowned for its thriving culinary landscape, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
“We’re fired up to build on the phenomenal success of our Mayfair restaurant and bring something truly exceptional to the people of Manchester this Summer. I can’t wait for Lucky Cat to make its mark in this fantastic city!”
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Bookings are now open, and tables are expected to fill up fast. Reservations can be made on the website or by calling 0161 424 9150 for restaurant and group reservations.
Featured image – Geograph
Eats
10 places kids eat for £1 or FREE in Greater Manchester this half term | February 2026
Emily Sergeant
Bella Italia, IKEA, and Yard & Coop are just some of the places offering kids the chance to eat for £1 or free this half term.
With schools across Greater Manchester set to break up for half term at the end of this week, and with many families understandably wanting to keep costs low where possible, plenty of supermarkets, independent and chain restaurants, and pub groups across the UK are offering kids the chance to eat a hearty meal out for as little as £1.
Some are even offering up children’s meals completely free of charge, meaning you really don’t have to break the bank.
So if you’re looking to treat the kids to a meal, but you’re keen to keep things on the cheaper side and save a few pennies, then thankfully, eating out just got a whole lot easier.
Kids eat for £1 or free in Greater Manchester this half term / Credit: Las Iguanas | Yard & Coop
Asda
Asda’s £1 kids meal deal is available all year round, including this half term, and it includes a hot meal or sandwich, drink, and piece of fruit, as well as other treats like as a jelly pot or a jelly squeeze pouch as an alternative to a pack of crisps.
Morrisons
When you spend £5 or more on an adult’s meal at a Morrisons cafe at any point in the year, not just during the school holidays, you’ll also get a free kids’ meal for those under 16 years old. Children can either build their own breakfast or main meal, and they’ll get a drink included too.
IKEA
If you’re heading to IKEA, you can claim a kids’ meal for just 95p once your shopping is done. Children can choose from pasta with tomato sauce, a soft drink, and piece of fruit for 95p, or upgrade to sausage and mash, or the store’s famous meatballs for £2.50.
Yard & Coop
The Northern Quarter’s home of buttermilk fried chicken is back offering its popular ‘kids eat free deal’ this half term. Available each weekday from 12pm-6pm, one free kids meal comes with every adult main meal, and children can choose a main, dessert, and cordial drink of their own.
Frankie and Benny’s
A free kids’ meal – including a main, two sides, a drink, and dessert – is available with any adult main meal at Frankie & Benny’s this half term, which could save you on average around £6.80 and only having to pay about £13 in total.
Bella Italia
Order one adult main from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February, and you’ll get a free three-course kids’ meal as well.
Bill’s
Up to two kids per table eat free all day at Bill’s from on weekdays this half term when an adult orders any main, so whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s a dish to feed your little one no matter the time of day.
Las Iguanas
Kids eat free all year round when you download the Las Iguanas app, not just this half term, and they can choose from quesadillas, coconut curry, guacamole, and plenty more.
Banana Tree
At Banana Tree, you can get a free kids’ meal when you buy any adult meal this upcoming half term week, with options including ramen, katsu, chicken nuggets, crispy chicken, and sweetcorn fritters on the menu to choose from.
Yo! Sushi
When you spend just £10 at Yo! Sushi this half term, children aged 12 or younger will get a bento box for free, which includes edamame, maki, mixed veggie rice with chicken or prawns and a drink, or little sushi fans can also roll their own if you upgrade to the mini bento box for £1.45.
Featured Image – Frankie & Benny’s
Eats
Manchester’s very own Central Park-style lakeside cafe reveals major refurb
Daisy Jackson
Heaton Park’s beloved Lakeside Cafe has just unveiled a major transformation.
The waterside cafe overlooks the park’s iconic boating lake, where swan boat pedalos and row boats float on the water.
It’s always been a popular spot to stop on a day out for coffees, cakes, and classic full breakfasts – but now it’s got a brand-new look too.
The Lakeside Cafe has just reopened its doors, showing off a retro, lakehouse-style interior, complete with a mural by local artist Myro Doodles.
There’s a brand-new vintage-style photobooth outside, which adds to the charm and nostalgia of the boating lake – and it’s arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day too.
You’ll still find the grab-and-go hatch outside, where you can pick up takeaway coffees, milkshakes and ice creams to walk around the lake with.
Back inside, there are loads of unique touches like items sourced from vintage shops and other pieces from independent local businesses, plus cosy and accessible seating.
Staff at The Lakeside CafeThe takeaway coffee and ice cream hatchInside the refurbished cafeA new retro photoboothCoffee and cake at the Lakeside CafeA new retro photoboothStacked sandwichesThe Myro Doodles muralMilkshakes
The cafe has invested into brand-new equipment like a state-of-the-art coffee machine to speed up proceedings for customers too.
The Lakeside Cafe, and its sister site up the hill The Stables Cafe, are both popular places to refuel post-Parkrun, mid-dog walk, or on a full date day.
The menu remains as before, with huge stacked sandwiches like a classic BLT, a beef brisket with dipping gravy, and a maple and bourbon BBQ chicken stack.
Those are alongside cafe classics like full English breakfasts, jacket potatoes, and toasties.
The Lakeside Cafe has now reopened at Heaton Park – you can find it beside the boating lake.
Georgina Pellant -
11th May 2023 
