Eats

The legendary Grandpa Greene’s has turned a public loo in Uppermill into a bistro

Daisy Jackson - 3rd February 2024

The massively popular Grandpa Greene’s ice cream parlour has branched out – to a public loo.

The much-loved dessert bar and cafe has been based down by the canal in Diggle for well over a decade, its success growing year on year.

Who could forget the early lockdown days, when half of Greater Manchester flocked to Saddleworth hungry for the simple novelty of buying an ice cream?

Now there’s a new string to the local business’s bow, as it’s taken on and transformed a former public toilet building in Uppermill.

They’ve added a smart conservatory with retractable roof to the original structure, swapping out bogs for a sunny bistro.

There’s plenty of comfortable booth seating in here, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over King George V Park and the kids’ play area.

Greene’s Bistro is dog-friendly and very kid-friendly (with the added bonus of wine and cocktails for the parents).

As well as classic cocktails you’ll find special concoctions themed around its weekly musical nights, like a Blue Lagoon for Mamma Mia and a watermelon spritz for Dirty Dancing.

While Grandpa Greene’s is best-known for its sweet treats, at Greene’s Bistro there’s a big focus on lunches and brunches – and they do a sterling job of both.

The beef brisket baguette at Greene's Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc Group — The beef brisket baguette at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc Group

A selection of small plates from Grandpa Greene's bistro. Credit; The Manc Group — The beef brisket baguette at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc Group

There are chunky warm baguettes, filled with braised beef and melted cheese, or pulled cajun chicken and Emmental.

You can order parmesan fries loaded with 12-hour beef and peppercorn sauce, or with salt and pepper fried chicken.

Adorable little hash browns are available loaded with truffle and parmesan or a sticky salt and pepper glaze (you’ll be fighting for the last spud, they’re so addictive), while other small plates include halloumi fries and truffle fries.

For cheese addicts there are are mozzarella and pesto gnocchi croquettes which will leave you with cheese strings hanging down your chin, and a molten baked Camembert with slices of baguette for scooping.

A bright yellow smear of zingy lemon aioli comes topped with crispy squid and slithers of chorizo, and there are also piles of sticky popcorn chicken with a honey sriracha sauce.

Pancake stacks at Grandpa Greene's in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc Group — Pancake stacks at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc Group

Boozy coffee shakes. Credit: The Manc Group — Pancake stacks at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc Group

This being a Grandpa Greene’s establishment, you know that desserts are going to be some of the best in the country.

Greene’s Bistro features a menu packed with loaded pancakes (the chocolate Oreo ones are a must) as well as ice cream sundaes so enormous you have to carry them with two hands.

There are boozy dessert-inspired coffees, thick milkshakes made with Granda Greene’s renowned ice creams, and of course you can just grab a scoop in a cone to walk around the park with.

The glow-up from public toilet building to this brilliant new Uppermill restaurant is pretty remarkable – well done Greene’s Bistro.