A huge new food hall has opened in Denton, bringing some of the hottest street food names in Greater Manchester together under one roof.
Hatters is a brand-new addition to Tameside, a massive, modern, social space with four kitchens and a couple of sizeable bars too.
Its founders have pulled together an enviable line-up of operators for the kitchens, including a few that trigger queues down the street wherever they appear.
Up first is the legendary Ornella’s Kitchen, a firm Tameside favourite where diners can wait months for a table reservation.
Their menu at Hatters includes their beloved arancini, plus pizzas (including mini kid’s pizzas), and huge Italian sandwiches packed with quality Sicilian ingredients.
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Ornella has also brought her desserts to Denton – like a gigantic tiramisu and a rich chocolate cheesecake.
Another firm Manc favourite that’s moved into Hatters is Waffle Kart, the trader that triggers enormous queues at the Manchester Christmas Markets every single year.
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As well as their OG chicken and waffles, and the chilli crisp chicken sandwich, they’ve got snacks like hot buttered maple popcorn on the menu, plus waffle prawn toast, and frozen custard shakes (the blueberry maple waffle shake…)
At Casa Dario, owners Dario and Jess are cooking paella, classic Spanish tortilla made to order, and a traditional Argentinian Milanesa, where thin-cut beef is layered in tomato sauce and cheese.
Dario is Madrid-born, Barcelona-raised, and is now bringing his perfected Spanish cooking to Denton.
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Dario and Jess from Casa DarioPaella and tortilla from Casa Dario
Expect croquetas, gambas al pil pil, four different tortilla flavours, and giant for-two paellas served straight in the pan.
And completing the Hatters line-up is Curio, where you’ll find a menu that’s focused on meat in all its shapes and sizes, like a Cola BBQ burger, an Argentinian steak with chimichurri, and yakitori chicken skewers.
Curio is a neighbourhood favourite in Royton, where they’ve been feeding locals in some shape or another since June 2020.
At the bar, you’ll find frozen cocktails like pornstar martinis and margaritas, signature cocktails including palomas and negronis, and a great beer selection that includes Oldham-brewed pours from Trail Brew Co.
The bar at HattersCurio’s steak and yakitoriBeers, including a locally-brewed beerHatters in DentonCocktails upstairsInside Hatters in Denton
Hatters is split across two floors, with a modern food hall downstairs packed with long tables and a stage for live music events – while upstairs, it’s a more relaxed space with lots of sofa seating, designed for whiling away an evening with a cocktail in hand.
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The massive building in Denton used to be home to four different businesses – a pub, a carpet showroom, a warehouse, and a gym – now all four of those empty units have been knocked into one huge space, with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping around and colourful art on the exposed brick walls.
The venue gets its name from the nearby pub that was previously owned by founder Josh Berry’s family.
Hatters Food and Drinks Hall opened its doors on Market Street in Denton on Friday 3 April.
Speaking after its opening night, the founders said they were ‘overwhelmed’ by the venue’s popularity, posting: “To the 1,000+ people that came to see us today, thank you. Overwhelmed. See you tomorrow.”
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd April 2026 
