Eats

Manchester tapas spot Maricarmen is opening a second site

Music to our orejas.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd August 2025

Affordable Manchester tapas spot Maricarmen has announced they are opening a second site in town, doubling their centre presence.

Maricarmen launched on Great Ancoats Street back in June 2023 and quickly became a firm Manc favourite, famous for their £3.50 dishes

When it comes to their small plate approach, they serve up some of the best tapas in Manchester, and even the shopfront seats at their popular roadside location are regularly full regardless of passing traffic.

However, if there’s ever been one gripe we’ve had with the place, it’s that the outdoor area isn’t the most peaceful, even if it is a stunning suntrap on a warm day – that’s where the new restaurant comes in.

Maricarmen is launching its second site very soon.(Credit: Supplied/The Manc Eats)

We’ve been semi-regular visitors of Maricarmen ever since it started out life as a pop-up spot just around from Cutting Room Square, and they’ve gained speed and reputation ever since.

Known not only for authentic, value-for-money tapas, but welcoming plenty of punters for a simple drink as one of the best places for a sangria in central Manchester, they’ve managed to stay relatively just not just when the weather is bright but throughout most seasons.

Set to take over the ex-63 Degrees on High Street in the Northern Quarter, they’ll be opening the next branch of Maricarmen as early as next month.

The former French dining bistro sadly had to shut its doors back in February, but we’re glad to see that the building is now preparing to be reborn.

While the Ancoats restaurant is known for the aforementioned roving ‘El Tableo’ style of service inspired by southern Spain, the newest location will be slightly different; they are remaining tight-lipped on details, however, only revealing lighter colours and Alicante beach influences with alfresco eating.

All we’ll say for now is bring on the pintxos, pints, patatas bravas and pretty much anything we had for their first birthday celebrations.

Created by Marian Diaz and Jose Nunez, who previously owned a tapas restaurant in Madrid, La Porcineria, which was sadly curtailed by Covid.

On the bright side, Manchester has been the greatest beneficiary of their fresh start, and we can’t wait to see what venue number two delivers.

Co-founder, Diaz, said of the new opening: “Maricarmen is about compassion, hard work, strength, reinvention, opening our minds & hearts and connecting with people. It’s more than just food, for us, it is the beautiful moment when we see our customers and our coworkers smile because they are here.” 

She went on to add, “To us, Manchester signifies the ability to reinvent and grow. The people here support you without expecting anything in return. It’s really beautiful. I have never felt this before in my life. […] We’ve built up such a loyal customer base of locals – many have become dear friends. 

“And to be in a position to open a second site within two years and share our love of good food and great times with Manchester’s Northern Quarter is quite unbelievable.”

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Maricarmen NQ is scheduled to open its doors in the very first week of September, so you really don’t have that long wait and/try to snatch a table.

Be sure to follow them on socials too, not only for more announcements and updates but because it’ll give you an even better flavour of the vibes over there.

For now, best get building your appetite.

21 of the best tapas places in Manchester city centre and beyond
Yes, of course, they featured on the tapas round-up, and we’re sure the second Maricarmen site will too.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Maricarmen (supplied)/The Manc Group

Eats

A new Oasis-inspired coffee spot by a familiar Manc influencer is opening in the city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones

We’re never short of cafés here in Manchester, especially in the city centre, and there are a fair few great ones in the Northern Quarter alone, but this new coffee shop from a famous local influencer is one to keep an eye on – especially as it’s a bit of an Oasis pun.

‘What’s the story?’, we hear you ask: Morning Glory, that’s what.

That’s right, NQ’s latest coffee spot is not only a fun little nod to the Britpop classic but a little bit of innuendo by an equally cheeky chappy and familiar content creator, Zack Hipps.

With the Oasis puns and double-entendre boxes ticked off, it already ticks a couple of boxes, but there are still plenty more reasons to think this will be a success.

morning glory coffee shop manchester
Morning Glory is opening in the Northern Quarter at the end of the month. (Credit: Morning Glory)

To start with, the jokes don’t stop as sandwich lovers will be glad to hear that there will be ‘Glory Holes’ on the menu…

Calm down, it’s not that kind of gaff. These are bagels that are sliced, stuffed with whipped cream, brushed with garlic butter, before being rebaked to golden perfection and finished with a drizzle of honey thyme. That admittedly does sound rather naughty.

Bagels are the main foodstuff on the menu, with a lineup of stacked fillings such as grilled peach with goat’s cheese and chilli jam; roast chicken thigh with smoked garlic mayo, iceberg lettuce and red onion and a ‘next-level’ ham and cheese stack.

Oh yeah, and it’s not only a coffee shop but promises to be a great and affordable spot for grab-and-go joe, specifically, too.

Morning Glory will be helping kickstart Manc mornings in the best way: with a banging coffee and bagel brekkie deal for just £5, making it perfect for those early risers and rushes to the commuter trams – OR, indeed, the ideal hangover cure after a night out in the city.

zack hipps coffee shop manchester
Apart from the obvious Manchester music reference, the coffee bar is a fitting honey-yellow.
morning glory nq
The bagels are looking big and beautiful.
The diagonal floor stripes are a nod to The Hacienda nightclub. (Credit: Supplied)

Now, with the space itself spanning just 50sqm and featuring just 12 seats, not to mention fast, value-for-money food and drink, everyone can admit this isn’t necessarily the spot to sit for hours chatting with your mates over a brew.

Although Zack describes the room as “casual, cosy and full of personality” and “proper good vibes”, assuring quality at all times, they also state it is about “no faff” and the menu is made for being on the move, which is absolutely fine with us.

For instance, indie suppliers Kyoto Matcha will be chipping in with drinks and local bakery Vainllis over in Ancoats will be delivering a fresh twist on the Manchester tart, both of which are easy to order takeout and enjoy on the go.

Best of all, to mark the launch, the first 100 people through the doors on from 8am on opening Saturday, 30 August. August will not only bag a free drink, but three lucky customers will be randomly chosen to win a golden ticket, entitling them to free coffee every single day for A WHOLE YEAR.

Dreamy caffeine scenes.

Speaking on the impending opening just weeks after Oasis left the city, Hipps says, “Morning Glory Coffee is my love letter to Manchester. We’ve grafted for months building the space, and it’s mad to think we’re finally opening the doors.

“It’s a warm, welcoming spot with proper Manc charm, and I’m buzzing to be working alongside some of my favourite local makers. Manchester’s got one of the best food scenes in the country, and we can’t wait to shine a light on all the incredible talent out there, whilst fuelling up Manc’s one brew at a time.”

See you in the queue on Oldham Street come launch day for great coffee, Oasis in the headphones and hopefully some rare but glorious Manchester morning sun.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied

Eats

Greggs brings back popular Vegan Steak Bake under ‘fresh’ new name

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Greggs has announced that one of its most popular bakes is making a comeback after unprecedented fan demand.

Veggies and vegans, happy Friday… this one’s for you.

As any fan of the popular bakery will tell you, the Steak Bake is an absolute staple of the Greggs menu, and is undoubtedly one of the chain’s best-sellers, meaning it’s been a mainstay in stores for years on end now… but sadly, the same couldn’t be said about the plant-based alternative.

In case you don’t quite remember its release, or didn’t get a chance to try it the first time round, the Vegan Steak Bake is exactly what it says on the tin – a vegan version of the iconic Steak Bake.

First launched to mark Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – all the way back in 2020, the Vegan Steak Bake joined the chain’s popular, and still existing, Vegan Sausage Roll to form part of its growing meat-free lineup.

The Vegan Steak Bake was created to mirror some of the original pasty’s features, according to Greggs.

It featured thin layers of puff pastry, and a filling made with pieces of Quorn instead of beef, all mixed in with diced onions and a meat-free gravy.

While the bake seemed to be a hit with vegans, vegetarians, and those who just fancied a meat-free alternative to their day, and even made a short-lived return again in early 2024, it sadly didn’t stick around for too long.

Greggs has announced the return of the popular Vegan Steak Bake / Credit: Greggs

But now, it looks like it’s time for a Vegan Steak Bake comeback again in 2025 – and this time, it’s got a slightly new name and a ‘fresh’ look.

Greggs wrote on its website ahead of the Vegan Steak Bake return: “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. In our humble opinion, tasty steak-free pieces mixed with diced onions and a vegan-friendly gravy is the absolute biggest of deals.

“It’s vegan, it’s incredibly delicious and it’s yours from just £2.10. What more do you need?”

Read more:

The Vegan Lattice (Steak-Free), as it’s now called, is apparently still ‘super tasty’, despite being named something different.

It’s available to order from all Greggs sites across the UK now.

Featured Image – Greggs

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