So, summer is officially over – such as it was. Bit disappointing, but no matter because now Autumn is here, and we’re ready for lots of cheese, red wine, gravy, roasts and all the good things that come out of the kitchen once the weather gets a little bit cooler.
September in Manchester also brings a host of new bar and restaurant openings, with some of the year’s most hotly-anticipated new venues throwing open their doors.
Must-visits this month include Media City’s giant new food hall Kargo MKT – soon to be home to a lovingly curated collection of 20 different food traders – as well as Manchester’s only 2D Japanese cartoon cafe, Waku Waku, and new station-side craft beer bar Victoria Taps.
Add to that a new Irish and Scottish cafe in Levenshulme serving up classic frys, the arrival of world-famous coffee roastery Allpress Espresso at NOMA, a new dive bar on Oldham Street and a gorgeous new gelato parlour in Heaton Mersey, and we’d say there’s plenty to be getting excited about.
Keep reading to discover the best new food and drink openings in Manchester this September.
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Kargo MKT at Central Bay, Media City
Rio Mex will be moving into Kargo MKT serving up delicious tacos and burritos. / Image: The Manc Eats
Ad Maiora is moving its epic schiacciata butties out of its Northern Quarter flat into a shiny new kitchen in Media City. / Image: The Manc Eats
This might just be one of the most exciting new openings of the whole year, and we don’t say that lightly.
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With 20 independent street food partners, a 2,000 sq ft outdoor terrace, five waterside shipping container kitchens, and a shipping container bar run by Salford’s booziest family (Seven Brothers Brewery and Four Sisters Distillery), Kargo Mkt will be the largest venue of its kind in Greater Manchester.
Traders moving in include Ad Maiora, Bab K, Baity Palestinian Kitchen, Boba Cha, Chuan Chuan, FEED, Hot & Wild, House of Habesha, Jerk Junction, Leopard Pie, Locale Coffee, Nila’s Burmese Kitchen, Nori, Rio Mex, Rottu Kadai Dosa, Tang Hot Pot, Tzatziki, Vnam, What’s Your Beef and Wong Dumplings.
Victoria Tap
Victoria train station is about to get a new beer bar. / Image: The Manc Eats
Victoria Tap is set to open at the end of September. / Image: The Manc Eats
Finally, Manchester Victoria is going to have a decent beer bar – and we honestly cannot wait.
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The team behind Piccadilly Tap and Euston Tap are at last gearing up to open their new taproom at the city’s original train station, and are promising commuters their arrival will mark a new chapter with ‘no more £7 pints’.
Whilst an official opening date is still to be set, we have it on good authority that this will be opening sometime in September. Keep an eye on their socials for more updates between now and then.
Outside Italiana Fifty Five in Didsbury Village, formerly home to Croma pizza. / Image: The Manc Eats
A carbonara at Italiana Fifty Five in Didsbury Village. / Image: The Manc Eats
Following its rebranding from Cibo to Italiana Fifty Five, the Manchester Italian restaurant group has opened a third site in Didsbury Village.
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Taking over the former Croma site, on the menu you’ll find a large selection of traditional pasta and pizzas, mains and desserts, as well as some dramatic extra touches – such as flaming parmesan wheels.
To celebrate the new opening, the team is also offering 50% off food until the second week of September.
The full Irish fry-up at Bia. / Image: Bia via Facebook
White pudding at Bia. / Image: Bia via Facebook
Formerly home to the much-loved Aunty Ji’s, it’s all changed in Levenshulme as Bia moves into the empty unit serving delicious Irish and Scottish cafe-style breakfasts throughout the day with freshly-baked soda bread available to takeaway.
By night, things change again with tapas-style small bites and drinks into the evening.
Open now
Finders Keepers
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This new bar at New Islington comes from the teams behind Didsbury Gin and ARLU rum, so, as you might expect, there’s a big focus on high-end spirits and cocktails.
Located on Keepers Quay (get it?), peruse the signature list or, if you’re feeling like a classic, don’t be afraid to ask – the bar staff here known their Gibsons from their Martinis, having come from some of the best cocktail bars in town.
Open now
Waku Waku
Image: Waku Waku
Image: Waku Waku
A new addition to Manchester’s Chinatown district, Waku Waku brings something entirely fresh to the city’s dining scene as Manchester’s first-ever 2D Japanese Cartoon cafe.
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Its owner, Chris Lui, painstakingly drew the artwork inside the cafe himself by hand over the course of four months using over 150 pens – and the results are mind-blowingly impressive.
Of course, it’s not all about the art and something has to be said about the food here too. The signature dish here is the omelette rice, but other dishes worth trying include the katsu bowls, udon soup, Japanese fried chicken and seared sushi.
Open now
Allpress Coffee, NOMA
Allpress is teaming up with Oatly to give away 500 free tubs of soft serve on its opening day. / Image: Supplied
Allpress roasts coffee for some of the best cafes in the world. / Image: Supplied
Known for its speciality coffee, Allpress Coffee already roasts beans for some of the best cafes in the world – now it’s opening its own in Manchester.
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Located at NOMA opposite Cloudwater pub The Sadler’s Cat, the team at the new Northern hub has collaborated with Oatly to create a special espresso-flavoured soft serve which they’ll be handing out on opening day to the first 500 through the door after 11am.
TBC
Archies, Trafford Centre
Archie’s has opened a new burger spot inside the Trafford Centre. / Image: Archies
It serves breakfast as well as an all-day menu of burgers and shakes. / Image: The Manc Eats
For Mancs that love their burgers, this hot pink fast food institution needs no introduction.
Having begun life in a car wash, today Archie’s is one of the city’s best-loved indie burger brands – just as popular for its naughty breakfast offering as it is for its late-night curly fries, Peri Peri burgers and celebrity-inspired milkshakes.
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The team has just opened a new site inside the Trafford Centre in August – perfect for a stop-off when you’ve done a shop and feel ready to drop.
Open now
Macari’s Gelato
Gelato doesn’t get much better than this. / Image: Macari’s
Macari’s gelato parlour is opening in Heaton Mersey this September. / Image: Macari’s
Heaton Mersey is about to get a new gelato spot, just in time for the end of summer – but who says it’s only a warm weather treat?
Traditional to the max, this spot is showing locals how it’s done in Bologna – storing its precious gelato (aka ‘the Don Corleone of Ice Cream’, as one local has put it) inside a Pozetti to ensure that every spatula is just as perfect as the first.
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Expect a range of different flavours when it opens its doors on 2 September.
2 September
HOP Vietnamese, Trafford Centre
Image: HOP Vietnamese
Image: HOP Vietnamese
A new Vietnamese restaurant promising super fast food service is opening in Trafford this September.
Called HOP Vietnamese, it is already a huge hit in London and is famous for its super speedy service – promising to have you in, ordered and out with your food in three minutes.
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Now, having conquered the capital, the team has its sites set on Manchester as owners gear up to open the first HOP Vietnamese site up north inside the Trafford Centre this September.
Choices on its London menus include traditional bahn mi baguettes stuffed with Asian pickles and meats like duck, chicken and pork, alongside a range of ‘HOP Boxes’ that combine various proteins with crunchy Vietnamese salad and rice.
13 September
Bondi Bowls
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Bondi Bowls will open its first permanent base at Kampus this September, offering healthy choices to residents and visitors alike.
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Bondi Bowls first began life as a delivery-only service during the pandemic before taking on residencies at street food markets Hatch and Freight Island.
Set up by founder Jamie Tones, a chef who has worked in kitchens around the world, the menu takes inspiration from his time in Sydney with a selection of different açaí and poké bowls.
Diners will find an all-day brunch offering from morning to night with global flavour inspirations from the likes of India, Mexico, and Australasia.
TBC
Mean Eyed Cat
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Cocktails being made at The Mean Eyed Cat bar in Leeds. / Image: The Mean Eyed Cat
The Mean Eyed Cat is known for giving out free pizzas with every drink. / Image: The Mean Eyed Cat
Part Deep South-inspired dive bar, part underground Tiki bar, Leeds’ favourite party bar Mean Eyed Cat will take over the former District unit on Oldham Street when it opens later this month.
Known for giving out free pizzas with every drink, the new bar will open until 3am during the week and 4am on weekends with full on party vibes allowing customers to ‘roll the dice’ for free (or discounted) shots,
Pizzas, meanwhile, come in a host of Deep South-inspired flavours including Texas BBQ and smoky chipotle, and are included free with any drink ordered before 9pm, whilst must-try drinks include the house signature Mean Marg cocktail (where margarita meets Corona).
28 September
Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD) cafe
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Image: MUD
Image: MUD
Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD) are an urban community of market gardeners based in Greater Manchester, who host a weekly brunch and farmers market down at Plattfields Market Gardens.
Later this month, the team will open a new kitchen in Fallowfield focusing on sustainable, seasonal produce and cooking with fire – serving lunch from Fallowfield, as well as catering for various events.
End of September
Things to do and try in September
Block Steak Shop bottomless brunch, 2 September – The team at Block Steak Shop has launched a new bottomless brunch, running every weekend starting from September. Think steak and eggs, breakfast bagels with black pudding, unlimited pints, spritzes and glasses of prosecco, for £32 a head.
Bloody Mary and Oyster Partyat Henry C, 3 September – From 2pm, Henry C will be opening up the kitchen and serving fresh seafood in collaboration with the chefs at their sister site 10 Tib Lane alongside a sexy selection of Bloody Marys.
Sip and Shop at Kerb, 3 September – Local Manchester maker July Child Jewellery and women-led store Neon Rose will both pop up inside Ancoats wine bar Kerb this month for a special ‘sip and shop’ event, running from 1.30-6.30pm.
Whiskey Festival at The Whiskey Jar, 3 September – Tariff Street favourite The Whiskey Jar hosts a celebration of all things whiskey from 12.30-7pm on Sunday with live music, cocktails and some top-shelf whiskey brands. Tickets cost £20 and include 5 measures of whiskey.
Trade wine tasting at Flawd and Erst, 11 September – One for the industry heads, two of Ancoats’ best wine wine bars Flawd and Erst will host a large trade tasting from 10-4pm featuring new arrivals and delicious wine from the likes of Wayward Wines, Beattie & Roberts and Under the Bonnet Wines.
David Bailey//Bathe Daily Exhibition, 14 September – David Bailey launches a brand new exhibition of work at Port Street Beer House this month, and is throwing a party where you’ll be able to grab free slices of Nell’s Pizza, a big old set from SebMakingSense and the launch of “The Sparkler” PSBH’s three-way collaboration attempt at a modern rework of the Northern Classic, Boddingtons, brewed with Dave Bailey and BlackJack Beers.
Featured image – Kargo MKT
Eats
The best BYOB restaurants in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Besides the flood of January deals happening in Greater Manchester right now, another way of saving money this month whilst still treating yourself to a nice meal or two is BYOB restaurants.
Look, January can be tough, we all know that – you’re not quite over the festive lay-off, it’s cold, you’re often wet and you still skint from Christmas – so if you can find a way to eat out without spending a bomb then it can certainly help give you a little boost and something to look forward to during these dark days.
‘Bring your own booze’ gaffs feel a little bit like a thing of the past these days but some of our fondest foodie memories are going to a local curry house with a plastic bag of our favourite beers and not seeing our parents pull the usual face of fear when looking down at the bill.
That being said, you can still find a few here and there, so we’ve rounded up some BYOB restaurants in and around Manchester that we’ve tried first-hand or had vouched for by our fellow foodie friends.
First up on the list of the lovely Yara, a family-run Lebanese and Syrian restaurant with sites in Chorlton, Cheadle and over in Altrincham, where their original venue first opened back in 2008.
Fast forward to now and they’ve built somewhat of an empire not only here in Greater Manchester but with two more locations nearby in Cheshire (Alderley Edge and Stockton Heath) but they all have two things in common: fantastic food and a BYOB policy.
Best-known for dishes like their baba ganoush, stuffed vine leaves, mixed kebabs, tabbouleh, lahembajeen and more, we’re rather big fans of this stunning 15-year stalwart.
From one champion of Levantine cuisine to another, Zena Restaurant down the road in Didsbury has stood as a much-loved Middle Eastern for a few years now and it’s also another one of the last BYOB hold-outs.
Priding itself on keeping alive not only one of the tastiest but oldest and healthiest food cultures in the world, Zena brings together a menu pulling influences from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Jordan and more without yanking too hard on the purse strings – especially when you can bring your booze.
You’ll find many of the same staples as Yara serves up along with other popular items such as bouraks, maklubieh, fattoush, as well as stunning regional desserts like zena halwa, muhalabieh and baklava.
3. Double Zero – Chorlton
Is it the best pizza in Manchester? The debate it still raging among the slice experts but it’s certainly in the conversation and the name has never been bigger now since they opened up a second site.
Launching at Spring Gardens back in March 2024, Double Zero is delighting foodies all the same just as we knew it would with their traditional and truly fantastic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas.
This one does come with a caveat as we’re afraid it’s still only their OG site in Chorlton that does BYOB, but hey, it’s a lovely suburb well worth spending you’re free time in and just a short tram ride from the city centre.
4. Mughli Charcoal Pit – Curry Mile
Credit: The Manc Group
We’ll confess that our penultimate pick is a bit of an exclusive one as this technically only applies to students but we couldn’t do a BYOB restaurants round up for Manchester without mentioning the mighty Mughli Charcoal Pit.
Similar to Double Zero, this one is up there in the conversation when it comes to the best places on Wilmslow Road over in Rusholme, a.k.a ‘The Curry Mile’. We don’t even have a standout when it comes their food, just order whatever and you’ll be blown away no matter what you get.
Better yet, for those of you who are fortunate enough to still be at uni and making the most of them savings, you can get added discount as well as BYOB so long as you show a valid student ID. Lucky sods.
Last but not least is Cafe East, which only recently came on to our radar thanks to word of mouth but one that has seemingly been a go-to in OL1 for a hot minute, regardless of the BYOB bonus.
Opened back in 2021 by Oldham native Kamran Ghafoor, the Indian restaurant, breakfast and brunch spot sits proudly at the top of Yorkshire Street in the shadow of the Parish Church. Even the grand front door gives you a hint that this is much more than a local curry house.
Famed for its Ramadan buffets, authentic Punjabi food and even their breakfast and lunch offerings which cater to an even wider customer base throughout the week, it’s one of Oldham‘s culinary gems by all accounts and we intend to do some extensive research for ourselves very soon.
Honourable mention
One last nod…
Hawksmoor – Deansgate
We couldn’t look past Hawksmoor’s own BYOB offer that although limited is still worth shouting about.
Mondays at the stunning steak restaurant sat on the corner of Spinningfields and the main Deansgate strip are your opportunity to save on what would typically be a fairly substantial bill by bringing your own bottle of wine.
The ‘corkage’ is just a fiver and it’s a great way of being able to experience their incredible food without having worry too much about how much you’re spending one booze.
Award-winning pub from the team behind Mackie Mayor and Alty Market announces gutting closure
Danny Jones
Sad news from down the road in Cheshire as The Nag’s Head over in Haughton has sadly announced it has closed this week.
The much-loved pub and bistro, adored by its Tarporley regulars and visiting Greater Manchester locals alike, not to mention acclaimed by reviewers who helped it garner multiple awards, confirmed the unfortunate news on Wednesday, 15 January.
Reopened back in 2022 following a slate of renovations, the impressive country-style pub is operated by the same creative culinary team, Tender Cow, who famously run Mackie Mayor, Altrincham Market and nearby Macclesfield Picturedrome.
However, despite each of their fantastic food halls flying high, The Nag’s Head has simply run out of road amidst the ongoing economic struggles facing so many businesses and, much to the “heartbreak” of its loyal customer base, they have now closed their doors for the final time.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional post explaining their reasons, the Nag wrote: “We’re sorry. We gave it our best shot but, sadly, we have to announce the closure of The Nag’s Head.
“We’ve spent the last 3 years since we bought the pub trying to craft it into a thriving, beautiful place with a proud national reputation at the heart of a local community.”
In addition to being selected for OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice and the Travellers’ Choice award by Tripadvisor; a nod from The Good Food Guide, as well as being named the ‘Food Hero of the Year’ for 2024 by Cheshire Life, they’ve earned accolades for everything from beer to their in-house bakery.
“Truth is the current economic woes fuelled by government policy are against us”, they continued.
Citing the previous Tory leadership as having dealt “cruel blows” on the entire hospitality sector and the new Labour administration for having then “unrepentantly beaten the nails into our coffin when we can least afford it”, there is a palpable sense of disappointment and frustration in the statement.
The same goes for those comments too, with many describing the closure as “gutting” and expressing their sorrow for the dedicated team, as well as their gratitude “for what you [they] done and tried”.
One person dubbed it “one of the best pubs going”; another added: “This is so so so sad! You’ve created such a brilliant business and the kids loved it too! Like all business owners, we are all crippled and sadly it no longer makes business sense to continue to struggle in this society.”
Addressing co-owner Jenny Thompson directly, a third said: Jen, I am so, so sorry. I know how hard it is. It’s terrible that creative people like you are forced into this by a government that just doesn’t care.
“I know what you are going through and it must be so difficult having your dreams crushed. At least you’ve tried with all your heart and it’s a brave decision, but you can’t work as hard as you do for little or no reward. People just don’t realise.”
Boasting a large produce-driven garden, it really was as idyllic as it gets.
Although many North West pubs, bars and restaurants have closed due to the strain being put on the industry as a whole, not everyone goes into as much detail as MBEs Jenny and her partner, Nick Johnson, who laid bare the stark reality of what is seeing many contemporaries shut up shop.
“National insurance hikes for employers, further increases in the minimum wage – totalling 37% over the last 3 years, the reduction of business rates relief – up by 35%.
“Add to that inherited interest rates – 300% up, utility costs – 300% up, cost of ingredients 200% up – you don’t have to be a maths genius to work it out”, they explained.
They also recognised that people are understandably prioritising the essentials over luxuries like eating out given the ongoing cost of living crisis, reiterating, “How can anyone possibly grow and invest as the government expects (as we have done continually for the last decade) in this climate?”
The duo signed off by thanking their loyal customer base for the years of patronage and all of The Nag’s Head staff have they have been “forced to let go” now they have officially closed for all their support on “this journey cut short.”
“Alty Market, Mackie Mayor and Picturedome live on and if you miss us, you can find our soul and our spirit there. For now, it’s goodbye from the Nag’s Head.” We sincerely hope this isn’t forever and wish everyone who helped make this beloved boozer and bistro as brilliant as it was all the best.
Georgina Pellant -
1st September 2023 
