Pizza Pilgrims has finally opened its very first restaurant in Manchester, and its 26th in the UK.
It is another pizza joint for a city packed with pizzerias, but it’s not ‘just another pizza joint’ – it’s got a lot of heart and story behind it.
Pizza Pilgrims was co-founded in 2011 by brothers James and Thom Elliot, who took a trip to Italy on a pilgrimage… of pizza.
They picked up a three-wheel Piaggio Ape van, drove thousands of kilometres, immersing themselves in all things pizza along the way, falling in love with the traditional, floppy-bottomed style of Napoli.
To this day, Pizza Pilgrims has strived to remain committed to the authentic Neapolitan style.
That means both sourcing the very best ingredients from this Italian region, as well as trying to bottle the frenetic, lively spirit of Naples itself.
When The Manc headed over to Naples with James and Pizza Pilgrims, they gave us a lot of insight into the inspiration behind this popular pizzeria, from the San Marzano tomatoes harvested at the foot of Mount Vesuvius to the world-class 00 Caputo flour used in the bases.
Completing the ‘holy trinity’ of ingredients that goes into a Neapolitan pizza is the Campanian Fior di Latte mozzarella they use too.
The brothers want your dinner at Pizza Pilgrims to replicate a holiday to Naples in just one hour – though hopefully without a moped almost running over your foot.
Inside their first Manchester restaurant, they’ve called upon artist ad Mancunian legend Stanley Chow, who has immortalised those three producers in his signature style, their portraits proudly displayed inside.
He’s also immortalised Napoli footballing legend Diego Maradona, whose likeness is plastered all over Naples city.
Pizzas here include classics like a margherita that shows off those beautiful imported ingredients, a salsiccia e friarielle topped with Italian sausage and wild broccoli, and a mushroom and truffle pizza with a white ricotta base.
Inside Pizza Pilgrims in Manchester
You’ve Got Maiale and a CarbonaraCacio e pepe bitesInside Pizza Pilgrims ManchesterThe retro Fiat Panda barNeapolitan pizzas at Pizza PilgrimsColourful interiorsPizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next weekA Nutella ring with ricottaPizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next weekClassic margerita with chilli oilFiat Panda seats in a boothColourful interiors at Pizza Pilgrims ManchesterThe Pizza Pilgrims workshop spaceA Maradona margarita The retro Fiat Panda bar
Then there are Pizza Pilgrims favourites like the carbonara, with crispy guanciale bacon, black pepper, and even spaghetti; and The 8 Cheese, with eight. different. cheeses.
The interiors of the new Manchester Pizza Pilgrims are extravagant, colourful and playful, including a retro Fiat Panda turned into a cocktail bar and mismatched laundry hanging overhead like bunting.
You’ll dine beneath vines studded with lemons, while a slushy machine churns up a Maradona margarita at your side.
So pull up a seat at a checkered tablecloth, count all the Maradonas on the wall, and prepare to feel like you’ve spent an hour in Naples.
Pizza Pilgrims Manchester officially opens on Monday 18 August, but there’ll be a free slice giveaway from 12pm on Wednesday 13 August.
The Salmon of Knowledge – An Irish pub has opened at MediaCity for the first time ever
Daisy Jackson
For the first time in MediaCity’s history, there’s a new Irish boozer now open for business.
It’s a third site for The Salmon of Knowledge, which also operates busy pubs in the Northern Quarter and in Didsbury, making part of the infamous Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.
The new pub at MediaCity threw open its doors last week, serving legendary Irish fare like Guinness and spice bags (skin on fries, tossed in house seasoning with buttermilk chicken tenders, fried onions and sliced chillies).
The Salmon of Knowledge opened at the Salford hub over the weekend, with a packed schedule of traditional and contemporary live acts, as well as sporting events shown on the big screen.
It’s still operated and owned by the same team behind Dockyard, which previously stood on this site and was part of Salford Quays for 13 years.
Joe Foster, Managing Director of Northern Lights Group, is behind the original Dockyard and the brains behind the other Salmon locations.
He says the pub will have ‘the same local soul and community spirit lives on, just with a bit more Irish charm this time round’.
Stephen Kirk, Head of Asset Management at MediaCity said: “The Salmon of Knowledge is one of the many businesses joining us at MediaCity during our phase of growth and we’re particularly proud to be supporting homegrown talent, after their successful debut in the Northern Quarter.
“We are confident that the new opening will help us work towards our aim of bettering our spaces, not just for businesses, but also for our residents and visitors.”
Joe Foster, Managing Director of Northern Lights Group, the team behind The Salmon of Knowledge said:“We’ve felt the love in the Northern Quarter, and now it’s time to bring the magic to MediaCity.
“Salford’s got soul, and we can’t wait to add to the soundtrack with great tunes, great food and, of course, great Guinness.”
For more food and drink news, follow @themanceats on Instagram.
Inside Soots, the tiny new pasta restaurant in the Northern Quarter
Daisy Jackson
There’s another success story coming out of Altrincham Market – pasta kitchen Soots has gone and opened its very own restaurant in the Northern Quarter.
Owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte have taken the leap to their very own bricks and mortar site on Tib Street, where they can serve up their handmade fresh pasta in their own restaurant space.
Named after their cocker spaniel Soots, the restaurant opens officially tomorrow.
The pair had hoped that Altrincham Market would be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant – and it’s worked brilliantly.
Inside Soots, it’s a cosy space with amazing green arches along the walls and a huge window that opens out onto this iconic Northern Quarter street.
Soots will again have a fully plant-based menu, broken down into snacks, small plates, pasta and puddings.
Everything is plant-basedEverything is plant-basedThe menu at SootsFresh, handmade pastaSmall plates
Expect heritage tomatoes with stracciatella and basil oil, butternut squash and chilli arancini, and a beautiful dish of marinated beetroot.
As for the pasta, there’ll be rigatoni with browned butter and confit tomatoes, sundried tomato-filled girella, and a lovely basil pesto spaghetti (a firm favourite from their Altrincham Market days).
And it wouldn’t be a pasta kitchen without a tiramisu on the dessert menu, along with lemon and olive oil ice cream, and white chocolate mousse.
Soots Pasta has been the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
Soots Pasta is on Tib Street and officially opens on Saturday 9 Augst.
Daisy Jackson -
11th August 2025 
