One of Manchester’s best Chinese restaurants, Yum Cha, is coming to Altrincham town centre later this year in another exciting addition to the Stamford Quarter.
That’s right, set to join Alty’s bustling district of independent businesses and the heart of its ever-growing foodie scene, this will be Yum Cha‘s fourth site in the North West after already making a name for themselves in Liverpool, Warrington and, of course, here in the city centre.
Best-known for serving up delicious dim sum, slow-roasted meats and some seriously slurpy noodles, the name derives from a traditional Cantonese meal – usually served around brunch, consisting of dumplings, other snacks and sides, as well as hot tea – Altrincham can be rightly buzzing with the news.
And so are we, because after all, what’s better than one Yum Cha in Greater Manchester? Two of them.
The newest venue, expected to launch this summer, will be opening up in the multi-purpose Foundation space, joining a number of other retail, hospitality and leisure brands.
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Boasting a 2,166 sq ft unit on the ground floor of the building, it’ll be a decently sized gaff too, as they already know they need plenty of room for pan-Asian punters.
Nailing a whole host of Chinese classics and also delivering everything in top-quality packaging when ordering out (it’s the little things), we’re big fans of these guys.
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Yum Cha’s founder Adam Wan said of the announcement “We can’t wait to open our doors in the Stamford Quarter and the Foundation building is the perfect location for us. We opened in Manchester city centre in August 2022 and after the phenomenal response from our fantastic customers, Altrincham seemed like the perfect place to expand.
Both us and you lot love it so much, in fact, that we even filmed a Takeaway Champions at their Kampus location not so long ago.
Throwing in his two cents on Foundation’s growing commercial community, Bruntwood’s Head of Retail and Leisure at Bruntwood, James Tootle, said: “Yum Cha’s decision to open their new restaurant in Foundation is a testament to the exceptional quality of retail and hospitality in the Stamford Quarter.
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It’s the perfect location for attracting visitors to the town from the local community and beyond. With an already exciting and eclectic mix of brands, we’re thrilled to welcome this fantastic indie restaurant to the heart of Altrincham. We are confident that guests will love Yum Cha’s renowned dim sum.”
A spokesperson from Trafford Council, added: “Foundation completed in March of this year and incorporates a total of five floors, including three floors of market-leading workspace.
“The completion of the Foundation building signals a major milestone in the wider transformational plans for the Stamford Quarter, which will regenerate the high street and establish the area as a new and exciting destination for Altrincham.” They’re not the only ones popping up in the area soon too.
The Manchester restaurants and bars shortlisted for the MFDF Awards 2026
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards – better known as the MFDF Awards – have revealed the shortlist of local restaurants, bars, cafes, chefs, and more that are up for the city’s ultimate accolade.
Dozens of outstanding local businesses are nominated across 17 categories, covering everything from food trucks to Michelin Star chefs.
The winners will be revealed at the MFDF Awards ceremony on Monday 25 January, which this year will be held at Medlock Square’s City Hall for the first time.
Sponsored once again by Therme Manchester, the MFDF Awards celebrate the outstanding talent in Manchester’s hospitality scene.
Categories have been chosen to showcase new openings, talented chefs and producers, neighbourhood favourites, top restaurants, great pubs, and plenty more.
The shortlist has been selected from a list of submissions by the MFDF Awards judging panel, made up of leading food and drink critics, writers and industry experts.
As well as the public vote, judges will mystery shop venues in a number of categories and will score venues based on their experiences. The mystery shopping and public voting period will end at midnight on 11 January 2027 when the polls will be counted and combined with the judges’ scores and the winner of each category will be chosen.
The awards are now open to public vote on the MFDF website HERE.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of the MFDF Awards, said: “We’re proud to reveal this year’s MFDF Awards shortlists and shine a spotlight on the very best of Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene.
“The awards celebrate the incredible talent, creativity and diversity that make our region a world-class food and drink destination. We’re encouraging everyone to get behind the nominees by voting for your favourites, visiting the shortlisted venues and showing your support for our brilliant hospitality industry.
“We’re also looking forward to bringing the industry together on 25 January 2027 for a fantastic night of celebration and to crown this year’s winners.”
The Community Food and Drink Project of the Year, sponsored by Therme Manchester, is being decided through a separate judging process. The award celebrates initiatives making a positive difference to communities across Greater Manchester, from tackling food poverty and promoting sustainability to improving access to healthy food and bringing communities together.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement will also be presented on the night to recognise an outstanding contribution to Greater Manchester’s food and drink industry, with no public shortlist for the category.
The Manchester restaurants and bars on the MFDF 2026 shortlist
1. Affordable Eats Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Therme Manchester)
Sips n Dips in LevenshulmeNoodle Alley in ChinatownCredit: The Manc Group
Al Madina – 76 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5AL
Noodle Alley – 56A Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4FH
Sips & Dips – 994 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WN
Que Huong Viet – 76–78 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5EB
Kabana – 52 Back Turner Street, Manchester M4 1FR
Bahn Mi 782 – 782 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DR
Zaytoni’s – 12 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JQ
Cafe San Juan – 27 St Petersgate, Stockport, Manchester SK1 1EB
Previous winner – Double Zero
2. Takeaway of the Year
Kool Runnings – 118 Chorlton Road, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M15 4AN
Rita’s Reign – Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LY
Chicken Run – 6 Yarburgh St, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 7FJ
Viet Deli – 22 Blackfriars Street, Manchester M3 5BQ
Levenshulme Bakery – 842 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3AW
The Post Box Shawarma – 543 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PP
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Danny Jones -
9th July 2024 
