You’ve probably heard the term ‘hidden gem’ thrown around a hundred times in Manchester this year alone – it’s used far too often, we know that – but there’s nothing really secret about this Sicilian food spot in Manchester, we’re just helping spread the word.
Because it really is unbelievable and they deserve to be shouted about.
If you’ve ever been to a concert at one of the Manchester Academy venues on Oxford Road, you’ll likely have seen plenty of fellow gig-goers heading next door to a bar called Big Hands, both before and after the show. Many of you have probably enjoyed a pint or two there yourselves and, if not, fix that.
However, what we’re here to talk about is the fact that on top of being a long-standing student favourite along the busy university strip, it now boasts some of the very best Italian food we’ve tried anywhere in the city on its gorgeous, plant-laden rooftop terrace.
After spending the best of a decade as T’arricrii, Manchester’s arancini experts rebranded as Rizzo’s (their family name, not some random homage to Grease) earlier this year and with that has come an evolution of their Sicilian street food concept.
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While they were previously known for those delicious deep-fried balls of risotto, cheese and other fillings, often being the quickest to sell out of all the traders in Hatch, we’d argue they’re now serving up an even bigger showstopper: ‘sfincione’.
But we’ll come to that later…
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The first thing to say is that one of Big Hands‘ biggest appeals, besides the obvious prime pre and post-gig location, the affordable prices, the fantastic playlist and the all-around flawless atmosphere, is their rooftop area. A haven for all seasons.
It’s not just a pretty setting with extra seating for the punters: complete with a mini-garden, twinkly lighting and now this lovely little hatch serving unreal Sicilian food, it’s established itself as one of our favourite hideaways in all of Manchester, be it a summer suntrap or festive-feeling corner to cosy up in.
Pretty as a picture. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Now, onto the food. You’ll be forgiven for not having heard the word sfincione before, as sibling duo Riccardo and Romeo are pretty much the first ones to bring it to Manchester’s pizza-loving masses – at least authentically, anyway.
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Put simply, it’s proper, Sicilian, tray-bake pizza; the base is more like a focaccia than it is any traditional, Neapolitan you’ve ever had and without it, we never would have been introduced to the increasingly popular Detroit-style pizza you’ll find at the likes of Ramona in Ancoats or Corner Slice in Failsworth.
Even further up Oxford Road you’ll find the recently opened Detroit Slims, which does exactly what it says on the tin, but it never would have been without families like the Rizzos perfecting the pizza-making back in Palermo for generations.
Family is what this place is all about. These pizzas have often been referred to as ‘grandpa/grandma slices’, both by Italian natives and their descendants in America for centuries, and that’s because the recipes have been passed down from grandparents to mums and dads, as well as the kids after them.
For instance, Riccardo and Romeo let us in on their super hush-hush ingredient for the oh-so-special sauce that goes on the bottom of their various options, which levels up even their ‘plainest’, barebones slice to some of the most flavourful pizza we’ve ever tasted. No hyperbole here, just straight-up facts.
You can get aubergine, cured meats, ‘nduja and more as toppings, but even their most simple Margherita equivalent is a flavour bomb.
We won’t be telling you that secret ingredient, of course, as that would just ruin the magic but we can tell you it’s deceptively simple and it really does work wonders. Let’s just say there’s some serious umami going on and we’ll now be using it in all of our homemade pasta sauces from now until forever.
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As you can see, their trademark arancini still has pride of place on their quaint and adorable counter but now it shares the spotlight with their sensational sfincione, and rightly so. There’s also traditional cannoli with possibly the freshest ricotta and a supreme crunch to them – the perfect sweet after the carbs.
Serving up all this from 5pm till late from Tuesday-Saturday (we’re talking midnight on weekends), Rizzo’s at Big Hands has just cemented itself as comfortably one of the best places to fuel up before a night of music or reward yourself after the jumping up and down is all said and done.
Celebrating their 10th anniversary year, we’re so happy the Rizzo brothers are now wearing their names (and tiny little arancini logos) proudly on their shirts: they’ve come to love it here in Manchester but no way near as much as we’re head over heels with them.
They’re always experimenting when it comes to combos and seasonal specials; we truly believe they’ve hit their stride with this food. With a delivery service in the works too, Big Hands is about to even busier than ever, so please pay them a visit while you stand a chance of beating the queues. Whether you’ve got a gig on or not, you won’t regret it.
A groundbreaking new multi-use entertainment and leisure venue is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
A new multi-purpose food, drink, entertainment and leisure destination is coming to Manchester city centre and the Salford border this autumn, and you won’t find many places that roll so much into one spot.
Mancs, get ready to welcome ‘Tangerine’.
Conceived by an impressive collective of local creatives, indies and those with plenty of experience catering to the Northern masses, Tangerine is promising everything from multiple resident kitchens, a live music hall, an arthouse stage, a specialist martini bar and more.
Better yet, after a year in the making and quietly chipping away at the striking space, it opens later this month, so you don’t have to wait long to try it for yourselves.
Located on New Bailey Street, just on the edge of Spinningfields and Salford Central, this groundbreaking new venue features two main platforms (utilising the integrated charm of the historic railway arches), each boasting its own selection of attractions.
While platform one will offer a bakery, coffee roastery, wine store and bottle ship, the ‘Canteen Club’ and even a florist, number two will contain the music hall, arthouse stage and the stylish ‘Grand Departures’ bar – serving seven espresso martini alone – Tangerine will deliver a seamless day to night transition.
Arguably, however, the centrepiece is the ‘Cantina Collective’. The food and drink hall promises seven in-house kitchens, showcasing a variety of cuisines.
The opening line-up already confirmed includes Vanda: a family-run Parisian-inspired Ukrainian bakery; Mexican taqueria, PANTERA, burger joint Juicy, as well as Yo Dutchie (a unique fusion of Dutch-Japanese food) and a new Korean/ramen concept from local sushi favourites, Unagi.
Our stomachs are already grumbling just thinking about it.
CGI renders of the completed space. (Credit: Supplied)
Designed not only by the brains behind Northern Quarter’s beloved Mala hidden garden but WANT STUDIOS, who will be ensuring local artists, independents, and traders will be regularly spotlighted, the site will boast a capacity of well over 300 people.
Artyom Dmitrijev, owner of Tangerine and Mala, said in a statement: “Over a year in the making, we’ve used all our experience in design, interiors, architecture and hospitality to create our dream project. A place for all the independents to come together and thrive.”
Andy Windsor, Director of WANT STUDIOS, added: “Tangerine unites the city’s independent kitchens, bar tenders, bakeries and entertainment specialists. It is a unique showcase of what we do in the city. This is a new space for creativity, food, and culture, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Debuting to the public with a big Halloween weekender on the evening of Friday, 31 October, with another launch event the following Saturday, you can sign up for exclusive early access for free, which could see you score a few freebies to boot.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/Tangerine MCR (via Instagram)
Eats
Bottomless curry deal returns to popular Manchester Indian restaurant Zouk
Danny Jones
One of the best-loved Indians in Manchester has relaunched its bottomless curry offering and is chucking in free rice and naans to boot.
Zouk over on Chester Street has brought back its endless curry, rice and naan deal to ease the last of those January blues.
Every night this week, you’ll be able to tuck into a full buffet of the tea bar and grill’s award-winning, authentic curries, showcasing dishes from all over the Indian subcontinent.
Costing just £20 a head, you can feast until your heart’s content on some of the very best curries in the city – no exaggeration.
What does ‘bottomless curry’ night at Zouk look like?
The bottomless curry deal at Zouk first ran this year back in January, but it’s now back for National Curry Week (6-12 October 2025), and we can’t wait to stuff ourselves silly yet again.
Every single day, there’ll be four different curries to choose from, always including two meat options, a vegetarian curry and a vegan dish.
What exactly can you get on Zouk’s bottomless offer?
As mentioned, each booking also includes unlimited rice and naan to go with your curry of choice.
Tables are for 90 minutes per booking, giving guests plenty of time to take on the increasingly popular bottomless curry challenge.
Question is, do you have the stomach for it?
With an ever-rotating selection of curries inspired by various distinct regions and speciality cuisines, you’re not short on variety either. You can see Zouk‘s current bottomless curry menu in full below:
Monday
Chicken Karahi – A speciality from the Northwest region of Pakistan. Tender pieces of chicken cooking in a sizzling wok over hot flames with tomatoes, crushed peppercorns, cumin, ginger and garlic.
Lamb and Potatoes – Tender chunks of lamb cooked with new potatoes, yoghurt, tomatoes and garlic.
Mutter Paneer (V) – Indian Paneer cheese with new potatoes, yoghurt, tomatoes and garlic.
Chole Masala (VG) – From Delhi to Punjab, this authentic channa masala is a tasty street food classic.
Tuesday
Tamater Kadei Murgh – A delicious chicken and tomato curry cooked with mild spices. Perfect with rice or bread
Lamb Do Pyaaza – Medium-spiced North Indian speciality: tender pieces of lamb slowly cooked with lavish amounts of caramelised onions in a spicy masala
Tarka Dall (V) – Channa and mung lentils cooked in a spicy sauce
Gobi Mutter (VG) – Spicy cauliflower sautéed in a rich tomato masala with peas
Wednesday
Chicken Do Payaza – Spiced North Indian chicken dish with tomatoes and caramelised onions
Lamb & Bindi – Tender pieces of lamb cooked in a spicy masala with ‘lady fingers’ (okra)
Chole Masala (V) – Authentic channa masala is a tasty street food classic
Mili Juli Sabzi (VG) – Fresh vegetables fused together with herbs and spices
Over the halfway hump, room for more? (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Thursday
Chicken Tikka Masala – A simple classic chicken tikka masala. Chicken pieces marinated in yoghurt tossed inside a balti of garlic and ginger.
Lamb Rogan Josh – A speciality from Jammu and Kashmir, with chillies and juicy tomatoes.
Dall Makhani (V) – Black lentils in a smooth and creamy sauce.
Palak Aloo (VG) – Spinach leaf and fenugreek cooked with new potatoes and coriander.
Friday
Chicken Handi – Punjabi-style chicken curry slowly cooked over burning flames with tomatoes, onions, garlic and Zouk’s special garam masala.
Lamb Jalfrezi – Lamb pieces cooked with capsicum, onions and tomatoes in a thick spicy sauce.
Bengan do Pyaza (V) – A medium-spiced North Indian dish of aubergine cooked with tomatoes, spices and lavish amounts of onions.
Bindi Do Pyaza (VG) – A medium-spiced North Indian dish of Okra cooked with tomatoes, spices and lavish amounts of onions.
And now we’re stuffed…
If you’re looking for somewhere to get bottomless curry in Manchester, this is the place for you. (Credit: The Manc)
Zouk has become one of Manchester’s leading restaurants since it opened in 2009, even drawing in famous fans like Rihanna, Drake, Manchester United stars and, of course, many a Mancs each and every day – because there’s never a bad time for a curry.
Available all throughout this week, you can make the most of this incredible bottomless curry deal like we do every year and trust us, Manchester: it genuinely NEVER disappoints.
You can find more information – including all terms and conditions – on the website and book your visit HERE, or over the phone on 0161 2331 090.