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.
The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year
Danny Jones
This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.
Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…
Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.
Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.
Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.
The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.
Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.
Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.
If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.
You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns.
We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.
Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing.
Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.
Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.
The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.
If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.
Three Manchester pubs are officially serving some of the best Guinness in the UK
Daisy Jackson
Guinness has released the first edition of its Harp Guide, which has highlighted the best pubs around the UK to grab a pint of the black stuff – and three are here in Manchester.
The iconic Irish brewery has singled out just 35 British pubs that are serving worthy pints of Guinness stout.
Of the three in Manchester that made the list, one is a legendary Irish pub in the city centre, while the other two are neighbours out in the suburbs.
Up first is – unsurprisingly – Mulligans of Deansgate, an authentic Irish pub in the heart of Manchester city centre that’s been a popular watering hole for Mancs for more than a century, selling more than 13,000 pints a week.
The pub expanded last year and now has two spaces – its traditional, den-like ground floor, and its much larger live music space with vaulted ceilings upstairs.
Pádraig Brady, owner of Mulligans, said: “Being recognised in the inaugural Guinness Harp Guide is a real privilege.
“It’s no secret that every pub gets the same kegs of Guinness delivered, but what makes the difference is everything that happens after that.
“The right equipment, correct cellar procedures and conditions, staff who know how to pour it perfectly, the atmosphere, the daily live music – it all matters. We’ve always focused on doing things consistently, and being the sole Manchester city centre pub in the guide is testament to that consistency.”
Mulligans in Manchester is in the Guinness Harp Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Next in the Harp Guide is Kennedy’s in Didsbury, a pub which has only been open since August following the success of its original location in Altrincham.
The pub recently welcomed Yard & Coop into its kitchens too, so you can get a traditional Irish spice bag with your Guinness.
Kennedy’s said: “We are super excited to announce that we, amongst 34 other bars across GB, have been selected for the Offical Guinness Harp Guide 2026.
“Not only is this an exceptional achievement within the Guinness community, but it’s an accolade that represents everything we work towards here at Kennedy’s Irish Bar.
“The Guinness Harp Guide celebrates those few bars that capture the warmth, character, and vibrancy that makes enjoying a Guinness so special, and of course, those that serve beautiful Guinness’.”
Completing the list is The Station pub, also in Didsbury, a cosy local favourite and key stop on the legendary Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.
This popular Irish pub has sports, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness – and now it’s officially one of Britain’s best spots to drink it.
These are officially the spots to head if you’re a discerning Guinness fan.
Danny Jones -
1st December 2024 
