Eats

An award-winning vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed – and will become an Irish pub

Yes you are reading that right

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd August 2026

One of Manchester’s most celebrated restaurants has closed its doors for good, ahead of a major relaunch as an Irish pub. 

The Allotment paved the way for vegan dining not just in our city, but across the UK, scooping up awards as it went. 

But now the acclaimed restaurant, which stands directly opposite the magnificent Manchester Cathedral, has closed down. 

In a statement shared online, The Allotment founder and CEO Anthony Sheridan announced that the restaurant will cease to exist in its current guise, as they prepare to invest in the future of the beautiful building. 

Anthony has announced that in the coming months, the space will be transformed into The Sheridan Fiddle, a ‘premium Irish hospitality venue’. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Soon, visitors can expect to see ‘traditional homemade Irish food, perfectly poured Guinness, carefully selected wines, live Irish music and, most importantly, the warm welcome that has always been at the heart of this venue’.

Looking back on almost a decade of The Allotment, the statement shared to followers has also addressed its origins, writing: “Almost ten years ago, I never set out to open one of the UK’s best vegan restaurants.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I simply wanted to help my little boy.”

Anthony set up the business when his son, Anthony Jr, was diagnosed with Chrohn’s, understanding that a plant-based diet would help him. 

The Allotment vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed
The Allotment vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed
Signs in the door of Allotment Manchester
Signs in the door of Allotment Manchester

The statement continued: “What happened next was something I could never have imagined.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Together, we built something truly special.

“Over the last decade, The Allotment was named Best Vegetarian Restaurant in the North West, Best Vegan Restaurant in the UK for two consecutive years, and was recognised as the 47th Best Vegan Restaurant in the World.

“But the awards were never the greatest achievement.

“The greatest achievement has been the people, our incredible team, our loyal customers, the friendships we’ve made, and the memories we’ve shared. And seeing thousands of people walk through our doors over the years.”

Anthony Jr is now living in Dubai and running his own gym, which has left Anthony to make the decision to ‘evolve’ the business. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“After a huge amount of thought, we’ve made the decision to begin a new chapter for this beautiful building,” he wrote. 

“Rather than closing its doors, we’re investing in its future.”

His statement continues: “Although the concept is changing, one thing never will… Our commitment to making people feel welcome.

“This building has spent the last ten years bringing people together over great food.

“Now, we’re excited for it to spend the next ten years bringing people together in a different way.

ADVERTISEMENT

“To every single person who has visited us, supported us, recommended us, celebrated with us or simply believed in what we were trying to create… Thank you.

“You haven’t just supported a restaurant. You’ve been part of our family’s story.

“I hope you’ll join us for the next chapter. Welcome to The Sheridan Fiddle.”

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The fantastic pub near Manchester Airport that’s a perfect plane-spotting site

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Flights taking off outside the Airport Pub

Forget rooftop bars and waterfront terraces – this pub comes with front-row seats to one of the busiest runways in the UK.

Just 50 feet from the end of Manchester Airport’s runway, The Airport Pub is where lunch comes with a side of jumbo jets.

If you’re an aviation enthusiast, or plane-spotting has never appealed until you factor in the idea of doing it with a pint in hand, this is the spot to check out. Bonus points if you whip out FlightRadar.

With an outdoor area for the kids too, it’s an easy win for a family day out.

Planes roar overhead every few minutes, thanks to the pub’s obvious proximity to the busy runways of Manchester Airport.

Step inside and the aviation theme continues, with propeller-style chandeliers, jet engine booth seating and other plane-inspired touches that make the pub feel every bit as unique as its location.

But if you ask us, the best seats in the house are outside, where you can tuck into a hearty pub lunch (hello, cheese and onion pie) while watching the constant parade of arrivals.

Cheese and onion pie
Cheese and onion pie
Inside the Airport Pub in Manchester
Inside the Airport Pub in Manchester
A pint in the Airport Pub beer garden
A pint in the Airport Pub beer garden
Propellor chandeliers inside the Airport Pub
Propellor chandeliers inside the Airport Pub
Planes land just 50ft from the beer garden
Planes land just 50ft from the beer garden
You can sit inside a booth built from an old engine
You can sit inside a booth built from an old engine
The Hangar bar outside
The Hangar bar outside
Fried chicken and waffles
Fried chicken and waffles

For an even better view, head over to The Hangar, the pub’s outdoor bar, where you can grab a pint or an ice cream before claiming one of the picnic benches just metres from the runway.

It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of time as everything from short-haul jets to giant long-haul aircraft passes right in front of you.

The Airport Pub isn’t just about the view either. Its family-friendly atmosphere, spacious beer garden and classic diner-style menu make it a great stop whether you’re waiting for a flight, entertaining the kids or simply fancying one of the most memorable pub experiences in the country.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Rivington Brewing Co – The beautiful country walk that ends at a taproom with stunning views

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Pints at Rivington Brewery

After a long afternoon of trudging through the countryside in whatever weather conditions the North throws at you, there’s nothing quite like the reward of a crisp pint.

And on a particularly beautiful walk right on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, we stumbled upon a taproom that might just provide the best drinking background in the region.

Let’s start with the walk details.

If you haven’t yet been exploring the trails and paths around Rivington, you’re missing out on a real stunner of a hike.

There are countless loops you can do around the area, providing the best bits of all countryside settings.

You want woods? They’ve got em. A nice flat walk beside a body of water? Rivington’s got it. A decent uphill trudge ending in absolutely stunning views? Yep, that’s here too.

A highlight of this corner of the North West is the Rivington Terraced Gardens, which will try to transport you to Italy and Japan all while only just stepping outside Bolton.

These 100-year-old gardens were created by the Lord of Leverhulme and inspired by his travels, and have been carefully restored in recent years by teams of volunteers.

Walking around the footpaths and flights of steps you’ll stumble upon a hidden Japanese Garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves, ending up at the top of Rivington Pike with panoramic views.

Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR
Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR
Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR

From here, you can keep going along to Winter Hill for arguably even more impressive views, or start to loop back down the hill to the water’s edge, passing Liverpool Castle as you go.

And here is where the beer comes in.

If you pass through the village of Rivington itself and walk along Horrobin Lane which crosses the two reservoirs, you’ll find yourself at the Rivington Brew Co Tap.

This is huge taproom is a haven for modern craft beer, with absolutely loads of brews to choose from and a can fridge if the 20-odd taps don’t have what you fancy.

There’s plenty of cosy spaces inside the fairylight-strewn converted barn building, but the beer garden is the star of the show.

Inside the bar at Rivington Brew Co Tap
Inside the bar at Rivington Brew Co Tap
So many pints to choose from
So many pints to choose from
The Rivington Brew Co Tap beer garden
The Rivington Brew Co Tap beer garden

There are views from here right across the water and all the way to Pigeon Tower and Winter Hill, with plenty of space for big groups.

And dotted all around the outdoor area are a rotating selection of street food traders, serving everything from pizza to burgers to cakes.

In situ currently, you’ll find Bun Chicken Bun, who are serving up a menu of 24-hour-brined crispy chicken, as burgers, tenders, Caesar salads, and loads more.

They’ve also got pots of mac and cheese that will give you such a long mozzarella cheese pull, you’ll have to stand up to snap it.

Chicken burger and loaded fries from Bun Chicken Bun
Chicken burger and loaded fries from Bun Chicken Bun
Pots of macaroni cheese
Pots of macaroni cheese
Margo's pizzas
Margo’s pizzas
Bun Chicken Bun's homemade chicken gravy
Bun Chicken Bun’s homemade chicken gravy
A spread of food from the traders at Rivington Brew Co Tap
A spread of food from the traders at Rivington Brew Co Tap

AND they’re doing loads of loaded fries, other sides like corn ribs, and incredible chicken gravy.

Across the courtyard you’ll find Margo’s, serving New York-style pizzas on charming checkerboard plates.

These brilliant thin and crispy slices come topped with everything from fried chicken (a collab with Bun Chicken Bun), blue cheese and buffalo sauce; to parma ham, fresh rocket and balsamic.

And completing the trifecta of street food traders is Meld (devastatingly, not open the day we visited), which is bringing great burgers and tacos to Rivington Taproom.

They’re also serving what I think might be Greater Manchester’s first beer garden small plates, like king prawns in gochujang butter, burrata and peach toast, and padron peppers.

If you’re looking for a belting Saturday afternoon activity, this is absolutely the one.

You can look a walk in the area that suits your ability here.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Eats

Boroughs

Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes

The Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester

Eats

Legendary landlady of The Peveril of the Peak pub has passed away

Paddy's is opening in Altrincham this week

Eats

New croissants-by-day, pizza-by-night cafe and bar opens in Altrincham

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches