Eats

The best restaurants and bars to open in Manchester in 2022

From divine pasta kitchens and stunning rooftop restaurants, to award-winning bars, street food stalls, backstreet sandwich dealers and quirky cafes, Manchester's food scene delivered in spades this year.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 30th December 2022

After a few dreary years of Covid lockdowns and weird rules on what constitutes a ‘substantial’ meal, 2022 brought some brilliant new openings to Manchester as UK operators got a spring back in their step.

From DIY furlough dreams made into a reality to big-time movers and shakers upping sticks from other cities to make their mark over here, despite rising living costs leading squeezed consumers to spend less Manchester’s restaurant and bar scene hasn’t shown much sign of slowing down.

Yes, there were some heartbreaking closures too – but for every place that shut its doors, it seems that two more opened in its stead.

Keep reading to discover our top picks of the best restaurants and bars that opened in Manchester in 2022.

Ornella’s Kitchen

Run by Sicilian-born Ornella Cancila, formerly head chef at Ancoats bakery and cafe Pollen, this tiny Tameside pasta kitchen has been getting everything right since opening its doors in Denton.

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Having first begun life as a takeaway service during the pandemic, owner Ornella made the leap to open her own cafe earlier this year and has been inundated with praise ever since. It’s not hard to see why.

Read more: Inside Ornella’s, the tiny Tameside pasta kitchen that’s getting everything right

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Yes Lah

Image: Yes Lah
Image: Yes Lah

Opened by seasoned street food operators Mama Z and Wok’s Cluckin, aka Zos and Yen, this little shop and cafe selling Filipino, Malaysian and other ESEA (East or South East Asian) dishes has made a great addition to Didsbury in 2022.

Bringing pan-Asian food and drinks, retail, workshops, and supper clubs together all under one roof, Yes Lah sees the friends realise a long-held dream – and we’re very much here for it.

Gooey Cafe

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

When Gooey first arrived in Manchester in 2020, it did so in perfect step with the pandemic.Tentatively launching the same month the country plunged into lockdown, no one knew just how much its salty-sweet treats would shape the course of our isolation.

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Beginning life as a small pop-up in borrowed space, its bakers soon became Manchester’s go-to sugar dealers as the business pivoted into home delivery. In 2022, owners launched their own cafe – light, airy, and modern, with a full kitchen and on-site bakery.

Petisco

Pork belly, pig cheek, curly quaver, artichoke puree at Petisco. / Image: The Manc Eats
Battered fried runner beans with peri-peri salsa, aioli. / Image: The Manc Eats

Opened by four friends who’ve all known each other since childhood, Petisco has more than held its own against Stanley Squares’ more established new residents this year. The Portuguese-inspired restaurant, opened inside a former Greenhalgh’s bakery as part of the transformation of Sale’s brutalist concrete shopping complex, wowed diners in 2022 with its tapas-style plates and gorgeous wine list.

Read more: Inside Petisco, the brand new Portuguese-inspired restaurant that’s paving the way for Sale’s food revolution

Maray

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Longtime Liverpool favourite Maray finally made its way over to Manchester in 2022, opening a stylish new restaurant on the newly-developed Lincoln Square.

Known for killer cocktails and adventurous small plates like its ‘Disco Cauliflower’ – served whole and doused in chermoula, harissa, tahini, yoghurt, pomegranate, almonds and fresh herbs – the La Marais-inspired eatery combines Middle Eastern flavours with Parisian chic and has been a real hit with Mancs.

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Rise

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Before we met Sam at Rise, we had no idea what our pizzas had been missing: a cheesy parmesan crust. No word of a lie, this Michelin-trained one-man pizza band made us fall in love with slices all over again and cured our 2022 flatbread fatigue. We look forward to seein what his next adventure brings in 2023.

Read more: The Michelin-trained chef running Manchester’s one-man pizza pop-up

Takoyaki Master

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

More street food stall than restaurant, Takoyaki Master took over the old Wholesome Junkies unit at the Arndale Market earlier this summer.

Run by former Hong Kong residents Violet and Pong Ho, Takoyaki Master brought something entirely new to Manchester: little fried balls of batter stuffed with diced octopus, sweetcorn and bonito soup. Topped with scallions, bonito and seaweed flakes, Japanese mayo and Okonomi sauce, they’ve proven a real hit with locals.

Yum Cha

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Another Liverpudlian baddie to make its mark on Manchester this year, Yum Cha brought the heat with a new restaurant inside Kampus – just across from the Gay Village.

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With handmade dim sum to die for (made by a chef with over 30 years experience, who’s worked under two Michelin-trained chefs no less), its own house-roasted Cantonese meats and some very reasonably-priced large plates, this was one of our favourite new openings of 2022: no doubt about it.

Blinker

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Bringing everything founder Dan Berger learned from his time at the 5-star London hotel The Ned and overseeing the bars for Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant group, Blinker has earnt its stripes in no time at all after being named one of the best in the UK just six months after opening.

Whilst the news took some by surprise, for anyone who has visited the accolade is a real no brainer. Inside, you’ll find an exquisitely compiled cocktail list combining seasonal favourites and a solid, dedicated martini menu.

Read more: Inside Blinker, the new Manchester bar with a dedicated martini menu

Climat

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

From the team behind the acclaimed Covino in Chester comes Climat, Manchester’s newest rooftop restaurant boasting panoramic views of the city. At just 100 covers, the new restaurant boasts a comprehensive wine cellar featuring more than 250 different vintages – 40% from one specific Burgundy vineyard.

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On the menu, classic vol-au-vents are resurrected alongside a selection of small plates and large sharers designed to share such as whole turbot, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and ex-dairy cuts on the bone. Hailed a triumph following its opening weekend, it may have arrived late in 2022 but is one of Manchester’s most exciting new openings of the year nonetheless.

Exhibition

Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied

Housing a premium cocktail bar, fine wine list, fresh beer straight from in-venue Manchester Union lager tanks and three of Manchester’s best cheffing talents under one roof, at swanky Peter Street food hall Exhibition diners can tuck into fine Brazilian-British fusion, Scandinavian and Basque dishes.

Home to the Michelin-recommended Osma team, Michelin-trained Carlone Martins of the Sao Paulo Bistro, and Ramsbottom’s lauded Basque fire cookery restaurant Baratxuri, Exhibition comes from the team behind the aperitivo and coffee bar Haunt and has already proven a hit with Mancs.

MUSU

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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Japanese fine dining restaurant MUSU makes a welcome addition to Bridge Street, transforming the site formerly home to Ed Baine’s Randall & Aubin.

Here, you can dine from specially created 7 and 11 course tasting menus with wine pairings, or opt for a traditional ‘chef’s choice’ experience at its six-seat Omakase counter. Expect exquisite service, sashimi, sushi wine and more as part of the restaurant’s ‘multi-sensory’ experience.

Neon Tiger, Bridge Street

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Inspired by the sort of cool New York neighbourhood joints where you can just pop in and enjoy quality plates with good wine and cocktails, Neon Tiger got off to a slow start when it opened on Bridge Street at the start of the summer – then wowed with the introduction of a new Northern Thai-inspired breakfast and brunch menu later in the year.

Think muffins loaded with big-flavour fillings like crispy pork belly, tempura and sautéed mushrooms and roast topside of beef, the latter served with a red curry dipping sauce. The site has also since launched a seasonal six-course tasting menu for under £20.

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Now That’s A Burger

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

From the team behind Batard bakehouse and Super Happy, Manchester’s best burger came and went at the speed of light.

From the most perfect house baked potato bun, to the homemade pickles, elite ‘Super’ sauce, gorgeous patties and a fried buttermilk chicken thigh dipped in Szechuan chilli oil, its residency at Ducie Street Warehouse may have been shortlived but it still overshadowed every other burger we ate in 2022. Now we just have to wait for them to find a new home to 2023.

Sterling

Marking the start of an exciting new journey for Manchester’s eminent Schofield brothers inside the Stock Exchange hotel, Sterling bar quickly became one of the swankiest places to drink in the city in 2022.

The third site in the city for the brothers, who have also opened Schofield’s Bar and Atomeca off Deansgate in the past few years, in 2023 it will be joined by upstairs dining concept the Stock Market Grill – the brother’s first venture into the restaurant world.

Hello Oriental

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Housing an Asian-inspired bakery and cafe, a Vietnamese restaurant, a Chinese supermarket, and a huge food hall serving East Asian street food, this multi-storey ‘super-venue’ beneath Symphony Park on Oxford Road introduced Manchester to something entirely new in 2022.

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Inspired by dining destinations like Bang Bang Oriental in London, and 1800 in Miami, at its heart is Downtown Oriental, a vast market hall with a fast-paced open kitchen where diners feast on everything from Chinese roasts to dim sum, baos to noodles, and fried rice to seafood.

Pollen

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

The second Manchester cafe from bankers-turned-bakers Hannah Calvert and Chris Kelly, Pollen is the bakery that needs no introduction. In 2022, they levelled up with a new garden-side site at Kampus and what a beauty it is.

Housing a sleek glass kitchen that allows diners to watch pastries being rolled and shaped whilst they brunch, the new site also saw owners roll out a new menu that introduced us all to the ‘squegg’ bun –  with a perfectly formed square egg, oozing with added Westcombe cheddar and flecked with a sprig of watercress.

Read more: First look: inside Pollen’s new garden side cafe at Kampus

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Fat Pat’s

Image: Fat Pat’s
Image: Fat Pat’s

Thie hole in the wall sandwich spot drew fans from near and far in 2022. Technically not a restaurant, nor a bar, we still felt that Fat Pat’s deserved a mention as one of 2022’s great new openings.

The allure of a hidden alley walk-up, combined with mouth watering Philly Cheesesteaks, Hot Honey Fried Chicken and Meatball Parm baguettes earnt it the lauded title of ‘Manchester’s best sandwich’ by many – including our former Takeaway Champions host Joe McGrath. If you visit, make sure to order in advance online.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

Eats

The best cosy pubs in Manchester city centre to hide away on a winter’s day

Danny Jones Danny Jones the best cosy old pubs in manchester city centre

There’s no better feeling than being tucked up all warm and cosy in one of many wonderful pubs in Manchester on a cold day in Manchester, and we should know – we get more than our fair share throughout the year.

Wind, rain, sleet or snow, there’s nothing that a couple of pints in one of our many beloved boozers won’t remedy and when it comes to the festive season, especially, there aren’t many places that make you feel as welcome as you would in your own front room like a cosy Manchester pub.

That’s why we’re giving you a heads-up on some of the very cosiest and most classic Manc pubs for you and yours to pile into when it’s miserable out.

We’ll cheers to that.

The 20 cosiest Manchester pubs

Let’s start with a personal favourite of ours that’s rather handily just around the corner from our office:

1. The City Arms – Central

city arms pub manchester
the city arms menu manchester
The City Arms get filed firmly under ‘cosy pubs in Manchester’. (Credit: The City Arms via Facebook)

If you want to get out of the house and settle into a lovely little pub right in the city centre, then The City Arms is the perfect place to hide away from the weather whilst still enjoying the buzz of city life.

Calling all cask ale lovers, this place is your paradise, with some top-class ales on offer as well as some great meaty, veggie and vegan pies.

2. The Vine Inn – Central

cosy pubs in manchester
Credit: Adam Fagen (via Flickr)
the vine inn manchester city centre
Credit: The Manc Group
Stumble out of one and straight into the other.

Just next door — and we mean that quite literally — is The Vine Inn: another Manc office favourite that gives you the perfect blend of ‘old man pub’ vibes but with the kind of mass appeal that sees countless punters piling into the pub and crowding outside on the streets, it’s that loved.

Luckily, you should be able to squeeze inside when the temperatures drop as it’s spread across three quaint, almost mini-floors (with two separate bars, by the way) that make it feel kind of like a beer bungalow, and that’s why it’s one of the cosiest pubs you’ll find in Manchester.

3. Lass O’Gowrie – Oxford Road Corridor

lass ogowrie manchester city centre irish pub
Credit: The Manc Group
lass ogowrie
pubs oxford road
So long as you’re wrapped up properly, that little outside bit is one of the cosiest pub spots in Manchester (Credit: Lass O’Gowrie via IG)

“I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour”, so the song goes, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Morrisey was singing about the Lass when he wrote this; there’s always plenty of cheering, laughing and, most importantly, drinking in this popular city centre boozer.

Located just off Oxford Road, it offers everything from big screens showing the footy, hearty roast dinners perfect for this time of year, live comedy, music and more. What you’d call a traditional Manc pub kitted out with local memorabilia and filled with good people, you’ll hear no complaints from us.

4. The Circus Tavern – Portland Street

This is Manchester’s smallest pub and as if that wasn’t cool enough, it’s also one of the oldest pubs in the region, so it’s a must-see if you ask us. A perfect little Hobbit hole to cram in when it’s cold outside.

Built back in 1790, The Circus Tavern became a pub in 1840 and has been frequented by the likes of Georgie Best and many other famous Man United players down the years, many of whom you’ll see photos of on the walls. A tourist spot in its own right and, needless to say, very cosy indeed.

5. Mr Thomas’/Sam’s Chop House – Central

Just off Cross Street on the corner of Back Pool Fold, you’ll find what is, for our money, one of the ultimate cosy pubs you’ll find anywhere in Manchester city centre: Mr Thomas’ Chop House, a.k.a. ‘Old Tom’s’ — and then, head literally across the road and you’ll find its twin, Sam’s Chop House.

Set up by the Studd brothers of the same name, these two sibling boozers have been serving Mancs for over 150 years now and have grown a glowing reputation both for the beautiful condition of their historic bars and for their incredible food. If it was good enough for Lowry, it’s good enough for us.

olds toms pub manchester
Quite comfortably two of the cosiest pubs in all of Greater Manchester. (Credit: Mr. Tom’s Chop House via IG/The Manc Group)

6. The Marble Arch Inn – Ancoats

Heading over beyond Ancoats way and onto Rochdale Road, we have the birthplace of Marble Brewery and the company’s award-winning flagship venue, The Marble Arch. If you’re up for doing a winter’s day ‘the right way’, then The Marble Arch has to be involved.

With its gorgeous mosaic floors, ornate bar, nine hand-pull pumps serving brewery-fresh cask beer, eight carefully selected keg lines on rotation and a partridge in a pear tree, it’s simply one of the prettiest and most traditional pubs you could ask for. The food’s mega too.

@the.manc Friday means a pint is needed, so Daisy took us to her favourite pub The Marble Arch 🍻 #manchesterpubs #manchesterbars #manchesternightout #fyp ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

7. The Kings Arms – Salford

Heading over to Salford now and we’ve got another beautiful boozer in The Kings Arms: a long-standing and simply sublime pub located not too far out of the city centre that’s well worth running into if you’re over that way and happen to get caught in the wind and rain.

Owned by adopted Manc musician Paul Heaton and made even more famous by live-in celebrity cat, Charlie, this real ale house with six curated hand pumps is a Manchester institution, not to mention great for live music and stand-up. Come on, what’s more cosy than a pub that comes with its own cat?

8. The New Oxford – Salford

Sticking in Salford for a spell but down the road to Bexley Square, we always feel the lovely little spot that is The New Oxford never gets anywhere near as much credit as it should given its charm and incredible lineup of real ales and Belgian beers.

Situated on a scenic cobbled corner that could easily be mistaken for some rural road in a small Cheshire village, this place is always packed with footy fans and a few extra in its courtyard during the summer months, but the regulars always know what’s up — not to mention they do a decent pint of Guinness too.

9. The Crown & Kettle – Ancoats

Described as having the ‘oldest pub ceiling in the world’, you can collapse into a comforting armchair by the fire and muse over The Crown Kettle‘s 286-year-old history, pint in hand and plenty of tunes filling the room for sure.

With live music and DJ sets, regular beer-centric events, bingo, the odd pub quiz and plenty more, it’s no surprise this almost statuesque Manchester drinking staple has been named one of the best in the region — and it’s plenty cosy too, believe us.

Ancoats boozer The Crown and Kettle has been named among best in the north west
Not just a super cosy pub but apparently one of the best reviewed watering holes in all of Greater Manchester.

10. Peveril Of The Peak – Central

If you close your eyes and picture a proper English pub, there’ll be round tables, old tiles stained with decades of history, an unbeatable selection of beer, and a jukebox that’s regularly manned by loveable regulars who always make sure to keep the room filled with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.

That’s exactly what you get with the Peveril Of The Peak: an iconic Manc boozer whose green exterior you can spot from a mile away. It’s only a small gaff but packed with plenty of history, all the best people and it’s still being looked after by the city’s longest-serving landlady to this day. A proper good old gaff.

Hallowed, cosy and homely – truly one of the most legendary pubs in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc Group)

11. The Briton’s Protection – Central

From one historic pub to another, you can head over to Great Bridgewater Street and channel your inner Tommy Shelby as you neck a neat bit of bourbon or scotch to warm the cockles and listen to the crackling flames of the open fires at The Britons Protection.

Another oldie but a goldie, the Briton was established in 1811 and has remained a local favourite snug pub ever since, showcasing over 300 whiskies as well as homemade pies and pasties at lunch. This piece of public house heritage has been under threat for a while now but us Mancs are keeping it alive.

oldest pubs in manchester
irish pubs manchester
Credit: The Manc Group/Bob Harvey (via Geograph)

12. Mulligans

Come on, as if we were going to leave out not only a contender for the ultimate cosy pub but possibly the very best boozer in all of Manchester. As well as serving comfortably the best Guinness in all the 10 boroughs and supposedly ‘the best outside of Ireland’, it’s also just everything you want on a cold day.

With live music every day, sport on the box pretty much 24/7; multiple lovely little nooks and more than enough bodies to keep the place warm even in the height of winter, not mention a whole new second floor, Mulligans of Deansgate is now twice the worldie it already was. Sláinte!

13. The Eagle Inn – Salford

An award-winning music venue and a bloody good pub, ditch the open-air venues and stuffy bars this winter and dip into the cosy Eagle Inn instead and bask in its comforting warmth.

Combining a traditional pub that delivers a real sense of ‘old Manchester’ with live music and three small rooms off a central corridor with a central bar — historically known by locals as ‘The Lamp Oil’ — The Eagle can’t really be called Salford‘s hidden gem anymore: it’s a rite of passage at this point.

14. The Wharf – Castlefield

Heading over the other side of the Irwell and to the picturesque canals of Castlefield, waterside pub and restaurant The Wharf is undoubtedly one of the cosiest pubs in Manchester, with the ground floor feeling like one big lounge, the upstairs making for the perfect cost date night spot and the outdoor terrace just as much a dream in winter as it is summer.

With amazing pub grub, a massive and ever-rotating drinks menu, as well as a patio that feels just as warming as the indoors with its big tipi and overhead heaters come winter, plus live music, hosting local clubs and various other events throughout the year, this place has it all. Plenty of cute pups too.

15. The Molly House – Gay Village

Back into the centre now and toward Gay Village for what remains one of the most cosy feeling pubs we’ve ever been in full stop, let alone just in 0161. If you’ve never been to The Molly House then you seriously need to right that wrong.

With a name that harks back to a fascinating backstory, there’s nothing more welcoming than the sight of the open hearth, the waft of their irresistible tapas menu; the glow of their multi-coloured Tiffany-style lampshades and a drinks menu to suit all tastes. It’s even better at Christmas. Enjoy!

16. Grey Horse Inn – Portland St

Just a couple blocks over and back onto Portland Street, you’ve also got the Circus Tavern’s equally pokey little neighbour, The Grey Horse Inn. Once again, it’s among the smallest you’ll find in Manchester but is much more than a mere hole in the wall.

This single-room pub is one of the oldest buildings anywhere in Manchester and is run by Hydes Brewery. Basically just one not-so-big living room plonked right along one of the busiest roads in the city, this place is another very thing slice of Manc hospitality history.

oldest pubs in manchester city centre
manchester pubs
Credit: Grey Horse Inn (via Facebook)

17. Cask – Castlefield and New Islington Marina

Circling back towards Castlefield again, you’ll find the original Cask and its lovely owners who have been serving local crafts and fine Belgian imports for over two decades now. The staff are beyond sound and always happy to talk you through the lineup; they even let you bring in your chippy from next door.

With a nice little garden area tucked away in the back, cosy booths and board games to be enjoyed, it’s no wonder they wanted to replicate their success with the sister bar over towards Ancoats and the Marina — and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Two very welcoming spots all year round.

cask manchester
ancoats pubs cask
Credit: Adam Bruderer (via Flickr)/ Cask

18. The Bay Horse Tavern – Northern Quarter

Not too far from there, you’ll find an NQ favourite in The Bay Horse Tavern: two floors of pure warmth, good vibes, proper food and a steady flow of the good stuff.

From its twinkly fairly light-draped interior to the perfectly dim-lit interior and variety or deals running throughout the week, the Thomas Street staple is busy no matter the season but there’s something very special about it in the winter. Top-tier Sunday roasts incoming.

northern quarter pubs
Looks super pretty at this time of year
cask liverpool rd manchester
They even still serve Boddies.
bay horse tavern menu
Unreal food too.
Credit: The Bay Horse Tavern (via Instagram)/The Manc Group

19. The Old Wellington – Exchange Square

Our penultimate stop is yet another historic site and cultural cornerstone that stood in Manchester for centuries — just not quite the same spot. Shambles Square feels fitting given how many times we’ve stumbled out of this place of a weekend.

Famously put up on stilts and relocated along with the attached Sinclairs Oyster Bar (also not a bad shout for this list), The Old Wellington might just be the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in Ye Olde England, stumbling across a tavern and bedding in on a rainy night with tankards full of mead. At least that’s what we always imagine when we’re in there, anyway. Long live The Old Welly.

oldest pubs in manchester city centre
Credit: The Manc Group
cosy old pubs in manchester
Credit: The Old Wellington (via Instagram)

20. Castle Hotel – Northern Quarter

Last but by no means least, no list of cosy Manchester pubs is complete without the always popular and music-filled Castle Hotel over on Oldham Street — another storied venue that only seems to get better with age.

Whether it’s live music or the jukebox, a solid Guinness or a pint of Robinson’s, this tightly-packed space is one of those where you’ll never leave without bumping into a familiar face or having a friendly chat with a total stranger. With multiple rooms, an upstairs and a simple but classic British pub aesthetic, you just can’t beat spots like this.

We hope that puts you in good stead for places to enjoy a cold one this winter, pardon the pun.

It goes without saying that lists like these are never going to every corner of Manchester justice and there are countless other cosy pubs that we would heartily recommend you settle in at when it’s baltic outside, but the list would go on forever if we did that and this should get you started at least.

The same goes for the rest of the 10 boroughs; we’re sure wherever you live in Greater Manchester you’ll know plenty more than us about the cosiest spots near you, but in case you’re looking to venture further out of the region, we’ve put together a list of a few corkers that are a bit more out of the way.

The cosiest country pubs in and around Greater Manchester to visit this winter
There’s obviously plenty more cosy pubs to be enjoyed on the outskirts of Manchester too.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – The Bay Horse Tavern/Kings Arms (via Instagram)/Amie Johnson (via Unsplash)

Eats

Tawny Stores – Inside the stunning canalside restaurant that’s Stockport’s loveliest addition

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group

There’s a tiny little opening on the outskirts of Stockport that’s so charming, with such delicious food, that we’re going to have to insist you all rearrange your plans to visit immediately.

This is Tawny Stores, a restaurant, cafe and deli where you can do everything from having a romantic candlelit dinner to scoffing a morning pastry to grabbing a loaf of bread to take home.

With a pretty canalside location, and windows that look out over the water, it’s already proving a fantastic addition to Greater Manchester.

Tawny Stores is in Marple Bridge, a picturesque village at the foot of the Peak District hills (which feels a million miles from Stockport, but the name on the wheelie bins doesn’t lie).

It may be a total pain in the arse to get to, especially with every-other train being cancelled, but getting stuck out here is far from being the end of the world.

From their tiny kitchen they cook an ever-changing menu that’s technical, but simple.

By the time you read this the menu will probably have changed again, but here we go anyway.

Rabbit pie at Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group
Rabbit pie at Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group
A cheese toastie at Tawny Stores.
A cheese toastie at Tawny Stores. Credit: The Manc Group
Homemade crisps and a glass of wine. Credit: The Manc Group
Homemade crisps and a glass of wine. Credit: The Manc Group
Roast squash and lentils. Credit: The Manc Group
Roast squash and lentils at Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group

We had a wild rabbit, cider and tarragon pie, with a crust that could win awards and a generous dollop of silky smooth mash.

There was a simple cheese and onion toastie, elevated by some top-quality bread and homemade chutney on the side.

A warming pile of lentils was then topped with roasted squash and a zingy and herby green sauce to zap it (and you) back to life.

And then there’s homemade focaccia, which you can order with olive oil or have it as a sandwich, where fillings are currently festive and include squash and stuffing, crispy sprouts and aioli, and pork Milanese and cranberry.

Inside Tawny Stores, Marple Bridge, Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Tawny Stores, Marple Bridge, Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group
Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group

Before you head out, take a moment to browse the shelves full of produce (and the display unit filled with homemade cakes).

You can grab a hot drink to walk down the canal and burn off some of that fuel, or do it in reverse and come in here to warm your cockles after a brisk winter stroll.

Either way, it’s one to visit – and soon.

You can follow them on Instagram HERE for their latest menus.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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