Inside Stockport’s beautiful and historic Market Hall is where you can find Auntie Lou’s, a down-to-earth cafe serving up some top tier drinks and seriously hearty home-cooked meals.
Since opening late last year, Auntie Lou’s has rapidly grown in popularity, with food flying off the shelves at their first time taking part in Stockport’s Foodie Friday – and once you’ve tasted it you’ll understand why.
The food on offer is a combination of dishes influenced by owner Emily’s Irish and English heritage, with recipes passed down from generation to generation, from all of the amazing women in her family.
Their seasonal and carefully crafted menus play into nostalgia, with freshly made stews, warm focaccia sandwiches, savoury tarts and sausage rolls on offer, with a lot of dishes served with a slice of bread and butter – just like nan used to.
Emily prides herself on a homely, nostalgic and welcoming atmosphere, with a range of thrifted crockery, their signature paper doilies and all of the mugs made and hand-painted by her mum.
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This space truly is an ode to Emily’s family members, with the name originating from their family middle name Louise.
And just when you thought Auntie Lou’s couldn’t possibly get any better, they’ve only gone and added a brand new outdoor seating area, just in time for summer.
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Emily’s mum makes all the mugs for Auntie Lou’sAuntie Lou’s has just added a sunny outdoor seating areaA lot of dishes come with bread and butter, the old fashioned way
The new outdoor area is positioned on a sunny street right on Market Place and is the perfect spot for people watching. It is made up of second-hand wooden furniture, which cleverly feeds into the feeling of going round for tea at your aunty’s house.
Currently, Auntie Lou’s menu includes a rich sausage and pecorino pasta, french omelette with locally sourced sourdough, and a butterbean, courgette and asparagus stew, along with their consistently great selection of bakes and coffees.
Not to mention their recently sourced slushie machine, facilitating a variety of iced drinks to quench your thirst this summer.
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Emily has always shared with her followers the raw experience of building this cafe from the very beginning with just a dream, some cleaning products and a whole lot of DIY. She really has built the cafe from scratch and we think that it truly deserves all of the praise it gets.
Dishes change regularly but currently include this beautiful pasta dishAuntie Lou’s cafe in Stockport Market Hall
If you’ve not given her a follow already, go and check out @auntielouscafe on Instagram and see her progress from the very beginning.
This cafe is definitely one well worth travelling for, so why not make a day of it and explore some of the other new spots in Stockport Old Town?
Auntie Lou’s is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 3pm (or until sell out) – go on down, show some support and see what all the fuss is about.
Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant
Danny Jones
One of Manchester’s oldest and most loved Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, has sadly announced that they are closing their original restaurant after more than a decade and a half.
Having served authentic recipes from Naples and been at the forefront of the cuisine in this city for well over 15 years, it can be hard to remember a time before Salvi’s.
With that in mind, we’re gutted to hear that their OG location over in the Corn Exchange is now shutting its doors imminently.
But fret not: it’s not all doom and gloom, as they promise this isn’t the last you’ll see of them.
Often considered the first true Manc-Neapolitan eatery, which turned from a small counter and deli into, at one point, a big and beloved group of local independent restaurants with multiple locations, most people know the name and the sign, and plenty have patronised them since day one.
Sharing an emotional message in the caption of the post above, founder Maurizio Cecco and his wife Claire said: “For sixteen years, Salvi’s has been part of Manchester’s story. We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve built together.
“As the city changes, independent businesses have to change too. Today will be our last day of trading at Corn Exchange. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey all these years.
“This isn’t the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter – stay tuned. Grazie Mille.”
Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the news has been bittersweet, with people obviously saddened to hear of this latest closure but also looking back fondly on its past.
One person wrote in the comments: “I remember launching this amazing place all those years ago and have continued to watch you thrive!! Best of luck for the future!” Another added: “Will miss Salvi’s great food, great staff, not forgetting the Italian festival. All the best, Maurizio and family in your new adventure
As mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Maurizio and Claire are also behind the equally famous Festa Italiana, which draws crowds of tens of thousands across a full weekend every single year.
Having been regulars and firm fans of both their first family-owned flagship site and the aforementioned festival for many years, we’re equally gutted to see it go.
But as they made clear, this is not a definite ending for the brand, and it’s safe to say we’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.
Thanks for the memories and all the incredible food and drink you’ve served us – we hope we hear from you again sometime very soon.
Iconic old Manchester boozer named the best pub in the UK
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most legendary pubs – which happens to be home to its most legendary landlady too – has been named the best in the UK.
The Peveril of the Peak has shot to the top of a list of the 22 Best Pubs in the UK, compiled by Time Out.
The comprehensive list spans the length and breadth of the country looking for the watering holes that nail a ‘convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks’.
And it’s Manchester’s very own Peveril of the Peak, or The Pev, that made it into the number one spot, being labelled by judges as ‘perfect’.
Time Out praised the pub’s ‘dazzling’ tiled exterior, its jukebox and pool table, and its 96-year-old landlady Nancy Swanick, who (along with her family) has overseen the pub for more than 50 years.
The Peveril of the Peak wasn’t the only Manchester pub to make it onto the list of the best in the UK – there was also a nod for another local icon, The Marble Arch, which placed 15th.
Elsewhere in the North West, The Golden Lion in Todmorden, and The Roscoe Head in Liverpool made it onto the list, along with a couple of pubs in Sheffield.
Inside The PevThe Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester
Speaking of The Pev, Time Out wrote: “The Peveril of the Peak — or the Pev, for short, always — is the kind of pub that’s so perfect, it deserves to serve as the venue for the wetting of your head, your wedding and your wake. And, preferably, as much life between.
“Standing freely on Great Bridgewater Street, the Pev beckons you in with its dazzling green, yellow and brown tiling, retro windows and heavy emerald door. Inside, it’s a ‘proper pub’ and then some: a jukebox, pool table and dartboard are all crammed into a cosy snug, smattered with vintage stools, sticky tables and framed Pub of the Year awards from decades gone by.
“The boozer — rumoured to be both a former brothel and a haunt for ghosts — has been overseen by legendary landlady Nancy Swanick, who still lives above the bar and is now well into her 90s, for over 50 years. Expect a knees-up for the ages when she hits the big 100. Cheers!”
The full list of Time Out’s 22 Best Pubs in the UK 2026
Lydia Mastrolonardo -
4th May 2026 
