We’ve said goodbye to so many brilliant Manchester bars and restaurants already this year – so it’s nice to have some new openings to get excited about.
As the saying goes: when God closes a door he opens a window, and whilst we’ve found it really sad to say goodbye these past few months, there’s hope in seeing new businesses open their doors across the city centre (and beyond).
From the opening of the first Gail’s Bakery site to grace the north west, to the return of the Flawd team’s critically-acclaimed pre-Covid restaurant venture Higher Ground, there is a lot to look forward to this month.
Add in an exciting new kitchen pop-up at Cloudwater pub The Sadler’s Cat, a new Japanese izakaya-inspired bar in the Northern Quarter and a brand new pie and mash cafe, and we think you’ll agree there’s plenty to start feeling chipper about again this month.
Keep reading to discover the new Manchester bars and restaurants to put on your list this February.
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Mira
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: Mira
Mira, aka as the original home of Manchester’s saucy sandwich, relocates to Cloudwater-owned pub Sadler’s Cat this month with its mouthwatering Neapolitan butties.
Owners Mike and Rhea first fell in love with the rich flavours, culture and history behind the sandwich whilst travelling and felt compelled to bring it home to Manchester, quickly building up loyal fanbase during the pandemic for their saucy ‘Cuzzetiello’ sandwiches.
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Popular fillings at Mira include slow-cooked Genovese beef brisket with onions, parmesan and salami; Italian meatballs in a slow-cooked ragu with fresh basil and mozzarella and a vegan-friendly juicy aubergine parmigiana sandwich with rich tomato sauce, cashew cheese and basil.
They’ve also branched out into breakfast sandwiches, focaccia slabs and sides, and serve a regularly-changing Cuzzetiello ‘Wild card’ special.
1 February
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Gail’s Bakery
Cinnamon rolls at Gail’s made with croissant dought. / Image: The Manc Eats
Sandwiches, bagels and focaccia loves are all baked and prepared freshly at Gail’s each day. / Image: The Manc Eats
Gail’s Bakery will open three cafes in the north this year, kicking things off with a new site in Wilmslow, Cheshire this February. Here, Mancs will be able to get their hands on all manner of treats: from its range of sourdough breads (including a ‘wasteless’ loaf made with breadcrumb leftovers), to cakes, pastries, sandwiches and more.
The bakery group already has strong ties with Manchester, having run its sister wholesale bakery The Bread Factory – which supplies bread to some of Manchester’s premium restaurants, cafes and bars – in Openshaw since 2017.
Already well known and loved by its customers in the south of England, Gail’s recently confirmed it would be opening more neighbourhood craft bakeries in Manchester city centre and Altrincham later this year.
The team behind gorgeous Ancoats wine and small plates bar Flawd will relaunch their Higher Ground concept as a permanent restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown this February.
First launched as a four-week pop-up back in February 2020, it was closed when Covid struck but now the bistro is making a permanent return.
The brainchild of Joseph Otway, Richard Cossins and Daniel Craig Martin, dishes will change on a daily basis depending on the season and showcase organic produce from their very own market garden, Cinderwood, as well as other local producers.
Promising a focus on North West ingredients, dishes will put a focus on small-scale agriculture and small herd, whole carcass cookery, whilst its wine list will center around small-scale, low intervention winemakers from around the European continent.
A twist on the Japanese Sando. A burger at Disorder made with beef and black pudding, Japanese mustard mayo and apple sauce. / Image: Disorder
New bar and restaurant Disorder will open inside the former Man With The Fish unit (next to Oklahome, previously home to Walrus). / Image: DIsorder
Set to open in the Northern Quarter this month, Disorder is a new restaurant and bar that takes its inspiration from izakaya bars in Japan.
With a laid-back Asian-inspired menu featuring Japanese sandos with a Mancunian twist and a selection of small plates on offer, Executive Chef Bryan Barber will be cooking a number of dishes on a traditional Japanese konro grill (using a ceramic pot over charcoal) and making all gyoza on the menu by hand.
Watch out for The KFPB sando (made with fried chicken, lemongrass peanut satay sauce, and spiced berry jam) and Buldak fries (loaded fries topped with home made fire sauce, oyster mushrooms, crispy noodles and nori seaweed).
Two thirds of the dishes on the menu will be vegetarian and vegan friendly, with plenty of craft beers on offer and a dive bar-style music venue underground.
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17 February
Waffle Kart
Image: Waffle Kart
Image: Waffle Kart
The latest arrival to take over the kitchen at Ancoats General Store, as the name suggests Waffle Kart specialise in all things waffles.
From signature waffle sandwiches stuffed with crispy fried chicken to waffle prawn toast and even spam-loaded waffles, plus crinkle cut fries, waffle fries, loaded fries and a host of homemade dips, this is definitely worth a look in this month.
Be fast though, food traders are in and out of here before you can say sesame slaw.
Open now
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Great North Pie Co
Steak and kidney steamed suet pudding, mash, roast onion and brown sauce gravy / Image: Great North Pie Company
The Macaroni pie special from Great North Pie Company / Image: Great North Pie Company
After a lot of anticipation, Great North Pie Co will finally open its pie and mash cafe in Manchester city centre cafe this month.
Moving into garden neighbourhood Kampus just across the water from Manchester’s famous Gay Village, Great North Pie will serve up all the traditional favourites like classic Lancashire cheese and onion, roast chicken and mushroom, and 14 hour braised beef and ale alongside a regularly-changing selection of seasonal specials.
Set to arrive on the cobbles of Little David Street later this month, the cafe will be the first to move into the long-forgotten avenue as it is brought back to life by Kampus developers this year.
End of February, TBC
Crumbled
Image: Crumbled
Image: Crumbled
Founded by former Britain’s Next Top Model contestant Chloe Peers, Crumbled reopens at Hatch on Oxford Road this month – leaving behind its previous home at secret Northern Quarter garden Mala.
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A haven for sweet tooths, as the name suggests its menu is almost entirely dedicated to crumble and custard puddings – with a few tasty hot drinks thrown in for good measue.
Making us nostalgic for school lunchtime puddings, find classics like apple and rhubarb crumbled served with a Insta-friendly additions like toasted pink marshmallow toppings, Lotus Biscoff and Rolo chocolates.
Date TBC
Stock Market Grill
Image: Schofield’s Bar
Image: Schofield’s Bar
This month sees the Schofield brothers, who run the award-winning Schofield’s Bar (among others), take over the former Bull & Bear restaurant space inside Gary Neville’s Stock Exchange Hotel.
Operated by Joe and Daniel Schofield and wine expert James Brandwood, the kitchen will be led by head chef Joshua Reed Cooper, whose CV includes stints at The French, Where The Light Gets In, and Mana.
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The Stock Market Grill promises ‘traditional British dishes executed with technique’, with a bespoke menu that will include dishes like whipped black pudding on toast, tartare of rib-eye with caper jam and smoked dripping, steamed cod with caramelised mash, and a sticky toffee tart with honey custard.
End of February
Feature image – Great North Pie Co.
Eats
A popular Manchester bar is hosting 2000s-themed bottomless brunches all autumn
Thomas Melia
A Manchester city centre bar is making every Saturday feel like a ‘throwback Thursday’ with its latest offering this autumn.
Having kicked off last weekend, and running right through to the last Saturday of November, guests can enjoy unlimited pizza, funky cocktails, and back-to-back noughties anthems as they enjoy Manchester’s best-kept secret roof terrace at Brickhouse Social.
Pizzas being served up are taken from the venue’s ‘Late Night Slice’ menu, which always goes down a treat when ordering.
Drinks will certainly be flowing, as guests are treated to unlimited bottled beers, bottomless fizz, and even bottomless select cocktails.
A popular Manchester bar is hosting 2000s-themed bottomless brunches all autumn / Credit: Supplied
Running in two sessions from 1pm to 3pm, and 3:30pm to 5:30pm, guests can dine and have a good time while enjoying tunes from the beginning of the millennium, right through to the end of the decade when a fresh-faced Bieber reached our iPods.
Expect every genre and artist you can possibly think of, including some of the musical pioneers of this decade like Britney Spears and Beyoncé.
So whether you’re about to ‘Raise Your Glass’ like P!nk taught us, or call someone out on their ‘Girlfriend’ like Pop-Punk princess Avril Lavigne did so well, this bottomless brunch is ideal for all you 2000s music lovers.
More information on how to book your table and reserve your place can be found on the Brickhouse Social website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Eats
Zouk’s brilliant bottomless deal is back for National Curry Week
Danny Jones
One of the best-loved Indians in Manchester has relaunched its bottomless curry offering and is chucking in free rice, samosas, naans and beer to boot.
Yes, to celebrate National Curry Week in the best way possible, Zouk has brought back its endless curry, rice and naan deal to their Manc restaurant and it’s genuinely one of the best in the city.
Costing just £25 a head, you can feast until your heart’s content on the tea bar and grill’s award-winning, authentic curries, showcasing dishes from all over the Indian subcontinent.
From 12pm until midnight between Monday, 2 October and Friday, 6 October, you can choose from a bottomless helping of four different curries (two meat and one vegetarian) each day.
What exactly can you get on Zouk’s bottomless curry offer?
As mentioned, each booking also includes unlimited rice, naan and samosas to go with your curry of choice and better still, the first 120 people through the door each day will receive a free bottle of Cobra or a soft drink. Jobs a good’en.
Tables are for 90 minutes per booking, giving guests plenty of time to take on the increasingly popular bottomless curry challenge.
With an ever-rotating selection of curries inspired by various distinct regions and speciality cuisines, you’re not short on variety either. You can Zouk’s current bottomless curry menu in full down 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
Chicken Jalfrezi – Chicken fillet cooked with capsicum, onions & eggs in a thick spicy sauce.
Lamb and Spinach Karahi – A speciality from the Northwest region of Pakistan. Tender pieces of lamb cooking in a sizzling wok over hot flames with spinach, tomatoes, crushed peppercorns, cumin, ginger and garlic.
Tarka Dall (V) – Channa and mung lentils cooked in a spicy sauce.
Gobi Manchurian (VG) – Spicy cauliflower pakoras sauteed in a spicy sauce with peppers and onions.
Wednesday
Chicken and spinachcurry – A beautifully flavoured dish with chicken pieces cooked in spinach, fenugreek, ginger and fresh cream.
Lamb Rogan Josh – A speciality from Jammu and Kashmir, with chillies and juicy tomatoes.
Tarka Dall (V) – Channa and mung lentils cooked in a spicy sauce.
Mili Juli Sabzi (VG) -Fresh vegetables fused together with herbs and spices.
Over the halfway hump, room for more? (Credit: The Manc Group)
Thursday
Chicken Tikka Masala – A simple classic chicken tikka masala. Chicken pieces marinated in yoghurt tossed inside a balti of garlic and ginger.
Keema and Peas – Minced lamb curry with peas in a spicy tomato masala.
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 Handi – Punjabi-style lamb curry slowly cooked over burning flames with tomatoes, onions, garlic and Zouk’s special garam masala.
Bengan Masala (V) – Aubergine cooked to perfection in a masala of aromatic mixed herbs.
Bindi (VG) – Traditional Punjabi dish of Okra cooked with onions, tomatoes and spices.
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 Group)
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 National Curry Week (Monday, October 7-Friday, October 11), you can make the most of this incredible bottomless 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.
Georgina Pellant -
31st January 2023 
