How is it August already? Somehow, this summer has felt like the shortest one yet. Perhaps it’s all that miserable rain we’ve been having, perhaps the allure of ‘freedom’ post-Covid lockdowns is finally wearing off.
No matter, though. Even if you’re feeling a bit meh (as I evidently am) about this wonderful British summertime we’re, there’s always food to turn to – and that, as we know, makes everything better. Failing that, there’s always a drink. Or a few.
So, on that note, keep reading to discover the best new bars and restaurants opening in Greater Manchester this August – because there are some really good ones to look forward to.
Allpress Espresso
Image: Allpress Espresso
Image: Allpress Espresso
New Zealand cafe and barista school Allpress Espresso opens in Manchester city centre this month, taking up a unit in NOMA’s Redfern Building.
The specialty coffee roasters already supplies the likes of Manchester’s Trove, Erst, Carhartt, Patagonia, and Campanio, but now fans of its coffee will be able to go straight to the source.
TBC
Pray Tell
This new cocktail bar in Sale comes from the brains behind the excellent Riddles in Altrincham, aka Beth Ellison, and Paul Rooney of the market town’s famous football bar, Libero.
Natural wine and locally-sourced craft beers will be plentiful in number, as well as cocktails embracing the more Italian, bitter end of the spectrum like negronis, spritzes and aperitivos.
TBC
Gooey Counter at Selfridges Trafford
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Manchester’s favourite sugar dealers return to Selfridges Trafford this month with another cookie and donut counter, featuring classics like red velvet cookies and Kinderella donuts alongside a host of rotating specials including the newly-returned giant Rolo cookie.
Shoppers will be able to pick a single treat or take home a mixed box of six or eight cookies, donuts and cinnamon buns.
Open now
Kargo Mkt
One of Ad Maiora’s schiacciata. / Image: The Manc Eats
Rio Mex tacos. / Image: The Manc Eats
Part of a new £3.5m development at Salford Quays, this new food hall comes from Liverpool operator Blend Family, also behind the Cutlery Works in Sheffield (British Street Food Awards 2022 ‘Food Hall of the Year) and The GPO in Liverpool.
Set to be one of the biggest foodie openings of the year, food traders announced so far include Ad Maiora, Tang’s Hot Pot, Rio Mex, Baity, Nori, What’s Your Beef, Leopard Pie, Vnam, Boba Cha, Bab K, Nila’s Burmese Kitchen.
Mid-August, TBC
Maki and Ramen
Image: Maki & Ramen
Image: Maki & Ramen
First opened by chef founder Teddy Lee in 2015, May sees Scottish-born sushi and noodle restaurant Maki and Ramen open its doors in Manchester.
Set to open just off Piccadilly Gardens on York Street later this month, it will be the chain’s first north west site.
Diners can expect to find various tonkotsu-based ramens, an array of nigiri and maki rolls, and large sushi sharing platters on the menu, plus the likes of gyoza, teriyaki, pumpkin croquettes and karaage chicken.
TBC
Slice Culture, Track Brewing Co Taproom
Image: Slice Culture
Image: Slice Culture
Slinging out Neapolitan pies from Track Brewing Co’s Taproom on Back Piccadilly, find classic pizza 12″ combos like pepperoni and hot honey, nduja and margherita on the menu here alongside some more surprising additions.
The romesco marinara makes an interesting alternative for vegans, whilst the herbed honey pesto four cheese pizza also sounds well worth a try.
Open now
Gingko, Stockport
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
This cute little health store on Stockport’s Underbanks has just had a refresh, and owners have added a new menu of healthy snacks, fresh juices, health shots and tea.
Think protein balls, chocolate shards and dates stuffed with sweet treats, plus fresh juices like the Uplifter (orange, ginger, carrots and lemon), Sneaky Greens (apple, spinach, kale, pear, cucumber) and Revitalise (fennel, coriander, lime, apple and cucumber).
Open now
NQ64
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
The Northern Quarter’s original gaming bar is getting a glow-up this month as it moves from its old home into a new, bigger space next door.
NQ64 takes over the old Dive bar unit, transforming its outdoor terrace with the addition of new arcade games. Inside, meanwhile, specially-designed booths and banquette seating will make room for more customers and even more games.
Having first made their name in Swinton, the local lads behind That Burger Place hae opened a test kitchen at The Height in Salford.
Those heading down will find plenty of new stuff on the menu to try, as well as old favourites like pizza fries and smashed burgers. The team has also collaborated with Bury baker LIttle Blonde Bakes to create some special New York deli cookies.
Open now
Insomnia Cookies, City Centre
Image: Insomnia Cookies
Famed in the States for its warm, gooey-centred cookie delivery, which runs until 3am every day, cult American bakery Insomnia Cookies is making its way to Manchester.
The chain is opening two new sites in Manchester this month, marking its arrival in the UK. Soon enough, you’ll be able to get your fix of chunky ice cream sandwiches, cookies, pancakes and more on both Cross Street in the city centre and University Green on Oxford Road.
TBC
Must Be Micky’s, Ply NQ
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Formerly known as Mira and famed for its saucy butties, these popular Manchester sandwich makers have returned to the city following a rebrand.
Serving out of the kitchen at Ply in the Northern Quarter from 11.30am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday, find posh crisp butties, homemade cream sodas and crispy roast potato sides in abundance.
Open now
Juice Box
Image: Juice Box StoreImage: Juice Box Store
This cool little wine shop and bar has already made a name for itself up on Burton Road, now it’s making its way into town with a second site.
Taking over the former Neon Tiger on Bridge Street, find top-quality wines to drink in or take away plus ‘fancy snacks’ in the form of caviar-loaded crisps, charcuterie, pickles, Gordal olives and more.
This authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean favourite has recently landed at Hatch on Oxford Road serving up its flavourful East African curries on spongy, fermented injera bread.
With a huge range of tasty vegan curries on offer, you’ll also find street food-style burgers and loaded fries topped with the likes of fried lamb, cheese and grilled chicken.
Open now
Things to do and try in August
Wingfest at Love Factory, 12 & 13 August – The UK’s biggest chicken wing festival returns to Manchester this year, showcasing the best traders from home and across the country as well as hosting fiery food challenges.
Maker’s Market in Prestwich, 13 August – Prestwich gets its first ever Maker’s Market this month, bringing together foodie traders like upcoming Masa Bakery with arts and craft stalls. Head down and grab a sourdough.
Perilla x Higher Ground, 13 August – Higher Ground welcome friends Ben Marks and Matthew Emmerson to Manchester for a special collaborative lunch. Ben, one of the finest cooks in London, opened Perilla with Matthew in 2016. It has quickly become a mainstay in London for its level of cooking and hospitality. Joseph Otway and Ben Mark will be cooking a set sharing menu for £58 per person celebrating the finest summer bounty from Cinderwood Market Garden and Jane’s Farm Shop.
10 Tib Lane & Friends, 17 August – 10 Tib Lane celebrates their 2nd birthday with an all-star night, with contributions from friends across the city. Each special will be available from 6pm.
On the bar, with contributions from Speak in Code, Hawksmoor, Blinker and Red Light: – Lavender & Lovage / Matt Morgan / Speak in CodeSipsmith Gin, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Lavender Liqueur, Blueberry, Lovage –Fig Leaf Daisy / Rory Carrodus / Blinker Plymouth Gin, Tio Pepe, Lemon, Fig & Bay Leaf Cordial – Calyptra / Manjari Kesavan / Red Light Dolin Dry, Cocchi Torino, Wild Turkey Rye, Benedictine, Bitters – Champagne Cocktail / David Cole / Hawksmoor Seven Tails XO, Pineau Des Charentes, Champagne, JasmineFrom the Kitchen;Sardines, Holy Grain Birthday bread, Tomato & Piquillo Pepper Concasse Pear Tarte Tatin, Pevensey Blue from Crafty Cheeseman, Watercress Salad Ex Dairy Dry Aged Ribeye, Bone Marrow Butter from Littlewoods Birthday Cake Ice Cream, Raspberry Jelly
A natural wine tasting at Plattfields Market Garden, 21 August – Does what it says on the tin. Sample quality low-intervention wines from across Europe from 6.30-8.30pm and enjoy some paired canapes from Manchester Urban Diggers’ chef Emily Witts.
Festa Italiana at Cathedral Gardens, 25-27 August – Festa Italiana, the UK’s biggest Italian food festival hosted annually in Manchester, will return for its sixth season this August bank holiday weekend. Find street food traders, cooking demos, a banquet feast and plenty more at this free-to-attend event.
Featured image – Kargo Mkt
Eats
Mélange by Red Hall is a jewel in the crown of Bury’s burgeoning hospitality scene
Danny Jones
We recently had the pleasure of staying at the understated and most definitely underrated Red Hall Hotel over in Bury, and got to try their stunning new Mélange restaurant while we were at it.
Now, we say underrated not because it hasn’t received glowing reviews in the past; the AA-star hotel has enjoyed plenty of plaudits over the years and currently averages 4.5/5 from over 900 reviews.
However, what we will say is that the food now being served from this quaint little outpost located in the tiny hamlet of Walmersley, just on the border of Ramsbottom (regularly voted one of the best places to live in the UK), is well worth more than the hotel’s three-star rating on it’s own.
Not only did we have the pleasure of staying in this charming little village getaway, but we were treated to a whopping 11 courses, followed by a morning meal, for a truly wonderful bed and breakfast vibe with all the added luxury of a Kayak Awards and 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice-winning destination.
The Mélange restaurant at Red Hall HotelSuch a striking room when you first walk in.Credit: The Manc Group
The first thing that struck us about the local favourite venue is that, despite being located beside Manchester Road, once you’re inside, it’s a quiet, tranquil and calming little escape from what is already a nice out-of-the-way escape from the bustle of the city and even Bury town centre.
Even if not, how inviting the actual Mélange restaurant itself is definitely will; the golden sign glistening from the soft white dangling bulbs immediately catches your eye, and then you walk in to see the big conservatory and almost orangery-esque windows, with sloped ceilings and lots of light.
You get just as warm a welcome from the staff as well, which is a feeling maintained throughout your entire dining experience, as they really do communicate that sense of comfort whilst “drawing from mamma’s childhood memories and unforgettable holidays” through the food.
Speaking of which…
Mélange – which quite literally translates to ‘a mixture’, often even hinting at things that don’t usually fit together – promises a fusion of British and Mediterranean cuisine, and delivers both familiar flavours but with plenty of contemporary punch and visual appeal.
We may have begun our meal with something as simple but satisfying as a mini round loaf of bread freshly baked in a cast iron pot with some acidic, tapenade-esque chutney, along with a couple of very refreshing and lemon-forward spritzes, but it didn’t take long before we dove headlong into indulgence.
See, the trouble was the mezze: we wanted to try a little bit of something from each section of the menu, but we couldn’t help but be drawn in by starting with three selections from what was advertised as ‘small plates, big flavours’.
In actuality, what happened was a board featuring our trio of choice appeared, and the bowls that sat upon it were pretty filling on their own. It’s a good job we didn’t spring for the eye-catching charcuterie board as well, otherwise we really would have struggled to finish this feast.
We went for these naughty ‘nduja arancini, some ever-so-smoky chicken wings in a slightly spiced aioli, and quite literally the best halloumi fries you’ll ever try; we don’t know if it was the light fried batter, the perfectly tearable texture of the cheese, or the subtle hot honey dip, but they were incredible.
We also opted to try two more delicate, lighter bites to somewhat cleanse the palate – the corn and duck salad, both of which were fantastically balanced and still not skimpy on the portions either.
The point being is that, at this stage, we started to worry this, plus our main courses of maple-baked salmon (paired with the most impressively smooth and sweet potato purée imaginable), gambas al ajillo (giant black tiger prawns in garlic) and a stuffed, herbaceaous, rolled pork number might be overkill…
Perfectly soft, gooey arancini with a slight heat to them.You could see the quality of the prawns before tasting it.That tweal on top alone was packed with flavour.Light, seasonal and yet more than a few mouthfuls.
Having said that, we still found time/room for another round of cocktails – again, sticking with the spritz theme (’tis the season, after all) – and just about managed to squeeze in two desserts.
The lemon posset was just tangy enough without being too tart and was devoured within seconds, while the cheesecake with an extra dusting of pistachio on top was superb. Topping each with a thin, honeycomb-design biscuit felt like a nice little Manc finishing touch as well.
We’ll confess, a fair few belt notches were loosened throughout the duration of this meal, but we kept persevering for a number of reasons: we wanted to get a comprehensive sweep of what’s on offer, we didn’t want to waste a morsel of food if possible, and most importantly, it was stunning.
Honestly, there wasn’t so much as an average mouthful of food all night. We can’t believe it’s taken us this long to try what’s being served out of the Mélange kitchen; pair that with a brilliant breakfast and relaxing stay at Red Hall itself, and it’s up there with one of the best hotel packages in the area.
Plenty of food and drink spots help, but the great in Greater Manchester, and we can’t say where exactly we’d rank this amongst all 10 boroughs, but we firmly believe you won’t find many better all-round hospitality offerings in Bury – if, indeed, at all.
There are plenty of lovely day and evening walks nearby.Or you can just curl up content on the sun-soaked terrace.
A total of 20 Greater Manchester pubs have been named among the best in the UK
Danny Jones
A new round-up of the so-called ‘best pubs in the country’ has been published online, and you’ll be glad to hear that 20 different pubs from the Greater Manchester area have made it onto the list.
We’d argue a bunch more should have made it on there, personally, but we’ll take it.
Shared by The Telegraph this week, the list doesn’t include Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but nevertheless, it does go on to name a whopping 500 UK pubs, of which 20 of those are here in our particular part of the world. Proud.
So, breaking the collection up into areas ordered alphabetically, here are what the outlet considers some of the best pubs in the nation.
The Great-er Manchester boozers that made it into ‘The 500 Best Pubs in England’
1. Fletcher Moss – Didsbury
Up first on our list is a south Manchester favourite: Fletcher Moss pub down in Didsbury Village, which may just have one of the best gardens in all the boroughs. Noting the refurb that’s taken it from another traditional pub to a local classic, they’re not wrong.
You have to head up to the reaches of Rochdale to find this testament to old Lancashire tucked away in the rolling hills – a proper old school, country-style pub.
“This brick-built former coaching inn has a predictably sublime view, and attracts diners by the dozen as a result, but the beer is pretty reliable too”, according to the outlet.
Once a forgotten pub on a quiet corner sat frustratingly close to an otherwise busy part of town, The Angel Pub reopened back in 2019 after nearly seven whole decades away from the Manc boozing scene.
As per the paper: “In a city that rarely forgets to tell you how it does things differently, The Angel charts its own course.”
4. The Britons Protection – Manchester city centre
Moving into the city centre now, and we have the legendary Britons Protection, which is also one of the oldest and most iconic pubs we have to our name.
The Telegraph said, simply: “Come for the tiled corridor, with its vivid images of the Peterloo Massacre, stay for the atmosphere.” We’d also wager it happens to be one of the best cosy pubs in all of Manchester city centre. We can’t afford to lose it.
People are rallying behind them, but they’re not out of the woods yet.
5. The Castle Hotel – Manchester
Now just down the road to NQ and to a place known for great Guinness, live music in an intimate setting, a joyous jukebox selection and a close-packed but pretty interior. They said that “Northern Quarter is not short of places for a drink, but few are as effortlessly comfortable as the Castle Hotel.”
We couldn’t agree more, and as a bonus, it’s also a place where things like this happen:
Famed as the smallest bar in Europe (by which we mean the actual bar, not the size of the pub itself, which is a common misconception), The Circus Tavern on Portland Street is a little gem in every sense.
You can find out more about the cool history behind it down below:
7. The City Arms – Manchester
Not too far away from there in the city centre, you’ll find the stunning City Arms, which – alongside its next-door neighbour, The Vine Inn – has one of the best ‘punters spilling out onto the street after work’ communities you’ll find in Manchester.
The Tele writes: “The City Arms sits in the middle of a Mancunian pub one-two-three on Kennedy Street, sandwiched between The Vine and The Waterhouse. It’s the best of the three, in my opinion, largely because the beer is so good.”
A great little lineup. (Credit: The Manc Group)
8. The Marble Arch – Manchester
Ok, up next is ‘r Daisy’s favourite pub in central Manchester and maybe of all time: the marvellous Marble Arch, which is a gorgeous Grade II-listed building over on Rochdale Road.
They described it as having played arguably “a bigger role in Manchester’s brewing renaissance over the past thirty years” than perhaps any other boozer.
Literally spitting distance from the aforementioned Circus Tavern, The Grey Horse Inn has a lot of similar charm, as well as plenty of Manc, and more specifically, Manchester United memorabilia plastered all over the gaff.
“The Grey Horse is run by Hyde’s, one of Manchester’s four traditional family breweries. It might be the best place in the city centre to try their beers; it’s certainly one of the cosiest, with a wood-panelled bar and plenty of comfortable seating.”
In at number nine is what they sell as a “city-centre classic that hums with Mancunian warmth”, and while it may be one of what feels like countless Hare and Hounds up and down the UK, this one can be over on Shudehill.
Situated right near The Lower Turks Head – another boozer we believe should have been on this list – it may not be the biggest, most different or most eye-catching from the outside, but inside is a proper pub.
“It fulfils all the pub cliches: warm welcome, good beer, cosy atmosphere. The tiled exterior is a delight, too.” To be honest, this doesn’t nearly do it justice. That glistening green institution not only boasts the longest-serving landlord in the city but also some of the best Guinness in Manchester.
There’s something special about joining the crowd leaning against its walls or sitting on the benches in the shade of its solitary tree. We can’t quite explain it, but it’s always been loved and always will be. It has a cool history behind it, too.
Now this one gets a hard agree from us. The Salisbury over on ‘Little Ireland’ is a truly brilliant boozer, and the steps leading down to it are possibly some of the most photographed in the entire city.
With a legendary albeit very loud playlist, it’s a regular haunt for both before and after gigs, even serving up pizza from their in-house brand ‘Dough161’ (very good), which is best enjoyed out back in their little back-alley beer garden.
Back to Northern Quarter now and just on the edge of Ancoats, where you’ll find Smithfield Market Tavern. We firmly believe the neighbouring Rose and Monkey rivals it too, but we can certainly see why it made it onto The Telegraph‘s list.
As they put it: “The pub itself is modern but not jarringly so, with sofas, low tables and pub games, plus plenty of excellent beer, much of it produced at Blackjack’s brewery less than half a mile away.”
Ok, that’s us done with the city centre; we’re heading out back Rochdale way now to what has been described as a ‘hidden gem’ here in Greater Manchester, even if that term is being thrown around at will these days. Here’s what The Telegraph had to say:
“This place is as pubby as it gets, all dark wood, hand pumps and Victorian beer vessels above the bar (although there is a brighter, conservatory area at the back). Food is a big part of the Baum’s business: when I visited recently, I had rag pudding, a tasty Lancashire dish not unlike steak pudding.”
Onto Salford now, and a cult favourite watering hole that also happens to serve as a rich hub for the independent music and arts scene. It may be surrounded by ever-more cranes and skyscrapers, but that pretty little piano and backroom are still perfect.
The Tele says, “It’s a little tucked away, certainly, but for good beer and interesting music, you’d have to go a long way to beat it.” Pretty much nail on the head, to be fair.
Quite possibly one of the prettiest refurbishments that’s taken place in Greater Manchester in recent times, and most certainly one of the best pubs in Salford full stop, backed by an Irishman who knows his stuff and has even had fixtures from the ‘Emerald Isle’ shipped over to make a statement.
The brilliant little boozer on Bexley Square has a fantastic range of beer, ales, whiskey and more from all over, and when the sun’s got his hat on, you won’t find many better places to sit and soak it up.
17. Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar – Stalybridge
It can seem odd sometimes to see odd to see broadsheet covering quiet corners like this one in Tameside, but anyone who really knows there’s stuff is confident that Stalybridge has an up-and-coming scene all of its own – which is why this is seen as one of the best pubs in Greater Manchester.
“High-class station pubs are relatively common across the North and Midlands now, most of them based in revitalised and repurposed station buildings. None of the others, though, is quite like the Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, which is both authentically Victorian and has a genuine pub flavour.”
As we approach the end, we arrive in familiar territory, as it isn’t the first time we’ve written about the underrated and what was an unsung public house, but has steadily become a name that’s used to getting accolades from various directions.
Here’s what they say about it: “This sturdy whitewashed pub located by the clattering, humming Wellington Road is one of the best places to drink beer in England.”
Nearly done, just two more and the penultimate pick by the paper is the final one in SK: The Northumberland Arms up in Marple Bridge, a community-owned treehouse which is, indeed, nothing short of a belter.
The Telegraph said the following: “‘The Thumb’, as locals know it, is a freehouse with a traditional feel, offering pop-up food options, social clubs – from darts to running – and, of course, high-class beer.” The clue’s in what natives consider its full name: community pub.
20. The Swan & Railway Hotel – Wigan
Last but not least, we pop over to another old bastion where Lancashire meets Greater Manchester and what The Telegraph believes is one of the best in Wigan and in England altogether, adding: “There are so many marvellous details inside the Swan and Railway that it is hard to pick just a few.”
It’s fitting that we end on one that we haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying because we promise that, just like you should, we’re going to make it our mission to try it for ourselves.
Georgina Pellant -
1st August 2023 
