Oh, so you thought the new restaurant openings would slow down a little now that Manchester is running head-first to the end of the year, did you? You couldn’t be more wrong.
The city keeps on pushing forward with loads more new bars, cafes, pop-ups and restaurants popping up on the scene.
In December, we’ll see new spots open that are already loved nationally, like Blank Street Coffee at Piccadilly Gardens (Molly-Mae’s a huge fan, apparently).
Then there are some very familiar names that are returning to Manchester, like late-night favourite Hold Fast and Fairfield Social Club.
And that’s alongside all the huge openings we had in November, like Fenix, Dear Sailor, and Six By Nico.
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Read on for our picks of the best new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester in December.
One Eight Six has risen from the ashes (quite literally) and is ready to inject some life and live music back into Manchester’s nightlife scene.
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The subterranean bar on Deansgate, shuttered by a huge fire on New Year’s Eve in 2021, has been fully reborn.
Founder Dean Mac said: “After nearly two years, we are finally allowed to be back on our feet giving the people of Manchester what they have been waiting so patiently for.
“Thank you again for sticking with us and supporting our journey this far. This new chapter of ONE EIGHT SIX will be better than ever. Same vibe. Same location. Just a whole lot sexier…”
Restaurant, shop, and wine bar in one, this newbie is definitely one worth venturing across to Cheshire for.
Linden Stores started life in London before its owners, Chris Boustead and Laura Christie, moved up north.
This latest opening is their third, and it’s a stunner. On the menu you’ll find British and low intervention wines, alongside seasonal menus.
15 Minshull St, Knutsford WA16 6HG | Open now
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Fairfield Social Club, Green Quarter
Fairfield Social Club will open a new pop-up in Manchester in December. Credit: Supplied
An old favourite is back, with Fairfield Social Club running a winter pop-up before making their full return in spring next year.
Tucked under the railway arches in the Red Bank area, the space will be home to two bars, a huge 250-seater event space, and a secret garden – plus a Christmas Tree shop.
There’ll also be a fully-stocked BlackJack Beers craft beer bar, and rotating pop-up traders, including the much-loved and now-closed shop Oklahoma.
Irk Street, Manchester M4 4JT | Opening 1 December
Piccolino Grande, Wilmslow
The highly anticipated new Piccolino Grande opened its doors this week, showcasing the very best of Italian hospitality.
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The Piccolino brand is well-known for its decadent food, opulent interiors and outstanding service, and their newest venture in Wilmslow is no exception.
Following a £2m transformation, Piccolino Grande on Swan Street is a real feast for all the senses.
A long day on the slopes, followed by a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a whole vat of molten cheese laced with champagne. Except lose the slopes bit, you’re in Manchester here.
Fondue is a pop-up on the terrace at The Refuge, inspired by the chalets of the French Alps, from its cosy al fresco decor to its menu.
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You can tuck in to slow-cooked French onion soup; the ultimate Gruyère and Champagne fondue, and a Manchester rarebit featuring Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese, Bury black pudding, dukkah and Pollen bakery sourdough.
It’s ‘basically a speakeasy’, but one they want you to talk about – so here we go.
Down in the basement level beneath Purezza in the Northern Quarter, you’ll soon find Parla – a queer bar, community project, vegan cocktail spot, and ‘super sexy space’, with a ‘big sexy curtain’.
They’ll even have Desert Island Dumplings, the geniuses behind cheeseburger gyozas and salt and pepper hash browns, in house on a kitchen residency.
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Sounds like our kind of place, to be honest…
Basement, 75-77 High St, M4 1FS | Opening 14 December
Hold Fast, Northern Quarter
People dancing in Hold Fast in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
No no, you haven’t time-travelled back to 2015 – Hold Fast really is coming back to the Northern Quarter.
This nautical-themed late-night institution (with the best smoking area in the city) is reopening and it looks like it’ll be business as usual – resident DJs and open mic nights (with a free drink for those brave enough to hit the stage), a bespoke secret cinema room and a range of retro Sega video games.
Describing itself as a sailor’s drinking quarter, the bar will be dimly lit with ship lanterns and candles, with a wide selection of craft beers and 15 cocktails on its drinks menu.
How could you have missed this new Manchester restaurant opening – the queues were so long they left the Arndale and went onto the street outside.
It’s a fried chicken shop, but the hyper is all because of the men backing the place – YouTube heavyweights The Sidemen.
The double coated Nashville tenders are tossed 120 times, no more, no less and if you’re into your wings their seven signature sauces are the perfect addition.
From humble beginnings to absolutely unreal growth in three years, Blank Street Coffee is now heading to Manchester for the first time.
Their incredibly aesthetic green-and-white-fronted stores are found all over London these days, with people always traipsing out the door clutching beautiful swirling iced lattes, pistachio lattes, and blueberry matchas.
So far, so high-end – but then comes the location. Blank Street Coffee has chosen to open slap bang in the heart of Piccadilly Gardens, next to fellow viral sensation Bunsik.
Piccadilly Gardens, M1 1RG | Opening 13 December
Dainā, St John’s
Dainā (that’s pronounced day-nah) is a brand new Asian dining concept launching at Side Street Studio in St John’s and one of the most exciting new Manchester restaurants opening this month.
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The kitchen residency will bring together chefs Jake Huxley and Samuel Jethro, who’ll use British ingredients and Asian techniques to create a menu of dishes including homemade bao, red braised pork belly, and smoked mackerel with daikon and lemon.
They said: “Our concept is a collision of love and appreciation for Chinese cuisine combined with the science of making perfect dough. We want people to enjoy the food we enjoy creating.
“Our food is best enjoyed in good company in a relaxed environment, making Side Street Studio’s setting an ideal backdrop. Our aim is to elevate some familiar and unfamiliar ingredients into wholesome dishes so we can showcase the brilliant art of Asian cooking in a way that brings something new to the table.”
ABC Buildings (Corner of Quay Street and Lower Byrom St, M3 4AE | Open now
Papparoti, Northern Quarter
Much-loved Malaysian dessert brand Papparoti is now open in the Northern Quarter, where you can pick up coffee-coated sweet buns and fruit teas.
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The brand now has more than 400 cafes and kiosks globally and its first Manchester site is extremely good looking.
The premium bakery chain has a huge menu of speciality coffees and topping options for its buns.
Transmission House, 28 Church St, Manchester M4 1PN | Open now
Know of a new Manchester restaurant we’ve missed? Let us know on our The Manc Eats Instagram page.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
The best restaurants and bars named at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards (MFDF) has honoured the best restaurants, bars, producers and more in a glittering ceremony in Manchester tonight.
The annual food and drink awards celebrated the best of the hospitality industry across 18 categories, including Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Newcomer of.
More than 350 hospitality professionals piled into New Century to see the top spots in town crowned, with a whopping 136 worth venues, traders, places and people nominated.
Every year, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards sets out to recognise the individuals and businesses who have shaped the city’s culinary scene over the last 12 months.
The shortlist is chosen by a panel of judges made up of food and drink writers, experts and critics, before the overall winners are chosen through a combination of public votes and mystery shopping visits by judges.
This year, the MFDF Awards celebrate everything from Michelin star to back-alley street food.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented: “We’re thrilled to be announcing this list of incredible winners. In such tough times for the industry, we want to thank, support and celebrate every nominee and winner and their fantastic achievements.
“We hope that the food fans of Greater Manchester and beyond will be inspired to go out and support all of these exceptional venues that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.”
All the winners at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2025
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Nell’s Pizza at KampusNell’s at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
The Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc GroupDoughnuts at All The Shapes in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
Winner: Prestwich
Shortlist
Monton
Prestwich
Salford
Urmston
Levenshulme
Altrincham
Denton
Sale
Independent Drink Producer of the Year
Winner: Cloudwater Brew Co
Shortlist
Cloudwater Brew Co, Piccadilly
Pomona Island Brew Co, Salford
Sureshot Brewing, Piccadilly
The Salford Rum Company, Salford
Steep Soda Co
Pod Pea Vodka, Salford
Hip Pop, Piccadilly
Balance Brewing & Blending, Piccadilly
Independent Food Producer of the Year
Great North Pie Co at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Winner: Great North Pie Co.
Shortlist
Companio Bakery, Ancoats
H.M.Pasties, Oldham
La Chouquette, Didsbury
Great North Pie Co, Wilmslow
The Flat Baker, Ancoats
Long Boi’s Bakehouse, Levenshulme
Yellowhammer, Stockport
Half Dozen Other, Cheetham Hill
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year sponsored by SH Comms
Winner: Bar San Juan
Shortlist
Cibus Pizza, Levenshulme
Ornella’s Kitchen, Denton
Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop, Marple Bridge
The Pearl, Prestwich
425 Bury New Road,, Manchester, M25 1AF
Restaurant Örme, Urmston
Tawny Stores, Marple
Vero Moderno, Salford
Bar San Juan, Chorlton
Plant Based Offering of the Year
Maray in Manchester has loads of vegan and vegetarian options. Credit: The Manc GroupVegan Sunday roast at Maray in Manchester
Winner: Maray
Shortlist
Maray, Lincolm Square
Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, Ashton-under-Lyne
Wholesome Junkies, Northern Quarter
Allotment Vegan Eatery, Cathedral
Walled Gardens, Whalley Range
Little Aladdin, Northern Quarter
Herbivorous, Withington
Sanskruti, Withington
Pop up or Project of the Year sponsored by ASP Events
Winner: Love From
Shortlist
Bungalow at Kampus
Tartuffe, Side Street Studio
Midori Didsbury at Wine & Wallop
The Landing, Stockport
Love From, Kampus
Root to Flower
Sampa
Manchester Wine Tour
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year sponsored by JW Lees
Mulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc Group
Winner: Mulligans
Shortlist
Heaton Hops, Heaton Chapel
Port Street Beer House, Northern Quarter
North Westward Ho, Chapel Walks
Pall Mall, 19 Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1HN
Mulligans of Manchester
The City Arms
The Britons Protection
The Old Abbey Taphouse, Hulme
Café Beermoth
Great Service Award
Winner: Schofield’s Bar
Shortlist
Flawd Wine, Ancoats Marina
The Pearl, Prestwich
Higher Ground, New York Street
Skof, NOMA
10 Tib Lane
Schofield’s Bar, Quay Street
Adam Reid At The French, The Midland
Ornella’s Kitchen, Denton
Bar of the Year sponsored by Conductr
Winner: Hawksmoor
Shortlist
Red Light, Kampus
Flawd Wine, Ancoats Marina
Speak in Code
Project Halcyon, St John’s
Hawksmoor, Deansgate
10 Tib Lane
Stray, Mackie Mayor
Sterling Bar, Stock Exchange Hotel
Newcomer of the Year
Winner: Skof
Shortlist
The Pearl, Prestwich
Skof, NOMA
Medlock Canteen, Deansgate Square
Onda Pasta Bar, Oxford Road
Tawny Stores, Marple
Caravan, St John’s
Hakkapo, First Street
Flat Iron, Deansgate
Chef of the Year sponsored by Boutinot
Winner: Tom Barnes (Skof)
Shortlist
Iain Thomas (The Pearl)
Joe Otway (Higher Ground)
Tom Barnes (Skof)
Sam Grainger (Medlock Canteen)
Patrick Withington (Erst)
Danielle Heron (OSMA)
Sam Buckley (Where the Light Gets In)
Julian Pizer (Another Hand)
Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
Shortlist
Skof, NOMA
Higher Ground, New York Street
Another Hand, Deansgate
Where the Light Gets In, Stockport
The Pearl, Prestwich
Restaurant Örme, Urmston
mana, Ancoats
Adam Reid At The French, The Midland
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
Get Baked owner offers lifeline to hospitality staff after sudden closure of Almost Famous
Danny Jones
The owner of viral sweet treat brand, Get Baked, has given a potential lifeline to local hospitality staff in Manchester following the sudden news of Almost Famous’ nationwide closure.
Confirmation that the Northern foodie favourites and dirty burger pioneers would be shutting down all of their sites across the country hit the likes of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool like a freight train on a truly sad Monday mourning.
Although countless customers expressed their condolences online and bid farewell to the more than decade-old institution, the question of what is/will happen to their numerous staff was quickly put to the forefront.
With Almost Famous employees informing The Manc that they had been given no notice of the immediate closure and some still being owed wages, many have sadly found themselves in a crisis. Step up, Leeds-born baker and businessman, Rich Myers.
Yes, Yorkshire’s very own ‘Mr Sprinkles’ – who is slowly building a small but solid and superbly sweet dessert empire in the North – dropped a comment underneath our announcement post and kindly slid into our DMs to help get the word to those who need it most.
With Get Baked’s first-ever Manchester store set to open this year, Myers and his team are on the lookout for staff to make sure it hits the ground running.
That being said, upon learning of AF’s gutting closure, Myers messaged: “Hi everyone. We are opening a new site in NQ on February 28th, and want to do what we can to help any ex-AF staff get into new employment.
Although Get Baked is now planning to move to a different location in Manchester city centre, the opening date is still edging ever closer and we literally cannot wait.
The brand’s original home in Headingley has become internet-famous for its viral take on the legendary ‘Matilda cake’.
It’s unclear as to whether Get Baked have vacancies beyond Manchester but it’s still well worth expressing your interest if you don’t mind a job switch that revolves around sweet instead of savoury.
As for those who have unfortunately been let go by the long-standing burger joint, we sincerely hope that as many of them are snapped up by other local hospitality businesses as possible – and fast.
Almost Famous has been hit with a fair amount of criticism following the mass shutdown; reflecting on this and a raft of recent closures, one person wrote: “I feel sorry for the hospitality industry as a whole and Manchester. But not for AF if they treat their staff with such contempt!
A former employee added: “As a staff member who hasn’t received any direct communication from the business about the immediate redundancy of my contract and no payment of owed wages – the ‘top priority’ comment doesn’t exactly ring true.”
Daisy Jackson -
1st December 2023 
