The new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this month | December 2023
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.
Read on for our picks of the best new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester in December.
One Eight Six, Deansgate
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.
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…”
186 Deansgate, M3 3WB | Opens 8 December
Linden Stores, Knutsford
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
Fairfield Social Club, Green Quarter
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.
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.
6-12 Swan St, Wilmslow SK9 1HE | Open now
Fondue at The Refuge, Oxford Street
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.
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.
The Refuge, Oxford St, M60 7HA | Open now
Parla Bar, Northern Quarter
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.
Sounds like our kind of place, to be honest…
Basement, 75-77 High St, M4 1FS | Opening 14 December
Hold Fast, 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.
50 Newton St, M1 2EA | Opening 1 December
Sides, Manchester Arndale
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.
Halle Place, Manchester Arndale, M4 3AD | Open now
Blank Street Coffee, Piccadilly Gardens
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.
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.
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