The new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this month | March 2023
From vegan sushi with 'mock meat' to new ramen spots, a gorgeous bistro in Marple and the relocation of longstanding favourite Vnam, there's loads going on this month.
This March, once again we’ve got some absolutely cracking new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester to shout about.
From a new street food stall serving delicious Brazilian curries inside Manchester Arndale Market, to a relocation for longstanding favourite Vnam into the old VRev site, there’s lots to get excited about – as ever.
Add to that a new cocktail bar in Chorlton, the return of vegan sushi favourite CB Sushi to Ancoats General Store and a gorgeous-looking bistro over in Marple, and we’re sure your tummy will be rumbling in no time.
Keep reading to discover where to put on your list this month.
Vnam
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Image: Vnam
Image: Vnam
First established in 2010, Vnam claims to be Manchester’s first ever Vietnamese restaurant. It’s certainly made its mark on the city these past thirteen years, originally operating as a street food stall inside the Arndale market before opening a bricks and mortar site in Ancoats on Oldham Road.
Now, the restaurant is relocating into the heart of the Northern Quarter. This Sunday, it will open the doors to its new home – tranforming what was once VRev, Manchester’s original vegan junk food spot, into a haven of aromatic pho, summer rolls and spicy seared meats.
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5 March
97
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Brought to Chorlton’s bustling Beech Road by the team behind Tariff and Dale and The Lead Station, new cocktail bar 97 is offering up some absolutely quality drinks in a fun format – each displayed on Top Trumps cards.
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The drinks menu, crafted by Chorlton native Ellie Craddick, features plenty of homemade shrubs, tinctures and syrups. Made up of 25 drinks in total, discover a mixture of signature cocktails and classics with a 97 ‘spin’ such as a double-shaked whiskey sour that uses wild mushrooms for added funk.
Officially opening on 10 March, the new bar will also serve a list of exceptional wines and craft beers alongside light nibbles.
10 March
A Little Piece of Bahia
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
A Little Piece of Bahia is a new Brazilian street food stall in the Arndale market that is bringing authentic regional curries to the city centre for the very first time.
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We’re talking plantain curry, carne de sol, feijoada and bobo de camarao, acaraje and more, all made using high quality ingredients (its owners tell us that they never use water in their curries, only coconut milk).
A business with a rich family heritage, Little Piece of Bagia first began in 1989 and is now making its way to Manchester 34 years later.
Open now
CB Sushi
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Vegan sushi spot CB Sushi is popping up inside Ancoats General Store (AGS) once again this month, slinging out tiny Japanese-style Katso sandos and a variety of sushi rolls filled with ‘mock meat’.
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At AGS throughout March, here you’ll find a variety of colourful sushi rolls filled with the likes of hoisin ‘duck’, vegan ‘pork’, ‘beef’ and katsu ‘chicken’.
Packed with flavour, the CB Sushi hoisin ‘duck’ rolls are packed with pulled ‘duck’ meat, cucumber and spring onion, then topped with hoisin glaze and a delightful onion crunch.
A new pan-Asian eatery and bar is opening inside the Great Northern Warehouse at the end of this month, however those who are really keen can order an early taste via Deliveroo.
Serving up bao, dumplings and steaming bowls of ramen noodles alongside fun cocktails and a selection of craft beer, Suki Suki is already bringing bags of flavour to this quarter of the city – we can’t wait to see how the restaurant looks.
Live on Deliveroo now, restaurant opening end of March.
Fold Bistro
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Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Newly opened in Marple is Fold Bistro, a gorgeous little eatery and bottle shop serving up biodynamic wines and cocktails alongside some beautiful small plates.
Serving a menu of delicious British seasonal sharing plates, with multi-cultural influences and a touch of North West nostalgia running throughout, think Chip Shop Croquettes with monkfish and champagne curry sauce and Earl of Stonham Wagyu Tartare with IPA Pickles.
Developed by Executive Chef, Ryan Stafford, and Head Chef, Craig Sherrington, each dish on the menu uses responsibly sourced ingredients and local quality suppliers where possible.
2 March
Maki & Ramen
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Image: Maki and Ramen
Image: Maki and Ramen
For a long time, Manchester suffered a shortage of ramen shops. Not any more. Yes, we’ve just said goodbye to late night fusion spot CBRB *sigh* but we’ve still got some absolute bangers in town – not least Tokyo Ramen and New Wave Ramen.
Now, we’ve got another on its way. First opened in 2015 by Teddy Lee, a former chef who studied at a sushi academy in Tokyo, restaurant chain Maki and Ramen will open its doors to its first northern branch on New York Street this month.
That said, it’s not all ramen. As the name suggests, you’ll also find a lot of sushi here with maki being something of a speciality.
TBC
The Waltzing Matilda
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Image: The Waltzing Matilda
Image: The Waltzing Matilda
Not entirely new, but back after a period of closure, the popular wood-fired pizzeria on a canal boat The Waltzing Matilda will return this month after a refurbishment.
Dropping anchor at Tramway Wharf in Marple from 11 March, fans can once again find all of their Neapolitan pizza favourites alongside hot coffee and bakes. Sounds like a perfect stop off for a weekend walk, if you ask us.
Artisan chocolate cafe Knoops is opening in Manchester this month, bringing a huge range of chocolate milkshakes, iced chocolate, hot chocolates and mochas with it.
The London brand will open its first northern store later in Manchester city centre, taking over a vacant unit on the corner of Cross Street and South King Street close to the Town Hall.
Offering twenty different styles of hot chocolate and six styles of rich and creamy chocolate milkshakes, on the menu sweet tooths will find a huge range of different percentage chocolates to choose from.
TBC
Eat Like A Greek
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Good news for the people of Monton this month, who will soon welcome a new Greek eatery to their neighbourhood.
Having made a name for itself on the street food scene, Eat Like A Greek is set to bring its famous gyros to Monton alongside a range of mezze and loaded chips, opening inside the former Wok Brothers unit next to Blacksticks on the High Street.
TBC
Feature image – The Manc Eats / Vnam / The Manc Eats
Eats
Lavish Spanish restaurant backed by Pep Guardiola announces shock closure
Daisy Jackson
Tast, the luxury Spanish restaurant in Manchester that was launched with the backing of Pep Guardiola, has announced its sudden closure.
The beautiful restaurant in King Street, led by acclaimed executive chef Paco Pérez, said that it’s taken the ‘difficult decision’ to close the doors for the ‘very last time’ this week.
Tast opened back in the summer of 2018, taking over the site that was previously home to restaurants like Quill and Suri.
It had a much better run of things than those previous occupiers, thanks to its menu of Catalan-style rice dishes and traditional but refined tapas.
Sadly, Tast Cuina Catalana has now decided that it’s reached the end of the road, and will be closing its doors for good on Saturday 20 December.
They cited a number of factors leading to the closure, including ‘exceptionally challenging trading conditions’ and ‘increased costs’, stressing that the restaurant’s ‘shareholders and the dedication of our team’ have seen the restaurant through the last seven years.
Tast wrote in a statement: “We are proud to have been able to share some of Catalunya, our beloved country, with the people of Manchester.
Tast will close for good on 20 DecemberTast on King Street launched in 2018 with backing from Pep Guardiola
“Between now and our final service on 20 December, we look forward to welcoming you and celebrating what Tast has always been about: great food, great people and memorable moments shared around the table.”
Other restaurant owners in Manchester have been sharing their messages of support with Tast, including Beeswing, who wrote: “This is so sad to read. Such lovely food and thoughtful service — a real reflection of how hard things are for hospitality right now. Manchester will miss you.”
Mary-Ellen McTague, the renowned chef at Pip, said: “Really sad news! Sorry to hear it.”
Tasts’s full statement reads: “After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Tast’s doors for the very last time on 20 December 2025.
“Tast has been built on the passion, talent and commitment of an exceptional team, and we want to begin by thanking every single person who has worked with us over the years. Your creativity, care and professionalism have been the heart of Tast.
“To our loyal customers: thank you for choosing to dine with us, celebrate with us and support us. Your belief in Tast has kept us alive for seven years and it has been a privilege to welcome you through our doors.
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our suppliers, producers and partners. Your quality, reliability and collaboration have played a vital role in shaping what Tast stands for.
“Like many in the hospitality sector, we have faced exceptionally challenging trading conditions and increased costs. But the unwavering support of our shareholders and the dedication of our team have seen us through these past seven years.
“Above all, we are proud to have been able to share some of Catalunya, our beloved country, with the people of Manchester.
“Between now and our final service on 20 December, we look forward to welcoming you and celebrating what Tast has always been about: great food, great people and memorable moments shared around the table.
“Thank you for being part of our journey. With gratitude, Tast Team.”
Anyone with vouchers to dine at Tast will be automatically refunded if they can’t be spent in the next few days.
Tast will officially close on Saturday 20 December.
Inside Mollie’s Motel and Diner in Manchester as beautiful new hotel opens with rooms from just £109
Daisy Jackson
Mollie’s Motel & Diner has arrived in Manchester, with beautiful hotel rooms from just £109 plus a retro diner serving American classics.
The space has taken over five floors of the iconic Old Granada Studios down at St John’s, with interior design that celebrates the building’s history.
Mid-century modern details like dark woods, textured upholstery, and retro lamps abound in this stylish new opening for Manchester.
Soho House Design has worked on the build of Mollie’s Motel to preserve the modernist facade of Old Granada Studios and make playful nods to the building’s vibrant history.
This is particularly obvious downstairs in Studio IV, a cocktail bar with a live music stage, where vintage TVs have been inserted over the bar and guests sink into plush couches for pre-dinner drinks.
You can already check out Mollie’s Diner, which is open now (with a decent discount for its launch – more on that below), with the Mollie’s Motel bedrooms set to launch early 2026.
The hotel rooms at Mollie’s Motel Manchester
A bunk room at Mollie’s Motel ManchesterA Mollie’s Motel suiteAnd a tub with a viewThe bedrooms are all beautifully designed
Hotel rooms at Mollie’s Manchester start from an incredibly reasonable £109, with different size and spec bedrooms and suites for guests.
There are cosy bunk rooms where up to four guests can tuck into their own bunk pods, suites that have their own Peleton room, and cosy double bedrooms with gorgeous views of the southern side of the city.
Regardless of the level (or price) of your chosen room, you’ll have the same design detailing (dark wood panelling, terrazzo and aged brass finishes), plus rainshowers, a super king bed, Dyson hairdryers, GHD straighteners and Cowshed toiletries.
Mollie’s Diner in Manchester
Mollie’s Diner is open nowBreakfast dishes at Mollie’s DinerBurgers and fried chicken at Mollie’s DinerClassic thick milkshakes
The diner space itself looks like it’s been lifted straight out of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with deep burgundy leather banquettes, counter seating, and globe pendant lights.
It’s all been inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac, and has space to 110 diners plus private dining for 30.
As for food and drink, you can expect everything from waffles and French toast to huge burgers and steaks, with thick milkshakes to wash it down.
You can get 50% off food if you book Mollie’s Diner HERE.
The rest of the spaces in Mollie’s Motel & Diner, Manchester
Studio IV cocktail barStudio IV cocktail barThe library snug
As you enter this reimagined building, you’re plunged straight into its design-led vision, with couches and cosy corners everywhere.
The communal reception space has a library snug, coffee counter, and beautiful bar, but you head downstairs you’ll find the real treat – Studio IV.
This beautiful bar is built around a magnificent central bar, with retro TV screens above it and scalloped leather bar stools surrounding it.
There’s a mid-century-era stage, too, which will host live entertainment to a crowd gathered on couches before it.
You can get 25% off signature cocktails in Studio IV if you pre-book HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd March 2023 
