Another month, another list of new Manchester restaurant and bar openings – and what a list it is.
Not only do we have the return this month of Manchester’s Christmas markets, which bring with it a host of exciting and varied food and drink stalls, we also have a host of new wine bars, bakeries, pasta restaurants and food halls to shout about.
Keep reading to discover where to put on your list this month.
The Manchester Christmas Markets, City Centre
Image: Panc Foods
Image: The Manc Eats
This month sees the return of the Manchester Christmas Markets and with it an array of food and drink stalls. Expect all the classics from the Bavarian Bratwurst, beer and Glühwein stalls, to the crepes and mini-pancake stalls to be there as usual.
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Old favourites the Pig and Barrel will be making a welcome return to the Winter Gardens offering up their delicious pork barms and cosy seating area with entertainment on most nights, whilst on King Street Habas, part of the El Gato Negro group, will bring its Middle eastern-inspired menu out into the streets.
Market newcomers Parmageddon will join a mouth-watering line-up of food and drink that also includes vegan bratwursts from Panc, plus cookie dough, Amsterdam Frites, and two bars serving a selection of international ales.
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There’ll also be appearances from the likes of Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, Great North Pie Co., and Porky Pig — a.k.a. the home of the famous Yorkshire pudding wrap.
10 November
Little Blonde Bakes, Ancoats
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Image: Little Blond Bakes
Image: Little Blond Bakes
Cupcake and bespoke cake bakery Little Blonde Bakes is opening its doors in Ancoats this month, taking over the former Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria kitchen with sweet treats like sticky toffee blondies with hot custard, school cake and Cadbury caramel cookie cubes.
November, TBC
Exhibition, Peter Street
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
New food hall Exhibition is set to open on Manchester’s Peter Street this month, adding three new kitchens and two new bars to the area’s already thriving food and drink scene.
Put together by the team behind the aperitivo and coffee bar Haunt, which opened in the same building last summer, the new opening Exhibition will bring together three of Manchester’s best chef operators inside the iconic St George’s House.
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11 November
Pastan, Cross Street
Image: Pastan
Image: Pastan
Pastan, a plant-based pasta kitchen that first began life in London’s Covent Garden in April 2021, is taking over the former Vertigo site on Cross Street this month.
The new restaurant will focus on simple, fresh pasta dishes, serving up the likes of fried gnocchi loaded with a choice of sauces including BBQ jackfruit, cheese, pepper or pomodoro, alongside time-tested Italian classics like cacio e pepe and carbonara at lunch.
Elsewhere, you’ll find cavatelli mac and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and crispy onions, plantshakes loaded with donut skewers, Lotus Biscoff mini doughnuts and scoops of ice cream.
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4 November
Loaf, Oxford Road
Image: Loaf
Image: Loaf
Whilst furloughed from his fashion retail job, Loaf founder Aiden Ryan started baking from home to raise money for the NHS to tackle PPE shortages and a lack of staff food on site. Now, he’s opened his own cafe on Oxford Road.
Here you’ll find a range of classic loaf cakes alongside loafnuts, Loaf Au Choc and Brioche Loaf served by the slice with your choice of toppings.
Open now
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Nonna’s, Deansgate Square
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Taking over the kitchen at The Green Lab from now until Christmas, at Nonna’s you’ll find mouthwatering pasta dishes infused with red wine, white wine and vodka.
Think: taleggio and pesto arancini, white wine gamberoni, red and white seafood linguine, truffle malfadine with wild mushrooms and parmesan, and rigatoni alla vodka, plus classic cocktails like espresso martinis and negronis.
Open now
Indian Affair, Chorlton
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A newcomer to the South Manchester neighbourhood of Chorlton, at Indian Affair you’ll find a selection of sumptuous small plates alongside dishes from the tandoor, biryanis and classic mains like butter chicken, lamb nihari and prawn masala.
Open now
Juicebox, Didsbury Village
Situated between Saints & Scholars and the former CAU restaurant, this new natural wine and craft beer shop and bar offers bottles and cans to drink in alongside a short list of snacks featuring tasty local produce.
Open now
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Gooey Cafe, Selfridges, Trafford Centre
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Manchester’s instagram famous, queue-round-the-block, bakery and café is heading to Trafford this Christmas opening a 30 seat Gooey Café within Selfridges.
The pop up will be home to the brand’s insta-famous warm, gooey cookies and sugar coated stuffed brioche donuts plus a selection of barista served coffees, soft drinks and boozy hot chocolates.
Open now
Project Halcyon, City Centre
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Image: Project Halcyon
Image: Project Halcyon
This speakeasy-style cocktail bar and arts venue was first opened before the pandemic by local craft gin distillers Zymogorium.
Following a lengthy closure, it has reopened in the refurbished 1800s red brick warehouse on the Old Granada Studios site, beneath the original Coronation Street cobbles.
Open now
Ewe Restaurant & Bar, Bolton
From the team behind Deansgate restaurant ‘Yours’, Ewe Restaurant & Bar is set to replace India Gate in Westhoughton.
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Opening later this month, the million-pound project has a capacity of 150 and will serve a modern, British and globally inspired menu using quality, local suppliers. It will feature a private dining room, garden room, open plan bar area, and baby grand piano.
18 November
Provence, Spinningfields
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Provence is a new independent wine bar that has opened in Spinningfields selling Manchester-made charcuterie and cheese boards, alongside a selection of carefully-chosen wines.
With a menu of nibbles like olive tapenade, bread and oil, olives, hummus and a handful of veggie small plates, alongside craft beers, soft drinks and a small cocktail list,, it’s well worth a visit.
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Open now
Rudy’s, Didsbury Village
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Rudy’s has opened a new site in Didsbury, taking over the old Mad Giant food hall which has lain empty since 2020.
Fulfilling its promise to lockdown launch more satellite restaurants in the suburbs, the smash hit pizza house is now serving its award-winning Neapolitan pies on Wilmslow Road.
Open now
Feature image – The Manc Eats / The Manc Eats / Supplied
Eats
Worsley-born wood-fired pizza brand set for sensational US expansion
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester food brand that started in the little village of Worsley is about to go international in a big way as local Leopard Pie pizza is set to take America by storm.
In one of the most major and exciting culinary success stories to come out of Salford in some time, perhaps ever, much-loved pizza Leopard Pie have quietly struck a deal to carry out a significant expansion into the US.
Not only does this mean the likelihood of there being more of their restaurants up and down in the UK but with multiple venues scheduled to open across the Atlantic, the brand could be at the start of an unbelievable global journey.
Come on, how often do you hear a Manc foodie name in the same sentence as the States?
Leopard Pie and their delicious wood-fired pizza are set to make their debut in the US. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Speaking exclusively to The Manc, Leopard Pie confirmed: “We’re proud to share that Leopard Pie is embarking on a major U.S. expansion with a multi-location deal over the next five years.
“This marks a defining moment in our journey as we introduce a bold new Leopard Pie identity to the American market—while staying true to the heart and spirit that has made our UK brand and locations so widely loved.
“This milestone represents the start of an extraordinary journey as we introduce the next evolution of Leopard Pie—one that amplifies everything that has made our brand beloved while bringing fresh energy and bold new design concepts to a global audience.”
Already working intensely behind the scenes on what they’re hailing as a “visionary new US restaurant concept” for their pizza empire that not only elevated the dining experience but will “set new standards in the fast-casual dining scene”.
They also detailed plans to set up a dedicated domestic base of operations across the pond which will include a world-class training and development hub “to ensure that every chef and operator joining our US family delivers excellence from day one.”
When it comes to Manchester food and drink brands that have blown up, you’d be hard-pressed to any that have gone from an idea that started as recently as 2015 and gained traction during lockdown to expanding within such a fast time frame, let alone on such a massive scale – not even Rudy’s.
The big news now put to one side, it won’t surprise you to learn that Leopard Pie has stated “This is just the beginning”, teasing that they plan to expand into several other key territories and keep building the brand as much as possible.
Owner Lee Chester told us that America always felt somewhat in the stars for the neighbourhood staple; “From the very beginning, Leopard Pie was built with global ambition— the word ‘Pie’ itself a subtle nod to our U.S. vision, a hint as to what was to come.
“I am incredibly proud to be leading the brand into this exciting new era, where my role will evolve to mentor and empower new entrepreneurs to achieve success under the Leopard Pie name.
“I believe wholeheartedly that Leopard Pie’s next chapter will be one of exponential success, built on passion, innovation, and leadership. For those who partner with us now, the potential is immense—and the journey promises to be unforgettable.”
The brand has remained 100% independently owned since day one, having turned down multiple investment offers to date, but is now embarking on what feels like an unprecedented chapter for a local restaurant as they open up to “select strategic partnerships and investments”.
While specifics regarding how quickly the move into America will get underway and just how many sites there will be are still being kept under wraps, more details will be released soon enough.
Lee summed up the next steps by adding: “I believe with absolute certainty that Leopard Pie is entering a decade of unparalleled growth and excitement. For those who choose to partner with us now, the rewards and the legacy we will create together will be remarkable.”
And last but not least, you don’t have to worry about a local joint that started in Worsley forgetting their roots – the Salford staple isn’t just one of the best pizza places in Manchester but their hometown story is what makes this so special.
For now, you’ll still find them serving up full wood-fired Neapolitan pies and slices over in Worsley and from their stall in Kargo MKT in Central Bay, so give it a try if you haven’t already.
Their Kargo MKT site in Salford Quays.It really is very good.Credit: The Manc Group
Bold new Mexican restaurant and bar OCASA to open in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A vibrant new Mexican restaurant and bar is set to open in Manchester, taking over part of Australasia’s long-standing Spinningfields site.
The former Sunset by Australasia bar and terrace will be transformed into a colourful new Mexican spot called OCASA.
The beautiful space, set to open in time for the Easter bank holiday, will be serving premium tequila, cocktails, and Mexican-inspired food.
The 80-seat sun terrace on The Avenue – just behind Australasia itself (which is currently closed for refurbishment) – will take inspiration from the shores of Tulum to the street food scene of Mexico City.
There’ll be music and entertainment including mariachi bands, ice-cold frozen margaritas, and tableside guacamole, plus BBQ tacos fresh off the grill, Sunday feasts, and loads more. .
In the kitchen will be executive chef Lucie Sainerova, formerly of the prestigious Novikov International, who’ll whip up a contemporary take on Mexican street food.
Lucie said: “We’re taking familiar flavours and elevating them in ways that surprise and excite. From our Dragon Salt Wagyu Tacos to the Lobster Thermidor Nachos, every dish tells a story. This is Mexican food like you’ve never seen before.”
Bold new Mexican restaurant and bar OCASA to open in Manchester
The interiors at OCASA have been designed by BAPPT, and feature textured rock walls, terracotta hues and jade green accents.
It’ll be a relaxed space by day, and a vibrant social hub with DJs, live music and more by night.
The terrace will also have two exclusive Bed Booths for private group dining.
OCASA will become the city’s ‘ultimate tequila destination’ with one of the country’s most extensive collections of premium spirits,.
Georgina Pellant -
1st November 2022 
