You don’t get an opening like this very often – Manchester’s newest opening, Zadie’s, has windows that look straight onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium.
The glamorous new restaurant is promising Japanese-Italian dishes, theatrical cocktails, and late-night entertainment, right at the heart of the Etihad Campus.
Zadie’s will officially open at Medlock Square on Wednesday 23 September, bringing a new 258-cover restaurant and bar to the rapidly developing destination next to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
The restaurant was first revealed earlier this year as the flagship venue at Medlock Square, with a team of heavyweight names from the hospitality world behind it.
Now, ahead of opening night, we’ve been given a first look at what diners can expect from Zadie’s – from the food and cocktails to the art-filled interiors.
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Sat high above Medlock Square, Zadie’s has been designed as a glamorous, high-energy destination with panoramic views stretching towards the South Pennines as well as across the pitch far below.
Inside, deep and luxurious banquette seating surrounds a striking central bar, while the walls feature a collection of work from some of the UK’s emerging and breakthrough artists, curated with Manchester artist and curator Meg Saoirse Williams.
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The beautiful central bar at Zadie’s in ManchesterThe view from Zadie’s into the Etihad StadiumSeats in the restaurant look right onto the pitch
At launch, the collection will feature work by Fern O’Carolan, Danny Davidson, Pat Flynn, Jamie Holman, Sondra Meszaros, Trackie McLeod, Magdalena Wysocka, Claudio Pogo, Shaun Peckham, James Tailor, Alistair Woods, Matthew Wood and Williams herself.
At the heart of Zadie’s is a menu inspired by the Japanese tradition of Itameshi – a style of cooking that brings Japanese ingredients and flavours together with Italian techniques and presentation.
Head chef Paulo Bianchi has worked with some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry, including Zuma, Alain Ducasse, and Lucky Cat, as well as at Les Grandes Alpes in Courchevel 1850.
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His menu is designed to balance familiar luxury with more unexpected combinations, with dishes ranging from caviar, lobster, veal tonnato and Bluefin tuna to nashi pear, yuzu koshu and calamansi.
Among the highlights on the opening menu is burrata with nashi pear compote, basil oil and bubu arare, while the tortelloni cacio e pepe comes with white soy burro bianco, furikake and chives.
Inside Zadie’s in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
There’s also a Japanese-leaning take on the Italian classic veal tonnato, served with bonito dressing, garlic chives and toasted panko.
For something more substantial, diners can order roast lobster, available as either a half or whole lobster, with a choice of tomato ponzu or yuzu kosho.
And then there is Zadie’s signature beef sharer – a hefty 1.3kg British Wagyu tomahawk served with roast potatoes, sesame glaze, chives, mushroom ponzu and chimichurri sauces.
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The drinks menu has been developed by award-winning Head of Bars Cressida Lawlor, with the same playful approach applied to the cocktails.
Expect a Purple Old Fashioned, made with Maker’s Mark bourbon washed with taro butter before being sweetened with ube and vanilla syrup and finished with bitters; a Pandan Grasshopper with pandan, coconut milk, and more; and the Champagne Problem, with plum wine, champagne, yuzu and jasmine cordial.
Zadie’s officially opens on Wednesday 23 September at 5pm.
The Peak District walk with amazing views, a cosy cafe, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Get as far as Emma’s Sett Valley Cafe and stop for an early break – indulgent hot chocolates, great bakes, and a decent amount of brunch dishes beneath colourful festoon lighting.
Emma’s Sett Valley Cafe. Credit: The Manc Group
Once you’re fuelled, head slightly back on yourself to skirt Birch Vale Reservoir, cross the River Sett, and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and down the other side, walking along the edge of Hey Wood and across fields full of friendly cows, past Little Hayfield and back into the main village of Hayfield.
Views from the Sett Valley trailSummiting Lantern PikePretty views near Little Hayfield
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in recent years.
Famed for its seasonal, locally-sourced menu, at this time of year you can expect hearty post-hike lunches like sharing pies, Manchester eggs, and incredible Sunday roasts.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
Sharing pie at The Pack Horse in HayfieldThe Pack Horse in HayfieldTheir famous Manchester egg
You can see a map of the circular walking route at AllTrails HERE.
A festival dedicated to cheese is coming to Manchester next week
Daisy Jackson
A cheese festival will be launching in Manchester next week, where you can samples cheese, eat cheesy specials from food vendors, and drink some great beers too.
The newly-announced Cheese Fest, which plans to be an annual festival, will bring together eight different cheesemakers, top local food traders, and a beloved Manchester brewery.
And what would cheese be without pickles? Holly Pickles, who runs Pickle Fest and Track’s Pickle Club, will be on hand with the perfect accompaniments.
Cheese Fest has been set up by The Crafty Cheeseman, and all for a very good cause, raising money to support the vital work of The Christie.
Jonathan Pearcey, aka The Crafty Cheeseman himself, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer back in 2024, and has been receiving treatment at The Christie.
It’s not the first time he’s set up a fundraiser for the charity, but he’s hoping that Cheese Fest will grow bigger and bigger every year, with vendors all donating a portion of their takings to The Christie Charity.
As well as having the chance to sample, buy, and learn about different cheeses from eight producers, you can feast on cheese toasties from Fred’s, and pizzas from Slice Culture.
The event will be taking place next weekend at Track Brewery’s home near Manchester Piccadilly – so you’ll also have some of the city’s best beers on hand to pair with your cheese.
Jonathan said: “Okay, so, huge news. We are launching, in collaboration with the beautiful Track Brewery, a cheese festival in Manchester.
Slice Culture will have pizza specials for the Cheese FestivalTrack Brewery will host Cheese Fest
“Now as far as I’m aware there’s not been one before, or not for a long time, it’s something that I’ve been desperate to do, Track Brewery are the most wonderful people to be doing it with.
“We are doing it on the 22nd November, it’ll be 12 til 5, there’ll be cheese producers there to talk to you about the cheese, you’ll be able to taste their cheese, and more importantly, buy their cheese.
“There’ll be food vendors there doing awesome cheese specials, we will also have obviously all the extra bits you need with cheese – there’ll be someone doing pickles, there’ll be bread. You know, this is about celebrating the wonderful thing that is cheese.”
He added: “The biggest part of this for me is that we are doing it in collaboration with The Christie Charity. As a lot of you know, the journey I’m going through it’s The Christie who treats me, I’ve done previous things to raise money for charity and Track have been amazing getting behind me with this.
“I think it’s super important to try and support places like The Christie as much as we can, which is why all the vendors will be donating a portion of what we take to The Christie.”
Announcing the event online, The Crafty Cheeseman posted: “Please come down and support this cheesy event as where else can you eat and buy cheese whilst donating to charity.”
Cheese Fest will take place at Track Brewery on Sunday 22 November, from 12pm until 5pm.
Daisy Jackson -
11th September 2026 
