Eats
All of the Manchester city centre restaurants that are Buzzing To Be Back
The Manchester restaurant scene is alive and kicking again. Our city is #BuzzingToBeBack - and these are some of the venues you need to visit now that doors are reopen.
The Manc -
21st July 2020 
Door signs have spun back around. Pockets of furniture have reappeared on pavements. The air is thick with a thousand scents and sounds again.
Manchester is back.
The local restaurant scene has finally come out of its induced coma – and our city is once again starting to look and feel like the place we know and love.
Granted, a few things are a little different.
Capacity is lower. Vigilance is higher. Hand gel is everywhere. And many venues have sent their seating plan sprawling right through the doors onto the roads outside.
Not every local eatery has found a way to reopen, and the businesses that have returned realise they’re running a tightrope. Times are still very, very tough – which is why restaurants are uniting in a rallying cry: Don’t be a no-show.
Diners that didn’t turn up for reservations cost hospitality a staggering £16bn last year. That’s a huge financial blow at any time. But in the current climate, it could prove to be a death knell.
That’s why The Manc is right behind local restaurants on their #NOMORENOSHOWS campaign – and to show our support, we spent last week welcoming back some of our city’s iconic food & drink venues.
One thing is crystal clear: They are absolutely Buzzing To Be Back.
Now, you need to take your pick which of these reopened venues you’d like to visit.
The grills are fired up, the beer pumps are full, and the fridges are freshly-stocked.
Here are your choices – from A to Z.
Welcome back…
Albert’s Schloss
David Wilson / Flickr
A Bavarian beer hall, cook haus and bakery all rolled into one, Albert’s Schloss quickly erupted into one of Manchester’s most popular restaurants shortly after launching in 2015 and things have stayed that way ever since.
They’re back with a typically triumphant bang – serving many of their most popular pre-lockdown dishes with a defiant smile.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
All Star Lanes
All Star Lanes isn’t just about the bowling.
Oh, no.
This is the home of wings, steak, chicken, squid, tacos, buns and much, much more. They also do bottomless brunch.
The lanes themselves will reopen on August 1.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Allotment
Vegan? Look no further.
Allotment has reopened to start serving their fresh, engaging, locally-sourced, plant-based menu once again.
Every plate is meat and gluten-free. And delicious.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Almost Famous
Big burgers. Big flavour.
That’s Almost Famous in a nutshell.
Their Great Northern branch is back in action now – with a focus on the “OG” classics that helped propel the restaurant to such dizzy heights in the first instance.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Atlas Bar
Boasting one of the biggest selections of gins in the city, Atlas bar filled up fast on opening weekend and the bookings are still coming in as we speak.
If you fancy settling in for an evening of spirits and nibbles – this is your spot.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Barca
Barca has a habit of intercepting casual Castlefield strollers and convincing them to stay long into the evening.
That canalside view – couple with the big drink and food selection – is just irresistible.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Black Dog
A speakeasy-style ballroom venue specialising in American grub, Blackdog attracts the NQ crowd from midday to midnight.
There’s also a cracking cocktail menu – as well as a fine selection of beers, wines and spirits.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their twitter.
Black Milk
Missed proper sweet treats during lockdown?
Get down to Black Milk.
This modern dessert cafe whips up some of the finest desserts in the city – from ice cream sundaes through to thick shakes and pancakes.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Brotherhood
A stylish sports bar tucked away off St Albert’s Square, Brotherhood is a brilliant blend of British and American – serving a menu that contains both homemade artisan pies and classics from across the Atlantic.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Cane & Grain
A Thomas Street staple, Cain & Grain is a firm favourite of city centre denizens.
Many have already flocked indoors since the venue reopened – eager to tuck into some bar bites with a pint or tackle one of the bar’s famous Feastin’ Trays.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Cottonopolis
Where better to enjoy the freedom of lockdown than at a table in a beautiful listed building, nibbling away at sumptuous Japanese cuisine?
Cue Cottonpolis – a chic restaurant/bar just beyond Piccadilly with excellent food and a setting to match.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Crazy Pedro’s
A bonkers bar with equally outrageous recipes, Crazy Pedro’s has a cult following that just keeps growing.
They kept feeding the public with takeaway during lockdown and now both of their sites are reopen for dining – with extra seats outdoors.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Edinburgh Castle
An esteemed member of the Cutting Room Square community, Edinburgh Castle is a classy and cosy kind of place where the worries of the outside world simply melt away.
They’ve got a long list of whiskeys, wines and beers on tap – as well as a menu packed with progressive, imaginative dishes.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Federal
Federal has proven so popular they’ve had to branch out. Now, the popular cafe has two spots in town – one in Deansgate and another in Northern Quarter.
Both are open for walk-ins only; serving breakfast, all day brunch, lunch options, coffee and cocktails.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Fress
This award-winning Oldham Street restaurant reopened as recently as 10 July – and fans were delighted to hear that their banging bottomless brunch is back, too.
They also do a delightful lunch menu – with 2-4-1 cocktail offers available.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Hard Rock Cafe
Live music is on pause, but you can still revel in rhythmic nostalgia at Hard Rock Cafe.
The Printworks branch has returned and reintroduced its American-style menu – featuring burgers, Smokehouse specialties and salads.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
HerdNQ
Mancs started shuffling into HerdNQ like obedient cattle when the venue first opened in February, but the excitement was put on hold a little over a month later.
Thankfully, they’ve reopened in the ‘new normal’ – so you haven’t missed your chance to sample some of the most sumptuous cuts of meat in the city.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Lock 91
Perched on the end of Deansgate Locks – away from the flashing lights of the canal strip – is the blissful Lock 91.
If you fancy a cocktail, gin, or teapot sharer with a water view, this lovely little venue is a strong shout.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Native Ducie St Warehouse
Part cafe, part restaurant, the Ducie St Warehouse eatery has a little bit of everything – serving big old breakfast butties shortly after sun-up and pies and pastries in the afternoon.
They’ve also got an expansive beer, wine and soft drink selection, depending on what mood you might be in.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Oast House
Roasts, house boards and hanging kebabs in the sunshine?
It could only be Oast House.
The Spinningfields favourite is welcoming back customers right now – with a long old wine list and ale inventory at the ready.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Peru Perdu
This Peruvian-inspired popup restaurant at The Cotton Factory was getting some serious hype before lockdown – and after a long break they’re now ready to offer Mancs a true South American dining experience.
Think steaks, wine, ceviche and cocktails. Bliss.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Ply
Situated on the corner of Stevenson Square, PLY is an open-plan eatery that attracts big crowds for its seriously good pizza and beer selection.
There’s also a wider menu of cocktails and small plates if you’re feeling extra peckish.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Quarter House
When the sun comes out, Brits shout: Bring on the barbecues.
If you’re looking to up the stakes, Quarter House has the whole shebang – wings, burgers, tacos, dogs, and dirty fries.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Rudy’s
No introduction required here.
Rudy’s has found itself on lists of the top ten restaurants in Europe before now, so it should come as no surprise that there’s insane excitement surrounding their return.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Six by Nico
Six By Nico delighted customers with their lockdown offering – packaging up their themed menus and sending out plates to reheat at home.
But now, you can return to their restaurant and take your tastebuds on a trip to a particular part of the world.
To kick off, they’re focusing on home comforts with the Chippie 2.0: Which contains chips & cheese, scampi, steak pie, fish supper, smoked sausage and a deep fried mars bar.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Tast
Fancy some fine dining? Want to really spoil yourself?
Take a trip to Tast.
This Catalans restaurant has lamb, pork and fish all on the menu – along with a selection of cheeses, wines and breads.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
The Bay Horse Tavern
Bay Horse Tavern occupies a spot along the spine of Northern Quarter, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and top-notch Sunday Roasts.
They’ve also got a massive drinks menu – swelling with spirits, keg beers, wines, bottles and cans.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
The Mitre Hotel
The magnificent Mitre Hotel sits in a particularly scenic part of the city – tucked away at the base of the Manchester Cathedral.
Their restaurant has now reopened and there’s all sorts of intriguing options to try – from Seafood Baskets to Tear and Share Flatbreads for Two.
Light bites include sandwiches and wraps, whilst the mains menu features the Mitre burger, veggie curry, salads and fish & chips.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Turtle Bay
Rum, reggae and jerk restaurant Turtle Bay encourages customers to “step off the world, relax and live a little”.
We all need a bit of that right now. And at this Caribbean eatery, you can kick back extra hard with seafood, soul food, west Indian curry and cocktails.
Yes, please.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Velvet
An all-day dining venue that offers as much comfort as its name suggests, Velvet specialises in British and Mediterranean influenced food – balancing relaxation with style.
All-day signatures include white fish tacos with salsa, grass-fed beef steaks, and deep fried gnocchi.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Vermilion
A little further afield on Hulme Hall Lane is Vermillion – an elegant restaurant that serves an intriguing “Asian Fusion.”
Thai, Seafood and Indian dishes are all available, including stir fried chicken, Deshi lamb, Tandoori mixed grill and Dal Tarka.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Viet Shack
Offering Vietnamese street grub with a kick; Viet Shack has acquired quite a following of foodies in Manchester.
Their supersized menu features a wide range of stir fry dishes, burgers, special fries, summer salads and noodle soups – so if you turn up ravenous you can mix and match.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
Wood
The flagship restaurant for MasterChef winner Simon Wood, this First Street venue has à la carte, theatre and tasting menus – accompanied by “expertly chosen wine.”
Five, seven or ten course options are available, depending on how much you want to push the boat out.
It’s been a while, after all. If there was ever a time to treat yourself – it’s now.
Discover more and book a table by visiting their website.
