It’s been a long time coming, but non-essential retail, gyms, hairdressers, and a raft of other venues are welcoming customers back through their doors, and crucially for the city’s foodies, of course, this means that pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can reopen for outdoor service only for the first time in three months.
Eager to get back to business, many venues began taking bookings for reopening once the roadmap was first announced.
Others have instead opted for a walk-in service only however, which is great news for those who didn’t plan ahead of time, so don’t worry if you didn’t manage to bag a booking at your favourite local hangout, Manchester city centre is filled with places that are still serving.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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The Alchemist
Spinningfields
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The Alchemist in Spinningfields has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Almost Famous
Northern Quarter
Almost Famous in the Northern Quarter has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
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Alvarium
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter’s vegan-friendly kitchen and bar Alvarium has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Atlas Bar
Deansgate
Situated in the railway arches of Deansgate, Atlas Bar – which has been a Manchester icon for two decades – has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Bay Horse Tavern
Northern Quarter
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Popular Northern Quarter hangout Bay Horse Tavern has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins on a first-come-first-served basis until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Black Milk
Northern Quarter
Those with a sweet tooth will be glad to hear that Black Milk has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Birria Brothers Tacos
Northern Quarter
Based at popular eatery The Koffee Pot in the Northern Quarter for the foreseeable, Birria Brothers Tacos has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on Instagram here.
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Bunny Jacksons
First Street
Bunny Jacksons has recently expanded its outdoor seating area in preparation for reopening, and has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only from this week. You can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
While bookings are still being taken, this vibrant neighbourhood eatery in the heart of Ancoats has still made the decision to hold back a number of tables for walk-ins, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
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The Crown & Kettle
Ancoats
This popular Ancoats pub has been teasing brand new heated and covered terraces at both the front and back on social media in recent weeks, and has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Cane and Grain
Northern Quarter
Another one of the Northern Quarter’s most popular hangouts, Cane and Grain has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins on a first-come-first-served basis, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
This much-loved breakfast and brunch spot on the edge of the Northern Quarter has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Ciaoooo Pizzeria
Northern Quarter
One of Manchester’s most beloved Neapolitan pizzerias, Caiooo, has made the decision to continue with its popular takeaway service and only reopen for walk-ins as and when the weather allows.
You can find menus, opening times and more information on Instagram here.
Common
Northern Quarter
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After a successful summer and pizza takeaway service throughout lockdown, Common has made the decision to reopen its popular Northern Quarter site for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Corn Exchange
The following eateries are reopening for walk-ins in the Corn Exchange, and you can find menus, opening times and more information for each place on the website here:
Banyan
The Cosy Club
Salvi’s
Zizzi
Vapiano
Dehli House Cafe
Crown and Anchor
Northern Quarter
On the corner of Port Street and Tib Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Crown and Anchor has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins at its newly-refurbished outdoor seating area.
You can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
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Cutting Room Square
The following pubs, bars and restaurants are reopening for walk-ins at Anocats’ popular Cutting Room Square, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website for each place.
Jane Eyre
Canto
Nam
Elnecot
Second City
Dukes 92
Castlefield
Only taking reservations for its covered areas, Castlefield’s finest Dukes 92 has made the decision to leave the rest of its large outdoor seating area for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Ducie Street Warehouse
Northern Quarter
A brand new “all day dining and drinking” outdoor terrace is opening up at Ducie Street Warehouse this week, and while bookings are being taken, walk-in service is also expected, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
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You can also find more information about some of the events happening here.
Edinburgh Castle
Ancoats
To continue to serve the residents of Ancoats with “exceptional food and drink”, Edinburgh Castle has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Feel Good Club
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter’s mental health and wellness cafe has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins at its new outdoor seating area from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
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Hatch
Oxford Road
Award-winning food, drink and retail destination, Hatch, may already be booked up, but has kept 50% of its tables back for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Impossible MCR
Great Northern
While Impossible is currently booked up at the weekends for the foreseeable, there is still availability for walk-ins during the week and potentially on Sunday, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Hatch MCRThe Oast House
The Lawn Club
Spinningfields
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After expanding its outdoor seating area ahead of reopening, The Lawn Club has made the decision to allow walk-ins from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Oast House
Spinningfields
Undoubtedly one of Spinningfields’ most-sought-after sun traps, The Oast House has held a portion of its tables back for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Port Street Beer House
Northern Quarter
With only a handful of outdoor tables available, the popular Port Street Beer House has made the decision to keep them for walk-ins only from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
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Rudy’s
Peter Street & Ancoats
If it’s traditional Neapolitan pizza you’re after, Rudy’s has held back 50% of its tables at both the Peter Street and Ancoats restaurants for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
SEVEN BRO7HERS
Middlewood Locks & Ancoats
SEVEN BRO7HERS in both Middlewood Locks and Ancoats are reopening for walk-ins from this week, with tables available daily, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Siop Shop
Northern Quarter
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Serving up coffee, doughnuts and more, Siop Shop has made the decision to offer a collection of outdoor tables for walk-ins only on a first-come-first-served basis from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Shambles Square
The Old Wellington & Sinclair’s Oyster Bar
Two of Manchester city centre’s most historic and popular pubs, both the outdoor seating areas at The Old Wellington and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar are reopening for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Shack Bar & Grill
Northern Quarter
The Shack Bar & Grill has a brand new outdoor seating area at its High Street site, and is keeping tables free for walk-ins every weekend, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Tampopo
Corn Exchange & Albert Square
Tampopo has opened up new outdoor seating areas at both the Corn Exchange and Albert Square sites, with tables free for walk-in throughout the week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Trove
Ancoats
Popular Ancoats cafe Trove has also opened up a new outdoor seating area and will be accepting walk-ins throughout the week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Wharf
Castlefield
Another one of Castlefield’s most popular pubs with a large outdoor seating area, The Wharf has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Beloved Northern Quarter bar and restaurant Wolf At The Door has confirmed it will be opening for walk-ins only from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Yard & Coop
Northern Quarter
Alongside bookings, popular chicken restaurant Yard & Coop has held back 50% of tables at its Northern Quarter site for walk-ins from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
YES
Charles Street
YES Manchester has made the decision to hold all tables back and reopen for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
20 Stories
Spinningfields
20 Stories has been taking bookings ahead of reopening, but has also made the decision to hold tables back for walk-in services at its cocktail terrace from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Food & Drink
The best picky bits and Christmas party food in M&S this year
Daisy Jackson
Can some scientist please explain why us Brits have such a compulsion to roll out the picky bits and party food (ESPECIALLY if it comes from M&S) as soon as there’s a vague sense of occasion?
Birthday party? Picky bits. BBQ season? Picky bits. Had a long day at work and can’t decide what to have for tea but definitely don’t want a Pot Noodle? Picky bits.
And when Christmas or New Year’s Eve rolls around, the urge to consume random little morsels of food intensifies.
Whether it’s British classics squashed down into tiny portions and jammed on a buffet table or fancy little appetisers you hand around a party, we just can’t get enough.
Which is why we’ve raided the shelves at M&S once again to bring you all the best picky bits and party food available for Christmas 2024.
As for prices, the more premium M&S Collection party food items are generally priced at £7.50, with the more standard range coming in at £5.50 each, and all available on a four-for-three offer.
And yes, you might end up spending an obscene amount of money on miniature food items that won’t do a single thing to quell an appetite, but my gosh, won’t you feel like a prim and proper princess when you slide those teeny weeny fish and chips in front of your guests.
Let’s begin.
Brits abroad
M&S party food 2024 – chicken shawarma and Middle Eastern flatbreadsM&S party food 2024 – patatas bravas stacks
M&S might be the most staunchly British institution of modern times, but us Brits also love nothing more than to lift the culinary expertise of other countries onto our own plates.
And this year is no exception – M&S has whipped up a whole host of party food inspired by international favourites.
From little potato stacks that pay homage to everyone’s favourite tapas dish, patatas bravas, to tiny chicken shawarma kebabs to Middle Eastern Flatbreads, if you want a little spice on your Christmas buffet, they’ve got it.
Well aren’t you a fancy pants?!
‘Ooooh, someone’s doing well’ comes the chorus of praise as you hand around your mini prawn thermidor (these tiny gold trays even have a cheddar cheese crumb on top).
‘Wow, that must’ve been a good Christmas bonus’ they say as they accept a mini coquille St Jacques, complete with extra-small shell.
If upper middle class was a nibble, it would probably look like these guys.
Little Britain
Mini scampi and chips, and miniature pies at M&SMini Yorkshire puddings and cheese and ham scones from M&S party food range
Imagine all your classic British dishes, pub food, Sunday dinners, comfort meals cooked by your mum – you picturing them? Okay, now imagine them again but really, really small.
Now you’ve got a good idea of the items in our next M&S party food category.
There are mini Yorkshire puddings filled with slow-cooked beef, red wine and mushroom jus, and a garlic and herb crumb.
There are neat little cheddar and ham scones, miniature pies filled with beef and ale or chicken and leek, and even picky bit-sized scampi and chips portions, complete with newspaper wrapping. Cute!
The classics
M&S prawn selectionM&S pigs in blankets and halloumi in blanketsM&S Smoked salmon appetisers
These are not just buffet food items, these are M&S buffet food items, and that means they come with a bit of pizzazz.
Yes, there are pigs in blankets, but there are also halloumi pigs in blankets (which they weirdly haven’t made vegetarian) served with a hot honey drizzle.
We love a battered prawn on a party food selection and M&S has done a selection of tiger prawn nibbles – prawn baguette toasts, prawn and coconut bites, and prawn and potato lattice balls. The word prawn is starting to look weird.
There are also smoked salmon appetisers, where smoked salmon strips are rolled around a honey roast salmon mousse. Hope ya like very small fish!
I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the M&S party food is discussed, because I’m pretty sure no one around that boardroom table is telling them ‘No, Arabella, that’s a silly idea’. Arabella does what she wants.
This year, she’s heard all the ‘girl dinner’ trends and gone ‘WE SHOULD MAKE A CHRISTMAS DIP’ – the result is a turkey feast dip topped with shredded turkey and bacon, cranberry sauce, cranberries and a stuffing crumb. WHY, ARABELLA?!
They’ve also brought back the novelty-shaped bao, this year in two festive shapes – penguins and polar bears.
And of course you can still get miniature steak sandwiches and I don’t know why that makes me so uncomfortable, but it does.
A very yeehaw Christmas
M&S Mini beef burgersBuffalo chicken croquettes and New York deli spring rolls at M&S
Giddy up, cowboy, it’s time for the rootin’-tootin’ M&S party food show!
Everyone’s favourite fancy supermarket has gone stateside this year, drawing inspiration from the healthiest of nations… America.
There are Buffalo chicken croquettes, served with an extra Buffalo sauce dip, mini beef burgers (always the hardest thing to eat), and, weirdly, spring rolls inspired by a New York deli?
They’ve shoved salt beef and sauerkraut into a spring roll and then served it with a mustard and gherkin dip. You do you, M&S.
Now you’re just showing off
M&S party food 2024 – the charcuter-tree. Credit: The Manc Group
You’re presenting your charcuterie on a flat board? Peasant.
Real fancy people present their cured meat and cheese selection in the shape of a Christmas tree (obviously) and M&S have got a build-you-own kit available for £25.
An extra shout-out to the security-locked Serrano ham joint, which came with its own block and knife, for another statuesque meat buffet option.
10 of the best new bars and restaurants to open in Greater Manchester in 2024
Daisy Jackson
Another year has ticked by and once again, Greater Manchester has proven itself as a global heavyweight when it comes to new bars and restaurants.
As the city expands ever-further, with new neighbourhoods springing up like daisies, there’s been a flurry of new openings across the city region.
From the small teams painstakingly hand-rolling pasta or laminating croissants to much larger ventures flinging out sunny brunch dishes or slabs of meat, there’s been something to excite just about every palate in 2024.
With so many new spots to check out, you’re bound to have missed a few – so we’ve pulled together our 10 favourites to add to your visit list in 2025.
Cacio e pepe pasta. Credit: The Manc GroupSoup and a steak sandwich. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Paris hot chocolate. Credit: The Manc Group
In smaller Greater Manchester towns, new openings don’t come along every day – which might be why Cafe Continental caused such a stir initially when it launched in Stalybridge.
But as the months have ticked on this neighbourhood restaurant has proved that it’s far from a flash in the pan.
It looks like it’s been plucked from a pretty Parisian back street and has a menu that will stand the test of time, from a cacio e pepe pasta with an egg yolk on top to spicy twice-fried chicken buns and steak sandwiches.
That’s alongside excellent cocktails and one of the internet’s most viral sweet treats, a proper Paris hot chocolate, where you dollop thick cream into dainty cups of molten hot chocolate.
Blacklock’s cocktail trolley which roams their new Manchester restaurants. Credit: The Manc GroupBlacklock’s all-in platter outside their new Manchester restaurant. Credit: The Manc Group
Easily up there with the biggest openings in 2025 is Blacklock, which ventured out of its native London for the first time this year and landed in a basement unit on Peter Street.
Here, it’s all about the meat-heavy menu of reasonably-priced British classics, affordable cocktails, and its legendary white chocolate cheesecake scooped straight from the dish and dolloped onto your plate.
Blacklock is a modern take on a traditional chop house and proudly offers ‘hearty fare and rowdy comfort’.
A menu highlight is their all-in platter, where chops are piled high on charcoal-grilled flatbread which soaks up the meat juices. Delicious.
Pasta and pizzetta dishes at Onda in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Surely one of the greatest success stories in recent years, Onda has gone from a humble kitchen within Exhibition food hall, to a resident at New Cross in Ancoats, to its very own shiny restaurant at Circle Square in the blink of an eye.
From this massive new space, you can watch a team of chefs carefully making fresh pasta in the open kitchen, and glimpse their now-viral tiramisu drawer in action.
Even six months down the line, it’s damn-near impossible to book a table here, with people still waiting months to sample their delicious pastas, including fan favourites like nduja and vodka sauce, cacio e pepe bucatini, and a selection of thick-crusted pizzettas.
The tiramisu might have sent their popularity sky-high, but the quality and prices here prove that it deserves every bit of success coming its way. This place is not a novelty.
Rudy’s, Prestwich and Altrincham
Rudy’s in Altrincham. Credit: The Manc GroupRudy’s Prestwich. Credit: The Manc GroupRudy’s opened two new restaurants in Greater Manchester this year
Some might think that Rudy’s is getting a little big for its boots, now with 29 restaurants across the UK – properly impressive growth considering they were just a tiny pizzeria in Ancoats less than a decade ago.
But these top-quality Neapolitan-style pizzas are the stuff of legend for good reason and are pulling in big crowds in every suburb they land in.
This year alone they’ve launched new restaurants in Altrincham and another in Prestwich, the latter of which has gone into a vacant bank building on the high street of the Greater Manchester suburb.
Will anything ever stop these guys in their tracks? Doubt it…
Medlock Canteen, Deansgate Square
Fresh baguettes stuffed with rotisserie chicken straight out of the oven. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Medlock Canteen. Credit: The Manc Group
Bottomless coffee, rotisserie chicken, epic sandwiches, schnitzels, and big brekkies, all served in a delightfully mid-century modern interior – we were excited for Medlock Canteen before the doors even opened.
Moving into the skyscraper neighbourhood of Deansgate Square, this place comes from the same team behind Madre (the Mexican restaurant at Kampus) and Belzan (one of Liverpool’s top restaurants).
It’s had a few rave national reviews and pulls in a steady crowd, thanks in part to its proximity to Club de Padel. Going straight from court to cocktails is a pretty dreamy Manchester evening.
They’ll even let you order a portion of whatever the staff dinner is that night for a tenner.
Companio, Northern Quarter
Companio Bakery in the Northern QuarterMaritozzi from Companio BakeryCredit: The Manc Group
It’s always been one of Manchester’s best bakeries, but its original location on the very edges of Ancoats sort of kept it a bit too out of the way.
So when Companio announced a new spot in the heart of the Northern Quarter, bringing its loaves and pastries that little bit closer, the city centre rejoiced.
On the menu you’ll find sandwiches in freshly-baked bread, maritozzi bursting at the seams with cream, delicious coffee, seasonal bakes and loads more, in a gorgeous new cafe on an NQ back street.
You can even pull up a seat right next to the bakery so you can sit and watch loaves being lovingly shaped and baked right in front of you – now that’s my kind of show.
Hive Stores, Altrincham
Hive Stores in Altrincham, Greater Manchester
It’s not every day that Greater Manchester gets a new business quite as beautiful as the bar at Hive Stores, which is filled with gorgeous antique furniture, a general store, and a cafe.
The business had previously operated as an antiques store from a ramshackle building out the back – but when this roadside space came up next door, they snapped it up and transformed it into a timeless, character-packed community cafe and bar.
You can pick up some eggs and have an espresso martini at the same time, tuck into a cheese board and a few glasses of wine, grab a Half Dozen Other pastry, or sit on the pavement with a spritz and people-watch.
It’s operated by Steven Sherratt and Gareth Wilkins and you’re guaranteed a warm welcome every time. A must-visit.
Dishes at Stow are seasonal and cooked over open fire. Credit: The Manc GroupStow in Manchester
This is the newest spot on the list, and if you’ve not already jumped on the bandwagon it’s one to add to your list for 2025.
What sets Stow apart from the rest is its innovative cooking style – no ovens, no conventional appliances, just fire and grill. Everything on the menu – even their bread and cake – is cooked over open fire.
They’ve totally transformed the space on Bridge Street too, which has at various points over the last few years been a futuristic coffee shop, a Thai BBQ restaurant, and a wine bar.
Stow is owned and operated by Matt Nellany and Jamie Pickles from Trof, who want to celebrate the ‘simplicity of great ingredients cooked over open fire with very little faff’.
Cheese and kimchi on toast at Caravan in Manchester
It would be quicker to list what Caravan doesn’t serve than what it does, but every single thing on their all-day menu is executed to the highest degree.
From brunches to sourdough pizzas, coffee to cocktails, grain bowls to brioche puddings, the menu harks from sunny New Zealand (as do its three co-founders).
Caravan is a wildly popular name down in London and finally landed here in Manchester in the summer, with a massive new 170-capacity restaurant and a full working roastery.
Menu highlights include jalapeño cornbread with chilli butter, Korean-style buttermilk fried chicken with kimchi pancakes, and, of course, fry-ups.
RamenShop, Northern Quarter
Ramenshop in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc Group
Alright this one technically isn’t a new opening, rather a rebrand – but something about that shiny new sign above the door made us fall back in love with RamenShop (formerly Tokyo Ramen) all over again.
The team who run the show here – Janven, Marc and Mark – have actually been given partial ownership of the restaurant, which is a lovely bit of positive hospitality news for a change, isn’t it?
Their concise menu sees 12-hour chicken broth bases piled high with perfect noodles, proteins and jammy eggs, including their best-selling ‘fire’ ramen, topped with crunchy koji-fried chicken, and the classic shoyu that’s topped with torched pork belly.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd April 2021 
