A new Japanese matcha dessert house has opened in Manchester city centre at the new Circle Square development.
Called Tsujiri, it has moved into Manchester’s newest neighbourhood on Oxford Road. It is the second opening in the city for the brand, which is already established in London and abroad.
When Tsjuri opened its first location here in Chinatown mid-pandemic, it saw foodies flock to its basement shop for a taste of its bright-green matcha basque cheesecakes, ice cream and lattes.
Now, it is expanding with a second underground cafe ten minutes’ walk down the road. Situated under Vita Living North, here you’ll find an array of different Japanese desserts alongside its various bright and colourful teas.
Soft serve matcha ice cream is just one of the tea-based desserts on offer. / Image: Tsujiri
A chef whiskes matcha. / Image: Tsujiri
Focusing on a traditional Japanese dessert menu, including sundaes built using matcha-flavoured ice creams, all matcha used in Tsujiri’s desserts is sourced directly from Japan.
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The company, first born in Kyoto in 1860, is over 150 years old, and still uses the same matcha from its Japanese hometown across its restaurants today.
This vibrant green matcha can be found within most of the new cafe’s menu such as its soft serves, teas and cakes. It is also selling bags of matcha that can be enjoyed at home.
The health benefits of matcha are widely celebrated, from its antioxidants called catechins, which are said to be the key to anti-ageing, to a high amount of substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Consuming matcha daily is also thought to be good for your mental health, with researchers saying that the natural compounds in matcha act on natural serotonin and dopamine systems in the brain. Like we needed another reason to go and get that bright green cheesecake.
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Speaking on the new opening, Nicholas Moo, Co-Owner of Tsujiri said: “We are excited to open our second site in Manchester, we love the Japanese dessert culture and it is becoming an increasingly popular offering across the city, so can’t wait to welcome people in to try it out.
“The location at Circle Square is perfect, because not only does it have a thriving community with its residents and office workers but it is situated very close to the University, meaning the site has a naturally high footfall and we cant wait for people to come in and try it.”
The new Tsujiri site is open now at Circle Square from 12-9.30pm seven days a week.
Food & Drink
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Manchester’s tackiest Christmas bar is returning for the first time in three years
Daisy Jackson
One of the most popular Christmas bars in Manchester is making a grand return after a three-year hiatus – and when we describe it as ‘tacky’, we mean that as the highest compliment.
Miracle on Cross Street is a pop-up festive bar that always used to use wrapping paper as wallpaper and cover every inch of the space in some sort of tinsel, bauble, or novelty celebrity portrait.
It was last seen in the city in 2023, but has announced a grand return for this winter, promising a more ‘refined experience’.
Guests can expect twinkling lights, festive spirit, and plenty of seasons greetings, tucked away beneath Salt Dog Slims on Cross Street.
The space will be packed with festive decor and seasonal drinks, plus plenty of nostalgic Christmas touches.
Tickets will be priced at £20 per person, which will get you a festive drink on arrival and a Christmas goody bag to take home, as well as complimentary mince pies and Quality Street during your visit.
You’ll also be sent on your way with a scratch card, which will reveal surprises and rewards (like free shots and hot dogs, or a chance to win £500) to enjoy upstairs in Salt Dog Slims.
Miracle on Cross Street will also offer a glimpse of what is to come from MDNT, the late-night bar usually found beneath Salt Dog Slims, ahead of its return in the new year.
Miracle on Cross Street, a Christmas bar in Manchester, is returning. Credit: The Manc Group
Michael Wood, Head of Bar Operations for Miracle on Cross Street said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Miracle on Cross Street back to Manchester.
“It has been three years since we last opened the doors and, while guests can expect the same sense of fun, escapism and Christmas spirit, we’ve refined the experience and added some special new touches for 2026.
“Christmas in Manchester is always brilliant, and we want Miracle on Cross Street to be somewhere people can step away from the busy city, enjoy a festive drink and completely immerse themselves in the magic of the season.
“Whether it’s a Christmas catch-up, date night or festive celebration with friends, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
The Miracle on Cross Street Christmas bar will return to Manchester on Thursday 19 November, and will be open seven days a week until 23 December. Bookings are now live HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2022 
