The eye-catching “Instagrammable” pink restaurant that popped up in the heart of the city centre last summer is to move into a permanent home in Spinningfields.
Having successfully launched its first restaurant in Birmingham in early 2020, 202 Kitchen appeared as a pop-up in a vacant plot on Bridge Street last August – November, filling the space with pink blooms, neon signs, and a life-size Barbie box, as well as several photo backdrops – and now, after “testing the concept” and outgrowing the space, the brand has secured a large permanent site nearby to launch a flagship restaurant and bar.
The vibrant interiors of 202 Kitchen quickly made it a favourite of social media savvy millennials and the launch of the new venue will take their concept to a new level.
The owners have committed to investing £1 million into the new space.
The Manc Group
Situated on Leftbank in the heart of Spinningfields, the huge 7000 sq ft venue will overlook the River Irwell and provide 200 covers to give guests the option to enjoy outdoor waterside cocktails, or the iconic lavish pink surroundings.
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The Manchester site – which will be formed by knocking together the two restaurant spaces previously occupied by Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Zizzi to create a huge new venue – will now become 202 Kitchen’s flagship hub, after the brand’s former home on Bridge Street has now been taken over by Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lystra Adams, who has launched her Boujee concept in the site.
The new 202 Kitchen will create over 100 hospitality jobs in the process and bring with it “deliciously indulgent food”, an atmosphere like no other, and an enclosed outdoor area designed for all weathers, set against the backdrop it’s become most known for.
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The menu will showcase “colourful cultural foods”, such as mac’n’cheese, waffles, fried chicken, burgers, grilled seafood, and more.
The Manc Group
Speaking ahead of the opening of 202 Kitchen, the brand’s Directors Leon Beckford, Panikos Myrritis and John Sambo, said: “We are looking to move out of lockdown by making significant moves and the future looks bright for 202 Kitchen.
“Having successfully tested our concept in two cities during a difficult year for the hospitality sector, we are now perfectly placed to expand our operations, starting with Manchester.
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“We can’t wait to reveal our plans for the fit out.”
202 Kitchen is set to open its doors at the end of June, and you can register for priority reservations via the website here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Food & Drink
Manchester’s first banana pudding bar has opened in the city centre
Clementine Hall
Make sure to save room for pudding…because one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands has found a new home.
Buttercup launched last summer, creating little pots of the hit US dessert made famous by the iconic Magnolia Bakery.
Each dessert features vanilla custard whipped with cream, soft sponge, and fresh banana, which you can then customise with rotating flavours and toppings.
And after a brief disappearance from the Manchester foodie scene, Buttercup is back with a bang with their beautiful new home on Deansgate.
Images: The Manc Group
And when we say beautiful, we really mean it.
Glossy burgundy tiles, butter yellow walls and sleek chrome furniture make up the space beneath the huge arched window, and there’s even a few seats for you to enjoy your pud and watch the world go by.
Open daily from 10am til 10pm, the menu includes three puddings on rotation ready to scoop.
Images: The Manc Group
Choose from the classic banana, indulgent tiramisu and an ever-changing seasonal special, alongside a wall of toppings for you to customise your own pud.
Each recipe has been perfected in-house and the proof really is in the banana pudding…because it tastes just as good as it looks.
Since launching, Buttercup has served around 50,000 puddings, hosted sell-out pop-ups across the city, collaborated with some huge brands, and built a loyal following around its signature build-your-own pudding bar.
Image: The Manc Group
With this new standalone space, you’ll of course be able to indulge in its signature banana pudding, as well as breakfast yoghurt bowls, coffee and matcha.
Officially opening tomorrow Saturday 26 September, the first 50 customers will get a free topping and sauce with the purchase of any pudding, plus a free lip gloss from Manchester-born beauty brand REFY.
‘Remember to support genuine independents’ – Manchester’s rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe announces closure
Emily Sergeant
Rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe has called final orders on its time at popular city centre hangout, Side Street.
Serving some of the best rotisserie chicken in Manchester – ‘sexy chicken’, if you will – Tartuffe first landed at Side Street inside the ABC Building back in the later summer of 2024, and quickly became known and loved by critics and customers alike for not just their rotisserie options, but also their stylish bar snacks and standout sides.
But despite being a roaring success these past two years, Tartuffe took to social media this week to announce the end of the ‘longest pop-up ever’, with its final service being tomorrow (25 September).
Tartuffe will be leaving Side Street this Friday / Credit: The Manc Group
Announcing its closure on Instagram, Tartuffe wrote: “That’s right, our time at Side Street has come to an end and our final service here is this Friday.
“It’s been an incredible two and a half years cooking for the wonderful people of Manchester and we’re hugely thankful to everyone who’s been to see us whilst we’ve been here.
“Another big thanks to the staff at Side Street who we’ve loved working with. We’ve made some great friends and worked with some absolutely brilliant people.
Emily Sergeant -
27th April 2021 
