What a year it’s been for hospitality. The pandemic has not been kind to Manchester’s restaurant and bar industry, and yet, a number of operators have not just survived but thrived this year – bringing some fantastic new additions to the city’s dining scene.
Some places on this list were conceived through lockdown; others were in the back of people’s minds for years but it wasn’t until they were put onto furlough that they finally had the opportunity (and time) to make them a reality.
The great thing about this year, however, is that the domination of the takeaway format has given opportunities to some brilliant new openings that would never have got the chance to launch if they were opening in ‘normal’ conditions.
We’re so proud of how Manchester’s restaurant scene has flourished in the most difficult of times. Keep reading to discover our picks of the best new openings to land in Manchester this year.
Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
Five-layer lasagnas from one of the city’s best-known bartenders? It was always going to be a winner.
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Danny ‘Keko’ Smith launched his Lazy Tony’s concept mid lockdown promising numerous flavours of lasagne plus Italian-inspired sides and sweets – all painstakingly made from scratch.
This year saw him open not one but two sit-down spots as well as keeping collections running from his Radium street dark kitchen. Now he’s on the hunt for a new space.
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Kong’s Chicken Shop
Image: Lucas Smith Photo
Former CBRB bar manager Tom Potts introduced Manchester to his hench chicken sandwiches via pop-up Kong’s Chicken Shop this year – and we haven’t looked back since trying his extra game-changing layer of fried chicken skin, or chicken ‘crackling’.
Kong’s has also now launched a side project, Meat and Three, which is proving just as popular with Manchester foodies.
Launched first as a pop-up at neighbouring haunt Pollen before moving into its own unit on the Ancoats Marina, Flawd comes from the team behind Higher Ground and uses organic, local produce – some of which they’ve even grown themselves at their market garden in Cheshire.
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Think inventive small plates, created by Joseph Otway, and a staggeringly good selection of craft beers and natural wines.
BadaBing
Image: BadaBing
The home of the two-fisted hoagie, BadaBagin first made headlines with its soprano-inspired sandwiches during lockdown – but has stayed the course thanks to an ability to actually deliver the goods.
One of Manchester’s biggest lockdown success stories, they began slinging sandwiches out of a hatch on Back Piccadilly but can now be found at Ancoats General Store.
10 Tib Lane
Image: 10 Tib Lane
Bock Biere Cafe was one of the earliest hospitality casualties to suffer at the start of the pandemic, so when the news finally broke that the former fondue favourite was being replaced with a new concept from the teams behind CBRB and Henry C it was very well received indeed.
Now known as 10 Tib Lane, the three-story townhouse has had quite a transformation – migrating from Belgium to France as it takes on a whole new team and cultural identity.
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Gone are the fondue platters and frothy beers, in their place a new menu of small plates designed by Volta’s Alex Shaw and some serious-sounding cocktails. Think milk-washed ‘whiskey and soda’ made with two types of Chivas, burnt caramel vanilla and citric acid.
Mixing classic pub grub with some fancier fare too, this old Salford boozer has been magnificently brought back to life. From its stunning outdoor terrace to cosy interiors, it’s not cheap – but you get what you pay for.
Schofield’s Bar and Atomeca
Image: Schofield’s Bar
Bury’s infamous Schofield brothers opened not one but two great bars in Manchester this year. First came Schofield’s Bar, opening inside landmark Mancunian boozer The Old Grapes, followed later by Atomeca on Deansgate Square.
Both new openings bring the brothers’ extensive experience of global hospitality to Manchester with some inventive but serious serves that are a far cry from the ‘party drinks’ seen in some quarters nowadays.
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Ramona and The Firehouse
Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
This year, Ramona has to be one of the biggest openings to land in the city. In transforming a disused garage in Ancoats into a super cool Detroit-style pizza spot, the team behind Trof, Gorilla and Albert Hall have really out done themselves we think it’s fair to say.
Not content with that, though, they also opened The Firehouse – bringing a whole new offering to the space and somehow making a desolate patch on Swan street one of the coolest new destinations of 2021.
Vegan Shack
Image: Vegan Shack
Coming from humble beginnings cooking in a flat kitchen in 2019, to opening a new plant-based kitchen on Piccadilly Gardens, Vegan Shack has to be one of 2021’s biggest indie success stories.
Dimeji and Saffron have come a long way from spending their last £30 on food for their dark kitchen concept, now their loaded fries, kebab creations, wraps, shakes and more can be found right in the centre of town.
Potion
Image: Potion
The owner of Affleck’s zero waste store, Earth Friendly Rocker, opened a new zero-waste cafe at the top of the NQ market hall this summer serving a menu focused on northern classics.
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Aiming to be as sustainable as the shop that proceeds it, Potion uses locally-sourced ingredients to minimise its carbon footprint and has plenty of vegan dishes on the menu.
One Star Doner Bar
Image: One Star Doner Bar
Michelin starred Brummy chef Brad Carter, behind restaurant Carters of Moseley, launched his kebab shop in lockdown – taking meat from his existing suppliers and repurposing them into fancy doners.
It’s since also landed in Manchester, at Escape to Freight Island – bringing some top-shelf doner tackle to the city.
Herbivorous
Image: Herbivorous
Having started life in a remodeled horsebox and remained mobile for years, vegan street food favourite Herbivorous finally launched its first bricks and mortar site in Withington in 2021.
Serving up wings, burgers, loaded fries and more, its owners even went one step further – sourcing an entirely vegan list of spirits, wines and beers from local suppliers to boot.
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Bread Flower
Image: Bread Flower
Combining homemade sourdough bagels and schmears with hand-tied bouquets of flowers, Bread Flower’s unique brunch concept was a quite hit in lockdown.
Its owners have since moved into KAMPUS, opening their own pop-up cafe in the bungalow over the festive period.
Pixel Bar
Image: Pixel Bar
First launched in Leeds two years ago in a basement on George Street, Pixel Bar has a fully themed drinks menu inspired by games like Pokemon and Super Mario.
Think 18 different gaming-themed cocktails, plus consoles, arcade games, high-spec PCs, and a downstairs club room playing early 00s pop-punk until the early hours on the weekends.
Bundobust
Image: Bundobust
Following some delays caused by the pandemic, Bundobust opened its second restaurant and brewhouse on Oxford road this year – and boy, is she a beauty.
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Kitted out with all the equipment you could possibly need to create top-notch craft beer, the new restaurant means Bundobust can now produce its own bespoke range as well as serving up all its vegetarian street food favourites.
Slice
Image: Slice
Slice had to get a shout out for its Phoenix-like return to Manchester after disappearing from Stevenson Square (and our lives) for the best part of two years. It’s technically not a restaurant anymore, more of a hatch down at Oxford Road station with a few tables outside.
That said, if the headlines are to be believed, this may well be the definition of a restaurant come the start of 2022.
Birria Brothers Tacos
Image: Birria Brothers Tacos
A roaring success, this concept by the Koffee Pot absolutely smashed it out of the park this year – causing queues to run up and down Oldham Street as Mancunians jostled in line to get their hands on these infamous gravy tacos.
Once again, the Birria craze proved that Mancs really will do anything for a good pot of gravy.
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American Pies
Image: American Pies
Deep dish Chicago pies were something that Manchester’s restaurant scene was sorely lacking – until American Pies came along.
Opened this year by the team behind Brewski, they went viral this year with their giant pizza burrito – and we expect many more good things to come in 2022.
Lazy Sundae
Image: Lazy Sundae
This adorable little icecream and waffle shop in the Northern Quarter has provided a firm favourite, even through the winter months.
Alongside the classic serves, you’ll also find the likes of Bingsoo, a Korean shaved ice dessert, on the menu here alongside bubble teas, vegan sorbets and more.
Junior Jacksons
Image: Junior Jacksons
The little brother to its main site on First Street, Junior Jacksons was one of the biggest bar opening to land in Manchester this year – serving burger sliders down to guests through a shoot and bringing all the raucous, dive bar antics its big brother is known for down to Oldham street.
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Lost Cat
Image: Lost Cat
Slightly hidden behind a florist shop, Lost Cat probably hasn’t got all the recognition it deserves this year – but it’s a great new bar addition to Manchester nonetheless.
Previously Eat New York, the site was rebranded following new involvement from Cane and Grain owner Lyndon Higginson and now slings cocktails and sandwiches across three floors.
The Smithfield Social
Image: The Smithfield Social
Taking over the former Teacup unit with great fanfare, thanks to the involvement of Courteeners’ Liam Fray.
Opened in partnership with Manchester hospitality heavyweights Jobe Ferguson and Anthony Fielden, it’s developed a reputation for its weekly ‘rice and three’ curry nights and small plates, such as the Massimo Bottura-inspired crunchy lasagne dish.
The Blues Kitchen
Image: The Blues Kitchen
A big London beast arrived in Manchester this year, taking over the former Walkabout site with banging plates of BBQ and a roster of impressive music lineups that have showcased a host of local Mancunian talent this year.
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Not just a great restaurant and bar addition, The Blues Kitchen also deserves a shout out as one of Manchester’s best new music venues.
Jimmy’s
Image: Jimmy’s
After being kicked out of their Northern Quarter home, Jimmy’s spent some time looking for a new unit – and this year they finally opened over in Ancoats on Cutting Room square.
Bringing a succulent new menu along with it, this new opening is a great addition to Manchester’s dining scene – and that’s without talking about all the great underground gigs they host here too.
Habas
Image: Habas
Opened by chef Simon Shaw, Habas is the third concept he has launched in Manchester. Less than six months after opening, the new middle eastern small plates concept joint the likes of his other restaurants, El Gato Negro and Canto, on the Michelin Guide. Need we say any more?
District
Image: District
This Bangkok-inspired BBQ restaurant brands itself as Thai new wave fusion, and serves not just a menu but an ‘experience’. Not the place to pop into for a quick bite, here you’re served a choice of one of two menus – My First Crush (£40) or The Full Experience (£65).
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Opened by the team behind Tokyo Ramen, it brings a futuristic vision of Bangkok’s fire- and- barbecue-lined streets to Manchester.
BOX
Image: BOX
The giant sports bar that came over from Leeds, BOX deserves a shout-out for the sheer size of the place – plus the fact you can get espresso and pornstar martinis here on tap.
As well as screening all the big sports fixtures, BOX also serves some giant 2l sharer cocktails in steins, beer towers during matches, and is well known for its pizzas, many of which come with wacky toppings.
Boujee
Image: Boujee
The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lystra opened three pink palaces in the region this year, one in Manchester, one in Liverpool and one in Cheshire. Whilst Boujee may have made headlines for its 1-star hygiene rating and be considered amongst some to be a bit of a pink eyesore, its Barbie box Instagram traps have made it exceedingly popular with the city’s glitterati crowd.
Eats
12 new openings to still look forward to this year in Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
We may be halfway through the year already, but the second half of 2026 is shaping up nicely with some huge new openings still to come.
There are reborn pubs, glitzy new restaurants, giant street food venues, and even a bookshop/wine bar hybrid.
On the list of new openings coming to Greater Manchester this year, you’ll spot a fair few familiar names from the region, some total newcomers, and some big businesses from elsewhere in the UK.
And these new openings span everywhere from Stockport to the city centre, and from the Etihad Campus to… well, a secret location we actually don’t know yet.
Here are a dozen things to look forward to this year.
12 new openings coming to Manchester in 2026
1. Prologue, Stockport – opening this summer
A huge new bookshop, cafe and wine bar is opening in Stockport
Could you imagine a better afternoon than buying a new book and then reading the first few chapters with a glass of wine? Me neither, which is why you’re going to LOVE this Stockport newcomer.
Prologue will be a bookshop, cafe, and wine bar, from the same team behind Bramhall’s award-winning independent bookshop Simply Books.
It’s set right in amongst the new Weir Mill development from Capital&Centric, and will be hosting all sorts of writing workshops, book clubs, live music and other events.
2. Zadie’s, Etihad Campus – opening this autumn
Manchester City’s £300m Medlock Square development is shaping up to be something impressive, with a new Man City museum experience in the works along with The Medlock Hotel.
And now there’s major restaurant news to look forward to at the new entertainment complex too, with the arrival of Zadie’s.
Zadie’s will be an intimate and glamorous pan-Asian restaurant, offering high-end dining, cocktails which ‘border on the chaotic’, and late-night entertainment.
3. Manchester Street Food, Piccadilly – opening this summer
Inside the new Manchester food hall opening in a Grade II-listed building
It’s all gone a bit suspiciously quiet over at Ducie Street Warehouse, where the Grade II-listed building is being transformed into an enormous food hall concept.
It’s tipped to open this summer still, and will be home to 11 kitchens plus an outdoor terrace, mini cinema, tequila bar, and game rooms.
Manchester Street Food will also have a self-service beer tap wall and two stages, with space for 450 people inside plus another 180 on the south-facing terrace outside.
The Shamrock, an iconic old pub in Ancoats, is set to reopen under a new name this year after a major £2m refurbishment.
Set to relaunch as The Spinner’s Rest, the 200-year-old pub will be operated by the family-run Joseph Holt Brewery.
There’ll be space for a truck or cart to run an independent food operation for the pub, plus one of the few beer gardens in the neighbourhood.
They promise that while the refurb will be ‘extensive’, the historic charm of the pub will be preserved.
5. Gardens Lounge, Salford – open now
Gardens Lounge in Salford is open now
This one caught a lot of eyes for the wrong reason at first – it decided to house a live Macaw, beautiful Rio, in the middle of the restaurant in a glass box.
But now Rio is gone, and it’s time for us all to pay attention to what’s going on beyond the birdcage.
Gardens Lounge is a new Mediterranean restaurant and shisha lounge, right on the banks of the River Irwell.
With beautiful interiors, and huge windows overlooking the water, it’s a stunning new addition to the Salford/Manchester border.
Beloved Manchester street food OGs GRUB are bringing their signature events programme and award-winning chefs to a new location this summer – a car park.
Plans are in place for GRUB to take over a space in the heart of Stretford, filling it with independent street food traders, family-friendly experiences, and more.
It’s set to be an 18 month residency that will host everything from neighbourhood socials and town fairs to match day warm ups and beer festivals – including the World Cup this summer.
By day the 300 capacity venue will be home to a bakery, coffee shop and popup bottle store before transforming into a larger-scale evening destination.
7. Locker, NOMA – opening this autumn
New Century to open new 450-capacity gig venue, Locker, in Manchester
Following the whispers of New Century’s ‘new chapter’ earlier this year, the venue is now introducing a 450-capacity, intimate live music space called ‘Locker,’.
Opening this autumn, the venue is set to host a wide range of genres from rock, jazz and hip-hop to electronic music, alongside one central food concept.
This new gig venue has vowed to showcase some quality emerging talent from Manchester and further afield, creating opportunities for artists and providing amazing live performances at an affordable price.
And their existing bar is there to stay, alongside the spectacular outdoor seating area which will remain capturing the sunlight just right in these summer months, as well as there being plenty of exciting plans in place for us over summer, including screenings for the World Cup and much more.
8. Ad Maiora – very secretive
Everyone’s favourite homemade focaccia sandwich spot Ad Maiora is expanding to a new location here in Manchester. Aren’t we lucky!
In case you’ve been living under a rock – Ad Maiora serves up huge traditional Tuscan schiacciata bread, packed out with premium Italian ingredients to create beloved butties like the Nonna, the Colosseo alongside crisp Sardinian beers to quench your thirst.
This shop has well and truly won the heart of Manchester. So much so, we’re getting another – Daniela and Enrico have teased a second location is on the way soon.
While we haven’t been told much more just yet, it’s fair to say 2026 is looking up, and we’re so happy to see a (quite literally) homegrown business like this doing so well. Make sure you pay them a visit.
9. Forbici, Trafford Centre – opening this summer
Forbici is opening at the Trafford Centre
One of the North’s fastest rising foodie names is set to expand yet again.
Rooted in Naples, formed in Manchester, then making its debut in Sheffield earlier this year, Forbici have just announced yet another location, this time at the Trafford Centre.
After being dubbed some of the ‘best pizza I’ve ever had’ by Marco Pierre White, these stone-baked showstoppers will soon be available to all of you shopaholics.
Whether you’re in desperate need of some energy mid-way through a spending spree, you need a pick-me-up after breaking the bank or you make the trip for the food alone, you won’t be disappointed.
10. Bruncho, Northern Quarter – opening June
A glimpse inside Bruncho Northern Quarter
One of the city’s favourite brunch spots, Bruncho, is getting closer to opening its second site in the Northern Quarter this June.
Since launching in Deansgate, Bruncho has soared in popularity with people queuing down the road to secure a table. Like many, we’re hoping that this new location will alleviate some of the waiting and allow everyone to get their hands on some of the best breakfast food in town.
The team have now confirmed that their new venue will have a salad bar, vegetarian buffet and even coffee raves with DJs at select hours.
We just can’t wait to see it.
11. The Nest and Sister Moon, Deansgate – opening this summer
A glimpse at Sister Moon, the new sky-high restaurant opening in Manchester
When one rooftop restaurant closes, another opens. Only a day after Climat announced its closure, we were treated with news of a brand-new sky-high spot opening this summer.
Sister Moon will be the latest project from acclaimed chef Sam Grainger, who’ll be opening a Southeast Asian BBQ concept, boasting bold sharing dishes made with the freshest produce in a relaxed setting way up above the city on the 14th floor – now that’s what we call food with a view.
Not only that, there will also be a brand new bar – The Nest – which is set to be a private rooftop lounge on the uppermost floors of the Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
12. The Abbey – open now
One of Manchester’s beloved historic pubs, The Abbey, is opening its very own 100-capacity live music venue, facilitating a brand new space for grassroots artists and emerging talent, right in the heart of Hulme.
This iconic pub has forever been a cornerstone here since the 1890s, with a stunning 19th-century bar that is set to remain at the heart of the venue, alongside lots of exciting changes and not just one, but two beer gardens to choose from.
On the taps, you’ll find their own house pilsner, alongside beers from Manchester’s Blackjack Brewery and with Pieminister as their in-house kitchen, you can now grab an unreal pie and a pint for £9.99.
A traditional pub, new music, outdoor seating and top notch pies whilst you’re there – what more can you ask for?
Five genuinely cheap eats and great value-for-money lunch deals in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
A daily dilemma for us seems to be deciding what to have for dinner (you heard), especially as we’re all trying to save more pennies nowadays, but luckily, Manchester does have some great lunch deals if you look hard enough.
You just need to know where, and in some cases, exactly when to find them…
That’s where we come in; we’re not talking about anything close to a tenner either, as that’s more of a monthly treat and few can feasibly afford to spend that kind of money on scran every day.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best and ACTUALLY cheap lunchtime deals and offers in Manchester city centre.
Five of the best lunch offers in central Manchester
1. Vanilla Fudge – Bridge Street
Up first is an old favourite of ours that doesn’t seem to have changed over the years, no matter how much the cost of living crisis continues to linger. We’ll be honest, we first tried this place after a night out in Mojos next door way back when, but we’ve been coming ever since we saw the specials board.
It may look like one of many standard Manc butty shops/kebab houses when the sun sets, but for our money, Vanilla Fudge still has one of the best lunch deals in Manchester to this day: TWO big, well-packed wraps ‘of the day’, complete with protein, plenty of salad and your choice of sauce for just £5.50.
You’ll always find a few in the know on their break.We always hope to see Cajun chicken as the special. You can add cheese for an extra quid, or chips and a drink for £8.50. Bosh. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
2. Zaytoni – Multiple
Any cheap eat in Manchester that starts from under a fiver in this day and age is a winner in our books, and with Zaytoni, you can get plenty for just that and no more than a ‘bluey’; better still, their menu – be it the low-end or stuff that creeps over that amount – always slaps.
With two regularly busy sites (hardly a shock) on Oxford Road and the edge of the Northern Quarter/Piccadilly, you can get some very solid pizzas and garlic breads from between £4.50 and £7, but our advice is to go for a super-filling fatayer, with loads of fresh salad, and split one with a mate.
From one simply but satisfying spot to another, you can’t do a round-up of the best deals you can grab on your dinner in Manchester city centre without mentioning the local breakfast and lunchtime institution that is Rustica over in NQ.
Run by Manc mum to many, Jeanette, she and her team have literally been given a lifetime achievement award not only for keeping their food affordable for more than 25 years now, no matter what state the economy is in – and with lines around the block almost every single day without fail, it’s no wonder.
Next up is the still incredibly best and well-kept secret, Meridian Cafe and Bar, tucked down the side streets not far from Market and King Street, and just around the corner from Pall Mall. Well, we say ‘secret’ – it’s not really anymore, sorry… But this is some of the best halal Asian fusion in town.
That being said, it never fails to surprise us how many people haven’t heard of this place when we bring it up, and the weekly midday crowd is still relatively manageable given just how good their offer is: a massive lunch box starting from just £5.80. You can add more if you want, but trust us, you won’t need it.
The catch is, it’s only up for grabs during a specific window – find out when right here.
This and That – NQ
Last but not least, it would be nothing short of a crime to overlook one of the most legendary lunch deals in Manchester: the original rice and three offer from the storied This and That Cafe on the otherwise unsuspecting Soap Street, just around from NQ’s bustling Thomas St strip.
This place should need no introduction, really, and it may not be the only place that does this kind of offer, but with nearly four whole decades of serving up some of the tastiest curries in the city centre for cheap, this is the epitome of what we want from the Manc foodie scene on our dinner hour. Iconic.
Honourable mention
Bunny Jacksons
Last but not least, to round things up to a nice even half dozen in case none of these takes your fancy, how could we possibly forget Bunny’s? Arguably the best dive bar not just in Manchester but the entire world, this place is built on serving up great value-for-money scran, especially in hard times.
Wings from just 20p have kept us going until the end of many a long month waiting for payday, and while this place truly comes into its own come the evening when the playlist gets even louder, and the likes of bandaoke get going, it’s still a great place to nip at noon. Six is plenty, and 12 is more than enough.
Georgina Pellant -
29th December 2021 
