The beautiful new (now parrot-less) Mediterranean restaurant on the banks of the River Irwell

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Gardens in Salford

It might have first made headlines because of Rio the parrot, but now Gardens’ controversial feathered resident has been rehomed, the spotlight is firmly back where it belongs – on the food.

Gardens is a striking new waterside restaurant and lounge overlooking the River Irwell, with enormous windows taking in views of the water and Manchester Cathedral.

Greater Manchester has historically not been very good about making the most of its waterways, with areas like Ancoats Marina and Salford Quays now leading a new charge, so it’s refreshing to see somewhere making the most of the Irwell – even if there’s still more chance of seeing a plastic bag floating past than anything more scenic.

With its towering ceilings and stylish interiors, Gardens has quickly become one of Salford’s most eye-catching new openings, promising hearty Mediterranean grills, shisha, and great mocktails.

And now there’s another reason to visit, as the venue has launched a brand new Lebanese-inspired brunch menu.

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Expect authentic dishes including fluffy omelettes, hearty foul (slow-cooked fava beans), prawn fatteh (layers of crisp pitta, tahini yoghurt, chickpeas, and prawns), shakshuka, and fresh halloumi tomato salad, alongside plenty of other Mediterranean favourites.

The brand-new brunch menu joins the substantial menu of grilled mains, with dishes like mixed grills, slow-cooked lamb shank that falls off the bone, and roast chicken.

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A spread of brunch dishes at Gardens
A spread of brunch dishes at Gardens
Fruit platter, cakes and coffees at Gardens
Fruit platter, cakes and coffees at Gardens
Feta, tomato and spinach omelette; chickpeas in tahini yoghurt
Feta, tomato and spinach omelette; chickpeas in tahini yoghurt
Prawn fatteh and shakshukah
Prawn fatteh and shakshukah
Gardens seen across the River Irwell
Gardens seen across the River Irwell
The beautiful waterside location
The beautiful waterside location
Mixed grill dishes at Gardens
Mixed grill dishes at Gardens
Steak in a homemade herb sauce
Steak in a homemade herb sauce

And you’ll find plenty of other dishes like fattoush salad, hummus, and flatbreads.

Gardens is split into two areas, with the archway overlooking Greengate Square home to the cafe for brunches and matchas, while the main riverside lounge comes alive for socialising, shisha, and mocktails.

While Gardens may have become known for reasons beyond the menu when it first opened, its riverside location, stylish interiors and generous Mediterranean offering make it one of the most impressive new additions to Salford’s dining scene.

If you’re after somewhere new for a weekend brunch or an evening meal by the water, this could be worth adding to your list.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester Day 2026 – all the road closures set to be in place across the city centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Day is back for 2026 this weekend, and the full list of road closures set to be in place has been confirmed.

Now that schools are officially out across Greater Manchester, and the summer holidays are well and truly here, the hugely-popular Manchester Day is making a return once again this Sunday 26 July, and as always, it’s set to be ‘the day summer officially starts’ in the city centre – with organisers going all in to make this year’s event one of the very-best yet.

This year’s Manchester Day is promising to have a ‘distinctly Catalan flavour’, as performers from Barcelona head to Manchester to join in the festivities in what is a first for the event.

The day will be packed full of free events and activities to get involved with.

As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.

Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, with city’s streets and squares filled with Catalan spirit, along with some surprising links to books and reading along the way.

But of course, in order for the all the fun to go ahead as safely as possible, and as tends to be the case for events like these, Manchester City Council says it will need to make some temporary road closures to facilitate it.

The full list of road closures has now been confirmed by the Council, and there’s some major city centre thoroughfares set to be out of action.

Here’s everything you need to know.

A number of road closures and parking suspensions will be in place / Credit: Manchester City Council

Manchester Day 2026 – Road Closures

Sunday 26 July 

From 11am to 3​pm, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the following roads will be closed:

  • Peter Street (Hall Street to Deansgate)
  • Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
  • Deansgate (St Johns Street to Cateaton Street)

From 11am to 4pm, the following roads will be closed:

  • St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
  • Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street)
  • St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
  • Cross Street (Corporation Street to Princess Street)
  • Princess Street (Cross Street to George Street)  
  • John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
  • King Street (Spring Gardens to Cross Street)
Manchester Day set to bring sunny Catalan celebrations to the city centre this summer

All accessible bays, bus lanes, and taxi ranks within the closed areas will also be suspended during from 9pm on Saturday 25 July to 9pm on Sunday 26 July.

The parking suspensions set to be in place are:

  • Peter Street (Portland Street to Deansgate)
  • Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
  • Deansgate (St Johns Street to Cateaton Street) 
  • Central Street (Southmill Street to Mount Street)
  • St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
  • Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street)
  • St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
  • Cross Street (Corporation Street to Princess Street)
  • Princess Street (Cross Street to George Street)  
  • John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
  • Clarence Street (Princess Street to Booth Street)
  • St Mary’s Street (Southgate to Deansgate)
  • Southgate (King Street West to St Mary’s Street)
  • Museum Street (Peter Street to Windmill Street)
  • Southmill Street (Windmill Street to Lloyd Street)
  • Lloyd Street (Southmill Street to Deansgate)
  • Dickenson Street (Portland Street to George Street)
  • George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
  • Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
  • St James’ Square (John Dalton Street to End)
  • Booth Street (Cooper Street to Clarence Street)
  • Kennedy Street (Cooper Street to Clarence Street)
  • King Street (Spring Gardens to Cross Street)
  • Queen Street (Deansgate to Lincoln Square)

On the day, full traffic diversion signage will be in place across all areas affected by road closures, and the Council says it will do its best to ‘minimise’ their duration.

Manchester Day 2026 is taking over the city centre on Sunday 26 July, and will be kicking off at midday right through to 5pm.

Read more:

Check out everything you need to know ahead of the event here.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

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