A new vegan restaurant has opened on Withington high street, giving the area’s longstanding takeaways a run for their money with its tasty meat-free dishes.
Vegan street food specialist Herbivorous has long been on the move, most recently found at Hatch on Oxford Road serving up burgers, wings and more to hungry fans.
Now, it has its ownbrand new Withington site – the first-ever bricks and mortar venue for the brand, where you’ll find its chefs serving up delicious homemade vegan food that is both ethically sourced and sustainable.
Owners Robyn and Damian have created an exciting new menu for the restaurant, which launched earlier this Autumn, including brand new dishes like a twist on lamb kebab via the Tandoori ‘Lamb’ Kofta Flatbread.
Image: Herbivorous via Instagram
Famed for outstanding vegan dishes such as The Big Kahuna Burger and the more recently developed seitan Fried ‘Chicken’, fans of kebabs, burgers and wings can expect to be surprised by just how good these can be without any meat being involved.
ADVERTISEMENT
As well as serving a full plant-based food menu, you will also find a unique range of vegan cocktails, wines, and beers here.
The brand has become known for its inventive and gorgeous plant-based street food dishes, so good that they are enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s all about delicious comfort food that is better for you and better for the planet.
Image: Herbivorous via Instagram
The eatery has also collaborated collaborate with Manchester independents Drizzle City Bakes, Drinks of Tradition and others to bring together a menu rich with the highest quality vegan ingredients.
Known for their vibrant, unique and non-traditional take on vegan food, Herbivorous owners Robyn and Damian started out with the goal of bringing vegan food to the mainstream and are now leading the way in a Manchester vegan food revolution, showing that a plant-powered lifestyle is about so much than falafel and hummus.
Having toured the UK at some of the nation’s biggest festivals in their bright green vintage Horsebox, Herbivorous has now found a permanent home in Manchester, serving up incredible vegan food from venues around the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
Open weekday evenings and all day Friday to Sunday, you will also find a vegan brunch menu here on Saturdays and Sundays.
Manchester romcom Finding Emily is currently one of the best-reviewed films of 2026 so far
Emily Sergeant
A new romcom that is set, was filmed in, and actually romanticises Manchester is soon to be released overseas.
If you haven’t had the chance to see Finding Emily for yourself yet, the film is set in Manchester at the fictional Manchester City University and tells the story of a lovesick musician, played by Spike Fearn, who meets his dream girl named Emily on a night out.
Sadly though, he ends up with the wrong phone number for Emily, and so teams up with a driven psychology student, played by Angourie Rice, in a bid to find her.
Together, the unlikely duo spark a hilarious campus-wide frenzy that tests their own hearts and ambitions along the way.
The film – which is directed by Alicia MacDonald, based on a screenplay by Rachel Hirons, and produced by Working Title Films – is filled with notable local locations dotted throughout, from Manchester Central Library and Piccadilly Records, to Canal Street, the Northern Quarter, and even the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St Peter’s Square featured for all to see.
Oh, and not to mention, if you keep your eyes peeled when watching the trailer, you can even see a small clip of Stockport band Blossoms playing a gig in there too.
Finding Emily was released here in the UK back in May, and received overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans and critics, including by The Manc Group team when we were lucky enough to see it at the Manchester premiere.
And ahead of its international release this week (Friday 26 August), those reviews have remained as glowing as ever.
In fact, over on major film review platform Rotten Tomatoes, the film stands at 95% on the ‘tomatometer’, meaning it’s one of the highest-rated romcoms of the decade so far.
That also makes it one of the best-reviewed movies of the entire year, in addition to its record score for the genre itself, as only two other films released in 2026 have retained scores higher than it – thrilling Hong Kong action film, The Furious, with a score of 98%, and the uniquely hilarious Olivia Wilde directed and starring, The Invite, with a score of 97%.
Unfortunately, box office projections for Finding Emily are pretty low for the weekend over in the US, as it has to contend with continuing big-hitters like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey.
But it says a lot that this fun-filled original romcom set in our incredible city is more critically acclaimed than those two blockbusters based on existing IP.
Critics say Finding Emily ‘makes a tried-and-true formula feel brand new’, and to us, that’s about as good as you can get.
Finding Emily is no longer in UK cinemas, so if you would like to check it out, you can currently buy or rent the film on Amazon Prime UK, the Sky Store, or the Virgin Media Store.
The best places to go pumpkin picking near Manchester this autumn
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Pumpkin season is almost upon us – brace to have cinnamon and pumpkin spices shoved down your throat, and brace for whiplash from the heatwave to handwarmers.
I know, I know, I hear you. How can we possibly think about Halloween already?
Well with over 10,000 of you having already signed up to visit the Kenyon Hall Farm pumpkin patch, we’d hate for you to get left out.
According to folklore, pumpkins were originally carved to ward off Stingy Jack and other spirits, but these days they’re pretty effective in scaring away the nosey neighbours too.
To celebrate this year, instead of going to your local supermarket for a pumpkin, how about doing things the old fashioned way and harvesting the pumpkins yourself?
It’s a wholesome activity for all the family to do, so wrap up warm and let the kids run around while you fill your wheelbarrow with the biggest pumpkins you can carry.
So, without further ado, here’s some of the best pumpkin patches near Manchester for you to choose from.
Head on into the heart of Dunham Massey for your perfect pumpkin picking experience, ideal for animal-mad families, friends and couples.
They’ve not released 2026 tickets yet, but in 2025 families could hop on board a tractor and trailer shuttle service Eddie’s ‘Bumble Bee’ park and ride, safely transporting you from the carpark to the farm, as well as a Maize Maze to explore and lots of farm yard animals to spot.
Brookheys Farm is easily accessible by car and public transport from Altrincham, making it a great option.
If previous years are anything to go by, at Malpas you might be able to combine a maze adventure with your pumpkin picking.
If you’re up for the challenge, then somewhere at the heart of the maize maze lies a kingdom of pumpkins ready for you to rescue, while a 100 scarecrows are also hiding somewhere in the maize, along with a Harry Potter area.
Themed fancy dress is, obviously, encouraged. Dates have now been confirmed but there’s more info to come.
Open 10-4pm, Friday 2 October – midday on Saturday 31 October
Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington
Kenyon Hall Farm has a 20,000 strong pumpkin patch, with 50 different varieties to choose from. You’re bound to find the perfect shape, colour and size for you and your carving design needs.
Though if doing the dirty work isn’t your style, pre-picked pumpkins are available and you can explore the farm shop or tuck into some of the delicious seasonal treats whilst watching your loved ones from the safety of the café.
They have also promised brand-new displays to facilitate the perfect autumnal family photos, as well as new interactive elements to enjoy. Not to mention, there is a free playground for the kids to run about and exert all of that energy, before you head off home.
The pumpkin patch is set to be open every day from Saturday 26 September but don’t hang about – lots of weekend dates have already sold out.
Book a £3.95 ticket online for entry – pumpkins can vary in price.
Another great place to spend a day is Lancaster Park & Animal Farm in Chadderton – they truly have it all.
Fully immerse yourselves in the Halloween spirit (pardon the pun) with pumpkin picking and carving, a Wizard School show, Halloween disco, fancy dress competitions (grown ups that includes you too), and giant halloween displays for photo opportunities.
Alternative activities at the farm include mini-quads, play areas, zip lines, a whole farm of animals to pet and much more.
Book online where tickets range from £7.34 – £16.77, including the pumpkins you take away, access to the farm and Halloween event.
Greater Manchester’s award-winning pumpkin patch, at Cockfield’s Farm, is returning this year bigger and better than ever.
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition to the regular patch equipped with pumpkin patch props, a mini-pumpkin patch for the little ones and an evening adventure available to pick your pumpkins after dark if you’re brave enough. There is also set to be a brand-new spooky walk-through, Halloween show and autumnal displays.
Your pumpkin patch ticket also includes access to adventure play areas, the Giant Bouncy Pillow, animal petting at Cuddle Corner, tractor rides, the Big Animal Barn AND the brand-new Reptile Room.
The pumpkin patch will be open every weekend and throughout the October half-term with tickets ranging from £5.95 to £16.95 per person.
Pumpkin picking is back at Reddish Vale Farm with plenty of fun to join in, but you’ll want to book quickly as it’s a popular spot.
Explore the Halloween Village, and play areas equipped with zip wires and giant bouncy pillows, meet the farmyard animals, climb aboard the Spooky Express ride or simply grab a wheelbarrow and carve your handpicked pumpkins in the Carving Cavern.
ADVERTISEMENT
There is also set to be a wide range of Halloween themed games and activities including making your own magical wand, enjoying the witch and wizard shows to enjoy.
Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £15 for children, with one pumpkin included per paying person, extra pumpkins are £5 each.
Libby’s Pumpkin Patch is set to return and she sure knows how to host a pumpkin party, with wood-fired pizzas, homemade sweet treats, campfire marshmallows and drinks.
It’s cheap and definitely cheerful – Libby has vowed to keep prices low for the third year in a row to help with the cost of living crisis meaning tickets will be costing only £10 per car starting from Saturday 3 October.
Affordable fun is just what we want and Roby Mill nearly always delivers – head on down to Roby Mill to satisfy all of your Halloween desires including photo opportunities with traditional tractors, an indoor marquee with all things witchy and locally made items.
ADVERTISEMENT
Open every day, prices for pumpkin and gourd typically start from £2, so you can either dig up a cute mini one yourself, or roll your giant one home – the choice is yours.
There will also be a professional photographer on the 3, 9 and 11 October for a 20-minute photoshoot at an added cost.
While booking is required during the busy dates, the event is completely free entry and parking.
Woore Fruit Farm, Crewe
Ready, set… harvest.
Woore Fruit Farm is ripe and ready for picking, and it’s open 9am to 5pm daily, so you can go down and grab a pumpkin before Halloween is here.
The Manc -
29th October 2021 
