The buzz of city life has once again returned to Manchester over these past couple of weeks and it’s set to continue thriving with the introduction of the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme next month.
Under Eat Out To Help Out scheme – announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of the UK government’s #PlanForJobs – visitors will receive a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, when dining-in at participating venues on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout 3rd – 31st August.
This unmissable offer – which can be used on more than one occasion and will see participating establishments simply remove the discount from customers’ bills – is available on food and non-alcoholic beverages, but does not include takeaway purchases.
The scheme is designed to encourage people to dine-in and support their favourite local hangouts.
Plenty of Manchester’s hospitality businesses have been dashing to register onto the scheme after it was announced earlier this month and now well over 30 independent eateries and city centre bar/restaurant branches are currently signed up to take part.
ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking for somewhere in the city centre to wine and dine next month? Or perhaps somewhere to just grab a bite and pint instead? Well, you need look no further.
Here’s your full run-down of Manchester businesses registered onto the #EatOutToHelpOut scheme:
ADVERTISEMENT
___
20 Stories
Spinningfields
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBFvKADKJ6/
20 Stories MCR is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
ADVERTISEMENT
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Albert’s Schloss
Peter Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC-pUhJHGtg/
Albert’s Schloss is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
The Alchemist
Spinningfields, New York Street & MediaCity
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3u_U_I5d3/
The Alchemist is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Almost Famous
Great Northern & Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_zLycg6pa/
Almost Famous is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asha’s
Peter Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLdsHKAEV_/
Asha’s Manchester is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Bab
Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_SS2ZlCMg/
BAB is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
ADVERTISEMENT
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Banyan
Corn Exchange & Spinningfields
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLhDH1n8a7/
Banyan is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Bay Horse Tavern
Northern Quarter
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWBh1DAK56/
Bay Horse Tavern is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Blue Eyed Panda
Ancoats
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBn9JRA3vB/
Blue Eyed Panda is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Botanist
Deansgate & MediaCity
https://www.instagram.com/p/CByhZwil7ly/
The Botanist is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
BrewDog
Peter Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCnzPwsgtXY/
BrewDog is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
ADVERTISEMENT
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Chakalaka
Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJ2yhEAAAO/
Chakalaka is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Cottonopolis
Northern Quarter
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLmYkBAfdm/
Cottonopolis is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Crazy Pedro
Northern Quarter& Bridge Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDN_2hUhbeR/
Crazy Pedro is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Doner Haus
Corn Exchange
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3JBvhl9Lx/
Doner Haus is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
El Gato Negro
Deansgate
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDD8qEbgb7_/
El Gato Negro is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
ADVERTISEMENT
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Evuna
Great Northern, Northern Quarter & Altrincham
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtTyoTAQbN/
Evuna is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Franco Manca
Piccadilly Gardens
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCx3GyjJ7M1/
Franco Manca is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Food Sorcery
Didsbury
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC-zycTg55o/
After something a little bit different?
Food Sorcery is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
ADVERTISEMENT
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
GRUB
The Redbank Project
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDKPSxEn3xv/
GRUB is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Hard Rock Cafe MCR
The Printworks
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLu-l1FHui/
Hard Rock Cafe MCR is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Home Sweet Home
Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDL7XWHhezZ/
Home Sweet Home is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn
Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_rz74gLMR/
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Manahatta is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Mancumium
Todd Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLhHmpjujf/
Mancumium is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Mowgli
Corn Exchange
Mowgli is in the govt 50% off scheme.For us 500 jobs+£500k pa of charitable giving need you to eat https://t.co/FitidQsTse, treasury put its arms around both of us+urged us that it’s safe to open,safe to eat out. So see you at a safe table soon+here’s to recovery dear friends🌱 pic.twitter.com/as52IAGR63
— Mowgli Street Food (Nisha Katona) (@Mowglistfood) July 8, 2020
Mowgli is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
The Oast House
Spinningfields
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0d_0iAfuY/
The Oast House is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
One Plus
Charles Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJd-qxAaSD/
One Plus is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Tariff & Dale is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Tattu
Spinningfields
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBUcd_nwaz/
Tattu is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Thaikhun
Spinningfields
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBh2N9KIRJ/
Thaikhun is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Tre Ciccio
Altrincham, Bramhall & Ramsbottom
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJ1cFRnlbY/
Tre Ciccio is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Trof
Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_USvtlhCe/
Trof is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Velvet Hotel
The Gay Village
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLjR8el4Jy/
Velvet Hotel is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Viet Shack
Arndale Food Market & Ancoats
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDL33nmgL4r/
Viet Shack is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
Yard & Coop
Northern Quarter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDD27s9AQJb/
Yard & Coop is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
To find out more information about what’s on offer in August and to make a booking in advance, visit their website here.
___
The COVID-19 pandemic may have taken its toll on industries of all shapes and sizes over these past few months, but supporting local/independent business has never been more important than it is right now.
The Manc is #BuzzingToBeBack – find out more about eats in Manchester here.
Eats
20 amazing new restaurants and bars that opened in Manchester in 2025
Daisy Jackson
It’s been a really big year for new openings in Greater Manchester, with restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries springing up all over the place.
What’s set this year apart is the sheer scale of the new restaurants that have opened – multi-storey Italian giants, multi-million-pound rooftop spots, gigantic food halls, and plenty more.
But look beyond all those incredibly flashy newcomers and you’ll find plenty of homegrown talent, like bakeries moving up from hatches to their own cafes, Manc favourite pubs expanding to new sites, and beloved names pitching up in new food courts.
From global giants like Soho House and Joe & The Juice to local favourites like The Flat Baker and The Thirsty Korean, these are the 20 biggest restaurant and bar openings in Manchester in 2025.
Chotto Matte
Chotto MatteA private dining space at Chotto Matte in Manchester
Another new head-turner – which happens to be just upstairs from Circolo Popolare – is Chotto Matte, which has joined the list of rooftop restaurants in Manchester city centre.
With truly unbeatable views across Albert Square, the Manchester Town Hall, and beyond, plus a whole host of dazzling restaurant and bars inside too, it’s easy to see why this is one of the new openings that had the city talking.
The 20,000 sq ft space splits into two concepts and cuisines – Nikkei cuisine (sushi, tempura, robata) and an exclusive new concept called Claude’s, a Mexican-inspired sky view bar with literally hundreds of mezcals and tequilas.
Circolo Popolare
Inside Circolo PopolareA giant lemon meringue pie
From the Big Mamma group, this extravagant restaurant opened back in June, where every inch of the space is a feast for the senses.
There are ceilings draped in jasmine, thousands of vintage booze bottles, hand-painted crockery and more, plus authentic Italian dishes and a graffiti-defying lemon meringue pie, too.
Circolo Popolare is a show-stopper of an addition to Manchester’s restaurant scene.
Tangerine
Tangerine is a brand-new, multi-purpose food, drink, entertainment and leisure destination that’s just opened opposite Salford Central.
From the same team behind Ramona and Diecast, Tangerine’s achingly cool space glows in a hundred different shades of orange beneath one of the city’s railway arches.
Inside, you’ll find resident kitchens, a live music hall, an arthouse stage, a speciality martini bar, a cosy cheese and wine lounge, and plenty more.
Treehouse Hotel
Pip has been added to the Michelin GuidePip has been added to the Michelin Guide
Standing proud at the foot of Deansgate is the Treehouse Hotel, which feels a little like stepping inside a bird house, but in a chic way.
This massive new hotel is also home to Mary-Ellen McTague’s Michelin-recommended Pip restaurant, which serves seasonal, comforting British food.
And there’s still more to come, with Sister Moon – a 14th-floor Southeast Asian dining destination by Sam Grainger – still to open in 2026.
Us Mancs waited a LONG time for Soho House, with the redevelopment of the Old Granada Studios hitting more than a few stumbling blocks along the way.
But now it’s (partly) opened, with lavish, beautifully-designed spaces open to members and their guests, plus an already-impressive roster of live events that’s included appearances from Loyle Carner and Mike Skinner.
There’s lots more to come yet, including that long-awaited rooftop pool.
Mollie’s Motel
Another one that took its time to get the doors open is Mollie’s Motel, which also stands within the Old Granada Studios building.
While not technically open for visitors until early 2026, the Mollie’s Diner element of the hotel has softly opened in the last few weeks of the year, and the spaces are beautiful.
From the American-style diner restaurant to the communal lounge spaces designed by the Soho House Design, plus the luxury bedrooms with the surprisingly affordable price tag (from £120), this is a fantastic addition to the city’s hotel scene.
Had you spotted that the UK’s largest Korean BBQ has opened, weirdly, in Piccadilly Gardens?
The 165-cover Bullgogi restaurant has taken over the old M&S site on the corner, promising premium cuts of meat, seafood, and veggies, cooked by yourself and your mates (or date) at the tabletop grill.
Alongside the BBQ offering, the menu features truly authentic Korean dishes including bibimbap, crispy Korean pancakes, and soju-based cocktails.
Lina Stores
An 80-year-old London icon finally landed in the North this year, with a huge restaurant, an Italian deli, and even a hidden, moody cocktail bar in Bar Lina.
There’s an array of starters at Lina Stores, including fried ricotta gnudi, burratta, and springy focaccia, plus handmade pasta dishes and secondi.
And who could resist a tiramisu or a giant cannoli before you head off?
Cut & Craft
The Cut & Craft in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
New openings don’t come much grander than this one – The Cut & Craft totally transformed a former banking hall on Mosley Street into a gilded, glittering restaurant space.
The setting is lavish, and the food matches – top-quality, locally-reared steaks, British seafood dishes, gorgeous sides and a champagne and wine list that’ll keep you busy all year.
You’ll find bank holiday brunches with bottomless Whispering Angel and Moet, a gossip room downstairs, and toilets so fancy they put a time limit on how long people were spending in there.
Flat Baker
The Flat Baker is not a new name for Mancs – this Brazilian-influence bakery has been selling its viral pistachio croissants and other bakes out of a hatch in Ancoats for years.
But this year, the couple behind it finally took the leap and opened their very own bakery just across the road from their original site.
It’s sunny and yellow, with counters full of their award-winning bakes which you can enjoy with a coffee – and next year, there’ll be brunch too.
The Thirsty Korean
The Thirsty Korean in Chorlton. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Thirsty Korean’s brunch spread
The Thirsty Korean shutting down was one of the worst things to ever happen to us (no, YOU’RE not being dramatic ENOUGH), so when owner Eunji Noh announced a new location it had us sprinting straight to Chorlton.
This vibrant little Korean spot has always packed a punch, but now it packs in some brunch too.
On its brunch menu you’ll find cheesy tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes), dakgangjeong (sweet and sticky fried chicken), and pajeon (spring onion pancakes), as well as Eunji’s now-legendary batter-fried chicken wings, kimchi fried rice, and our new favourite dish, an egg-coated cod known as daegu-jeon.
It’s all super spicy, super moreish, and proper feeds the soul.
Polish bakehouse Sticky Fingers now has a new (second) home just around the corner from their original home in the Market Hall, which means even more chance of grabbing one of their insane bakes.
Run by partners Adrian and Klaudyna, the new cafe is serving up all of their usual best-sellers, with everything from savoury-filled brioche buns, banoffee pie, and cherry almond danishes on the lineup, alongside proper good coffee to pair with it. It’s no wonder they sell out the minute stuff hits the trays.
It’s a welcome addition to the Underbank – be sure to pop by soon.
The Eastern Garden food court
The Trafford Centre added yet another string to its bow this year, launching The Eastern Garden within its food court, home to four locally-founded restaurants.
There’s Blanchflower, an independent coffee shop and bakery, plus a new site for Chit n Chaat serving Indo-Chinese street food.
Hello Oriental is here too, with a menu of their best-sellers from the city centre, plus a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant from Nichi.
House of Social
House of Social is opening in ManchesterA full House of Social spread
Yep, another food hall for Manchester – but this one is a little different to the others. Modern interiors, and brand-new names for the city centre have made this a big opening for 2025.
Inside you’ll find FIVE kitchens, including a city centre outpost for Curry Mile legends Mughli, and the first Burger and Beyond outside London, all wrapped around a towering central bar.
You’ll also be able to tuck into dishes from Dough Religion, Ok Taqueria, and Choi Wan.
There’s even brunch on offer in here, like breakfast burritos, pancake stacks, and breakfast buns.
O’Connells
Guinness at O’Connell’sUpstairs in the new O’Connell’s bar
The Thirsty Scholar shutting down was a real blow to Manchester’s bar scene, but the site of the legendary student boozer wasn’t empty for long.
In swooped O’Connells, creating a surprisingly cosy spot for a new bar thanks to the owner’s commitment to sourcing antique furniture and trinkets.
Spanning across two floors with loads of cosy corners, snugs and reclaimed furniture, O’Connell’s has live music, rivers of Guinness, and more than a few Teeling whiskeys too.
Wynwood Lanes
There’s been a bowling bar in this spot of Whitworth Street West for a while – but Dog Bowl is gone, and in its place is Wynwood Lanes, a Miami-themed venue with a food menu to match.
Along with five upgraded bowling lanes, there are pool tables, basketball hoops, darts boards, live sports, and of course, Guitar Hero, all in a venue that’s been decorated in palm trees and retro sunset colours.
There’s fresh new cocktails too, like a raspberry frozen marg or a creamy colada, plus the legendary Kong’s is back serving up their famous fried chicken burgers, tacos, and loads more.
Have you ever had a celebratory smoke machine go off over your head when you bowl a strike? Now’s your chance.
Royal Nawaab
Jay Rayner has published a rave review of Royal Nawaab at Stockport PyramidJay Rayner has published a rave review of Royal Nawaab at Stockport Pyramid
It’s acually incredibly silly that the Stockport Pyramid – that landmark structure just off the M60 – is now an enormous all-you-can-eat Indian restaurant.
But here we are, and the refit carried out by the Royal Nawaab team is quite something to behold.
As well as the world-class buffet restaurant (unlimited trips for £30 per adult), there are banquet halls for up to 800 people.
Freemount
You might be squinting at these pictures and thinking: “That’s not a new pub?”
But it is, actually – The Freemount picked up and moved just across the road in the Northern Quarter, taking over the old Dry Bar site.
It’s almost spooky how much they managed to transfer the character from one pub across to the other, but here we are.
Joe & The Juice
Juices at Joe & The JuiceJoe & The Juice at the Trafford Centre. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester got not one, but TWO new Joe & The Juice sites this year – one huge spot on Cross Street and another over in the Trafford Centre.
You might’ve thought we’d lost our appetite for Joe & The Juice given that it disappeared from the city when Debenhams folded, but you’d be wrong – these spots are busy ALL THE TIME.
Juices, smoothies, and those Scandi-style sandwiches have been keeping them with a roaring trade.
GRUB has teamed up with Campfield for a new sort of market place in Manchester city centre, with three buildings stuffed with independent retail, food and drink every Saturday.
Beneath the building’s iconic glass roof, you’ll find up to 50 hand-selected traders that will change weekly.
You’ll also find Manchester’s first Euro-style food hall, with 12 stalls selling produce like charcuterie and oysters, plus the family-owned Spanish brewery Estrella Galicia.
And in Castlefield House, there’s always an array of street food favourites and farmers market classics.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
Manchester favourites hosting a heartwarming festive social for those alone this Christmas
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester bar and cafe, Haunt, have announced that they will be hosting a special social to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer to those who are spending Christmas apart from their families and/or friends this year.
Wholesome stuff from a wholesome bunch.
That’s right, friendly neighbourhood ghosts Haunt will be putting on a little free shindig for the 2025 festive period in an effort not only to share the typical kindness with locals based in and around the city centre but to help create “a sense of community, no matter what your situation”.
Announcing the completely open-to-the-public Christmas Eve party over the weekend, the team are looking to provide those who might otherwise be lonely or struggle during the holidays with a warm, arms-wide welcome, plus plenty more.
Writing on their social media account this past Sunday, bar manager JJ said: “People, it’s time to connect this Christmas! We will be providing free coffee and sweet treats from 12-5pm on Christmas Eve, as well as some games and workshops.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this, so it would be amazing to see as many of you there as possible! Also need this to reach the people that need an event like this most, so please share and repost.
“As always, look out for your people, I wouldn’t be anywhere without mine – JJ xoxo”
Come on, who doesn’t love seeing heartwarming stuff like this on their feed, especially when it comes to a time of year where so many suffer quietly amid the majority having a good time?
This isn’t the first time they’ve held a pop-up that’s caught our attention in 2025, either; it was only last month that we were surprised to stumble on a mini padel court in the middle of the room.
Once again, there’ll be brews and fresh bakes, as well as plenty of other activities to keep people entertained on the night.
As described in their post, Christmas can be tough for a lot of people, and if they can make even just one person looking for some kindness and companionship feel better for a few hours this year, then they’ll have done above and beyond their job.
It goes without saying that we love seeing local businesses taking the social and community side of their work like this to heart and putting in serious effort to make a difference.
Well done to JJ, the Chosen Family support group, and everyone at Haunt for setting this up; if you know anyone who might be interested in coming along, please do pass on the information.
You can grab your free tickets via Eventbrite right HERE, and maybe we’ll see some of you there.
The Manc -
28th July 2020 
