As ever, there are a host of exciting new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this August.
From a brand new Withington venue from the team behind Cottonopolis and The Edinburgh Castle, to the first bricks-and-mortar site in six years for supper club favourite Stretford Canteen, we’ve got plenty of good things to shout about.
Think kitchen residents, new street food stalls, and all-you-can-eat steak and sushi restaurant and loads more.
Keep reading to find out where to put on your list this month.
HandleBar
Image: Supplied
An independent cycling-themed cafe and bar has opened in Fallowfield taking over the former Font bar unit.
Whilst you won’t find cocktails for £2 here any more, Font’s cheap drinks legacy does live on with a pint of ‘Big D*ck Energy’ lager for just £2.75.
Opened by keen cyclist and music enthusiast Steve Dunbar, there’s a bike repair workshop, a secure place to lock your bike up inside, and plenty of cycling memorabilia on the walls.
Cycling fans can catch tournament screenings here as well as live music gigs, bike workshops, art fairs and film screenings later in the year.
Frankie’s Toasties have opened a second ‘Little Frankie’s’ stall in the Arndale Market selling supernoodle, spaghetti hoop and bean and cheese melts.
Lovers of an old-school Breville toastie will not be disappointed, with scalding childhood favourites slitting alongside the likes of spicy ramen noodle toasties, tuna melts, apple and custard toasties and chicken katsu toasties.
From the same team behind the Portland Street favourite, find it in the former Blue Caribou unit. Still in soft launch, milkshakes will be available from 1 August.
Open now
Slice at Arlo’s, Northern Quarter
Image: The Manc Eats
Roman-style pizza favourite Slice has moved into Arlo’s Deli, marking a long-awaited return to where it all began.
NQ pizza fans can once again enjoy their famous crispy-based, rectangular slices alongside natural wines, cocktails and pizza bianca (crunchy white cheese-topped Roma-style focaccia sandwiches).
As ever, orders are done on a by-the-slice basis – with choices including the famous broccoli sausage, as well as margherita and vegan rustica (vegan mozzarella, vegan pesto genovese, rustica semi-dried tomatoes and rocket).
Open now
Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria, Northern Quarter
Image: The Manc Eats
Lazy Tony’s residency at Alvarium finishes this month, meaning the slab shack is off to pastures new.
This month, chef-owner Danny ‘Keko’ smith will move across into the Northern Monk taproom – taking over kitchen duties from Kong’s Chicken Shop.
Fans can expect to find all their five-layer lasagne favourites, giant mozzarella sticks and truffled honey dipping sauce, alongside an increased menu of giant Italian subs and slab choices, loaded fries and espresso martini tiramisu when they arrive later this month.
24 August, TBC
Abeja, Northern Quarter
Image: Abeja
Manchester’s tiniest tapas bar, Abeja, is moving into a new home in the Northern Quarter this month as it takes over the Alvarium kitchen from Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria.
Chef-owner Ana Villegas is known for serving up authentic tapas dishes from her home region of Granada and has hosted several pop-ups around the city, most recently at The Chorlton Green, since leaving her original home at Hatch.
When she opens later this month, staples like croquetas, tortillas and patatas bravas will all be available, alongside more unique Spanish dishes adapted from family recipes passed down to Ana through generations.
10 August
Libertine, Withington
Image: Supplied
The team behind Cottonopolis and Edinburgh Castle open their third Manchester venue this month, taking over the Grade II-listed former Natwest bank in Withington village.
Promising a varied food concept with something for everyone in mind, small plates, brunch and Sunday roasts will all feature on the menu here.
The landmark site will finally reopen this August as an all-day eatery with a community focus – a place where you can eat well, drink well, soak up the atmosphere and listen to good music.
August, TBC
Yum Cha, Kampus
Image: Yum Cha
After eleven hugely successful years in Liverpool, Yum Cha will open the doors toa second site in Manchester this August.
Moving into a new site at Kampus, diners can look forward to an array of roast meats, cooked for 24 hours in a custom-made roasting oven, plus Chinese small plates, dim sum and a strong cocktail list.
August, TBC
New Century, NOMA
Image: Supplied
Legendary 60s dancehall New Century Hall will open the doors to its new food hall this month as the first phase of its redevelopment is complete.
From a new butty shop courtesy of The French at The Midland’s head chef Adam Reid, to nasi goreng and stuffed Vietnamese baguettes from Altrincham market favourite Banh Vi, there’s lots to get excited about.
With six kitchens to choose from, there’ll also be bao, loaded fries and desserts from 2021’s British Street Food Awards ‘People’s Choice’ winners BaoBros23, coffee and grab ‘n’ go concepts from New Century, plus local beers, wines, cocktails, teas, juices and smoothies.
Sakku Samba
Image: The Manc Eats
Brand new to Spinningfields, this all-you-can-eat steak and sushi restaurant fuses two distinctly different cuisines in a glamorous setting.
Breathing new life into Avenue North, formerly home to Artisan and Manchester House, Sakku Samba boasts a ground-floor caipirinha bar and first-floor restaurant with room for 400 covers.
Elsewhere, there is a second restaurant for VIPs only with its very own access and private VIP corridor.
Guests can order fresh sushi and traditional Brazilian meats like picanha and pork belly in unlimited quantities using digital tablets, giving them access to over 150 varied dishes at the click of a button.
Stretford Canteen has just opened the doors to its first-ever bricks-and-mortar site after six years of hosting pop-ups and supper clubs.
The new cosy 24-seat bistro has an intimate feel complemented by antique French furniture and an original 1920s Parisian bar station, with a pop of colour provided by sky blue retro bar stools.
The menu is made up of bar snacks, plates, sides and desserts and is set to change regularly with the seasons,and diners can expect an all-day menu of classic French and European dishes – as well as the return of Stretford Canteen’s famous supper clubs.
Open now
Turtle Bay, Salford Quays
Image: Turtle Bay
Caribbean-inspired restaurant and bar Turtle Bayis is set to open a new 180-cover waterside restaurant at Salford Quays this month.
Boasting a beautiful waterside terrace area overlooking world-class arts centre The Lowry, it will be the first Salford location for the restaurant group.
From its famous bottomless brunch and range of island-inspired breakfast dishes, to a jerk pit barbecue, buddha bowls and small plates, there will be plenty of crowd-pleasing favourites to tuck into when doors open later this month.
19 August
News
Mayor Andy Burnham promises Greater Manchester will honour Ricky Hatton ‘properly’
Danny Jones
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has promised that the city and wider boroughs have plans to honour Ricky Hatton MBE following his passing this weekend.
Hatton, just 46, sadly passed away this Sunday, 14 September, with the region left shocked by the sudden and tragic news.
“He was the kind of person who would always turn up for people, supporting so many causes”, writes Burnham, adding: “He made us smile and made us proud. We will find a way of honouring him properly.”
There seems to be a clear intimation that at least one or more public tributes will be carried out at the earliest opportunity.
Locals and ‘Hitman’ fans alike have been leaving flowers, wreaths and other personal tributes outside his address in Tameside as well as his gym in Hyde.
The minute’s appreciation before the 197th Manchester derby also saw his friend, fellow die-hard Blue and City Square fan zone presenter, Danny Jackson, deliver a touching speech before applause rang out around the stadium, with the Man City manager himself looking visibly moved by the moment.
Pep Guardiola is one of many members around the club, both past and present, to have offered their condolences.
His nephew Jack Hatton has now posted on social media too, saying simply: “I love you so much Uncle Rick. I will always remember all you have done for me and the great times we had together I love you so so much I’m going to do all I can to make you proud.”
énergie Fitness Hyde, home to his well-known gym and popular community outlet, have also shared a statement online, writing: “Ricky was much more than a world-class fighter and an exceptional trainer. He was a remarkable person who inspired countless individuals.
“His influence reached far beyond Hyde and the local community, touching the lives of millions around the world. Everyone at the gym is devastated by this loss. Ricky’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those he motivated, mentored, and uplifted.
“We send our sincere condolences to Ricky’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. As a mark of respect, the gym will be closed for the rest of the day. Rest in Peace, Ricky.” Since then, his family have now shared their own statement in full via GMP.
Asking for privacy during this difficult time, they wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard. Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather,and brother, and a true friend to many.
#TRIBUTE | The family of Ricky Hatton have paid tribute to him following his death at the weekend.
They have asked for their privacy as they grieve the man 'who had a heart as big as his smile.'
“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
“To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.
“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.
“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.
“It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected.
“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with life without him. In the days and weeks ahead, we will take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard’s legacy — both in boxing and as a man — will continue to live on.
“Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly. With love and gratitude, The Hatton Family.”
Manchester City dedicate derby win to late and beloved boxing blue, Ricky Hatton
Danny Jones
Manchester City players past and present, club members and fans alike have paid tribute to the late, great boxer, Ricky Hatton MBE, following his shock passing this weekend, honouring him with a fitting derby day win.
Safe to say there’ll be a blue moon all over Greater Manchester this week.
The tragic news about Ricky Hattonwas sadly announced just hours before the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 14 September, with the entire ground observing a ‘minute of appreciation’ before kick-off.
Manager Pep Guardiola looked visibly emotional when the camera panned to him applauding his memory in the crowd, and there were plenty of other tributes to ‘The Pride Hyde’ spotted both the home and away ends, with several famous City faces taking to social media after full-time to share their own.
Our pre match display funded as ever by you the fans. We’re planning a Ricky Hatton tribute for Burnley. pic.twitter.com/l67gyyjSTK
Perhaps one of the most moving tributes came from Guardiola himself, who has always immersed himself in local Manc culture beyond just football, so it was no surprise he felt the sorrow in the stands.
Speaking to the media in his post-match duties, the Catalan coach and former athlete himself said: “I’ve been here for ten years, [seen/heard] a lot of minute [silences/applauses], and I don’t remember one so, so intense like today.
“I want to say thank you so much to the Man United fans because they behaved and applauded. I know he was a World Champion in boxing. It was a special, special moment. There are no words that can contain the pain that the family can feel right now for this loss, but we are close.
“I know how much of an incredible Man City fan [he was]. He lived the bad moments and the good moments in the last 10/15 years. I know for the fans how close he was [held]. The moment of applause was unbelievable.
“It was an experience I will always remember because I felt in every applause of every person in the stadium the gratitude for what he has done professionally and being a massive, massive City fan.”
Once again, he wasn’t the only familiar sports personality, blue or otherwise, who made it known how much he was admired by those in and around the region of Greater Manchester.
Both Manchester United legend Roy Keane and ex-Man City defender Micah Richards joined the Sky Sports panel in discussing his legacy as a local sporting icon.
Rest in peace to a legend and a mental health hero.
Everyone involved paid tribute to Ricky Hatton as City claimed the win over United.
Such a sad day for combat sports. Sad day for Great Britain. Sad day for Manchester. I remember as a young boy staying up late to watch his legendary career. The original people’s champion, one of us. Rest in peace Ricky Hatton 💔 pic.twitter.com/2phiyCEneM
Georgina Pellant -
27th July 2022 
