Podcast alert! Salvi’s owner, Festa Italiana head honcho, and stalwart of the Manchester food scene Maurizio Cecco has announced his brand-new podcast Becoming a Manc; a sneak peek behind the scenes of the hospitality industry via a series of honest and open conversations with the owners of some of the city’s best concepts, brands, and venues. The first three-episode mini-series is out now and you can find it here.

Black Friar never disappoints. Is it Manchester – sorry, Salford’s best restaurant? If not, it’s certainly right up there.

New Wave Ramen is one of Manchester’s great drop-in bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is exciting and laid-back, all at once, plus the food is great and the cocktails are out of this world.

Lamb Of Tartary is the new restaurant in the space previously held by the much-loved Cottonopolis. It’s headed up by Shaun Moffat, who you almost certainly know from The Edinburgh Castle Pub in Ancoats.

The Washhouse has been a favourite of those in the know for many years now, and by teaming up with Sapporo, they’ve created a great example of East meets West.

Hold onto your hats, Sunday roast fans, there’s a new champ in town.

Medlock Canteen is a laid-back drop-in style restaurant at the swanky New Jackson complex on Deansgate Square, coming from the team who brought you the mighty Madre and Liverpool’s raved-about Belzan.

Three floors of swanky drinking and dining at this stylish new venue on the corner of Canal Street and Chorlton Street.

There’s no better time than now to get out there with chums, drinking up a storm. Or for the more demure, out there sipping up a gimlet. But where? That’s where our mighty guide to Manchester’s best bars comes in. Step inside, you’ll like it.