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Guides
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Where to go
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New Openings in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Is there another city growing as fast as Manchester? If there is, we don’t want to know about it. That’s Northern exceptionalism for you, as defined by our Commander-In-Chief, Tony Wilson, whose legacy has been absolutely rinsed by our capitalist overlords, God bless him.

If you want to know how much things have changed, just look at a photo of the city skyline from 10, 20 years ago and compare it to now. From grey flatness, to a Singapore-style array of shiny skyscrapers.

At the moment, it’s pretty good for the city’s food scene. We’re seeing big investment coming in, while most (but not all, notably) of the independents are managing to co-exist happily in this new era. Will it last, or will the city turn into a Dubai-style soup of corporate chains and corporate chains masquerading as indies? It’s all to play for.

In the meantime, why not check out what recent food and drink venues have opened in and around the city? We can’t promise they’re all workers collectives who exist outside the concept of private profit, but, to the best of our knowledge, they’re a far cry from the worst excesses of modern capitalism. Who can say fairer than that?

Our top picks

Horse and Jockey Chorlton

Horse and Jockey Chorlton, 9 Green Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9HS - Visit now

The Horse & Jockey, one of Chorlton’s most iconic pubs, has reopened following an extensive renovation under new leadership – the same team behind Salford’s impressive Black Friar.

Find out more

Tangerine

Tangerine, 13-17 New Bailey Street, Salford, M3 5FS - Visit now

Tangerine is Manchester’s latest greatest must-visit multipurpose venue, found straddling the gap between the two warring cities of Manchester and Salford. It’s best described as a food-hall-meets-creative-hub if that’s your thing.

Find out more
Tangerine
Ian Jones

Posie

Posie, 17 Marble Street, Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 3AW - Visit now

Posie is a new cocktail bar from our favourite team of restaurateurs and bar-owners, the 10 Tib Lane crew.

Find out more
Bar Posie
Ian Jones

Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar

Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, 3 Bankside Blvd, Salford , M3 7HD - Visit now

Kallos is a small plates restaurant and wine bar just outside of Manchester city centre, showcasing dishes from Greece and Southeast Europe. You’ll find it around the corner from The Black Friar in Colliers Yard, where it has carved out an oasis of Mediterranean-style calm. Head over when the sun is shining, and it’s the nearest thing to Santorini Salford has to offer.

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Sampa

Sampa, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 - Visit now

Manchester’s most exciting chef is at it again. Born in Brazil and adopted by the UK, Caroline Martins is the very definition of independent. No shady hedge fund backers, no corporate overlords reining her in, just dazzling idea after dazzling idea. Sampa is her new, slightly-secret project, and you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Find out more

Bar Lina Manchester

Bar Lina Manchester, 17 Quay St, Manchester , M3 3HN - Visit now

Bar Lina is geared around classic ideas and time-honoured recipes but with a flourish, rather than flashy.

Find out more
Bar Lina
Ian Jones

Pip at Treehouse Manchester

Pip at Treehouse Manchester, Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ - Visit now

Everyone’s favourite low-waste chef, Mary-Ellen McTague, helms the kitchen at Pip, the ground-floor restaurant at one of Manchester’s most impressive – and certainly most unique – hotels.

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Stow

Stow, 62 Bridge St, Manchester , M3 3BW - Visit now

Move over Erst, watch out 10 Tib Lane, there’s a new small plate heavyweight in town. Stow opened in early 2025 – it blew minds then and it’s still blowing minds now. A must visit.

Find out more

Chotto Matte Manchester

Chotto Matte Manchester, 1 St Michaels Building, 36 Jacksons Row , Manchester, M2 5WD - Visit now

Ok, so there’s money behind it, but at least it’s been spent well. Chotto Matte is all about the other Manchester, the ruffian-free bit, the new, forward-thinking, skyscraping Manchester. It’s also high up in the eaves, giving panoramic views across the city.

Find out more

Winsome

Winsome, 74 Princess St, Manchester, M1 6JD - Visit now

Chef extraordinaire Shaun Moffat has had quite the impact on Manchester since landing in the city in 2022. He’s transformed multiple restaurants with his style of bold British cooking and now has his very own place, staffed by the region’s brightest and best.

Find out more
Winsome
Ian Jones

Where to go in Manchester

Asmara Bella
Manchester
Restaurant
Asmara Bella

Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, serving up traditional food from the Horn of Africa.

Chorlton
Restaurant
Horse and Jockey Chorlton

Chorlton’s magnificent Horse and Jockey has had an almighty do-over, transforming it into one of South Manchester’s top must-visit drinking and dining destinations.

Tangerine
Chapel Street
Restaurant
Tangerine

Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

Bar Posie
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Posie

A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

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