The Trof

It’s all change at Trof in the Northern Quarter. Huge things are happening. The restaurant formerly known as Trof now goes by the all-singing, all-dancing name of… The Trof. 

Ok. So, the name might not have changed much, but the kitchen certainly has. The food and drink side has been taken over by one of Manchester’s most lauded launches in recent memory, Stow. 

Brief recap: Stow is an open-fire restaurant over on Bridge Street, headed up by chef Jamie Pickles, who co-owns it with Matt Nellany. It was the best in show of Manchester’s food scene in 2025, gathering up rave reviews, a Michelin mention and, most importantly, a restaurant packed out with happy diners, night after night after night. 

The dynamic duo are now doing the same with The Trof. As such, the refurbished dining room on the second floor has been transformed into one of the area’s most elegant eating spaces – all mahogany fixtures and natural light. 

And the menu is one of the best to eat through. Many of Stow’s greatest hits are present and correct, including that majestic pork collar: charred at the edges and entwined with cabbage and chunks of bacon, with a dollop of burnt apple sauce on the side, to give it some sweetness. 

From the newer dishes, the hoggett mince on dripping toast is a clear standout. It’s dark, rich and robust, and while it might not be the most ideal item for the spring-summer season (the dainty-but-zingy cured sea bass should satisfy you seasonal dining purists) it’s a must anyway.

This is the Northern Quarter going back to its artisan roots, albeit slightly older, slightly wiser. For people who’ve dialled back the heavy partying and base their nights out around locally sourced produce rather than booze, beats and kebabs.