There’s everything from upscale brasseries, blazing brunch spots, a cafe where you’re (almost) knee-deep in pugs, and the welcome rebirth of the Northern Quarter favourite.
Spring is about to, erm, sprung (?), and with it – genuinely – some of the most exciting new openings we’ve seen in Manchester for quite some time.
The Lamb of Tartary
Open now
Deriving its name from ancient lore from central Asia, where it was once believed the cotton plant could grow lamb as its fruit, so The Lamb of Tartary has been born from Cottonopolis, one of the the Northern Quarter’s most well-established watering holes. Edinburgh Castle chef Shaun Moffat will be at the helm, with an all-day dining menu featuring brilliant things like a bacon chop with chips and fried eggs, an Atlantic prawn cocktail with melba toast and sprawling brunches. It will be a very classy affair indeed.
16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
Maya
Open late March
One of the most eagerly anticipated openings of 2024, Maya will see Manc-born chef Gabe Lea – formerly of Raymond Blanc’s legendary Le Manoir and Simon Rogan’s stint at The French – taking to the stoves at this purpose built restaurant and brasserie. On the site formerly occupied by the pioneering Mash & Air in the Village, it will be split into two – the more casual upstairs will deliver brasserie classics, while downstairs will be a more upscale situation, with Gabe putting all that Michelin star experience into a changing seasonal menu.
40 Chorlton St, Manchester M1 3HW
Medlock Canteen
Open 23 March
The folks behind Madre, the superlative taco spot in the Village, and also the likes of Belzan in Liverpool, will be opening the Medlock Canteen at the foot of the Deansgate towers. Of particular note will be the fact that it will have a full rotisserie situation, where burnished chickens will be dismantled and stuffed into fresh baguettes (you’ll even be able to grab them whole for takeaway). See also duck egg hash, crab and gruyere omelette, and hearty grills for dinner.
Deansgate Square, Manchester, M15 4UP
Boogalú
Open now
Found on the spot of the old El Capo on Tariff Street, Boogalú is bringing a very serious taco game to the NQ. The lamb quesabirria – shredded lamb shoulder with Ogleshield cheese – will live long in the memory. They also have a wild range of excellent tequilas, top drawer cocktails and it’s open late. Take us there now.
12 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
Double Zero
Open mid-March
Chorlton’s much-adored Neapolitan pizza restaurant Double Zero is coming to the city centre. Hoo-effing-ray. Regarded by some as the best example of the craft in the whole of Manchester – a bold claim – you’ll be able to judge for yourself when it lands on Spring Gardens with its proper tiled oven and those giant bags of proper double zero flour.
55 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BY
The Mezz
Open 2 March
Not just a bar in a music arena, The Mezz is quite a bit more than that. It is a plush new space in the re-imagined AO, with none other than three Michelin star chefs Simon Rogan and Tom Barnes collaborating on the food offering, with a quarterly changing menu. You’ll be able to eat, drink and relax in this premium bar and restaurant space, and then take in whichever world class act is on stage. This spot will be a game-changer.
Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1AR
Lucky Mama’s Monton
Opening TBC
What started in Eccles is returning to Eccles. The fabulous Lucky Mama became a sensation during lockdown, working out of their mobile truck turning out great pasta and Roman-style pizza. After opening their first proper spot in Chorlton last year, they’re now heading back to the mothership, with another restaurant in Monton, on the trendy and buzzing Monton Road. Welcome home.
Monton Road, Eccles, M30
Cuppapug
Open 21 March
Now stick with us… this export from London will combine the dual delights of tea with pugs. Head to Cuppapug on Salford’s Chapel Street, and you’ll be able to chill with a pug (there will be 10 or so of the cute little blighters knocking around, playing in ball pits and basically being cool) and have a brew and a bite to eat. Think the dearly departed cat cafe in the NQ, but with a more squashed up face.
220 Chapel St, Salford M3 5LE
Cardinal Rule at Northern Monk
Open now
Deb and Dustin, from Richmond, Virginia, have made Manchester their home, helping themselves no end in assimilating by bringing with them some of the best, under-the-radar fried chicken in this fine city. They envelop this peerless poultry in the very fluffiest southern-style biscuits, which lie somewhere in the rough-puff region between a scone and a dumpling. They are cosying up at the Northern Monk refectory, and they’ll be bringing brunch with them, so expect breakfast tacos and an egg, bacon and cheese biscuit of the gods.
10 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
Lazy Tony’s at Ply and 7Sins
Open now
Having made his name – the eponymous Tony, that is – slinging slabs of lasagne from a hole in the wall on Radium Street in Ancoats, Lazy Tony’s has led a nomadic lifestyle ever since, now taking residence at the kitchen in Stevie Square fave Ply. Expect the usual deep-filled bricks of exceptional pork and beef lasagne, top class meatball subs, ludicrous garlic bread and pizza fries. Elsewhere, Tony is trying something new across the square at 7Sins. Leaving their lasagne behind, they take on a new food concept of tacos and quesadillas. Lazy Tony’s Taqueria will serve up some Tex Mex delights at the cocktail and games bar.
26 Lever St, Manchester M1 1DW
43-45 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN
Black Cat Club
Open date TBC
Formerly Habas, the people behind El Gato Negro and Canto have flipped this King Street spot into the Black Cat Club, which will feature futuristic shuffleboard and darts, coupled with some great drinks, great food, sharing plates, DJs and cocktails. A top spot for after work shenanigans.
43a Brown Street, Manchester M2 2JJ
Imamoglu
Open now
Nothing but Turkish delights will be emerging from this newly-opened Cheetham Hill grill spot. The menu reads like a list of stone-cold classics, from the iskender shish kebabs to lamb shanks, sizzler plates and solid lahmacun.
107 Cheetham Hill Rd M8 8PY
