New restaurants and bars opening in Manchester in March 2025

After a short delay to proceedings, the excellent Blanchflower will be opening in the Trafford Centre this month (we are assured), bringing its superlative lunch dishes to those indulging in some essential retail therapy. Its Altrincham flagship remains one of our favourite out-of-town spots.

This outrageous loaded fries place is the new project from the people behind Pitmaster Smokehouse. They’re pairing fluffy, crisp fries with indulgent sauce and topping combos. If that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.

In the unit that was AMP on Stockport’s Market Place is new dive bar Highballer, complete with loads of local beers, pool tables and bandeoke. City centre burger newcomers Super Awesome Deluxe serve up smash patties, and drinks are by cocktail whizzes Cherry Jam. Expect unpretentious, no-fills fun.

Bolstering the increasing volume of new Irish pubs in the city centre – not to mention Mother Mary’s which opened last year just staggering distance away – O’Connell’s has now opened its doors in the archway space formerly occupied by the famous Thirsty Scholar pub, under the train lines heading into Oxford Road station. With interior elements sourced directly from Ireland (the bar is from a bank in Dublin), this place will have a packed programme of live music and Guinness flowing liberally.

After a few false starts, and a couple of venue changes, viral bakery Get Baked will throw its doors open (for real, this time) on 14 March. There will be excessively layered cakes quite literally – but not literally – flying out of its new spot on Stevenson Square, and we’ll be in the queue to check it out.

Mélange is a new Mediterranean kitchen at the Red Hall Hotel in Bury, replacing what was formerly Oscar’s restaurant. Dishes served in the modern, airy room will include buttermilk-soaked fried chicken and beef wellington, as well as sharing mezze platters and charcuterie boards.

An elegant new Mediterranean spot is set to open in Worsley on Match 17, in what was Ryan Giggs’ restaurant, George’s. You can expect fresh seafood, charred-to-perfection meats and a technicolour array of mezze plates. Everything is set to be super-simple and super-tasty. What a month for mezze!

We’re excited about the long-awaited opening of the Treehouse Hotel (see below for more info on that), not least because it will house a new venture from one of Manchester’s home-grown culinary stars. Mary-Ellen McTague has previously headed up Aumbry and The Creameries, as well as being a co-founder of Eat Well MCR, a not-for-profit organisation providing chef-made meals to people in need. Pip, her next project, will be open from breakfast through to dinner and will specialise in low-waste, seasonal food. Bookings are open from 4 March.

This is exciting. A music-led neighbourhood bar in arguably Manchester’s most music-led neighbourhood, the Northern Quarter. The project of Harris Mouridis and Brad Parkin, whose combined CV include Eastern Bloc, Todmorden’s Golden Lion, Common, Trof and more. This Thomas Street spot will feature  a bespoke DJ booth and Manchester’s only L-Acoustics Syva sound system, as well as an event space. Expect eclectic programming, and really excellent vibes.

From Stockport Market Hall to the Great Underbanks, the roundly adored Polish bakery Sticky Fingers now has a new home. In the spot that was formerly Geraldine’s (and just in time for their third birthday), husband and wife team Adrian and Klaudyna will be turning out crisp sourdough loaves, doughnuts and buns all day long. We expect big things.

This place should be worth the wait. Originally slated to open a couple of years back, Treehouse Hotel Manchester follows the plush Treehouse Hotel London, transforming the old Renaissance hotel at the end of Deansgate with an all-star cast. Chef Mary-Ellen McTague, of Aumbry and The Creameries, will be opening the aforementioned Pip on the ground floor, her new sustainable restaurant project, while Madre and Medlock Canteen’s Sam Grainger will be unveiling Sister Moon on the 14th floor later this year. Elsewhere, The Nest on the roof is set to become one of the city’s hottest new bars, with Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford, the minds behind the likes of Electric Chair and Homoelectric, on hand to curate an events series embracing music, art and culture.

Of the openings coming in 2025, this is perhaps getting us the most excited. Former Manchester Chef of the Year Shaun Moffat is joining with Tom Fastiggi, former senior barman at Schofield’s Bar, for Winsome, a celebration of modern British cooking in all its forms. ‘Solid scran, solid service’ is the motto. We’ll drink to that.

Starting your day properly at Altrincham Market is Woody’s (the folks behind Ruben’s Mezze Grill), with a new outdoor stall in the covered section of this foodie hotspot, turning out sturdy breakfast barms, as well as neat line in hefty jacket potatoes.