Back to school it is then. With summer now sadly in the rear-view mirror, Manchester’s food and drink scene is kicking back into gear with a plethora of new and exciting openings.
Some - like Gooey and New Century’s food hall - have snuck in at the end of August and definitely deserve an honourable mention here, while others, like the hotly anticipated Sterling Bar from the Schofield brothers, have just about everybody in the city talking.
Below, you’ll find some street food favourites, luxe Latin American eateries and exclusive drinking dens - all working to make the transition into autumn that little bit easier.
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Just opened:
Yes Lah
Barlow Moor Road’s foodie credentials have just been boosted by the addition of Yes Lah - a shop, deli and restaurant from Mama Z (Zos Fulwell) and Wok’s Cluckin (Yen Tham), funded through an innovative Kickstarter campaign.
So, what can you expect? The pair will be serving up a selection of Pan-Asian delicacies, from rice and noodle bowls, kimchi and favourites like nasi lemak, alongside massive baguettes and a variety of deli delights. Keep an eye on this one, they’ll be hosting supper clubs and workshops in the not-to-distant future.
Gooey Cafe
Creating a new home for their NYC-inspired cookies and doughnuts, Gooey has set up shop in the Northern Quarter’s former Cat Cafe, following a successful stint in Ducie Street Warehouse. Their new digs boast an in-house bakery, take-out coffee and a brand-new brunch offering.
Brunch classics here are given a Gooey upgrade here - think dulce de leche French toast, extra crispy hash browns and top-notch bacon butties. And for those simply there for the sweet stuff, rest assured, there’s plenty of their original cookies and doughnuts to go round.
The food hall at New Century
Bringing back to life the iconic music venue - which hosted the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones - the space now referred to as New Century, features a ground-floor food hall boasting some of the North West’s very best foodie talent.
From The French’s Adam Reid and his new ‘posh butty’ concept, to newcomers like Tallow, bringing their best dry-aged beef in the form of burgers, hanger steaks and rib eyes, there’s plenty to be excited about here. They’re joined by Northern Quarter pizza spot Ply, Bahn Vi, BaoBros23 and Zumuku Sushi.
Opening this month:
Sterling
If you are already familiar with the Schofield brothers and the eponymously named bar on Little Quay Street, you might be pleased to know that the pair will soon be opening a new cocktail bar in the former bank vault of The Stock Exchange Hotel.
Sitting beneath Tom Kerridge’s The Bull and Bear, Sterling will focus on a range of classic cocktails, along with a wine list curated by wine expert James Brandwood. Kerridge will also supply a snack menu for the bar too, which will be open five days a week, and be spread across the 2,400 sq ft space, seating 100 people.
Coffee Block
If you’ve been following the upwards trajectory of Stockport’s food and drink burgeoning food and drink scene, you’ll know that the town is overflowing with new restaurants, bars and cafes. This month, it’s joined by Coffee Block - a new artisan coffee shop at Merseyway Shopping Centre.
Owned by Stockport local, David Howarth, the new coffee spot aims to provide incredible products and service ‘for the block we live on’, catering to the local community first and foremost. Located next to the body shop on the High Street, the new space will serve a delicious selection of coffee, paninis and cakes.
Alibi
It’s time to warm up your vocal cords again, because the latest spot to open in Altrincham won’t just be supplying the tunes, but also the soundtrack to sing along to. Billed as ‘the best karaoke den this side of Tokyo, Alibi will open Thursday to Sunday every day as well as weekdays for big events.
Bookable for up to 16 people, the bar also promises some creatively captioned drinks including ‘Livin La Vida Mocha’, ‘Sesame Treat’, ‘Matcha The Day’ and ‘Time Flies (When You’re Having Rum)’. Alibi is being launched by business partners Carl Petters and Richard Littman, who own venues including Common Ground, as well as London spots like Translate, Steam & Rye and The Mermaid Theatre.
MNKY HSE
This music-led Latin American restaurant and bar will launch its second UK venue in the city later this month (fingers crossed). Opening on Lloyd Street, this day-to-night venue will bring together extraordinary cocktails, exciting Latin cuisine and engaging entertainment.
MNKY HSE (which is pronounced Monkey House) has already made a name for itself in London and the Middle East, with previous high-profile guests spotted dining at the flagship eatery in Mayfair including Kate Moss and Nicole Scherzinger. Menus here are based on a ‘colourful’ sharing concept platter with dishes spanning crunchy Wagyu truffle taco, yellowfin Tuna ceviche and Chilean sea bass.
Super Happy MCR
From the creators of indie bakehouse Batard comes Super Happy MCR - a quirky new sandwich shop, which opens at Ducie Street Warehouse later this month.
Promising ‘fresh and fast’ sandwiches with ‘classic and contemporary’ flavours, diners can expect everything from super happy Philly cheese steak baguettes and kimchi hot dogs to miso apple fry pies. You’ll also find some excellent choux pastries and Turkish breads made with organic flour from Wildfarmed as this new sandwich haven.
Tom Yam
This award-winning Thai restaurant has opened a new venue in Monton in Eccles. Gaining a strong reputation in Poynton for authentic Thai cuisine, Tom Yam's new venture will surely boost Monton's food scene even further. Bringing a taste of Thailand to the burbs, the restaurant takes its name from the traditional Thai soup, and dishes here span Thai appetisers like chicken satay and pork spare ribs, and mains of spicy salads, noodles and stir fry.
The House of Books & Friends
A new café, bookshop and events space to ‘combat loneliness’ will open on King Street this September. Called House of Books & Friends, it will encourage people to come and make connections within their community. It’s an initiative that’s been founded by the law firm gunnercooke, as part of its charity arm.
The book shop, café and social hub will be housed in The Manchester Reform Club building, owned by developers Bruntwood. The Grade II-listed building, which curves around to Spring Gardens, has the Grand Pacific bar and restaurant on the first floor.
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