New restaurants and bars opening in Manchester in February 2026

Great Northern Market has landed (ahem) in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, bringing a lively street-food hall to the departure lounge. The huge new spot lines up six kitchens — from Nashville-style chicken to proper Neapolitan pizza — plus sweet treats from Manchester favourite Gooey. A bold Marcus Method mural sets the tone, with more than 470 seats making it the airport’s biggest dining space. With table service and menus shaped by local chef Amy Tomkinson, it puts a Boots meal deal into perspective.

From the crew that brought you the sprawling Diecast comes Idra, Manchester’s newest club space. Carved from the back end of the former foundry is a previously un-revealed hanger, bringing the industrial, factory floor vibes. So far, day-to-night parties are confirmed with La Discotheque (featuring Jayda G and Horse Meat Disco), Mall Grab and Kaluki.

The mighty Sankeys returns. Once a club in a mill on the wrong side of the tracks – yes, despite its myriad bakeries and exceptionally appointed residences, Ancoats used to be very much that – now it’s been reborn, taking on the site formerly known as the Bread Shed (and before that Zoo). With a stellar line-up of internationally renowned DJs – from Felix Da Housecat to Maya Jane Coles – it’s a joy to welcome it back into the fold.

Beneath the brilliant Swig in Stretford, owner and proprietor Kai is transferring his skills at the coffee machine to the cocktail shaker. Sip on a Sidecar, and to soak up the booze, there’s classy tinned fish and toasted focaccia. A welcome addition to this increasingly trendy suburb.

Opening up in the old Salvi’s at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers, Kouba will be offering up Middle Eastern grills and shisha from this swankily appointed spot, as well as a whole encyclopaedia of sweet treats from celebrated baker La Chouquette. Oh, and they’ve got an iced latte tap.

The Station Hotel in Altrincham has always been a stunning old boozer – think stained glass windows and a Victorian facade – but following a £250,000 transformation, it’s got a whole new lease of life. Sports, pool and ‘normal’ lager is still very much a fixture, but now there’s also lavishly decorated booths to sip spritzes and enjoy pizza from nearby slice spot Nell’s. The beer garden has been refreshed too featuring new flora and fauna. The location couldn’t be more convenient: it’s practically on top on on Altrincham Interchange. Give it a visit next time you’re in the town.

Grué Pastry is proper. Like the real deal, a classic French patisserie run by a classic French man. So think delicately created marzipan fruits, eclairs, tartes, roulades, the lot, all coming out of their sleek premises on Stamford Street. From pop-ups to now their own place, we’d expect queues out of the door.

From the folks behind Into The Wild, the fabulous bushcraft, coffee shack and rural events space in Ashley, comes this new neighbourhood spot, sandwiched between terraces on Park Road in Hale. They’ll be doing ice cream, great coffee and sourdough pizza a couple of nights a week too.

Cheadle Hulme is getting a new tapas joint, Dos Hermanos, in the old J&G Butterworth bakery, right in the heart of the village. Expect great beers, great wine, and obviously great food, from neat, one-bite pintxos to larger tapas dishes.

Smoak has become a staple for a great coffee and an even greater salt beef bagel in Chorlton. Now they’re open for business in Didsbury. Great brews and top sandwiches are to be found at their new location on Barlow Moor Road.

Proper wood-fired pizza in Chorlton, in the spot vacated by bakery Le Petit Paris. They’ve got a serious oven out the back, some space to eat in at the front (though it’s mostly a takeaway situation) and some classics on the menu – not to mention a heap of takeaway pasta options too.

The Eggslut sandwiches, layered up as they are with eggs, cheese, bacon and other good stuff, have become the stuff of legend in London. Now heading up the M6, they’ve got a prime location right on Deansgate from which to sling these calorific beauties.

Seemingly lab-created to be as on-trend as possible, Department is Spinningfields’ new coffee shop, and it’s cool. Very cool. Think barista-made speciality coffee, fresh bakes, and swoon-worthy midcentury furniture. If you enjoy sipping your flat white surrounded by chrome surfaces, teak furniture and sculptural lighting, this is where to have your next coffee date.

Manchester burger dons Burgerism are now slap-bang in the middle of town, smashing their burgers from a new location right on Piccadilly Gardens. It feels like a big move, from the dark kitchens to the bright lights, and perhaps signalling a move like wildly successful Manchester-born brands like Rudy’s. Let’s hope so. Expect the Beefed, the Cheesed, the Baconed and, of course, the irresistible Freebird to, erm, fly out.