Robot bubble tea makers? Check. Tea shops inspired by trips to your gran’s house? Check. Viral chicken sandwich shops? Check.
February has it going on…
Gran T’s
Open 8 February
Born in Altrincham, the Gran T’s coffee house has just opened a new outpost where the NQ meets Ancoats, right on Great Ancoats Street. It aims to replicate the experience of tea around your nan’s (hence the name), so expect your brews to come in proper mugs and the jam and scones to flow freely. There will also be butties, toasties, soup and general cosiness.
54-58 Great Ancoats St, Manchester M4 5AB
Hachi
Open now
New noodle joint Hachi isn’t just your run-of-the-mill spot with big bowls of steaming soup. Although it does have those. It also had robot boba tea and candy floss makers, which kind of sets it apart from the pack. Head down and pledge fealty to our robotic overlords, and then have a nice dinner.
87 Great Ancoats St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AG
Lücky
Open 7 February
Formerly the exceptional brunch and lunch spot Mule in Ancoats, its evening persona Lucky Ramen (it would transform itself each evening) has now taken over the space full time this month, and will be shortened to simply Lücky, and we cannot wait. There’s no reservations – it’s a walk-up situation, so expect some potential queuing. Worth it though. During the day it’ll be doing pan-Asian brunch dishes like Balinese eggs with Indonesian streaky bacon, a signature Korean French toast with fried chicken and a Japanese steak sandwich. Never fear, in the evenings the excellent sushi and ramen will return.
13 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AF
Wow Banh Mi
Open now
Among the world’s truly great sandwiches, the banh mi is a thing of beauty when done correctly. They’re doing it right at Wow Banh Mi on Oldham Road, with the sometimes overlooked but super authentic pate layer intact. They’re doing barbecued beef meatballs, Vietnamese ham and sausage with pork floss, pork skewers and a classic crispy pork belly version too, as well as fabulous snacks, summer rolls, huge bowls of restorative soup and crispy corn dogs.
132 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BG
Honey St Studio
Open 2 February
Honey Street is a new events space and hub for creative types in Cheetham Hill. It’s throwing a launch party this very weekend (2 February) with DJs, drinks and exhibits from Ruby Robinson, Luke Boland, Mitchell Severs, Hana Latif, Ian Wilkinson, Xavier Caballé and Sara Carpentieri. They’ll also be slinging out free slices of pizza for all those who attend.
Honey Street Studio, 16b Honey Street, Manchester, M8 8RG
Miami Crispy Chorlton
Open tbc
Miami Crispy in Burnage went viral last summer, with roadblock queues of fried chicken enthusiasts turning up for its spicy sandwiches. They’re now opening another outlet, and we just hope that Chorlton is ready for it. Moving into the spot left vacant by the Ruyi vegetarian Chinese restaurant on Manchester Road, we fully expect scenes of pandemonium.
101 Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9GA
Sora at Malmaison Deansgate
Open 2 February
Though not strictly speaking on Deansgate, the new branch of Malmaison just off Albert Square has a new restaurant – Sora, serving up Asian-style tapas dishes on its seventh floor. It’s a room with a view, and has DJs on at the weekend as well as sushi, robatayaki and cocktails. It’ll also be doing a great value set lunch for £25.
23 Princess St, Manchester M2 4ER
Big Parrot
Open now
While Chorlton gets the odd flock of parakeets, big parrots are less prevalent. Until now. Big Parrot, a new tapas spot, has landed right next to the Beagle, with some brand new outside terrace seating going on. We’ve not much further intel than that so far, but
448C Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester M21 0BQ
Founder’s Hall
Open 26 February
On the site of Dutton’s on Albert Square will be new JW Lees pub Founder’s Hall, billed as ‘a temple to our nearly 200-year-old family brewery’. A ‘modern and comfortable beer hall with decent scran’, there will be home-made pies, Sunday roasts and, of course, JW Lees ales. It joins other city centre Lees pubs, including Gulliver’s, The Rembrandt, Rain Bar and the inimitable Millstone.
2-10 Albert Square, Manchester M2 6LW
