From sweet-toothed hatch openings and sleek steak spots to boozy basement bars, new pizza joints and late-night karaoke dives, there’s no shortage of new places to check out this month. Whether you’re after a perfectly poured pint, a viral naanwich, or a few small plates in a wine shop, May’s new arrivals are covering lots of bases.
Here’s what’s opening up in Manchester this month…
Baby Mayhem – Open now
Bewildering name aside, Baby Mayhem opens in an auspicious spot, in terms of hyper-local Ancoats streetfood lore. From this very same hatch on Radium Street, Bada Bing and Lazy Tony’s slung their first subs and slabs. These lot will be very much on the sweet side, over the savoury, with doughnuts and ice cream being their vibe.
Bunny’s Outpost – Open now
Bunny’s in the ‘burbs. What a time to be alive. Didsbury Village won’t know what’s hit it, as the crew stuff their bindles with bourbon, beer and hot dogs and trek down Wilmslow Road to set up their latest dive bar. There’s outdoor space at the front and back, karaoke, US sports and darts, and general good vibes all round.
Chef Platters Rusholme – Opens early May
We’re huge fans of the original Chef Platters in Burnage, after heading out there for our Suggested By You series. Home of the viral ‘naanwich’ (a seekh kebab wrapped in naan dough and baked in the tandoor), they will be bringing their exceptional Indian street food to the famous Curry Mile, and we can’t wait.
Cona Steakhouse – Open now
With a branch in Bradford’s Little Germany, this stylish halal steakhouse brand is coming to Ancoats, on the former site of audio bar NAM on Cutting Room Square. Expect plush interiors, huge slabs of beef, midweek specials and an upscale Sunday roast.
Cru – Open now
Tucked away on the very-cute-indeed Warburton Street in Didsbury Village, Cru is serving up small plates and brilliant wines, as well as hosting tasting and cooking events too (with the brilliant Simon Wood heading over at the end of May). It’s a shop too, so anything that tickles the tastebuds you can take home with you.
Deano’s – Open 2 May
Low lights, velvet drapes, cocktails – Deano’s will be bringing some ring-a-ding-ding to Edge Street, with Italian American classics on the menu, from mozzarella sticks with spicy ’nduja honey, crispy chicken parm,
bucatini carbonara and meatball melt deep-dish pizzas. We’re adjusting out belts accordingly.
Foundation at Bloc – Open now
Taking over the former Trove cafe in Bruntwood’s Bloc co-workspace, NQ coffee dons Foundation will be providing excellent brews, their own baked pastries and bread, triangle press cheese toasties and ploughman’s wraps, alongside smoothies, iced coffees and milkshakes.
Gallagher’s – Open now
Altrincham has got itself another great Irish pub, run by mother and son team Jacqui and Callum Gallagher, who also own The Horseshoe in Levenshulme. You can expect great Guinness and a great atmosphere, with pub classics and Irish-inspired dishes on the menu.
The Morris – Open May tbc
The latest venue to join the throng of bars and restaurants on Thomas Street, The Morris will spread itself over three floors – a pub on the ground floor with local beers, a retro-style table service cocktail bar on the first floor and an events space at the top.
Mozzarella City Centre – Open May tbc
Mozzarella has been running its kosher take on Italian pizza from its outpost in Prestwich since 2015. Now they’re heading into town, bringing the same great ingredients and a few vegan and gluten-free options too
Maki & Ramen NQ – Open May tbc
After opening their first branch on York Street last year, chef Teddy Lee’s Edinburgh-founded Japanese chain Maki & Ramen are opening a second site in the Northern Quarter.
The Three Mills Beer & Ale House – 9 May
Set inside the striking Grade II-listed Eckerseley Mill in Wigan, the Three Mills Beer & Ale House has transformed this industrial spot into a ‘proper pub for Wigan’, with 14 lines for craft beers, cocktails and a huge collection of whiskey.
