Showcasing true Northern grit, our city’s entrepreneurs fought the economic uncertainty this year (‘cozzy livs’ is now in most of our vocabulary) as well as emerging stronger post-pandemic, resulting in a swarm of brand new restaurants and bars for the people of Manchester to enjoy, with some becoming the absolute best openings of the year. From luxurious dining spots serving delicious Asian-inspired cuisines to huge food and drink destinations, here’s some of the best new restaurants and bars to grace Manchester in 2023.
1. Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish is a pretty *fancy* place, with a restaurant in London’s prestigious Mayfair district that’s exclusively reserved for the elite of the city, and has quickly become of the best new restaurants in Manchester. It’s so *fancy*, in fact, that it’s led by Michelin-awarded chef Bjoern Weissgerber, who earned his first star at the ripe age of 27. The celeb-loved restaurant opened its first venture outside of the capital in October, taking over the former Armani unit facing out towards Deansgate. Striking interior features include spectacular artworks from international artist, Damien Hirst, as well as delectable á la carte options, Omakase tasting menus, and late-night dining options for diners to enjoy. Sexy Fish, 2 Spinningfields Square, M3 3AP.
2. Great North Pie
Founded over a decade ago by husband and wife duo Neil and Sarah Broomfield, Great North Pie Co specialises in traditional pie and mash with a modern twist – serving up delicious classics that are paired with either a matching beer or glass of prosecco. Joining the likes of Nell’s, Yum Cha, The Beeswing and Pollen who have already taken up residence at Kampus, the restaurant marked a new era for Little David Street – a street that is often considered one of the few remaining cobbled streets in Manchester. Great North Pie Co, Kampus, Little David Street, M1 3GA.
3. Madre
We’ve been waiting for this new opening for a while but now the time has come! North West-born taco spot Madre has seen huge success in just a few short years – not only bringing the deep flavours of Mexico to Liverpool’s Albert Dock, but also been a cult-fave at city centre venue Escape to Freight Island (where, I will admit, I’ve inhaled one or two kilos worth of their nachos). Now, the taco slingers are set to cast their net a little wider, joining the bustling Kampus neighbourhood sometime this month. Madre will not only be bringing us tasty tacos but mighty Mexican food like wood-grilled seafood and steaks, plus fresh oysters and ceviche straight from a huge ice counter as well as tequila. Madre, Kampus, Aytoun St, M1 3GL.
4. Higher Ground
The team behind Flawd wine bar in Islington Marina relaunched Higher Ground as a full size restaurant in February 2023. Added to the Michelin Guide, ranked in the National Restaurant Awards top 100 list and making The Good Food Guide’s ‘Best Local Restaurant‘ list, it has gone from strength to strength in a matter of months to become one of the best new restaurants in Manchester in 2023. Higher Ground moved into the former spot of the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs on Faulkner Street in Chinatown and has become a favourite with both locals and highly-regarded chefs like Rick Stein. Both à la carte and chef’s choice sharing menus are available alongside an even bigger range of the natural wine that Flawd has become known for. Higher Ground, Faulkner House, Faulkner St, M1 4DY.
5. FENIX
FENIX was one of the most hotly anticipated additions to the burgeoning Manchester dining scene this year. From the team behind Tattu, FENIX brings high-end contemporary Greek-Mediterranean food and culture from Mykonos to Spinningfields. The new opening is led by two celebrated chefs recruited from Greece bringing modern techniques together with traditional ingredients and flavours. From fresh pita served with grilled aubergine, tomato confit and feta espuma, hummus and a smoked Taramasalata with fresh white fish roe cream, to hearty portions of spiced beef meatballs, grilled octopus with Aegean fava beans, shrimp ‘Saganaki’ and Wagyu beef dumplings, dishes focus on innovative plates inspired by Greek traditions alongside Mediterranean flavours. FENIX, The Goods Yard Building, Goods Yard Street, M3 3BG.
6. Lucky Cat
Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay finally opened Lucky Cat Manchester in June 2023. Adding to the list of highly-anticipated and best new restaurants in Manchester, it marked the first major opening for Gordon Ramsay in the city and the second Lucky Cat worldwide. The Manchester location aims to offer “a dining experience like no other”, capturing the essence of the original Mayfair eatery in a breath-taking Art Deco building at the top of King Street, alongside Manchester’s iconic Hotel Gotham. You can embark on a gastronomic journey with dishes carefully created by Gordon Ramsay and Lucky Cat Executive Head Chef Andre Camilo such as Korean spiced black cod, sirloin weeping tiger, sushi, tuna tartar and the legendary Lucky Cat bonito fried duck leg bao. Lucky Cat, 100 King St, M2 4WU.
7. Suki Suki
A new addition to Great Northern Warehouse, Suki Suki is a pan-Asian eatery and bar serving up the likes of bao buns, ramen and dumplings. Suki Suki has become quite the spot for those feeling peckish after a trip to the cinema or spot of axe throwing at the warehouse with street nibbles like gyoza, salt and pepper wings, soft shell crab tempura, sui mai and bang bang prawns on the menu. If you’re after something more substantial Suki Suki also serves up build your own ramen bowls, stir fry dishes and curries (including katsu). Suki Suki, Great Northern Warehouse, 227 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
8. iKaro
Old school clubbers were buzzing earlier this year when it was rumoured that 2000s celebrity haunt Panacea was set to be resurrected as a club on John Dalton Street, just off Deansgate. In autumn 2023, the former Manchester club reopened with a whole new lease of life, under the brand new name and concept of iKaro, offering a taste of the high life as a seafood, grill and champagne bar. You can find the likes of teriyaki lamb cutlets, miso glazed black cod and grilled lobster tail featured on the menu as well as a 30oz Australian Wagyu Tomahawk steak for a whopping £250. iKaro, 14 John Dalton St, M2 6JR.
9. Ciaooo Loaded Garlic Bread
Garlic bread- it’s the future, lads! And Peter Kay is not wrong as this new opening from Ciaooo that is dedicated to loaded garlic bread put Manchester in an absolute frenzy this year. Serving fluffy yet crispy crusted garlic bread loaded with an array of toppings, it’s the stuff that dreams are made of. Just around the corner from their Swan Street location, the restaurant dedicated to loaded garlic bread took over the former home of the explicitly-shaped waffle cafe, Mr Dick, in Shudehill. Diners can also order more exciting flavour combinations likes ‘nduja and honey, cacio e pepe, pesto, marinara and truffle all loaded on top of Ciaooo’s signature fluffy based garlic breads. Ciaooo Loaded Garlic Bread, 93-95 Shudehill, M4 4AN.
10. DieCast
Located behind Manchester Piccadilly train station, DieCast is the latest concept from the team behind Ramona and The Firehouse and had been in the works for some time. The 5,000 capacity venue will opened in phases with the first one, known as Leno Ex Machina, arriving in July. First to open was the vast outside space where you’ll find Manchester’s biggest beer garden, House of Daiquiri specialising in frozen daiquiris, Rum Caravans, Open Air BBQ Kitchen and a new ‘NeoPan’ pizzeria. The first of its kind in the city it is also serving fresh and zesty Italian small plates, wood-fired Piadino, Leno Burgers and roasts perfect for the winter months. DieCast, 51 Ducie St, M1 2JQ.
11. Half Dozen Other
New local artisan bakery, Half Dozen Other, which specialises in ‘classic bakes with modern takes’, joined the Red Bank Arches back in July. Half Dozen Other forms part of the Pot Kettle Black Group, which operates two sites across Manchester (Barton Arcade and Angel Gardens), and serves both sweet and savoury croissants, impressive Danish pastries and flavoured focaccias. Highlights have included their seasonal bakes as well as pistachio éclairs, cinnamon buns and peanut butter and jelly croissants. Half Dozen Other, Unit 17, Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4FE.
12. Kargo
Part of the new £3.5m Central Bay development at Salford Quays, the new food hall comes from the operator behind the Cutlery Works in Sheffield and The GPO in Liverpool. The Greater Manchester development at Quayside is home to multiple independent restaurants, kitchens, pop-up events, indie markets, live music performances and recreation space for children. Food traders include Ad Maiora, Tang’s Hot Pot, Rio Mex, Baity, Nori, What’s Your Beef, Leopard Pie, Vnam, Boba Cha, Bab K and Nila’s Burmese Kitchen- you won’t go hungry here! Kargo, Central Bay, Salford Quays, M50 3XW.
13. San Carlo Alderley Edge
It’s been a long time coming but San Carlo finally opened their newly revamped restaurant in Alderley Edge near Manchester and it is stunning – so stunning it was named one of the best new restaurants of the year. Having been founded by the eponymous Carlo Distefano when he came to the UK from his native Sicily at the age of 17, the Italian eatery has become a £60 million restaurant empire which currently numbers 23 authentic Italian restaurants across the UK. Taking over the former Gino D’Acampo restaurant Luciano, guests can expect quite the transformation with luxurious interiors, a gorgeous terrace and a tasty classic Italian menu to go with it. San Carlo, London Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7QD.
14. Dear Sailor
Despite the opening being pretty hush-hush, Dear Sailor is a new cocktail bar for 2023 located in Spinningfields and inspired by the speakeasies and jazz bars of 1930s Tokyo. Dear Sailor operates under the house rule of women taking control in the bar environment, where men aren’t supposed to talk to women first… Serving opulent long and short drinks that are bold and experimental in an atmospheric and nocturnal environment, highlights from the menu include a Pecan Mai Tai and a Yuzu Meringue Martini. Dear Sailor, 1 Spinningfields Square, M3 3AP.
15. The Pearl
Opening in November 2023, The Pearl is a new project from Sam Taylor, who was behind lockdown sandwich pop-up Sansan, and has hired Iain Thomas (previously head chef of The Edinburgh Castle and The Alan) to cook up a storm. The Pearl is a dining room aiming to serve up a small, curated menu of seasonal British dishes with friends and family, in the heart of Prestwich Village. Highlights on the menu include deep fried anchovies; venison tartare; beef short rib with salt-baked celeriac and creamed potatoes; and Tea and Biscuits (a baked custard with Earl Grey and custard cream). The Pearl, 425 Bury New Rd, Prestwich, M25 1AF.