The festive season has arrived as Manchester Christmas Markets are in full swing and many of the city’s food and drink establishments are serving up plenty of Christmassy specials. However, offering something a little different from the usual seasonal feastings, modern Middle Eastern bar and restaurant Habas is getting into the festive spirit with the launch of its very own Christmas market.
Joining traders on King Street, the Michelin-listed restaurant is serving city goers looking to get into the Christmas mood with a selection of the restaurant’s signature seasonal dishes. Guests popping down to the covered market, located directly outside sister restaurant El Gato Negro, can choose from one of three savoury dishes – Moroccan Style Chicken Tagine Curry; Moroccan Style Vegetable Tagine Curry; and Chargrilled Lamb Merguez Burger in Pitta– all priced at £8.
Plus, Habas will be spicing up its Christmas market with the restaurant’s signature batata hara, spiced potatoes served with a dill sour cream. The pop-up market by restaurant Habas, which launched in June 2021, will be serving drinks such as Victoria Malaga lager, Prosecco, wine and a selection of soft drinks.
Keeping with tradition, mugs of spiced mulled wine will also be flowing at the pop-up restaurant with guests that purchase one of the iconic market mugs gifted with a special token inviting them to enjoy a complimentary top-up at the bar in Habas. It’s quite the offer for those that want to carry on the festive fun but warm up from the cold. It also includes priority access to the business’s January dining incentive, with details of this to be revealed in due course.
Speaking on the launch of the pop-up restaurant, Chef Patron and Creative Director of Habas, Simon Shaw, said: “It’s a bit of fun isn’t it, and we are all for that. The Christmas markets bring a whole new crowd to Manchester and the opportunity to showcase what we do differently. Why wouldn’t you get involved?”
Habas occupies the old wine cellars of the magnificent former Manchester Club building on Brown Street, which managed to earn itself a Michelin listing just five months after launching, and more recently won Newcomer of the Year (Hospitality) in the 2022 This is Manchester Awards. The Habas pop-up Christmas market is open from 11am – 8.30pm seven days a week, and will run until December 22.