
Fancy trying something new this February? Manchester’s got ya. Despite seeing some closures last month such as Almost Famous, The Botanist in Media City and Portland, February brings brightness with some exciting new locations opening up as well as exciting independent dining spots and concepts. From a delicious steakhouse serving the works when it comes to meat, to a bakery specialising in huge towering chocolate cakes and decadent bakes, a new food court with plenty to feast on as well as some of the most exciting spots to enjoy a meal, here are some of the best new restaurants, cafés and bars to try in and around Manchester this month.
New restaurants, bars and cafés opening in Manchester
1. Get Baked
Bringing their infamous (and absolutely huge) Bertha chocolate cakes with them, Northern bakery Get Baked is opening up a location in Manchester on February 28, meaning Mancs can get a taste of the mountainous cake. Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Get Baked has taken social media by storm with their signature Bertha chocolate cake, with even celebrities including Jamie Oliver and Amanda Holden, to name a few, ordering the massive bake and sharing both their awe and love for it. A location has been revealed which is the former home of Live Well in Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter and Mancs are sure to be in for a treat…
📍Get Baked, 1a Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN.
2. O’Malley’s
Adding to the rise in Irish bars popping up in and around Manchester like The Salmon of Knowledge in the Northern Quarter and Mother Mary’s which took over the old Font bar is O’Malley’s. Due to open this month on Portland Street, O’Malley’s promises live music, ‘good drinks’ and ‘great food’ and most likely plenty of craic and a proper pint of Guinness.
📍O’Malley’s, 11 Portland Street, M1 3HU.
3. Smoke and Pepper
Taking over the old Vurger Co site ironically in the Northern Quarter is Smoke and Pepper, who are famous in London for their wings, tenders and burgers – all of which are halal. Mancs can expect fiery chicken, smash burgers, loaded fries and a warm, indulgent chocolate cake on the menu but it’s ‘The Flying Dutchman’ burger that’s got people talking. Ditching the burger baps for caramelised grilled onion, it’s pretty innovative and may bring a tear to your eye.
📍Smoke and Pepper, 11 Tib St, M4 1AE.
4. Meatworks
Modern steakhouse and eatery, Meatworks, is set to open its first restaurant at Circle Square on February 5. The burger specialists, who are also the team behind the national smash burger Boo and Midlands-based butchery Halal Editions, have a passion for working with the highest quality suppliers of Irish, grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef, to create a range of tasty dishes. There will be a mixture of traditional burger patties and smash burgers with plenty of unique flavour combinations, as well as steaks and small plates like their signature cheeseburger dumplings and slow-cooked short rib pancakes on the menu. Lunchtime value specials will include smash burger and fries for just £10.
📍Meatworks, Unit L2, 15 Symphony Park, Circle Square, M1 7FS.
5. Cat Cafe Manchester
Back in January 2021, Cat Cafe Manchester sadly closed the doors to its Northern Quarter site, now home to popular bakery and cafe Gooey, but now it has a new spot to call home. With the help of the “cuddliest, loveliest feline friends”, the cat cafe aims to help people feel better whilst educating children and adults about the needs of the pets. Cat Cafe UK follows the traditional Japanese model where instead of paying for food and drink, you pay for time. You book a slot for as long as you like, and all drinks are unlimited and free of charge.
Cat Cafe Manchester, Barton Arcade, M3 2BH.
New restaurants, bars and cafés opening in Greater Manchester
6. Soots Pasta
Soots Pasta is a new kitchen that’s popped up at Altrincham Market where you can get the most mouthwatering pasta dishes to warm you up on a cold, winters day. Co-founded by Ellen and Ruth, Soots is named after their cocker spaniel and they have an extensive menu inspired by dishes in Italy but with a modern twist. Plus, would you believe it’s vegan and gluten-free options are available upon request. Be sure to order their pesto tagliatelle, tomato arancini and fluffy focaccia.
📍Soots Pasta, Altrincham Market, Greenwood St, Altrincham, WA14 1SA.
7. Gail’s Prestwich
Gail’s are taking over Greater Manchester some might say as the infamous London-born bakery heads north of the city to Prestwich. Set to open on February 7 at the former Natwest bank building on Bury New Road, customers can expect their signature artisan sourdough breads, pastries, sandwiches, and cakes alongside its specialty house blend coffee. When announcing their move to Prestwich, the bakery shared signs on its new venue introducing itself to locals – yet managed to spell the town’s name incorrectly as ‘Preswich’. Yet, Gail’s responded in a clever way by offering free cups of tea for missing that vital letter ‘t’ to residents as a form of apology for their slip-up.
Gail’s, 463 Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 1AB
8. Nichi
A brand-new, immersive dining experience Nichi is opening at Trafford Centre, offering diners a Japanese dining experience with a Peruvian twist. Forming part of Trafford Centre’s new-look dining area in the Upper Orient, Nichi’s 3,000 sq ft flagship restaurant will offer a wide variety of Japanese delicacies, including sushi, ceviche, robata sticks, wagyu, tableside flambé, and an omakase tasting menu.
Adding to the atmosphere, diners can expect a resident DJ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, complimented by a range of fine wines and sakis. The homegrown Mancunian brand will be led by a seasoned team, with Head Chef, Kentaro Yanagisawa, hailing from Sexyfish and Nobu, and Nichi’s Managing Partner coming from Zuma.
📍Nichi, Upper Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8EH.
9. Hello Oriental
Adding to all the new restaurants heading to the biggest shopping centre in Greater Manchester is contemporary underground market hall Hello Oriental, which specialises in Asian cuisine. Hello Oriental will open a new food hall in the Upper Orient of the Trafford Centre and will be their first UK shopping centre location. Diners can enjoy traditional dishes from across East Asia including a range of dim sum to choose from, or main dishes like Taiwanese pork belly with rice, beef Ho fun and Cantonese roast meats. There will also be a wide selection of street food favourites available including Korean fried chicken, loaded katsu chicken fries or three varieties of sticky chicken wings.
📍Hello Oriental, Upper Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8EH.
10. Blanchflower
Last but by no means least, joining all the new openings at the upper level of The Orient at The Trafford Centre is Blanchflower. Known for its popular sites in Altrincham and Sale, the independent bakery will be situated near some rather big food names and we’re so proud to see the Manchester brand flourishing. With sandwiches, coffees, brunch dishes and delicious pastries, it will be a great spot for those looking for a break from shopping.
📍Blanchflower, Upper Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8EH.