Fancy trying something new this September? Manchester’s got ya. From the UK’s first comic-style Japanese restaurant to spots slinging unique and delicious cocktails, cafés serving unbelievable coffee to some of the coolest spots to enjoy a range of street food or tuck into some tasty Vietnamese dishes, here are some of the best new restaurants, cafés and bars to try in Manchester this month.
1. Allpress
We love a good coffee, and coffee shop for that matter, in Manchester, and now we have another to add to the roster. Allpress has had a strong presence in the Manchester coffee scene for some time, stocking their beans in Ancoats staples Trove, Campanio, and Erst; as well as popular retail stores Carhartt and Patagonia but it’s now opening its first Northern hub at NOMA. The new opening will be their first bricks and mortar coffee hub outside of their two London Allpress cafes and will be serving freshly brewed coffee as well as Oatly espresso flavoured soft serve ice cream. Allpress, Redfern Building, 30 Hanover St, M4 4AH.
2. HOP
HOP Vietnamese is launching its first branch outside of London, bringing something a little different to the table. Promising to bring the flavours, high energy and spirit of Vietnam to Manchester this month, Vietnamese street food restaurant HOP is on its way to the Trafford Centre’s Orient food court. Here, the restaurant will be serving Vietnamese classics such as Bahn Mi and coconut curry with a difference, as well as fresh made-to-order, fully customised dishes inspired by Vietnamese street food vendors. HOP, Kiosk Unit 2, Lower Level, The Orient, Trafford Centre.
3. Mean-Eyed Cat
Bringing a game of chance concept where diners roll the dice to get a round of drinks for free to Manchester this month is a deep south dive bar, The Mean-Eyed Cat. The bar has been a stalwart of Leeds’ bar scene for almost 20 years but has now opening a Manchester venue on Oldham Street on September 28. Well known for its rebellious spirit, wild party games with free drinks and great cocktails, The Mean-Eyed Cat will also be dishing out no-catch free pizza and bringing serious party vibes. The Mean-Eyed Cat 60 Oldham Street, M4 1LE.
4. Kargo
Part of the new £3.5m Central Bay development at Salford Quays, this new food hall comes from the operator behind the Cutlery Works in Sheffield and The GPO in Liverpool. The Greater Manchester development at Quayside will house four new independent restaurants, 13 kitchens, pop-up events, indie markets, live music performances and recreation space for children. Food traders announced so far 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.
5. Waku Waku
Waku Waku is one of the most unique new restaurants opening in Manchester. Taking its inspiration from the 2D cafes seen in Taiwan and Japan, Waku Waku has been hand drawn by owner Chris Lui, who took four months inking the walls of the Japanese restaurant on Portland Street. The result – it feels like you had stepped straight into a monochrome comic book and might be a little disorientating at first sight. Here, you could tuck into a Japanese signature dish, omurice, as well as a Mount Fuji-inspired dessert, that you’re sure to be in awe of alongside the décor. Waku Waku, 54 Portland St, M1 4QU.
6. Finders Keepers
Found on Keepers Quay, Finders Keepers is a new project from the people behind Didsbury Gin and ARLU rum. Bringing delicious cocktails to the scenic waterside of Islington Marina, guests can enjoy their very own bespoke creations. At the neighbourhood cocktail bar you can choose from the likes of Raspberry Beret (raspberry gin, homemade raspberry liqueur, Prosecco, egg white, topped with a raspberry & vanilla gin infused foam) or a Strawberry & Fig Negroni (tequila, Sipello, vermouth, fig liqueur). Finders Keepers, 8 Keepers Quay, Manchester M4 6JL
7. Italiana Fifty Five
Following its rebranding from Cibo to Italiana Fifty Five, the Manchester Italian restaurant group has opened a third site in Didsbury Village. Taking over the former Croma site, on the menu you’ll find a wide selection of traditional pasta and pizzas, mains and desserts, as well as flaming parmesan wheels (give us, all the cheese!) Plus, to celebrate the new opening, the team is also offering 50% off food until the second week of September. Italiana Fifty Five, 651a Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, M20 6QZ.
8. Bondi Bowls
When it comes to the healthier things in life, although we may first be wary, at least Manchester is full of great places to get your hands on greens, grains and generally healthy stuff. Now there’s a new addition as Bondi Bowls has announced that it’s set to open its first permanent base this September at Manchester’s garden neighbourhood Kampus. Bondi Bowls is a Manchester success story, and it’ll bring signature flavour-packed salad bowls, soup bowls and smoothies to legions of punters, eager to make healthier food choices on the go. Bondi Bowls, Kampus, Aytoun St, M1 3GL.
9. Macari’s Gelateria
Heaton Mersey has welcomed a brand new gelato spot known as Macari’s Gelateria, which is open from September 2. Serving traditional gelato, Macari’s is showing the people of South Manchester how ice cream is done in Bologna by storing its dreamy gelato inside a Pozetti (steel container) in order to keep it at the optimum temperature and ensuring that every spatula is as perfect as the first. As well as serving up gelato in flavours like Ferrero Rocher and pistachio, the Heaton Mersey gelateria offers cakes from Silver Apple and Blossom coffee. Macari’s Gelateria, 446 Didsbury Rd, Heaton Mersey, Stockport SK4 3BS
10. Victoria Tap
Miss having a pint at Victoria Station? Well, the team behind Piccadilly Tap and Euston Tap have heard our calls. Set to open a new taproom at the city’s original train station, Victoria Tap is promising commuters ‘no more £7 pints’ and a beer garden too. Expected to open this September, punters will find an ode to the pub’s location with steel train tracks repurposed into a rear keg dispense and exhibiting photographs of Manchester Victoria station through the ages. Victoria Tap, 1 Victoria Station Approach, M3 1NZ.
11. Asuke Sushi
Bringing superb sushi rolls to Altrincham, Asuke only has 14 seats so get in there quick. The owner wanted to create an intimate, welcoming feel to diners where they can enjoy a vast range of sushi, from nigiri to sashimi to maki to uramaki, as well as its own special ‘gunkan’ (boat-shaped) rolls. You’ll also find katsu curries, wok-fried udon and yakisoba, bao buns and teriyaki on the menu too. Plus, it’s one of the only new restaurants in Greater Manchester offering a personalised touch as customers are able to bring in their own vinyls to play whilst they dine. Asuke Sushi, 118 Manchester Road, Altrincham, WA14 4PY.