New year, new openings! Fancy trying something new this April? Manchester’s got ya. April is the month of opening new branches of the big and also independent brands we know and love it seems. From an independent coffee and brunch spot serving decadent French toasts to pizzerias and burger joints slinging moreish pizzas and smashed patties, restaurants specialising in crispy and tender chicken to some of the most glamourous spots to enjoy an Italian 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. Double Zero
Some might say there’s too many pizzerias in Manchester but when it comes to top pizza restaurants in Manchester, particularly of the Neapolitan variety, Chorlton’s Double Zero has to be up there, and there’s a new one coming soon… For those who can’t enough of their beautifully-puffed up crusts and gorgeous toppings (all pizzas are sprinkled with parmesan, which gets a thumb’s up from us) then you’re in luck as the restaurant on Barlow Moor Road is set to expand by opening a new location within the Manchester city centre. It’s been a long time in the making but we can confirm the pizza oven is officially in and we are ready for a slice!
📍Double Zero, 55 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BY
2. Medlock Canteen
One of the new restaurants and bars that has arrived in Manchester this month is Medlock Canteen, the latest concept from the team behind Belzan and Madre, situated at Deansgate Square. Taking inspiration from two distinct styles of eateries found on the opposite side of the Atlantic; Medlock Canteen is inspired by the informality, accessibility and hospitality of American Diners and Parisian Bistros with a menu centred around dishes ‘you know and love to eat’. The focal point of the menu however centres around the rotisserie chicken oven and you won’t find anywhere in the city serving anything like it.
📍Medlock Canteen, Deansgate Square, Owen Street, M15 4YB.
3. Hampton and Vouis
This much-adored pancake, French toast and brunch spot located opposite Albert Square and the Town Hall has announced it will be opening a second location in Manchester. Almost six years ago since its inception, the independent Manchester coffee house said the response has been all they hoped for. Now they’re heading to the Northern Quarter to open their second site on High Street.
📍Hampton and Vouis, 78-88 High Street, Manchester, M4 1ES.
4. Cibo
Opening on April 6, Cibo will be opening a spot at the top of King Street at the former site of Rio Ferdinand’s restaurant, Rosso, which closed last year. Housed in what was one the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, the Grade II listed building has been entirely transformed and like Rosso, guests can once again dine under the dome. Cibo said their “new restaurant seamlessly marries Cibo’s renowned chic and glamorous interiors with the timeless elegance of panelled wood, marble tables, plush velvet textures, and opulent chandelier” – in other words, it’s set to be a pretty grand opening.
📍Cibo, 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BG
5. Morejoy BBQ & Bun
Taking over from Onda Pasta Bar (which is opening its own bricks and mortar spot soon) at The New Cross is Morejoy BBQ & Bun. Open from April 10, they will be serving up charcoal-grilled Shaokao, and freshly steamed bao packing big flavours. Shaokao is Chinese BBQ and is best enjoyed with beers and friends, according to Morejoy and their version is inspired by the Shaokao joints of China’s Sichuan province.
📍Morejoy BBQ & Bun, 6 Cross Keys St, Manchester, M4 5ET.
6. Patterson’s
Joining a number of street food traders like Oh My Cheesecake, Lazy Tony’s Lasagnaria and Payal as Freight Island reopens for the spring and summer seasons is Patterson’s. The fried chicken spot has been a huge hit over in Liverpool (an institution in the city for the last 40 years) and now Mancs will be able to get a tasty of their signature crispy chicken plus fully stacked burgers and loaded fries. Be sure to order the all new ‘Freight Island Stacker’ as well as a hefty pot of gravy to dip those crunchy chicken wings and tenders into.
📍Patterson’s, Freight Island, 11 Baring Street, M1 2PZ.
New restaurants, bars and cafés opening in Greater Manchester
7. Burgerism
Legendary burger spot Burgerism, which was recently-crowned the best burger takeaway spot in the North, has announced it is opening a brand new location in Greater Manchester, heading east of the city to Denton. Set to be their fifth brick-and-mortar site, the new Tameside venue sees them expand their burger empire further across the Greater Manchester region after first launching back in 2018. The smashed-burger experts have revealed they will be bringing their signature burgers, wings, fries and homemade dips to Denton’s Stockport Road.
📍Burgerism, 31 Stockport Rd, Denton, M34 6DB.
8. Lucky Mama’s
What began its journey back in Eccles is now opening a permanent location in the area. Taking the food scene by storm during lockdown, the fabulous Lucky Mama’s worked out of their mobile truck serving great pasta and Roman-style pizza. After opening their first proper spot in Chorlton last year, they’re now heading back to their roots, with another restaurant in Monton, on the trendy and buzzing Monton Road, taking over the former Eat Like A Greek site. Look out for those viral pasta dishes served in pizza bowls too!
📍Lucky Mama’s, 217 Monton Rd, Eccles, M30 9PN.
9. That Burger Place
A contender in the National Burger Awards, much-loved burger joint That Burger Place has now opened a long-awaited second location in Salford. Since 2017 they’ve been serving their take on West Coast smashburgers – 100% beef patties, super smashed for a tender yet crispy sensation. Their delivery service has been a smash hit and now fans can finally sit in and tuck into their smashed patties and more.
📍That Burger Place, 327 Bolton Road, Salford, M6 7GU.
10. Popeyes
Popeyes arrived at Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens last autumn and since then the Louisiana fried chicken restaurant has become a hit with locals, so much so that another spot is opening in the region. Popeyes UK will be opening the doors to its new Manchester drive-thru restaurant this April, meaning you can get a taste of the Deep South from the comfort of your car. The all new American fried chicken restaurant will be located on Bury New Road near Higher Broughton and chicken fans will get to experience Popeyes’ world-famous ‘shatter crunch’ and original Southern biscuits and gravy.
📍Popeyes, 288-292 Bury New Rd, Manchester, M7 2YJ.
11. Cinnabon
If you’re a fan of those infamous, soft and sweet cinnamon rolls then you’re in luck as Manchester has been blessed with another Cinnabon location. The world-famous American bakery brand, which also has a spot on Manchester’s Deansgate, has rolled into the Trafford Centre with a new kiosk. Bringing Cinnabon’s Ooey-Gooey goodness and a smell of warm cinnamon and frosting, customers can look forward to a full selection of freshly baked Bons, including the Classic Cinnabon, ChocoBon, Caramel PecanBon, as well as the official Lotus Biscoff Bon.
📍Cinnabon, Upper Regent Crescent, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 8AR.
12. Blackbird Brewhouse and Kitchen
Adding to the new restaurants opening in Greater Manchester this month is Blackbird Brewhouse and Kitchen, a brand new bar and kitchen in Stockport serving hearty food from the team behind top pie-makers Ate Days A Week. Diners can expect bar snacks such as ox cheek nuggets, sticky chipolatas and proper buttermilk chicken tenders on the menu as well as bigger dishes like wild boar and beef frankfurter hotdog, corned beef brisket on potato rostis, and of course, pie and mash. Blackbird is also serving up Sunday roasts consisting of either beef short rib, lamb shank or vegan Wellington followed by cookie pie.
📍Blackbird Brewhouse and Kitchen, 8 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY.