Viral videos are pretty powerful, and when the tiramisu drawer at Onda Pasta Bar hit the internet, we couldn’t get enough. Now, Manchester is getting its very own Onda restaurant, announced via a pretty mysterious Instagram post, and we’re ridiculously excited for that drawer of sweet coffee goodness to hit the city − alongside its delicious pasta menu… of course.
Having opened up temporarily as a new trader at Exhibition, and more recently at The New Cross, Onda (meaning ‘wave’ in Italian) is no stranger to Manchester. The modern pasta bar from the team behind Gooey has worked its way into the hearts of many Mancs, and if you’re a fan of their bakes, you’re likely to like this new foodie concept.
The announcement post simply reads: “Here it is. Onda Pasta Bar. Opening early May 2024! Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M1 7FS” − thanks guys. The pop-up with a six month-long waiting list has lead them to find a new home in Circle Square and will be joining a cohort of exciting and well-loved businesses in the Circle Square complex, including Federal, Hello Oriental and Monkey Trio, and we reckon it’ll fit right in.
The Gooey team collaborated with Michelin-trained chef Sam Astley Dean, the man behind Rise pizza, to create Onda Pasta Bar. Think Italian flavours we know and love but given a modern twist, including carbonara, lasagne and gnocchi but not necessarily as we know them.
The menu at Onda Pasta Bar features six pasta plates made to share as well as two larger sharer pasta trays for groups to fight over, plus tasty Italian desserts like their viral tiramisu and gelato.
As for the showstopping pasta dishes, the menu has featured the likes of pici pasta with cacio e pepe with plenty of black pepper and pecorino; wild garlic pesto cavatelli; fettucine alla vongole (clams, white wine, garlic, parsley and chilli); pappardelle with beef cheek ragu, parsley and parmesan; and raviolo with Cornish scallops, crab, fennel and bisque.
We’re hoping for this absolute banger to be included on the menu at the new Onda Manchester spot, and we’ll be keeping you updated on any news on the new opening in May.
If you’ve made a booking at their New Cross site between March 28 and May 12, find out more here.