Earlier this week at a prestigious award ceremony in Madrid, it was announced that Manchester has a few entries in the OAD Guides' Best Restaurants in Europe list for 2025!

#307 Mana
#393 Skof *New Entry*
#432 Where The Light Gets In
#520 Walled Gardens
#604 Adam Reid at The French *Re-entry*

The city's food credentials grow year on year, and 2024 was a particularly strong one for Manchester's hospitality scene, despite a very tough general market making life difficult for operators. We've seen a handful of genuinely great casual offerings spring open, and in the upper end of the market Skof hit the ground sprinting, as was to be expected, plus its great to see The French enter the list after a period of being stronger than it's ever been!

Let's see what comes next!

Flame-Grilled Feasts, Live Jazz, and Riverside Cocktails!

Thursdays at The Lowry Hotel are heating up with the launch of ‘Flame’ – a brand new grill night taking over The River Restaurant every Thursday. Think premium cuts, bold marinades, expertly matched wines, and that signature flame-grilled finish – all served riverside in one of Manchester’s most iconic destinations.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of Jazz at The Lowry Lounge & Bar, with live sets from rotating artists including Sara Leanne, Dafydd Hughes, and Mia Shaw, performing acoustic jazz sets throughout the evening. Sit back and relax in the Lowry Lounge & Bar, or enjoy the music al fresco on the extensive riverside terrace – complete with outdoor seating, ideal for spring evenings.

Happy Hour & A Half. Start your night with two-for-one cocktails at the Lowry Lounge & Bar, featuring classic favourites and unique creations.

Complement your drinks and jazz with a selection of small plates, including, Grilled Harissa Chicken Thighs, Bang Bang Cauliflower, Duck Spring Rolls and Lamb Kofta. Whether you're dining with friends or looking for a relaxed date environment; their small plates menu offers the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of delicious dishes.

Because Thursday is the new Friday right?!

Cosy Club Manchester Located in the majestic Corn Exchange in the heart of Manchester’s city centre is your home for picture perfect brunches, long leisurely lunches, romantic dates & late nights with mates.

Since it’s glow up in spring 2025, the building oozes 70s glamour. From bespoke carpets, wallpaper, lighting and one off pieces to fresh green plants and luxurious sofas, guests will be transported through eras of cosy glamour, timeless elegance and occasion.

Whilst you’re waiting for a table in the 140-cover restaurant, you can sip on elegantly created cocktails under a stunning domed roof in the bar. The bar itself is a bit of a character and comes from an old pub at Liverpool Lime Street station called ‘The Head of Steam’. Their Cathedral and Exchange rooms are also available to hire for your special occasions.

The stylish restaurant wraps around the window façade of the building, offering views of the bustling shops and square below no matter what time of day you decide to join us for a bite to eat – perfect for people-watching.

Cosy Club aims to provide a little something for everyone, serving breakfast in the morning and staying open late for drinks in the evening. From lunches with nan to drinks in full glam, it’s the perfect spot for your moments made to be remembered.

The Pearl are thrilled to announce that they have welcomed Matt Bennett, ex-Mana and Gidleigh Park, as their new Head Chef. Matt comes with an impressive culinary pedigree and brings a dedication to quality and innovation to the team, leading with a wealth of experience from both 1 Michelin star Mana in Manchester and a 3 year tenure as Sous Chef at 1 Michelin star Gidleigh Park in Devon. This next chapter at The Pearl will give Matt the platform to showcase his own recipe book and command a stellar team at this lively neighbourhood spot, drawing on his experience at 2 of the finest restaurants in the UK.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to take on the opportunity that is The Pearl, I’m blessed by the people I’m surrounded by in and out of the kitchen. Myself, George & Jae, cannot wait to showcase some of the best produce in the world, and being based in Manchester, we won’t have to look far. Working with local suppliers, I’m hoping we can create a British Bistro we, and the people of Prestwich, can be proud of”, says Matt.

“We’re giving Matt complete freedom to create; I’m excited to see how far we can push the British bistro concept with Matt’s Michelin experience. We’re confident that Matt’s cooking will evolve our established reputation of using local, seasonal and British produce in a really interesting way. With Matt in the kitchen, I believe we’re going to do some great things together but most importantly, have fun with it - I mean, that’s what we’re here to do, provide joy”. adds Sam, co-owner.

A neighbourhood restaurant with a difference, The Pearl is not just a place to eat, but an experience. Infused with an unwavering passion for hospitality, the ethos revolves around creating memorable moments. The team take immense pride in curating a dining room that overflows with comfort and genuine warmth for guests.

Sam adds “He’s a great culture fit - we’ve built something very special at The Pearl, we’re a family business and we lead with heart - and he upholds all of our same values, his positivity and drive is already having a really beneficial impact on the team at large.”

2024 was an exciting year for The Pearl, placing in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants as well as earning a spot in the Good Food Guide, scoring 5 nominations at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival awards and gaining Open Table Diner’s Choice awards in both 2024 and 2025.

The Pearl will launch a new spring menu from Thursday 10th April 2025, highlights of which include asparagus, barrel aged feta, parmesan crumb and wild garlic jam, Monkfish, curry sauce, vadouvan carrots and beer shallots and Elderflower parfait, apples, crumble with rosemary and brown butter ice cream.

Popular restaurant, Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, is proud to announce that it has received the esteemed OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award. This prestigious recognition highlights Zouk’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences and outstanding hospitality to its valued guests.

The OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award is granted based on authentic reviews and feedback from real diners, underscoring Zouk’s consistent excellence in customer service and dining. Known for its inviting atmosphere, attentive service, and memorable meals, Zouk has garnered a loyal following, with its patrons praising the restaurant for its dedication to delivering top-tier hospitality. This award is a testament to Zouk’s success in creating a space where guests feel appreciated and well-cared for.

Located in the heart of Manchester, Zouk is easily accessible to both locals and visitors. Winning the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award marks a significant milestone for Zouk, highlighting the restaurant’s dedication to excellence in customer satisfaction and quality dining.

Owner, Tayub Amjad commented:‘Working in this sector can be challenging but I’m so proud of the Zouk team and everything they do. This achievement reflects the hard work and passion that goes into creating memorable dining experiencesfor our customers.’

The restaurant is renowned for its bold, flavourful halal menu, offering a wide array of dishes inspired by Indian and Pakistani cuisine. From traditional curries to modern interpretations, each dish is crafted using the finest ingredients, ensuring an authentic and vibrant dining experience. The heart of the restaurant is the theatre-style kitchen where guests can enjoy watching chefs at work on grills, tandoors and woks. Zouk can accommodate up to 120 in its main dining space. There is also a mezzanine which holds up to 100 guests, a bar and an all-weather terrace. Menus include dinner, lunch, brunch, Sunday Roast, a Bottomless Brunch on Saturdays and their famous lunchtime tiffin.

The cult coffee brand will open their first venue outside of London in Manchester's new St. Michael’s development. London-born coffee company Grind has been expanding across the capital for over a decade with an extensive portfolio of cafés, coffee shops, and coffee trucks, as well as their own state-of-the-art coffee roastery. Now, Grind is preparing to open its first Northern venue, located in the heart of Manchester, in the new St Michael’s development between Peter Street and Deansgate, marking a major milestone in the brand's growth.

Known for their buzzing all-day coffee shops serving speciality-grade coffee, fresh, seasonal food, and expertly-crafted cocktails, Grind will be bringing their extensive menu to Manchester, from takeaway coffees to bottomless brunches.

Founded back in 2011 when David Abrahamovitch turned his father's old mobile phone store in Shoreditch into the first Grind café, Manchester has long been on the horizon for Grind. With family connections to the city, David has spent years looking for the perfect site and felt that the new development, right in the city centre, had everything they needed. With Grind being a certified B Corp with a steadfast commitment to the planet, St Michael’s’ mission to become Manchester’s first fully-let net zero carbon commercial development made it particularly attractive.

David Abrahamovitch, Grind Founder & CEO said: “We’ve always said that if we were to do a big site outside of London, the first place we would go would be Manchester. My wife is Mancunian and her whole family live in Manchester, so I’ve spent a lot of time there over the years and I’ve always thought that a Grind would work well. We’ve looked at various locations over the years, but thanks to Gary (Neville) and the team at Relentless we think we’ve finally found the perfect home for Grind in St Michaels, in the heart of Manchester. We cannot wait to get open in the Summer! ”

Gary Neville, Director at Relentless Developments said: “The ambition for St Michael’s was to create a landmark that will become an economic driver for Manchester and bring together major names in a world-class, sustainable development. Attracting brands like Grind who have yet to set foot outside the capital is a massive achievement and testament to how hard we’ve been working to deliver our vision for the scheme and city as a whole.”

Over the last decade, Grind has built a loyal following with fourteen locations across London, a successful online business that provides sustainable coffee to homes all over the world, and a growing presence in UK retail stores. The brand is also known for being served onboard British Airways flights, being the exclusive global coffee supplier to Soho House and its collaborations with top-tier brands like Baileys and BrewDog, and icons like Hello Kitty and American punk heroes Green Day. Grind’s growth is testament to the consumer demand for craft coffee that not only tastes exceptional, but also has a positive impact on the planet and its people. Now, the brand is bringing its unique craft coffee culture to Manchester.

Big Mamma and its squadra of globetrotting Italians are thrilled to announce their first restaurant in the majestic North of England… It's Manchester baby.

Following the opening of acclaimed restaurants - Gloria in Milan, Barracuda in Brussels, and most recently, Barcelona, this European squadra has set their sights on the coolest city in the UK, with the hopes to take Mancunians, young and old, on the ultimate authentic Italian trip via the country’s excellent cuisine and exceptional produce. Circolo Popolare in Manchester, will be a trattoria filled to the brim with collective joy and good times, bringing the electric atmosphere and playful spirit of its namesake in London and Madrid, to take guests on the ultimate celebratory Italo-escape.

Set within a spanking-new development, St Michael's, off the thoroughfare of Manchester’s Deansgate, let the glinting bottle walls catch your eye as you're led down to this buzzing jasmine-clad trattoria; a glittering 280-cover space inviting you to a huge alfresco festa on the hedonistic island of seductive Sardinia. Wink back at the twinkling festoon lights sprawled across the eucalyptus-clad ceiling of the wild overgrown courtyard floor, filled to the brim with antique trinkets, testa di moro, and of course, a lucky Italian wishing well. Or skip up the ceramic staircase to the villa hideaway, a cosy terracotta den where from the kitchen counter you catch glimpses of Head Chef Alfonso turning fresh British seafood on the grill, or crafting crispy-soft Neapolitan pizza of your heart’s desires; half-and-half of you and your amici’s favourite flavour. A sharing menu for generosity and good-times with Big Mamma’s largest-ever selection of produce, carefully selected from their 170 family-run Italian artisans; visit Puglia with Salvatore Montrone’s chubby burrata or test your prosciutto knowledge from Parma to San Daniele. Toast the long sharing table with XL jugged cocktails, or take a shot from our three litre amaro bottle that's circulating the room, before settling to dolci for twisted classics such as, pistachio tiramisu scooped tableside, or grab the whole tray to feast with friends.

Circolo Popolare will be Manchester’s ticket to the ultimate joyful Italian escape, with 100% homemade Italian cooking, authentic artisanal products, and good times aplenty.

On Friday 28th March, the Zouk Ramadan Buffet returns. This fabulous halal buffet offers customers the perfect way to celebrate Iftar with friends and family and will be served daily in time for guests to break their fast. Every day throughout Ramadan, Zouk will welcome customers with a spread of much-loved halal dishes.

On arrival, guests will be given a welcoming and hydrating Watermelon Mocktail along with fruit chaat, traditional Medjool dates and jugs of chilled water. Once seated, guests can go up to the buffet and enjoy the daily selection of food which will include an array of Zouk’s most popular dishes and traditional Ramadan fare. The Ramadan buffet is £30 per person for adults, £15.00 for children under 12 and free for children under the age of five.

Owner Tayub Amjad commented ‘We’re looking forward to welcoming customers during the month of Ramadan. This year our chefs have worked to create special weekly menus meaning guests can look on our website and plan to see which day they would like to join us for.’

Tayub added ‘The buffet really is a fabulous way to break your fast with family and friends. Every week there will be a new menu with different dishes to discover. The buffet will always include a variety of salads, starters, curries, desserts, roast carvery and of course accompaniments like chutneys and freshly baked naan breads. As always, we’ll be supporting the homeless in Manchester and the local hospitals with donations of food. It’s important to remember those in need during this special time of year.’

Renowned Manchester Chef Shaun Moffat will take the lead as Chef Patron of Winsome Restaurant this Spring. Housed on Princess street (adjoining the Whitworth Locke Hotel) Winsome will provide Northern Hospitality and thoughtful British cooking to this corner of Manchester.

Moffat will bring his focus on local and seasonal produce to deliver a regularly changing food showcasing the very best of ingredients with a comforting familiarity and a touch of Moffat’s now famous flair.

Cutting his teeth at the likes of Manteca, Hix and St.Leonards, Moffat has now become a real star of Manchester hospitality, most recently picking up the accolades of Manchester Chef of the Year and entering the Top 50 Gastro Pubs. Opening of his own venture has been much anticipated; he comments, “Opening the doors will be a big moment in my career, I am truly excited to share Winsome with the people of Manchester”.

The drinks programme at Winsome will be led by none other than Tom Fastiggi, previously of SCHOFIELDS bar. There will be a selection of hotel classics and familiar drinks alongside a strong no and low selection and some of Fastiggi’s own creations. Wine will also be a focus with a Sommelier served & curated list focusing primarily on old world wines delivered again with Winsome’s laidback personality and flair.

Fastiggi and the Winsome team will also take over Whitworth Locke’s Atrium hotel bar. Providing a space for diners, hotel guests and passers by to enjoy memorable bar food paired with delicious cocktails in the quaint setting of the Locke’s glass atrium. “The Atrium space truly gives a unique feel to this bar. The drinks will be familiar and a warm welcome will await all guests. It’s a great new addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene”, added Tom Fastiggi.

Completing the team will be Owain Williams; founder of the renowned Belzan in Liverpool, Madre and Manchester’s Medlock Canteen amongst other notable hospitality venues across the Northwest.

House of Social, a collection of independent kitchens, will open in the First Street area of Manchester later this year. Showcasing a range of both home grown talent and incoming operators, this exciting new venue, founded by Vita Group, spans 12,000 square feet of brand new dining and drinking space, over two design-led levels.

Developed by Jake Atkinson, the former operations manager of the wildy successful Mackie Mayor, The Picturedrome and Altrincham Market, House of Social will host five kitchens tucked between statement arched windows. Jake has spent a year building a brand new collective of operators, with some much loved regional brands bringing new ideas to the table as well as a cult London outfit soon to be announced.

Just steps away from cultural hotspot HOME theatre, and a few minutes walk from both Oxford Road and Deansgate-Castlefield stations, this launch will open up a brand new prime destination not only for a great night out but also to grab breakfast on the go, linger for hours having drinks at the house bar, or sample the many exciting new lunch time options during office breaks. Nestled in the middle of the First Street neighbourhood, it’s an ideal spot to meet friends for pre-theatre dinner or take guests visiting on business. Those living upstairs, in the brand new student accommodation, will get a taste of the renowned, diverse food and drink scene of the city, quite literally on their doorstep.

The five independent kitchens at House of Social will be revealed in the upcoming months. Locals and visitors alike can expect a variety of vendors serving pizza to dumplings; all from growing businesses excited to get stuck into Manchester’s thriving hospitality scene.

Jake said of plans; “It’s such an untapped location, we’ve got this beautiful building with loads of natural light from soaring arched windows and also some gorgeous interior details with that curving staircase - it’s going to have so much character. We’ve tried to match that with the traders we’re working with - we’ve got some big names and some big personalities coming along - they’re creating menus which work in a food hall setting but with so much more attention to detail than anything I've seen before in this space. The offerings will really complement each other but I also think the traders are going to gel well too. I just can’t wait to get started.’

House of Social is set to open in Summer 2025.

Modern steakhouse and eatery, Meatworks, is set to open its first restaurant at Circle Square, Oxford Road on 5th February. With a menu boasting steak house classics, bold small plates and iconic burgers, the UK’s first Meatworks joins the growing community of hospitality innovators at Circle Square.

The burger specialists, who are also the team behind the national smash burger chain Boo and Midlands based butchery Halal Editions, have a passion for working with the highest quality suppliers of Irish, grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef, creating a range of the tastiest dishes.

The 52 cover restaurant will bring a cool and casual new dining space to Manchester with the venue designed to create a relaxed experience whilst retaining the character of the space with a stripped back look that embraces the raw materials and modern architecture.

The restaurant will welcome guests all day long from quick lunches to big dinners. Lunchtime value specials will include smash burger and fries for just £10. Whilst the restaurant is alcohol-free, the menu includes an array of mocktails, such as their Kiwi Mojito, Yuzu & Basil and Lychee and Lemongrass mocktail, providing a unique spin on classic cocktail recipes alongside new flavours. There is also a tasty plant-based dish available for meat-free guests.