It's been a tricky year for Manchester's food and drink scene. In the last few months alone we've said goodbye to some fine establishments including Simon Wood's city centre spot and Simon Rimmer's second Greens site in Sale.
They're not the only casualties of the last few years though, and this week's budget has been labelled a 'blow' to the sector that is still grappling with the aftershocks of the pandemic, Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis. But Manchester's restaurants, pubs and bars are resilient.
Just last week, Northern Quarter staple, Common, celebrated 20 years in business. And while it's not easy out there, operators plough on, keep adapting, and continue to come up with fresh new ideas. Last month for example, we welcomed a new burger takeaway from the team behind Almost Famous, dug into pizza slices at Detroit Slims and sampled tapas from Manchester's 'first' pintxos bar.
READ MORE: Top restaurant that serves smashed burgers with martinis to open in Manchester
This month, some hospitality veterans are keeping things fresh with new restaurant concepts using fire cooking, plus there's new foodie hangouts coming to Stockport, Oldham and Trafford. So, let's dig in with the latest restaurant and bar openings in Greater Manchester for November 2024.
Stow
The owners of a much-loved Northern Quarter staple, Trof, are set to open a brand new restaurant and cocktail bar on Manchester’s Bridge Street this autumn. Dishes will be cooked entirely over fire, while there’s also a standout French wine list and short selection of both classic cocktails and their own takes.
Using local produce, cooked simply using a custom-built grill from Firemade in Somerset and fuelled by locally produced wood and charcoal, guests can expect simple, delicious food in a laid back and welcoming setting. A small, regularly changing menu will revolve around a selection of meat and fish together with a thoughtful list of veg-centric sides and snacks.
62 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BW
The Trading Route
The boys at Trof are awfully busy this autumn as they prepare to not only open Stow but also The Trading Route over at the St John’s development next to Aviva Studios. Joining forces with Manchester Union Brewery and Monton’s Wandering Palate, it will offer a spread of hot chicken, cold beers and a selection of ‘upscale’ pantry items from the deli.
Operating from dawn to dusk, the new bar will boast a purpose-built rotisserie offering freshly carved crisp whole and half chickens along with porchetta, complemented by an array of pickles and dips. The menu has been designed by the Trof team, and other menu items will include focaccia, fresh salads and homemade sweets.
The Trading Route will double as a lager house for the Manchester Union brewery. Their lagers will be served using a continental-style pouring technique and presented in bespoke Tübinger glasses.
1 Goods Yard St, Manchester M3 3BP
Cantaloupe Stockport
Exciting news for Stockport foodies as Cantaloupe, a new, wine-focused restaurant opens this month. A neighbourhood spot serving up wine from small European producers and mostly Mediterranean dishes, the aim is to celebrate the regional cooking of the continent.
Founders and chefs Josh Reed-Cooper and Mike Thomas first met whilst working just up the road at the acclaimed Where The Light Gets In and have built up their experience in restaurants including Mana, Sterling, Tine and The Creameries. Inspired by the likes of Wtlgi, Yellowhammer and Runaway Brewery they’ve taken a punt on a unit by the former air raid shelters - and it’s fair to say Manchester’s food and drink community are particularly excited about this one.
71 Great Underbank, Stockport SK1 1PE
Gail's
The London bakery continues its croissant-fuelled conquest of the North this month as it prepares to open its next branch in Greater Manchester. The bakery, which has gained a cult following for its fresh, handmade breads, pastries and cakes, will open in Sale on November 14 on the former Slater Heelis unit on School Road.
The chain, which first started life in London in the early 1990s, is now part of more than 140 different neighbourhoods across the UK, including sites in the city centre, Altrincham, Didsbury and Wilmslow.
It will be the second bakery for the chain in Trafford, following the opening of its Altrincham store in March last year on Shaw’s Road, next to Altrincham Market. As well as serving up its selection of baked goodies, there will be an eat-in area as well as a pantry and fridge selling jams, spreads, biscuits, cured meats, eggs and other fresh produce to takeaway. Another branch is set to open in Prestwich too, although an opening date hasn't been confirmed for that location.
Giovanni's
Giovanni's, formerly known as Don Giovanni's, situated on Oxford Street near St Peter's Square, it set to reopen its doors after a three-month closure this November. Manchester's 'oldest independent restaurant' will return with an 'elegant' new refurbishment, freshly developed menu and new branding this November.
First opened in 1984, the restaurant is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the refurbishment will come as the venue looks to the future. It will reopen its doors on Saturday, 2 November.
In terms of the new food offering, the team have said that each culinary experience is designed to 'engage all the senses', from breakfast through to dinner. Dishes will span spicy nduja sausage on sourdough for breakfast, fresh pasta for lunch, and a carefully curated a la carte offer come evening.
1, Peter House, Oxford St, Manchester M1 5AN
Porta
The brothers behind popular Porta Tapas bars are about to take over the former Greens restaurant site in West Didsbury. Vegetarian restaurant Greens had been a mainstay of Didsbury life for over 30 years, before celebrity chef Simon Rimmer announced its shock closure in January.
Brothers Ben and Joe Wright say diners can expect "fresh, vibrant tapas and infamous good vibes" when they open the site this month. The double fronted site over the road from The Metropolitan pub has been completely refurbished.
Announcing the news a few weeks ago, they said: "Porta is well known for its super-authentic, flavour packed menu (everything is homemade to Joe’s exacting standards) served in a relaxed, totally informal environment. True to the ethos of the tiny Spanish bars that inspired it, Porta is ardently ‘no bookings’, but with an ice-cold sherry in hand, the occasional short queue is all part of the experience!"
41-43 Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2NT
The Egyptian Rooms
A long-awaited food hall is due to open its doors to the public this Friday (November 1). The Egyptian Room in Oldham will become the latest addition to the region's food market scene, promising a contemporary dining experience in the luxurious restored halls of the borough’s Grade-II listed town hall.
From tea time on November 1, up to 150 diners will be able to enjoy a choice of six eateries surrounded by beautiful vintage architecture ‘set to rival Mackie Mayor’ in Manchester city centre.
The restaurants include Manchester favourite Ply Love Pizza, Seacoles - a vendor promising ‘authentic Caribbean vibes and mouth-watering dishes’ - plus burger and Greek gyros experts, The Last Stop, along with Wings of Power and Tuk Tuk, an off-shot of the hit Cambodian restaurant Kambuja in Stockport. And for the sweet-toothed among us, another Stockport favourite, Sticky Fingers, will be on-site to offer an irresistible selection of cakes and pastries.
Unit 7, The Old Town Hall, Yorkshire St, Oldham OL1 1PA
Kontrast
Ok, so it technically opened in October, but it's worth mentioning that Manchester's 'first ever' sauna and ice bath cafe has recently opened its doors. The concept is inspired by the success of similar stores in Finland, Denmark, Taiwan and Japan, and the hubs are designed to bring people together through contrast therapy.
Kontrast Manchester sees the blend of high-tech saunas, ice baths, yoga with snacks, juices, teas and coffee all in one place. Tucked behind Angel Meadow Park, the venue will feature three high-tech saunas, including an infrared option, and three ice baths, each with varying temperatures to cater to different preferences.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 6.30am to 10pm, Kontrast also offers a curated menu of healthy snacks, juices, teas, and speciality coffee from Blossom Coffee. The venue will host regular breathwork workshops, yoga sessions, and other wellness events, aiming to make wellness both accessible and educational.
