When only the latest, hottest and biggest openings will do, Manchester has plenty that are sure to fit the bill. If you're feeling a new era for Six By Nico, the return of local favourite OSMA, Thai restaurants with Michelin acclaim, seafood bars courtesy of the team behind Higher Ground, and a new Mexican restaurant coming soon, then check out this list of the very best new restaurants Manchester has in store.
Discover our list of regularly updated recommendations below, spanning top new openings from last year and places hot-off-the-press this month or in the rest of 2026 too.
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Best New Restaurants Opening In Manchester Soon
1. Treehouse Hotel
- When: Summer 2026
- Where: Blackfriars Street, M3 2EQ
Since opening its doors last year, Treehouse Hotel has been finalising its new spaces. The 14th floor is launching this June, featuring Sister Moon, a Southeast Asian barbecue restaurant, The Hideout (an intimate lounge bar) and rooftop bar The Nest.
Sister Moon is led by chef Sam Grainger, from Madre and Medlock Canteen, specialising in Thai cuisine inspired by Grainger’s experience cooking with a local family in Thailand. He's also collaborating with Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford, the team behind Volta, Electrik in Chorlton, Freight Island, The Refuge and Electric Chair.
There's a whole lot coming to Treehouse Hotel.
2. The Counter
- When: September 2026
- Where: Island Building, 17-27 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6FW
The renowned Open Restaurant Group is opening up a brand new location in the heart of Manchester. The Counter is set to be an all-day dining spot in the city's Island Building.
Opening its doors in September, its menu will flow with the rhythm of the day. Get down here in the morning for breakfast flatbreads, tuck into indulgent rotisserie lunches or drop by for fine dinners finished with showstopping desserts like the knickerbocker glory.
A glimpse at what The Counter may look like.
3. Zadie's
- When: Autumn/Winter 2026
- Where: Medlock Square
The renowned Laura Montana is set to open a new venue in Manchester's Medlock Square. Sitting at the top of the upcoming Etihad Campus development, it's set to serve up refined pan-Asian dishes, creative cocktails and late night vibes.
Laura will be joined in the exciting new venture by several hospitality heavyweights, including head chef Paolo Bianchi of Zuma, Alain Ducasse and Lucky Cat and head of bars Cressida Lawlor, best know for Sexy Fish and Ego Death.
The vision for Zadie's at Medlock Square.
4. OSMA
- When: Autumn 2026
- Where: 80 Port Street, Northern Quarter, M1 2FZ
Over a year since their beloved (and Michelin-recommended) original site in Prestwich closed, Danielle Heron and Sofie Stoermann-Naess are bringing back OSMA. A portmanteau of Oslo and Manchester, the restaurant's name reflects the Scandinavian nature of this eatery. It's set to open at One Port Street, alongside a neighbouring grocer and provisions store Boutikk.
The menu will feature fresh seafood, local meats and seasonal vegetable dishes, with some of their most popular plates returning among the new choices - including their beloved roast dinners. You'll also find freshly baked Scandinavian-style breads in the store, as well as other top-quality produce.
OSMA is returning for 2026.
5. El Pastor
- When: TBC
- Where: TBC
Acclaimed restaurant group El Pastor operates four beloved venues in London, and they're promising a brand new site in Manchester. While it's still in the early stages, they have appointed boutique property consultancy Starka to acquire a large site for them, so we could be seeing them pop up somewhere in the city soon.
Renowned for their authenticity, these guys are known for serving some of the very best tacos around. Their existing menu features flavours like habanero-braised beef brisket, chipotle-coated soft-shell crab and tenderstem broccoli tempura, paired with premium tequila.
El Pastor are bringing their tantalising tacos to Manchester.
6. Coco Tang
- When: Autumn 2026
- Where: Spinningfields
Eighteen years after making its mark on Nottingham, Coco Tang is heading northwest this autumn to bring its signature blend of Vietnamese cuisine, speciality coffee, and East Asian nightlife to Manchester’s Spinningfields.
Taking over the former Artisan site on Bridge Street, the multi-concept venue transitions seamlessly throughout the day: morning light welcomes a Hanoi-inspired café stocked with in-house pastries, afternoons pivot to a restaurant centred on shareable Vietnamese classics, and evenings give way to a moody cocktail club drawing inspiration from the speakeasies of Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul. Designed around authentic craftsmanship, the space features furniture, decor, and artwork sourced directly from Vietnamese artisans.
Tuck into Vietnamese food at Coco Tang.
7. Dahlia
- When: September 2026
- Where: Northern Quarter
The creative minds behind Ramona and The Firehouse are expanding their Northern Quarter footprint this September with the arrival of Dahlia, an ambitious two-floor venue built around Latin American fire-cooking, specialised spirits, and audiophile culture.
Designed by WANT STUDIOS, the site weaves three distinct concepts together: Barbacoa Cósmica, an open-fire kitchen led by executive chef Will Taplin that serves freshly pressed tortillas and vibrant sharing plates inspired by flavour journeys from San Diego to Oaxaca; Bar Más Bonita, a central Liquorita pouring curated tequilas, mezcals, and rums; and Dahlia Stereo, an intimate late-night listening space.
A look at Dahlia in the Northern Quarter.
Best New Manchester Restaurants Open Now
1. Paddy's Pizza and Flakey
- When: Now Open (August 2026)
- Where: 34 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, WA14 1RZ
New to Altrincham's Irish Quarter, hybrid concept Paddy's Pizza and Flakey is a unique cafe-bar to try. By day, they're serving up stuffed croissants - both sweet and savoury flavours, while the evening brings cocktails and pizzas.
Toppings range from the classics to unique picks like Irish sausage and red onion. Expect an intimate, relaxed interior, as well as an outdoor dining space.
Find croissants and pizzas at this combination venue.
2. Portfolio MCR
- When: Now Open (June 2026)
- Where: 67-69 Bridge Street, M3 3BQ
The UK’s 1st Champagne Boutique, Portfolio MCR is opening in Manchester this June. You can head here for drinks or bar snacks, or venture to the restaurant for an 18-course tasting menu curated by Julian Pizer.
They serve 10 Champagnes by the glass, and more than 350 by the bottle. On the food menu? Everything from pork fat lobster rolls to black garlic hasselback potatoes and spring shoot salad tacos.
This Champagne bar and restaurant is truly unique.
3. Sticks'n'Sushi
- When: Now Open (March 2026)
- Where: Spinningfields Square, 14-15 The Avenue, Hardman Street, M3 3HF
The arrival of Sticks’n’Sushi in Spinningfields marks a sophisticated new chapter for Manchester’s dining scene. Taking over a striking two-storey corner designed by the award-winning architects Diener & Diener, the space is a visual masterclass in 'Japandi' style, where the clean, light-filled lines of Scandinavian design meet the meticulous precision of Japanese architecture.
The menu is a clever, high-wire act of 'Sushi and Sticks,' offering something for every palate. Expect bold, signature plates like beef tataki with truffle ponzu and the fan-favourite Hell’s Kitchen maki, alongside charcoal-grilled treasures like miso-marinated black cod.
Look forward to drinking a hibiscus margarita or their own-label yuzu pale ale.
4. Lennox
- When: Now Open (March 2026)
- Where: 2 John Dalton Street, M3 2BY
Celebrated chef Nico Simeone is shedding the theatricality of the tasting menu for his most personal project yet. In late March 2026, the Spring Gardens site of the famed Six by Nico will be reborn as Lennox, a 56-cover restaurant and bar that prioritises the raw, unfiltered energy of the kitchen over scripted storytelling.
Moving away from the rotating themes that defined his early success, Simeone describes Lennox as the 'other side of the coin' - a stripped-back, instinctive space where steel, concrete, and low lighting shift the focus entirely onto the plate. At the heart of the room sits a 'chef’s studio' kitchen, anchored by a built-in Japanese barbecue and visible dry-ageing fridges for steak and fish. The menu will feature elevated takes on familiar comforts, such as Scotch eggs with black pudding and loaded potato skins with oxtail ragu.
Lamb belly with katsu curry, pomegranate, and preserved lime (pictured).
5. Bangkok Diners Club
- When: Now Open (January 2026)
- Where: Inside Exhibition, Peter Street M2 3NQ
Known for a rotating residency of chefs and restaurants, the upstairs dining space at Edinburgh Castle had another makeover last April - since Shaun Moffat left to open up his very own solo project, Winsome. In a move away from hearty British dishes and gastro pub grub, the latest concept here was Bangkok Diners Club; a new spot from none other than Ben and Bo Humphreys, who you might recognise if you loved their (now sadly closed) Bladerunner-inspired, Michelin-listed, new wave Thai restaurant District.
This new iteration quickly also earned Michelin acclaim, with chef Ben (previously of Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, Tokyo Ramen and Rabbit in the Moon) continuing to flex his cookery muscles across a menu heavily influenced by wife Bo's birthplace - the Isan region of Thailand - and her life in Bangkok as a teenager. Ending their relationship with Edinburgh Castle in January 2026, the pair have moved their concept into one of the resident kitchen spaces at Exhibition on Peter Street.
Moving away from the fast and furious barbecuing of Bangkok and towards the slow and low cooking of Miami, the Humphreys duo bring a fresh take to traditional Thai dishes across a meat-focused menu, cooked using an in-house smoker. Think unique dishes like ex-dairy beef Nam Tok and roast pork belly phat pet with sour cherry.
Sea Bream Tom Kha (left) and the Bangkok Diner's Club duo at their former Edinburgh Castle location (right).
6. Mollie's Motel & Diner
- When: Now Open (January 2026)
- Where: Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, M3 3GS
On the ground floor of Soho House members' club, which opened back in November, Mollie's Motel & Diner is the much-anticipated final piece of the puzzle for the Old Grenada Studios development. With locations already going strong in Bristol and Oxfordshire, the brand offers an affordable yet stylish take on the American motel-diner, complete with a relaxed, vintage feel.
Manchester marks their first city centre location but carries much the same ethos, so we'd recommend Mollie’s Diner for all-day favourites, including everything from mornings filled with piled-high American pancakes and meals of burgers and prawn & lobster rolls to late-night shakes. Head to Studio IV for cocktails, small plates and live music until late too.
Mollie's is an aesthetic setting to enjoy comfort food by the forkful.
7. Soho House
- When: Now Open (November 2025)
- Where: Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, M3 3GS
It's been tipped for opening since 2022, and November 2025 is finally the time for Soho House to arrive in Manchester. It'll emulate the 50s and 60s inspiration of its location, the former Granada Studios, across stunning decor - and applications to be a member are open now.
Expect a glam rooftop pool with a late-night bar and live music space overlooking it, plus a formal dining area run by head chef James Lord, a gym, 23 bedrooms and a further indoor pool too.
Rooftop views, an American diner and an outdoor pool all make Soho House a top choice on our 'just opened' list.
8. Bar Shrimp
- When: Now Open (October 2025)
- Where: 7 New York Street, M1 4JB
Brought to you by the team behind the award-winning restaurant and wine bar Flawd, Bar Shrimp is a brand new seafood and listening bar coming to central Manchester. They're promising premium cocktails and British seafood, alongside beer on tap, an unbeatable sound system and oyster happy hours.
Expect the likes of shellfish over ice, Cornish crab cocktail and British bluefin tuna crudo on the menu. As for the interiors? They've teased decor made up of red banquettes, luxurious floor-to-ceiling curtains and low lighting, with table service available throughout.
Bar Shrimp is from the team behind Higher Ground, making it one of the biggest new openings in Manchester last year.
9. Chotto Matte
- When: Now Open (October 2025)
- Where: St. Michael's, Jackson's Row, M2 5ND
Another well-known brand down in London that's making its way up north, Chotto Matte is a Nikkei restaurant specialising in Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. So, what's so special about their Manchester venue?
It's going to be the crowning glory of Gary Neville's St Michael's development on Jackson Row, occupying a huge 20,000 square foot of space across a rooftop and multiple tiered terraces for the ultimate wow-factor. And if that wasn't enough, the Instagrammable element continues with live entertainment and late-night DJs, alongside sushi torched at your table and robata grill dishes.
Sushi and panoramic scenes? It can only be new opening Chotto Matte.
10. Horse & Jockey
- When: Now Open (October 2025)
- Where: 9 Chorlton Green, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9HS
Though the venue itself isn't strictly new (it's actually been around since the early 1800s), the Horse & Jockey is being taken over by new owners. Set to reopen in October after a brief closure, the new team are the same one behind The Black Friar in Salford, masters of gastro fare.
It will be given a new look, retaining original features while introducing a more stripped-back appearance. The menu will change regularly, focusing on traditional British flavours, from pub classics to elevated plates. Plus, there'll be a fantastic wine list to boot.
This 200-year-old pub has a whole new look.
11. Nell's MediaCity
- When: Now Open (September 2025)
- Where: MediaCity
Manchester’s beloved New York-style pizza brand, Nell’s, is making a bold move with the launch of its fifth and largest site yet, set to open this autumn in MediaCity’s Orange Building. Known for its massive 22-inch pizzas and laid-back vibe, Nell’s is upping the ante with a 6,000 sq ft venue that blends food, fun, and nightlife.
The new space will feature not only its signature pizza and craft beer offering but also a dedicated karaoke room and four shuffleboard tables, creating a social hub that’s as much about play as it is about pizza. This expansion marks a significant evolution for Nell’s, which has steadily grown from its roots in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The MediaCity site is poised to become a destination in its own right, tapping into the area's creative energy and diverse crowd.
You're now able to grab a slice of Nell's pizza in MediaCity.
FAQs:
Which areas of Manchester have the most new restaurant openings?
New restaurant openings in Manchester are spread across several neighbourhoods. Ancoats and the NOMA area continue to attract critically acclaimed spots and substantial growth, while St John's — around Aviva Studios — is growing fast too. Spinningfields, the Northern Quarter and the city centre in general remain perennial hotbeds for new arrivals.
Do I need to book in advance at Manchester's newest restaurants?
Yes — for the most talked-about new restaurants, booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially if you're travelling from outside the city. Newly opened restaurants tend to fill up quickly as buzz builds, and popular spots like those featured in this guide often have limited walk-in availability at peak times (Friday and Saturday evenings in particular).
Are any of Manchester's latest restaurants Michelin-recognised?
Yes. Manchester's dining scene has serious Michelin credentials, and some of the city's newer restaurants are already on the radar. Skof — which only opened in May 2024 — earned a Michelin star, making it one of just two Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Our guide highlights Bangkok Diners Club, which carries Michelin acclaim, as one of the city's most exciting recent openings, as well as the return of Michelin-recommended OSMA soon.
What types of cuisine are the new restaurants serving in Manchester 2026?
The range is impressive. This guide's new restaurant openings cover Scandinavian (OSMA), Southeast Asian barbecue (Sister Moon at Treehouse Hotel), Japanese (Sticks 'n' Sushi), fine dining tasting menus (Portfolio), British seafood (Bar Shrimp), Mexican (El Pastor), Michelin-acclaimed Thai food (Bangkok Diner's Club) and more.
After new bars opening? Check out the ones we've spied.
