When only the latest, hottest and biggest openings will do, Manchester has plenty that are sure to fit the bill. If you're feeling homey British restaurants from celebrated female chefs, 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 recommendations below, spanning top new openings from last year and places hot-off-the-press in 2026 too.
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Best New Restaurants Opening In Manchester
1. 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.
Best New Manchester Restaurants Open Now
1. 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).
2. 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 Mollieās 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 is getting a whole new look.
7. Nell's MediaCity
- When: Now Open (September 2025)
- Where: MediaCity
Manchesterās beloved New York-style pizza brand, Nellās, is making a bold move with the launch of its fifth and largest site yet, set to open this autumn in MediaCityās Orange Building. Known for its massive 22-inch pizzas and laid-back vibe, Nellās 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 thatās as much about play as it is about pizza. This expansion marks a significant evolution for Nellās, which has steadily grown from its roots in Manchesterās 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.
Soon you'll be able to grab a slice of Nell's pizza in MediaCity.
8. Bistro Three Rooms
- When: Now Open (August 2025)
- Where: 2 Warburton Street, Didsbury, M20 6WA
Created by the people at Platzki, Bistro Three Rooms is a hot new opening in Didsbury. This place is all about great quality food and wine, in a charming space filled with rustic decor. We're talking comfy armchairs, a wooden bar and dark walls lined with paintings.
Wondering what's on the menu? Expect Eastern European plates presented beautifully, ranging from spinach potato gnocchi to slow-roasted pork collar and whipped feta with mint and pickled cucumbers.
Platzki have done it again with their new bistro.
9. Circolo Popolare
- When: Now Open (June 2025)
- Where: St. Michael's, Jackson's Row, M2 5ND
Parisian restaurant group Big Mamma are known for the Instagrammable interiors and Italian food at their London locations, spanning everything from Sicilian trattoria Circolo Popolare to the 70s Capri-style looks of Gloria and a maximalist Florence-inspired venue in the form of Ave Mario. They chose Manchester as their second UK venture outside of the capital (La Bellezza in Birmingham opened last year) and have made the St Michael's development their home, launching a second UK location of Circolo Popolare.
Circolo Popolare Manchester opened in June with a Sardinian theme. Think familiar bottle-lined walls much like its London counterpart, but swapping flower installations for eucalyptus-filled ceiling and a courtyard-inspired floor scattered with antiques and a wishing well. There's also an all-terracotta styled space with open kitchen views.
This Big Mamma expansion was one of the best new Manchester restaurant openings last year.
10. Blanchflower Trafford Centre
- When: Now Open (May 2025)
- Where: Trafford Park, Stretford M17 8AA
Already home to two locations in South Manchester - Sale and Altrincham - Blanchflower are adding a third string to their bow with a Trafford Centre venue. Ideal for your brunch and British all-day dining fix, offering quality pre and post-shopping meals, these guys has confirmed they'll be opening in April.
If the existing restaurants are anything to go by, expect stripped-back Scandi styling and a walk-ins only policy that sees every seat filled at peak times, creating a bustling atmosphere. Grab their famous sweetcorn fritters or stacked seasonal French toast for a sweet treat. The lunchtime sarnies offer equally generous portions and big flavours, with past fillings including Asian-style belly pork and Cajun buttermilk chicken - although the menu is tweaked regularly for constant variety.
Quality ingredients and tasty dishes make this place a great choice of the best new restaurants in Manchester's Trafford Centre.
11. Forbici
- When: Now Open (April 2025)
- Where: 86 Cross Street, M2 4LA
A rival to the other authentic Neapolitan pizzerias across the city centre and beyond, Forbici is a hot new opening for all you Italian lovers. Their signature dough is called Biga; three generations in the making, with a 5.0pH and twelves hours of proofing at 24 degrees for their signature flavour, complete with equal rise throughout for the perfect crust. They also cut their pizza like the Neapolitan masters - with scissors and into quarters - so there's no faffing around with blunt pizza wheels here.
Signature flavours include the provola e pepe, featuring San Marzano tomato, smoked provola cheese, black pepper and fresh basil for simple yet flavourful mouthfuls, and the white base Napoletana - topped off by Napoli sausage, friarielli, spicy nduja and crushed chillies. The restaurant's reception has been great too, with a bustling atmosphere that already attests to its popularity.
For the perfect rise and Neapolitan toppings, Forbici is the best new restaurant in Manchester city centre.
12. Lina Stores
- When: Now Open (April 2025)
- Where: 17 Quay Street, M3 3HN
Also making a move north is the renowned Lina Stores, with the brand opening a restaurant, delicatessen and bar in Manchester this coming spring - so watch this space. Their first venue outside London (where they currently have locations in Soho, King's Cross and more), this occasion also marks 80 years since the original delicatessen opened its doors on Brewer Street, Soho. This regional restaurant reflects its counterparts in ethos; a space where only the finest Italian ingredients combine with an authentic experience of Italian hospitality.
It'll open on Quay Street - opposite the Opera House - in the recently refurbished Quoin building, taking over the ground floor with all-day dining; from Italian-inspired breakfast through to fresh pasta with lamb sausage ragu and chicken Milanese with Amalfi lemon at lunch and dinner. Expect an open kitchen for that element of theatre, plus their signature pastel colour accented by dark green booths, terrazzo and wood flooring, bespoke marble tables and original vintage Bentwood chairs. Similarly, the adjacent Bar Lina promises the tradition of aperitivo to the city across a space inspired by Italian design from late 1960s to 1970s, while an open-plan deli will provide the perfect space for a quick lunch of salads, sandwiches, and lemon and limoncello meringue cake.
From to pastel green hues and authentic Italian dining, Lina Stores has plenty to offer.
13. OCASA
- When: Now Open (April 2025)
- Where: The Avenue 1 Spinningfields Square, Spinningfields, M3 3AP
Spinningfieldsā long-standing hotspot, Australasia, is getting a serious glow-up - and itās bringing a bold new concept along for the ride. After a major makeover, the restaurant is stepping into a fresh era with sleek interiors, a brand-new menu, and a focus on open-flame cooking, all led by the talented new head chef, Lucie Sainerova. But thatās not all. The venueās former Sunset by Australasia space is transforming into a fiery Mexican restaurant and tequila bar serving up fusion flavours, fine agave spirits, and live entertainment. Think dragon salt wagyu tacos, lobster nachos, and tableside guacamole, plus Taco Tuesday deals with Ā£6 tacos and margaritas.
OCASA isnāt just about top-tier tequila and bold bites; itās bringing a slice of Tulum to Manchester with rustic rock walls, terracotta tones, and jade-green accents. The 80-seat terrace even features luxe ābed boothsā for private group dining. The bar is set to become a tequila loverās paradise, boasting one of the UKās most extensive agave collections, with Don Julio and Casamigos in the mix.
OCASA will feature stunning, photo-worthy interiors.
14. The Cut And Craft
- When: Now Open (April 2025)
- Where: 38-42 Mosley Street, M2 3AZ
Following the popularity of their existing sites in York and Leeds, The Cut And Craft is opening their first Manchester venue in April 2025. This is taking over the former site of Manchester and Salford Bank, a stunning Grade II-listed building that dates back to 1862. This Moseley Street haunt boasts gorgeous interiors, maintaining many of its original Victorian features, deigned by well-known Mancunian architect Edward Walters.
Order refined cocktails from the rare Brazilian blue labradorite marble bar in the centre, before tucking into their extensive all-day menu. Their current sites serve the likes of beef fillet tartare, sharing cuts of chateaubriand and Cajun monkfish, as well as plant-based options like vegan shepherd's pie - so you can expect more of the same goodness in Manchester.
Sumptuous steak and seafood makes The Cut and Craft a top choice of new restaurant.
15. Treehouse Hotel Manchester
- When: Now Open (March 2025)
- Where: Blackfriars Street, M3 2EQ
Treehouse Hotel has been 'taking root' just off Deansgate since 2022 and is eagerly awaited - and not just for the signature secret garden look, rooftop views and living green walls that make the London location is so popular. We're most excited about the new bars and restaurants coming to Manchester's hottest hotel opening. Sam Grainger - chef-patron of Belzan and Madre - is launching a 14th-floor eatery fusing British and South-East Asian fare and a stand-alone bar, while Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford from Volta will curate the music and entertainment on these upper floors.
On the ground floor, Manchester chef Mary-Ellen McTague, who worked alongside Heston Blumenthal at his esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants and ran The Creameries until its sad closure, will lead low-waste restaurant Pip. The menu will be focused around seasonal ingredients from local suppliers and regenerative farms - minimising the restaurant's carbon footprint - and the wine list follows a similar vein; organic, biodynamic and low-intervention bottles for a focus on sustainability. Featuring new flavours and unconventional ingredients, the dishes here span everything from Carlingford oysters with fennel kimchi liquor to Lancashire hotpot with pickled red cabbage and oyster ketchup, plus rhubarb fool with olive oil biscuits for dessert.
Image credit: Simon Brown.
16. Winsome
- When: Now Open (March 2025)
- Where: 74 Princess St M1 6JD
Open on Princess Street, adjoining Whitworth Locke hotel where the much-loved Peru Perdu once sat, Winsome sees renowned Northern chef Shaun Moffat take on the role of chef patron for the first time. A relaxed space that puts the guest first, "thoughtful British cooking in the kitchen" is at the heart of the ethos here and reflects Moffat's reputation across awards like Manchester Chef of the Year and Top 50 Gastropubs with Edinburgh Castle.
Alongside food from Moffat, expect a sommelier-selected old world wine list, alongside a drinks menu from Tom Fastiggi (previously of multi award-winning SCHOFIELDāS bar) offering everything from classic hotel cocktails to unique creations and low or no-alcohol drinks - served both in the restaurant itself and in the neighbouring, orangery-like Atrium bar of Whitworth Locke. A top pick of meal at this new restaurant? The signature pie, which at the moment comes as Yorkshire rabbit, wild garlic and bacon.
The North continues to prove its culinary metal with Shaun Moffat's Winsome.
17. MĆ©lange
- When: Now Open (February 2025)
- Where: Red Hall Hotel, Manchester Rd, Walmersley, Bury BL9 5NA
Replacing Oscar's restaurant at Red Hall Hotel in Bury is MĆ©lange, a Mediterranean kitchen with the bright, airy looks to match. Hanging lanterns, a warm yet neutral colour scheme and booths tucked into a huge gable end window make up the space here, as well as a subtle mix of mid century and contemporary styling. Views of the Lancashire countryside top it all off.
Already set to be a local favourite, the restaurant presents its food in interesting and interactive ways, such as a signature tapenade served in a rustic mortar and pestle alongside bread. Nevertheless, it remains an accessible restaurant where "British tradition meets Mediterranean flair", to quote owners Priyanka and Gourav Batra.
Style and substance are on the cards at MĆ©lange.
After new bars opening? Check out the ones we've spied.
