Sticks’n’Sushi Manchester

Let’s think of two really on-trend, cool countries and combine them into one hit restaurant concept. That isn’t how Sticks’n’Sushi actually came about, but its Japanese food-meets-Danish design theme does feel very much like it should be a Taschen coffee-table book, if it’s not already.

The Manchester restaurant is one of 17 Sticks’n’Sushi venues in the UK, alongside their multiple locations in Germany and their home country of Denmark. The cool-kid vibes are there in the low jazz music playing in the background, the muted grey and auburn colour scheme, and the striking, softly rotating mirrors dangling from the ceiling. Thankfully they’re offset nicely by a friendly front-of-house team who make you feel at home even if you’re not half as stylish as your surroundings.

And the food looks the part even if you don’t. I enjoyed a beautifully presented seaweed salad with a sesame dressing and chirashi maki made with seared fish, snow peas, ginger and chilli. It felt healthy yet tasted indulgent. I was only there for a solo lunch and I look forward to going back with friends for a deeper dive into the menu which covers sushi, sashimi, soups and salads and ‘sticks’ (yakitori).

Dishes include beef tataki with miso aioli and shiitake and truffle ponzu, and kani korokke crab croquettes with wasabi caesar. Sharing menus span starters, temaki setto hand rolls and grilled skewers featuring inventive combinations such as scallops and bacon with miso herb butter. Drinks include sake, Japanese teas, cocktails and the house yuzu pale ale.