Manchester restaurants: 2023’s biggest new openings

11 Central is another venture for Seven Bro7hers, only this time their Sis4ers are on board too so the bar is a fantastic mix of craft beer and craft gin.

Based in the unit of Stanley Square that was once home to Sale Food Hall, Canteena Bar & Grill is serving up hearty Modern British meals in a food hall-style setting.

Diecast is a party venue and ‘creative neighbourhood’ five-minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly station.

Fenix is a simple, rustic Greek restaurant as re-imagined by World of Interiors. The palette of creams and neutral stones is minimalist and sophisticated. It’s rather pared back considering Fenix is from the team behind Tattu but still a sense of opulence prevails.

Higher Ground, the permanent restaurant from the team behind Flawd, opened its doors in February 2023. Taking up residence in Bruntwood’s Faulkner House on Faulkner Street, it offers a chilled bistro experience with a focus on championing the finest North West produce.

Beloved Leeds ramen hotspot House of Fu opened on Portland Street in October 2023. This Japanese restaurant and bar is renowned for its nourishing bowls of ramen, its small plates – and its karaoke booths.

Kargo MKT is a huge food hall in Salford Quays where 20 different street food traders ply their trade. With a waterfront terrace and a party atmosphere, it’s one of the most popular places in the neighbourhood which, until recently, has never exactly been spoilt for choice with dining destinations.

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay is the first restaurant that the famed TV chef has decided to open in the city of Manchester, despite already having opened Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Liverpool last year. 

You’ll find Manchester’s Madre near KAMPUS on the Chorlton Street side of the complex. It’s the kind of place you’d visit with a groups of friends to enjoy good Mexican food, music and mezcal.

Born in Edinburgh and now in Glasgow and Manchester, Maki & Ramen is a high-quality, quick-eats-style place that easily holds its own amongst the plethora of Japanese restaurants that have opened in the city centre recently.

After building a name and fanbase for itself in Mackie Mayor, New Wave Ramen have now got their own standalone Manchester restaurant on Tib Lane. It’s a stylish place with a minimalist, industrial feel, softened by the warm, low lighting and the friendly front-of-house team.

The latest addition to the San Carlo family is the impressive £3 million Alderley Edge restaurant, boasting a sunlit dining terrace with a retractable roof and open flame fireplace. 

Sexy Fish is no mere minnow in the UK dining scene. It’s brought to you by Caprice Holdings, the group behind some of London’s most glam dining spots. Think of it as more of a humongous mermaid – beautiful and ever so slightly improbable.

Six by Nico Deansgate is the second Manchester opening for the hit fine-dining concept from Scottish-Italian chef and owner Nico Simeone.

Stretford Canteen, on Chester Road at the front of Stretford Mall, is a beloved local restaurant known for its classic French and traditional British cuisine.