Where to eat in September

The Black Friar stood empty and unloved for almost 20 years before reopening in summer 2021 after a substantial renovation project. Now a modern British restaurant and a traditional pub, it has two distinct settings with menus to match.

With its neutral hues and natural foliage, stripped-back bricks and leather booths, The Alan is a tranquil space in which to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner – the open-plan kitchen serves all day from first thing till late evening – or indeed coffee and cocktails in the bar.

The Beeswing is named after a tartrate sheen which forms on the surface of port and some other wines that have been hanging around for a while, also seamlessly encompassing Manchester’s famous worker bee emblem. Wines are carefully chosen by Anna with a combination of natural and conventional bottles on offer that changes regularly.

Found in the former E & A Auto Services garage depot on Swan Street, Firehouse is the sister restaurant to Ramona’s Detroit-style pizzeria. It’s part restaurant, part bar and part performance venue where tables are available to book for dinner and “after dark drinking”. The space is open and airy with a real laid-back feel. White shutters, bleached brick and glitter balls hanging from the high ceiling complete the chilled out party ambience.

The Jane Eyre is a self-styled ‘neighbourhood bar’ offering seasonal food, classic cocktails and local beers. Presided over by Eyre siblings Jonny and Joe, it is, mildly disappointingly, not a Gothic homage to the Yorkshire based tragic-heroine but actually named after their late mum. 

Maray Manchester is the fourth of its kind, but the first to sprout outside of Liverpool. Inspired by Le Marais quarter in Paris, where founders Tom, Dom and James tried “some of the best falafel in the world” on the streets of Rue Des Rosiers.

For Street Urchin, think less about raggedy kids hanging about Victorian mills (although it is on the edge of Ancoats) and more about seafood delicacies. Fish is plentiful on the menu at this English market diner, although meat gets a look-in too.

“Dim sum, roast meats and big plates” promises purpose-built Kampus gaff Yum Cha’s bespoke Insta-friendly neon sign – but there are small plates too, perfect for group sharing, and loads to tempt the veggies and vegans of the party: this menu is sizeable without being scary.