Cottonopolis

A quintessential Northern Quarter joint if ever there was one. Coined from a 19th-century nickname for Manchester, bees everywhere, copper light fittings, wooden floors, cocktail mixologists that maintain an icy glower at all times, waiting staff in vintage T-shirts with neck tattoos – and the food is very, very good.

The concept is contemporary Japanese, taking a sprinkling of influence from other places too. There are sushi tacos, side orders of kimchi, an all-you-can-eat dim sum Sunday, and duck & waffles on the brunch menu. Fun and games aside, the produce is top-notch with Yorkshire wagyu, Loch Fine scallops and yellowfin tuna. The bespoke cocktail list is categorised under terms from Japanese aesthetics, like wabi-sabi and shibui.