The best new restaurants in Manchester

Meatworks is a modern haven for meat lovers, offering premium steaks and burgers in a stripped-back, industrial setting, with the menu features a mix of hearty mains and diverse small plates. Fully halal, the restaurant serves no alcohol, ensuring an inclusive dining experience.

The Cut & Craft is a sophisticated upscale steakhouse concept initially launched in York City Centre. The Manchester branch is situated in a Grade II-listed former bank in the heart of the city. The all-day menu showcases steaks of the highest quality, sustainable seafood, seasonal sides, and more, catering to various dietary needs. Additionally, the restaurant offers an array of events, including masterclasses, bottomless brunches, and supper clubs.

A modern tribute to the chophouses of days gone by, the Manchester branch of Blacklock is the first outside of London. Housed in a Grade II-listed warehouse, the venue is an escape from the bustle of Peter Street. The menu centres on locally-sourced grass-fed meat at affordable prices, with cocktails also being a speciality.

Big Mamma Group's standout Manchester venue, Circolo Popolare, offers an opulent Italian dining experience in a visually stunning setting. Drawing inspiration from Sicily, the restaurant is embellished with an extraordinary array of bottles and lush greenery. Indulgence takes centre stage, with a menu featuring timeless Italian favourites like pizza, pasta, and risotto. An extensive wine list adds the finishing touch.

Bruco is a chic and contemporary Italian eatery in Ancoats, offering all-day dining. The menu boasts a variety of small plates perfect for sharing, including indulgent breakfast pastries. For lunch, grab one of their panuozzo pizza sandwiches with a range of fillings. Traditional Italian cocktails and an excellent selection of fine wines set the tone for a lively atmosphere. In the warmer months, outdoor seating adds a touch of Mediterranean charm to the experience.

Lina Stores, a well-known name across London, has made its first move beyond the capital with this new UK location. Originally an iconic Italian delicatessen in Soho, the restaurant now offers an array of fresh, handmade pasta dishes, featuring options like stracciatella ravioli or tagliolini with black truffles. For a true taste of la dolce vita, you can finish your meal with traditional Italian desserts and aperitivos.

Located in Spinningfields, Louis brings authentic Italian-American dining to Manchester. Hearty comfort food is on the menu here, plus a curated selection of classic American cocktails. As well as delicious food and drinks, diners can enjoy the talents of live performers covering an array of music genres.

Forbici is deeply committed to the art of Neapolitan pizza, with a strong focus on its dough, proclaimed “the world's most powerful pizza dough”. Crafted from premium Italian ingredients and cooked in an authentic Italian pizza oven, each pizza is served with a pair of scissors, inviting diners to slice it themselves. A selection of Italian craft beers complements the experience perfectly.

Pizza Pilgrims is a rapidly growing pizzeria chain known for its classic Neapolitan pizzas and its “in crust we trust” motto. Using top-quality ingredients imported from Italy, their menu features everything from traditional margheritas to indulgent eight-cheese creations. Their flagship north-west site spans two floors and includes a dedicated space for pizza-making Masterclasses.

Rudy's Pizza Napoletana is well-established as a big name in pizza in Manchester, as well as further afield in places like London, Liverpool, and Birmingham. Now the authentic flavours are coming to Prestwich. These pizzas are topped with traditional ingredients and give you a true taste of Naples, including changing specials. The setting is cool and relaxed.

Detroit Slims launched their distinctive Detroit-style pizzas in the heart of the city in 2024. These square pan pizzas come topped with creative options like Cheese Burger and Barbecue Meat Feast, and are complemented by a selection of milkshakes, chicken tenders, and other treats. While designed with the grab-and-go crowd in mind, the establishment also provides seating for those who prefer to dine in.

Already a much-loved institution in Manchester, Nell's Pizza specialises in giant New York-style pizzas as well as inventive and flavoursome cocktails, with pizzas available whole or by the slice. The group is expanding in 2024 with a new location in Altrincham, offering the same selection of pizzas with classic or creative toppings.

Following the success of the city centre restaurant, deep-dish pizza specialists American Pies have now expanded to Ancoats. This spot is modern and buzzy, all about decadent deep-dish pizza loaded with cheese and tasty toppings. Other indulgent dishes are served as well like garlic bread, dough balls, and loaded tater tots.

Led by renowned chef Shaun Moffat, whose experience includes London's Manteca and Hix, as well as Manchester's Lamb of Tartary, Winsome is a modern restaurant celebrating thoughtful British cuisine. Set in a welcoming space, it embodies the warmth and generosity of Northern hospitality.

Pip is a venue from acclaimed chef Mary-Ellen McTague. In a contemporary space with natural materials and botanicals, food is served throughout the day. Expect British recipes made with quality local produce, focusing on seasonality and minimising waste. Hyper-seasonal cocktails and low-intervention wines are served too.

The largest Korean barbecue restaurant in the UK, Bullgogi showcases a sleek, urban interior. The menu offers an array of authentic Korean small dishes, thoughtfully blended with hints of Western flavours, as well as large sharing platters designed for two. These platters come with a mix of meats and vegetables, which diners can grill themselves at the table BBQ, adding an interactive and entertaining twist to the meal.

Rolled is an Australian hand roll sushi concept, and this is its inaugural location in the UK. The stall at the Trafford Centre serves the brand's well-loved hand rolls with a range of fillings. These include traditional sushi options like spicy tuna, as well as inventive Australian twists such as shrimp on the barbie. The ease of enjoying the hand rolls makes them an ideal option for a quick bite while on the move.

Stow, located in the Northern Quarter, comes from the team behind Manchester favourite Trof. This live-fire restaurant offers a focused menu of perfectly grilled dishes, cooked over a bespoke wood and charcoal grill. Guests can enjoy their meals alongside expertly crafted cocktails and an impressive selection of fine wines. The venue exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with its snug seating arrangements and friendly, approachable staff adding to the charm.

Mélange at the Red Hall Hotel blends Mediterranean flavours with British influences in a stylish, nature-inspired setting. The menu features dishes like seafood risotto and the signature tapenade, offering the best of two worlds. Set in Bury, the restaurant brings a touch of the Mediterranean to a rustic location.

Locates in Salford, Kallos boasts a stylish blue-and-white interior inspired by Greek island architecture. At the relaxed café and wine bar you can pick from an assortment of fine Mediterranean wines and Medi-inspired mezze, charcuterie, salads, and other small plates. They also serve classic brunch dishes with creative Mediterranean twists here.

Created by chef Teddy Lee, Maki & Ramen began in Edinburgh before branching out to Manchester. The restaurant is dedicated to serving flavourful, authentic dishes in a vibrant setting adorned with hanging flowers. Guests can indulge in a variety of options, from steaming ramen bowls and donburi to fried noodles, sushi, and small plates, with plenty of vegan-friendly choices. To round off the experience, Japanese desserts and inventive cocktails are also on offer.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese flame-cooking techniques, the chefs at Kaji serve dishes directly from the fire to your table. Diners can enjoy a variety of small plates, alongside freshly made sushi and sashimi. This sophisticated restaurant also features a tasting menu and a unique tuna-cutting experience, where chefs reveal the secrets of sushi-making while expertly preparing a bluefin tuna right before your eyes.

The family-run Porta tapas group comes to Didsbury, taking over the former Greens site. You can try Spanish and Portuguese tapas here, with a whole host of traditional small plates to choose from – cheeses, Padron peppers, tortillas, seafood, and more. You can also treat yourself to an authentic dessert or a glass of sherry, cava, or fine Spanish wines.

Occupying the former home of Sunset by Australasia, Ocasa is a vibrant Mexican fusion gem from the same team. Blending sleek design choices with natural textures, warm lighting, and an inviting atmosphere – complete with alfresco seating – the restaurant offers a menu that marries Mexican flavours with Asian twists, such as yaki-tacos, which feature tacos wrapped around a yakitori skewer. At the bar, tequila takes centre stage, with an extensive selection forming the backbone of Ocasa's drinks menu.

Doug's Hamburgers, a popular Norwegian burger chain, has debuted its first UK restaurant in Manchester's Circle Square. The menu boasts an array of burgers, alongside buttermilk fried chicken, plant-based alternatives, and all-day breakfast buns. With its lively and contemporary setting, the venue exudes a youthful and dynamic energy.

Chotto Matte is a go-to destination for Nikkei fusion cuisine around the world. The Manchester branch offer the group's signature Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, presented with artistry and paired with masterfully crafted cocktails in a dynamic atmosphere. Situated within the St Michael's redevelopment, the restaurant showcases chic interiors, a rooftop terrace featuring a fire pit with panoramic city views, and numerous other touches that contribute to an immersive dining environment.

Housed within Stockport's striking glass pyramid, Royal Nawaab is a spacious Indian restaurant offering a lively dining experience. Alongside its main hall, the venue boasts elegant banqueting suites, perfect for hosting memorable events and special gatherings. Guests can savour traditional Indian and Pakistani dishes, rich in authentic flavours and prepared with care in the fully halal kitchen.