The best new restaurants in Manchester

Shake Shack originated in the United States as a relaxed, fast-casual spot celebrated for its signature burgers, golden fries, and hand-spun milkshakes. Each burger is crafted with high-quality Angus beef and made to order, ensuring a tender, juicy bite with plenty of flavour. Interiors lean toward clean, modern design with a laid-back feel, and the company also showcases its commitment to environmental responsibility by integrating recycled and repurposed materials across its locations.

Chef Nico Simeone's Lennox, previously one of his Six by Nico restaurants, celebrates "unapologetic indulgence" founded on inherently familiar flavours. The menu reimagines quintessential British staples, such as elevated interpretations of fish and chips or ham and eggs, by infusing them with sophisticated global inspirations and meticulous technique. A fine dining take on comfort food, if you will.

If eggs, all-day breakfast vibes, and stacked sandwiches are your personal holy trinity, Eggslut is the place to be. This US-born spot dishes up rich, egg-forward comfort food with a playful streak. Its line-up centres on soft brioche buns filled with options like cheeseburger-style patties, steak, or mushroom and truffle pâté, finished with a generous serving of silky scrambled eggs.

Butter Bird keeps its focus tight. As the name suggests, the menu revolves around rotisserie chicken, first tea-brined, then basted in different butters – from preserved lemon with thyme and cracked pepper to Moroccan chermoula – and cooked over open flame. A supporting cast of sides includes rotisserie potatoes, tallow fries, and ratatouille, along with a drink list headlined by martinis.

Kouba is an all-day Lebanese restaurant and shisha lounge in Deansgate, welcoming guests from early morning right through to late night. Brunch is a standout, with inventive Pocket Toasts filled with familiar favourites like avocado and eggs, alongside pastries supplied by the well-regarded La Chouquette bakery. As the day goes on, the menu shifts to classic Lebanese dishes such as mezze and grilled plates, with the option to close out the night with flavoured shisha as well.

Replacing the former Indian favourite Asha's at the Forty-Seven hotel, Tyga keeps the spotlight on Indian flavours but reimagines them with a sleek, modern sensibility. The space is dressed in rich materials and polished touches that create an elegant, high-end atmosphere, while the menu presents inventive reinterpretations of familiar dishes – think paneer lasagna florentine or a saffron tiramisu.

V.Goode Pies reimagines the classic British pie shop through a fresh, contemporary lens, courtesy of the team behind Winsome and Madre. The menu keeps things simple and satisfying, offering generously filled pies at wallet-friendly prices. Options range from comforting staples like meat and potato to inventive twists such as a lasagne-inspired pie packed with beef shin ragu, béchamel, pasta, and cheese. In the mornings, you'll find breakfast pies and barms too.

The team behind Higher Ground have launched a new seafood-focused listening bar in Manchester, debuting in late 2025. Here, guests can enjoy a menu of small plates and ocean-inspired dishes alongside carefully curated cocktails and craft beers, all set to a soundtrack played through a top-tier sound system. Highlights range from brioche with seaweed butter to steamed surf clams with bacon and sherry, plus an indulgent caviar selection.

Little Lotus is a modern British chain of sushi bars known for crafting fresh sushi every single day. Their chefs start early, preparing everything in-house with locally sourced ingredients to ensure quality. Alongside the sushi, the menu features a range of Japanese favourites like rice bowls and noodle pots, with options for takeaway and catering 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.

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.

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 2025 with a new location in MediaCity, offering the same selection of pizzas with classic or creative toppings, as well as karaoke and a big terrace.

The second outpost of the fashionable Ancoats tapas bar, Maricarmen draws crowds with its wallet-friendly yet genuinely Spanish small plates. The lively, welcoming vibe sets the stage for dishes such as arroz negro, meatballs, grilled scallops, and croquettes. To round it off, there's a well-curated selection of Spanish wines, cold beers, refreshing sangria, and inventive cocktails.

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.

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.

Catering to a younger crowd, the vibrant Yaowarat channels the eclectic flavours of Bangkok's Chinatown, highlighted through a distinctive fusion menu that even covers breakfast staples such as bowls of rice congee. Alongside the food, an in-house tea room pours high-quality Thai teas and coffee. More than just a place to eat, Yaowarat also works as a neighbourhood hangout, inviting people to stay and socialise.

Manchester Street Food is a sprawling gastronomic and leisure hub in the former Ducie Street Warehouse. Within this 15,000 sq ft Grade II-listed space, 11 independent vendors serve a diverse range of international street food alongside two bars, a self-service beer station, and a boutique cinema. The venue functions as a vibrant social centre, combining a lively dining atmosphere with and entertaining events programme.