Former head chef of L'Enclume Tom Barnes will open his first solo venture in Manchester this spring. Set in the Noma neighbourhood in the city centre, Skof will be a 36-cover restaurant offering unfussy tasting menus that showcase the very best ingredients. London-based studio Blacksheep are taking care of the interiors, while Tom will continue to work with his trusted suppliers in the Lake District. Details are under wraps, but we’re expecting great things.

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Treehouse Hotel is about to open its second outpost in Manchester’s Deansgate area. Continuing the brand’s sustainability efforts, the hotel will have 224 rooms with living green walls, furniture made from reclaimed and recycled materials, and a rooftop apiary producing the hotel's own honey. We’re most excited about its two restaurants: one of which is on the rooftop and will be headed up by chef Sam Grainger, offering a range of southeast Asian-inspired dishes; while the other on the ground floor will serve classic brunch dishes and British bistro classics. There will also be a bar and lounge area for coffee meetings and post-work drinks.

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We were sad to hear Manchester institution Cottonopolis recently closed, but a new pub is about to take over the space later this month. The same team behind the city’s award-winning pub Edinburgh Castle will revamp the Grade II-listed building with minimalist interiors, while chef Shaun Moffat will oversee the kitchen with a menu of seasonal British dishes, small plates and Sunday roasts. The pub will have 24 beers on tap, including lagers from local favourites like Buxton Brewery and Mobberley Brewhouse, and will show sports fixtures throughout the year.

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Last week, the Michelin Guide announced its winners for 2024. The awards took place in Manchester, so it was only right that one of the city’s best restaurants was recognised with a prize. Higher Ground missed out on a star, but it was awarded a Bib Gourmand – given to restaurants offering good quality, good value cooking. Higher Ground started as a pop-up four years ago before opening its permanent site to expand its offering of British bistro classics, now served at the counter or in its small dining room. The set lunch menu is a very reasonable £35pp and currently includes dishes like pea fritters, cheddar and brown crab tart, and cod with broccoli and smoked scallop sauce.

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This three-floor restaurant and bar is about to open on Chorlton Street. Set in the industrial 20th-century building that also houses hotel Leven, there will be two dining spaces: a canal-side brasserie serving European classics, and a ground-floor dining room for a more elevated experience. The building’s industrial look will be reflected in the interiors, with the addition of some art-deco features. In the kitchens, Mancunian chef Gabe Lea (ex Le Manoir) will head up the team with regularly changing menus.

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This Asian dining concept is from the same chefs behind Mancheter’s Seesaw Café, Jake Huxley and Samuel Jethro. Pronounced ‘day-nah’, the restaurant in the ABC Building and serves a selection of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dishes. This month, there’s a set menu for £15 which includes a stuffed bao bun, a small plate (like fried squid or braised pork belly) and a side of sticky rice or chilli cucumber. In the coming months the team will also host album parties, workshops, fashion pop-ups and more. 

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