Manchester's restaurant scene is an unstoppable force, and despite all the challenges still facing the industry there are new openings popping up all the time.
There's never been a better time to champion and celebrate hospitality, with September 18 marking National Hospitality Day.
In the month ahead we'll see new openings from some well-established northern favourites, and welcome some big names from further afield too.
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Here's a taste of what you'll be able to sink your teeth in to this month.
Bundobust
It's been two years since Bundobust let slip that they'd be opening their second site here in Manchester, securing what was once a car park in the Grade II-listed St James building on Oxford Street.
Covid put the brakes on for quite a while, but things are finally rolling again.
The Indian street food restaurant, which serves a completely vegetarian menu and has received rave reviews across the board, will also be launching its first brewery here.
Finishing touches are now being put on the 150-seat restaurant and taproom, with up to 20,000 pints a month being produced on site.
St James Building, Oxford Street, M1 6EJ | bundobust.com | Opening September
Slice
It's a very familiar name but it's in a brand new home, two years after its Stevenson Square site closed for refurbishment.
Slice pizzeria specialises in crisp-bottomed Roman-style pizzas, served by the slice, and was a staple of the Northern Quarter for years.
It's now taken over and brought back to the life the old newsagents at Manchester Oxford Road train station.
The menu will include Slice's most popular pizza, topped with broccoli, sausage and chilli, alongside specials, sandwiches, and homemade gelato in the summer.
Manchester Oxford Road train station, M1 5NP | twitter.com/slicepizzamcr | Open now
Sixes Cricket Club
Competitive gaming bars have become all the rage in recent years - in Manchester you can now play golf, throw an axe, swing a baseball bat, bowl, and play ping-pong with a pint in your hand.
The newest to open here comes up from London, and introduces the world of simulation cricket.
Sixes Cricket Club serves a menu of gastropub-style food beside three high-tech batting cages, constructed inside the old Alston Bar & Beef restaurant in the Corn Exchange.
Cricket balls fly out of an animated screen and sensor around each cage track your skill (or lack of) and score.
Corn Exchange, Cathedral St, M4 3TR | sixescricket.com | Open now
Arlo's
It's not big, but it's mighty - Arlo's is a tiny new opening that's wedged in between the Corner Boy and Wilson's Social on Hilton Street.
The laid-back bar will be bringing together some of the city's best producers, including baked goods from Gooey, wine from It's Alive, and meats and pickles from Three Hands Deli, to name a few.
It's open seven days a week from morning until late.
19 Hilton St, Northern Quarter, M1 1JJ | instagram.com/arlosmcr | Open now
Off The Press
This new coffee shop in Ancoats comes with its own in-house bakery.
Off The Press is an Australian-inspired newcomer that's opened inside the One Express building in Ancoats, which has undergone a £4m refurbishment.
Open Monday to Friday, it will serve healthy breakfasts and lunches as well as fresh cakes and pastries.
2 George Leigh Street, Ancoats, M4 5DL | offthepress.cafe | Open now
General Store Deansgate Square
The company behind the region's 'coolest corner shops' has opened a stunning new location at Deansgate Square.
Situated on the ground floor of the shiny new skyscraper neighbourhood, the retail space and coffee shop has been designed by local design company Youth.
Their eighth opening is 4,500 sq ft and has been fitted with futuristic furnishings.
As with the other General Stores, there'll be all the daily essentials on sale as well as a massive selection of goods from local suppliers - especially in the alcohol emporium stuffed with Greater Manchester-made beers and spirits.
Deansgate Square, Owen St, M15 4YB | general-stores.co.uk/deansgate | Open now
Flawd
The team behind Higher Ground, which has been popping up all over the region since last spring, are now opening their very own venue in New Islington.
With its own outdoor terrace beside Islington Marina, Flawd will specialise in natural, low-intervention wine and local beer, served alongside cheese and charcuterie.
They've been testing the concept with a series of pop-ups at Pollen but are ready to open their very own venue this month.
New Islington Marina, M4 6FQ | instagram.com/flawdwine | Opening September
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