Manchester has lost some big bar and restaurant names in May, with Jamie's Italian and The Birdcage both shutting up shop, and Tiger Tiger soon to slink off from The Printworks.
It's not all doom and gloom, though. A new Garden of Eden-themed bar and restaurant is already lined up to replace Tiger Tiger and there's plenty more new arrivals to look forward to across the city and beyond as summer sets in.
From Viking-inspired tapas (you heard) to a pizzeria finally bucking the Neapolitan trend, here's our pick of the best new restaurants and bars to try around Greater Manchester this June.
Thai Kitchen No 6, Manchester city centre
Situated in the spot previously occupied by vegetarian restaurant 1847 is this new family-run Thai restaurant.
Tucked away off King Street, its menu includes dishes such as stir-fried squid with salted eggs, crispy fried mussel pancakes, alongside curries and noodle and rice dishes.
It's already had glowing endorsements from customers including chef-restaurateur Gary Usher, who recently opened his bistro Kala around the corner.
Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1HN | facebook.com/pg/thaikitchenno6 | Open now
Wilderness Bar and Kitchen, Manchester city centre
The Northern Quarter's short-lived vegan cafe Folk & Soul will be replaced by a new two-floor bar and restaurant from the owners of some of the city's most popular venues.
Wilderness Bar and Kitchen will be the city centre spin-off of Withington's Wilderness Record Store, which was recently opened by Lyndon Higginson, the creative force behind the Liars Group (The Liars Club, Crazy Pedro's, Cane & Grain and Science & Industry); his Junkyard Golf Club co-directors Bart Murphy and Mat Lake; and Dan Morris, former group manager of Trof and operations director for Cottonpolis.
The design of the new site will be led by Lyndon, tying in with the look of the Withington sister site. Based in the former Deco site, just off Wilmslow Road, the record shop includes a cafe serving freshly made toasties, cakes and pastries, alongside a range of beers, wines and gin and tonics.
An expansion is also planned for the Withington site in June, when the shop will double in size and launch an events programme including acoustic sets, Q&As with artists and DJs, film screenings and creative workshops.
30-32 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1ER | wildernesstrading.co.uk | Opening June, exact date TBC
Sushi Daily, Manchester city centre
Sushi Daily - Europe's largest sushi chain - has opened its first Manchester site inside Debenhams.
Based around an open kitchen, the kiosk will have two set menus with either 18 pieces and two glasses of prosecco for £15 or 30 pieces with three glasses of prosecco for £32.
The menu includes classic maki, nigiri and sashimi, as well as crispy onion-topped rolls and spicy shichimi-seasoned snacks.
There are also vegetarian, vegan and no raw fish options.
Debenhams, Market Street, Manchester | sushidaily.com | Open now
I Knead Pizza, Reddish, Stockport
Foodie Friday favourites I Knead Pizza have expanded from their pop-up pitch on the cobbles of Stockport Market Place to open a permanent spot in Reddish.
The restaurant specialises in pizza made in the Neapolitan tradition, which means freshly-made, slow-proved dough quickly blasted in the oven for a floppy, blistered crust.
There's a range of classic Italian toppings such as n'duja, portobello mushroom and truffle oil, and puttanesca, as well as lengthy list of vegan options ranging from a simple marinara to salt and pepper seitan. Prices range from £7 to £12.
There's a local flavour to the drinks and desserts, with beers from Thirst Class Ale and ABC Brewery, soft drinks from Steep Soda, and ice cream and sorbets from Milk Maids.
52 Gorton Road, Reddish, Stockport, SK5 6AH | ikneadpizza.co.uk | Open now
Vinaböd, Stockport town centre
Longships, looting and battle axes - the Vikings are famous for many things, but Spanish small plates aren't usually on the list.
Until now, with the opening of Stockport's new Viking-themed Andalucian tapas bar. Yes, you read that correctly.
Taking over the former site of vegan restaurant The Allotment, Vinaböd is inspired by Norse mythology, complete with handmade wooden furniture, faux fur animal skins, and ornaments made of 'bones'.
The food menu will be based on the tapas of southern Spain, where owner Dan Ray grew up, complemented by a range of meads that diners can swig from horns.
6 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY | facebook.com/Vinabodtapasbar/ / Opening in June, exact date TBC
Pizza Rivoluzione, Altrincham
Neapolitan has been the word on everyone's lips when it comes to pizza in recent years.
Now it's time for lesser-represented regional styles to shine as Altrincham bakery and kitchen Blanchflower hosts a summer pizza pop-up dedicated to focaccia and thin-crust Romana pizza.
Every Friday and Saturday from 6pm, the Shaws Road restaurant will become Pizza Rivoluzione with a change of decor and menu.
Toppings include classic caprese and pepperonata for the focaccia, while Romana pizza options include king prawn, charred courgette, mascarpone and red chilli, and heritage tomato, smoked mozzarella and basil. Prices are all around £10.
12-14 Shaws Road, Altrincham, WA14 1QU | blanchflower.co | Every Friday and Saturday from 6pm, until September 21
