Manchester restaurant openings to watch

Manchester is rapidly becoming a foodie paradise, with more and more restaurants opening their doors in the city each month. Here’s a look at some which are coming soon.

Hawksmoor
London steakhouse group Hawksmoor are to open their first restaurant outside of the capital in the Victorian Courthouse building on Deansgate. A soft launch is taking place from February 19 – March 4 with 50 per cent off food for customers luckily enough to get a booking during the period. The restaurant will officially open its doors on March 5.

Ibérica
Another group opening their first site outside London are Ibérica. The Spanish restaurant, whose executive head chef Nacho Manzano has three Michelin stars to his name, will launch at Spinningfields on March 4. Along with the restaurant, there will be an in-house delicatessen offering produce including 20 different olive oils.

Grand Pacific
When Room suddenly announced it was closing its doors earlier this year Living Ventures, the outfit behind the likes of Manchester House, The Alchemist and Artisan, took over their former site on King Street. The group are to turn it into Grand Pacific, which is currently the terrace extension at their Australasia site, and it will serve a range of cocktails and small plates.

Quill
Another new restaurant planned for King Street is Quill. The venue will occupy the former Duo unit at 20/22 King Street and be operated by On The Wall, who own Chalk Bar & Grill in Didsbury. It is set to offer fine dining and luxury cocktails when it opens later this year.

The Corn Exchange
Formerly a shopping centre, the Corn Exchange is set to relaunch as a dining destination this summer. A new eatery from Piccolino and The Restaurant Bar & Grill owner Individual Restaurants named Eclectic Grill is to join the likes of Mexican street food group Wahaca, Italian restaurant Vapiano and casual dining outlet The Cosy Club in the historic building. The first restaurants are to open in June.

The Urban Cookhouse
Located in a former shipping warehouse on Princess Street, Urban Cookhouse is the debut venture from Salford operator Violet Hospitality. It is to open on March 13 and will be an ‘urban New York loft style’ restaurant serving fusion dishes and cocktails.

Solita Prestwich
Outside of the city centre, Solita are to open their third location in Prestwich. The site formerly housed Bombay and Mary-Ellen McTague’s Aumbry restaurant and is set to be able to seat 150 diners inside as well as a further 50 in a terrace area.

Mary-Ellen’s new venture
Although Aumbry has closed its doors, we’re soon to hear more from Mary-Ellen McTague as she’s planning on opening a permanent city centre outlet. It follows a pop-up at the end of last year, 4244 Edge Street. But she’s not left Prestwich behind for good – she’s currently hosting a three month residency at Cuckoo.

See Time Out's guide to Manchester's best restaurants.