Ancoats & New Islington: An Area Guide

Exploring Ancoats and New Islington with Böhm.

Nestled within the northeast of the City Centre, Ancoats and New Islington have become two of Manchester’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, and are going from strength to strength. Over the past decade, Ancoats has undergone a remarkable transformation, with sustainable, thoughtful development that balances residential living with public amenities. In this area guide, we are spending time in Ancoats and New Islington, soaking up the blend of historic cobbled streets and mills, alongside some of the city's most impressive restaurants, wine bars, and shops. 

The hubs of activity for Ancoats and New Islington are arguably Cutting Room Square and The Marina, each offering a diverse array of restaurants, bars, shops, architecture and green spaces. A short walk between these two centres takes you across the Ashton Canal, and makes the neighbourhoods feel seamlessly connected. Architecturally, the Mills are one of the defining features of the area, reflecting Ancoats’ rich history in fabric and cotton manufacturing. These mills have largely been converted into workspaces and apartments, such as this in Royal Mills, maintaining the architectural integrity of the area, while allowing residents to soak in one of Manchester’s coolest neighbourhoods.  

Bars and Pubs

Ancoats and New Islington are home to some of the city's best wine bars, and that's not just our opinion—Erst was recently listed in The Times' "30 Best Bottle Shops in the UK”, and is our first recommendation in this Area Guide. Bridging the gap between restaurant and wine bar, Erst is known for its “simple seasonal dishes, low-intervention wine, craft spirits and craft beer”.

As the article suggests, Erst is truly special, offering a brilliant wine list, and some of the best food in the city. The staff are knowledgeable yet approachable and friendly. The menu is seasonal and is constantly being updated, and every dish is perfectly considered. The interior is beautifully designed, with a glazed façade that frames the striking exterior of Murrays' Mill, showcasing a quintessentially ‘Ancoats’ architectural vernacular.

Another truly design-led spot in Ancoats is Kerb, a wine bar tucked off Cutting Room Square. The bar is intimate, offering only a handful of seats, which creates a truly special atmosphere. Designed by Manchester-based ‘Youth Studio’, the space features organic forms and recessed wine storage shelves which glow and highlight the bottles beautifully. With natural wine on tap and a wide selection of bottles to enjoy in-house or take away, Kerb is a must-visit in Ancoats.

Just around the corner, located on Cutting Room Square, you’ll find Jane Eyre: a neighbourhood bar, who specialise in "classic cocktails, creating our own twists using the highest quality local ingredients, an eclectic range of keg and bottled beers & a selection of world class wines."

Flawd, our final must-visit wine bar, is located on the New Islington Marina. This bar offers a range of wine by the glass, as well as a huge selection of bottles to purchase, and is accompanied by an amazing menu by chef Seri Nam. Some of the menu highlights include the Split Pea Dip with Sourdough from their neighbours, Pollen, as well as a selection of brilliant Korean-inspired dishes. In the summer months, the seating spills out onto the Marina, where guests can relax by the water, wine in hand, and soak in the vibrant Ancoats atmosphere.

Restaurants

Ancoats and New Islington boast an impressive range of restaurants, with the perfect option for every occasion. For a laid-back evening, we recommend Rudy’s; a beloved Neapolitan Pizzeria located on Cutting Room Square. The Ancoats location was the first of six in Manchester, and is now one of 17 across the UK, a testament to its popularity. With a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and fresh sourdough pizza that ranks among the best in the city, Rudy’s has earned its cult-favourite status.

One of the most recent additions to Ancoats is Indian Affair, an Indian Restaurant offering authentic New Delhi cuisine. Their Ancoats site has recently opened following the success of their store in Chorlton, and their menu aims to capture the traditional and modern sides of Delhi, focusing on North-Indian cuisine.

Ancoats is also home to the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Manchester, Mana, by Chef-owner Simon Martin. This restaurant has a dark façade and is somewhat of an enigma, with glimpses inside revealing some of the “fermentation and fire” which make their Nordic-inspired tasting menu so special. They describe their approach as “informal yet attentive”, and after achieving a Michelin Star in 2024, is worth visiting for those looking for an unforgettable experience.

Another recommendation is Elnecot, a neighborhood bar and kitchen located on Cutting Room Square. They offer a varied menu of British-inspired dishes, along with a BBQ outside. The restaurant's name comes from the Old English term for Ancoats, 'Elnecot,' which translates to 'Lonely Cottages,' referencing the arrangement of dwellings in the area back in 1212. Over time, the word evolved from Elnecot to Ana Cots, before becoming the Ancoats we know today.

Finally, we recommend The Edinburgh Castle. Ranked #24 in the Top 50 UK Gastropubs 2024, Edinburgh Castle has a cosy atmosphere, and great food and drink options. A must-try is their Sunday Lunch, which is available as either two or three courses, and is the perfect way to close out a weekend in Manchester. 

Bakeries & Coffee Shops

Ancoats and New Islington are the home to some of the city's best artisan bakeries, each definitely worth a visit. 

After recently opening their second location in the Northern Quarter, Companio is going from strength to strength, cementing itself as a firm favourite of the city. Their Ancoats location is smaller, but still has a great selection of amazing quality goods made on site. 

Our next location has a consistent queue that is a testament to their quality and popularity. The Flat Baker operates out of a hatch and is run by a couple who started the business working out of a flat, and who have since established themselves as a beloved local favourite. They offer a fantastic selection of sweet and savoury goods, often inspired by Brazilian flavours.

Our final bakery recommendation is located on the New Islington Marina. Pollen is a bakery and cafe that opened in 2016, offering a range of sweet and savoury goods, sourdough, and brunch. They have since opened a space in Kampus, but the views of the water and outdoor seating make the Ancoats location truly special. 

All of these bakeries offer great coffee as well, but if you’re looking for more options for coffee, we’d suggest the Ancoats Coffee Company, which is based in Royal Mills, or Just Between Friends, based in Beehive Mill. Both offer a wonderful cup of coffee, as well as selling bags of beans and brewing equipment to add to your at-home setup.

If you’re intrigued by Ancoats & New Islington, and are thinking about making it home, please get in touch with us here to discuss our available listings which suit your needs. Browse our curated selection of listings here, which showcase design-led homes in Ancoats, New Islington, and the surrounding area.

If you have a property that you’d like to list with Böhm, get in touch with us here.

Photography by Ella Wheatley.