International restaurant group Chotto Matte has officially landed in Manchester, opening its doors recently atop the brand-new No.1 St Michael’s development.

Marking the group’s first Northern venue — and its largest site globally — the restaurant brings Chotto Matte’s world-famous Nikkei cuisine, immersive art, and vibrant nightlife energy to Manchester’s skyline in spectacular fashion.

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A Sky-High Setting with Style

Spread across 20,000 sq ft on the 10th floor, Chotto Matte Manchester is every bit the showstopper its London and Toronto siblings promised it would be. From the moment you step into the lift and rise above the city, you’re greeted by a space that’s part art gallery, part fine-dining venue — and all attitude.

Expect graffiti-inspired interiors, dramatic lighting, and installations from local artists including Carla Raads, who has transformed the bathrooms into a glowing UV mural themed around anthesis — the moment a flower blooms to perfection.

And then there’s the rooftop terrace. Seating up to 348 guests, this all-weather space is an urban paradise complete with panoramic views, a central stage for live music, and a seriously impressive bar setup. It’s already shaping up to be thesocial destination in the city — equally suited for cocktails at sunset or late-night beats under the stars.

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Claude’s Skyview Bar – Cocktails, Mezcal and City Lights

Before heading into the restaurant, make time for a drink at Claude’s, Chotto Matte’s new Mexican-inspired Skyview Bar concept.

The vibe is effortlessly cool: low lighting, plush seating, and jaw-dropping views across Manchester’s rooftops. The backlit bar glows with hundreds of bottles, housing a 250-strong collection of mezcals and tequilas.

The cocktail list leans into bold, inventive flavours — and the standout for me was the Scotch Bonnet Picante (£10), a fiery mix of Scotch bonnet and coriander-infused Enemigo 55 Blanco, fresh lime juice and agave syrup. A drink with punch and balance in equal measure.

If you’re more in the mood for grazing than dining, the sharing dip platter is ideal for snacking over a few drinks, while the bar also features a good selection of beers and wines for those looking to keep things simple.

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Dining: The Nikkei Experience

Moving through to the main restaurant, we opted for the Signature Sharing Menu I (£65 per person) — a perfectly paced introduction to the Nikkei experience, designed for the table to enjoy together.

The menu showcases Chotto Matte’s distinctive blend of Japanese precision and Peruvian spice, crafted by Group Executive Chef Jordan Sclare and Founder Kurt Zdesar.

We began with Spicy Edamame tossed in rocoto chili dressing, followed by a warming Miso Soup dotted with tofu, wakame and bonito.

Next came the Warm Beef Tataki, seared beef fillet with a smoky Aji Panca sauce and passion fruit salsa — a highlight of the night. The Slow Braised Crispy Pork Belly, paired with yellow tomato salsa and coriander, delivered layers of rich flavour and tender texture.

For sushi lovers, the Sato Maki Roll, a mix of sea bass, salmon tartare and romano pepper flamed tableside, offered a little theatre with dinner.

Crispy Squid followed, with a smoky Aji Amarillo emulsion that disappeared fast.

From the robata, Pollo Den Miso (miso-marinated chicken with yellow chilli yoghurt) and Salmon Anticucho (yuzu and chive-dressed salmon skewers) rounded things off beautifully, all served alongside Furikake Arroz Blanco, a simple but satisfying sesame-nori rice.

Dessert was pure indulgence — Warm Cinnamon Churros with dulce de leche and chocolate hazelnut sauce — the perfect finale to a truly global dining journey.

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Final Thoughts

With its breathtaking views, immersive design, and bold Nikkei flavours, Chotto Matte Manchester is more than just another restaurant opening — it’s a full-scale experience and the hospitality from all staff we encountered was second to none..

From mezcal cocktails at Claude’s to the refined sharing plates in the main dining room, every detail has been curated to impress.

As founder Kurt Zdesar puts it:

“We’ve created a space that combines bold design, immersive art, live music and of course, our signature Nikkei flavours – all elevated by a stunning rooftop location overlooking Manchester.”

Chotto Matte Manchester has set a new benchmark for high-rise dining in the city — and if opening night is anything to go by, it’s going to be the place to eat, drink, and dance above the skyline.

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Find out more: chottomatte.com
📍 No.1 St Michael’s, Manchester
📸 Follow @chottomatte and @dandohertyblog on Instagram for more.