A brand new ‘live open fire’ restaurant is coming to Manchester

In a city that rarely shies away from experimentation, Manchester’s newest restaurant, Stow, is setting up to steal the spotlight with a concept both rustic and refined: an entire menu crafted over an open fire.

Located in the Northern Quarter, Stow promises a return to elemental cooking, served in a beautifully simple, unpretentious setting where quality ingredients meet low lighting, flickering candles, and the warm glow of fire.

Stow restaurant

This is the dream venture of Matt and Jamie, two industry veterans with a shared passion for bold flavours and a relaxed dining experience.

At Stow, you won’t find a sprawling menu; instead, the offerings will focus on a few carefully chosen meats, fish, and a thoughtful selection of vegetable-centric sides that highlight local, seasonal produce.

Everything is cooked over a custom-built grill from Firemade in Somerset, powered by locally sourced wood and charcoal.

Jamie, the chef behind the grill, wanted to strip things down to their essence: “For us, it’s all about quality ingredients and cooking them with very little faff.

“If it’s simple and delicious, we’re doing it right.”

From the owners of Trof

For Matt and Jamie, who are known around town for their successful work with Trof, Stow is the culmination of years of diverse experiences and hands-on learning.

Jamie’s journey took him from Manchester to Ireland, where he honed his skills in the warm, community-oriented kitchens of The Devonshire Arms and Saint Francis Provisions in Kinsale.

It was there, overlooking the Atlantic and cooking with oysters and organic vegetables grown just a stone’s throw away, that he discovered his affinity for direct, uncomplicated flavours.

Since returning to Manchester in 2022, he’s been shaping dishes with that same ethos, bringing his evolving style to menus across the city.

Fire and food at Stow

While Jamie’s got the fire and food down to a fine art, Matt, Stow’s General Manager, brings a different kind of passion to the table: a love for impeccable service, cocktail craftsmanship, and a knack for creating a space where everyone feels at home.

Having cut his teeth in Manchester’s hospitality industry with roles at Living Ventures and Revolution, he joined Trof and soon made such an impact that he went on to acquire the business himself.

At Stow, he’s bringing his love of cocktails to life with a short but expertly curated drinks list, featuring French wines, local beers, and riffs on cocktail classics.

His take on a Cremant Cocktail, blending demerara sugar and bitters with ‘the other French fizz,’ hints at his mixology roots and his eye for a good twist.

The layout of Stow is as much a part of the experience as the food itself.

With bar seating and cosy nooks, it’s perfect for a spontaneous lunch, a night out with friends, or an intimate dinner.

The vibe is all about creating an environment that feels both special and familiar—where you can see your food being crafted over an open flame and chat with a bartender about the best wine pairings or the story behind a local brew.

When will Stow open?

It looks like Stow will open in late November, with the date yet to be confirmed.

In a city that prides itself on culinary diversity, Stow might just be the perfect fit—simple yet sophisticated, rooted in tradition yet refreshingly modern.

With Jamie’s open-fire cooking and Matt’s meticulous hospitality, Stow is all set to become Manchester’s go-to spot for honest, delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere.