Trafford Centre has announced the launch of Eastern Garden, a new restaurant dining development dedicated to Manchester’s independent food scene. Marking a first for the shopping centre, Eastern Garden responds to increasing consumer demand for local, high-quality dining options, featuring a line-up of Mancunian-born operators including Nichi, Hello Oriental, Chit ‘n’ Chaat, and Blanchflower Coffee and Bakery.
Designed as a vibrant and visually stunning space, Eastern Garden blends traditional and contemporary Asian aesthetics, offering visitors a diverse culinary experience that reflects the city’s evolving food culture.
A Celebration of Manchester’s Independent Restaurants
The four restaurants featured in Eastern Garden bring distinct flavours, techniques, and influences, ensuring a varied dining experience for visitors.
Nichi is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant that opened its flagship 3,000 sq ft space in late 2024. Offering an immersive dining experience, Nichi specialises in sushi, live robata cooking, and tableside flambé, complemented by a mezzanine level for private omakase dining. Head Chef Kentaro Yanagisawa, formerly of Sexyfish Manchester, and Vanessa Mornet, from Zuma, lead the team, ensuring a high-end dining experience with an extensive sake and wine selection.
Hello Oriental, founded by Ricky Yip and Azim Koura, is known for its modern East Asian street food and already has a popular location near Oxford Road. The menu features over 100 dishes, from dim sum to Cantonese roast meats and noodles, alongside a dedicated children’s menu.
Chit ‘n’ Chaat brings authentic Indian street food to Eastern Garden, occupying a 2,000 sq ft space in what is now its fifth Greater Manchester location. Since its launch in 2020, the restaurant has been known for delivering vibrant, flavour-packed dishes that reflect the energy of traditional Indian chaat houses.
Blanchflower Coffee and Bakery, founded by Phil and Claire Howells, will open in the coming weeks. With a dedicated bakery in Sale, Blanchflower is known for its handmade seasonal pastries, cakes, and bread, using locally sourced ingredients. The menu will include cruffins, Bakewell tarts, focaccias, and homemade granola, offering a specialist coffee and artisan bakery experience.
Elevating Trafford Centre’s Dining Offer
Eastern Garden represents a major investment in Trafford Centre’s food and beverage offering, reinforcing its position as a destination that caters to global tastes while championing local talent.
Kitty Vaughan, Head of F&B and Leisure Leasing at Pradera Lateral, commented on the launch:
“At Trafford Centre, we are committed to offering our visitors an exciting and diverse food and beverage experience that celebrates our global customers and champions homegrown talent.
“Eastern Garden not only enjoys a wide array of unique and authentic flavours but also represents the vibrant and dynamic culinary scene of Manchester. This initiative is a significant step in our ongoing investment to diversify the exciting culinary offering at Trafford Centre.”
With a strong mix of established and emerging food brands, Eastern Garden is set to become a key dining destination within Trafford Centre, catering to shoppers, food enthusiasts, and visitors alike.
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