Credit: Maricarmen
One of Manchester’s most popular Spanish dining spots, Maricarmen, has gone from strength to strength over the past few years – starting out as a pop-up serving tapas within Ancoats chocolate shop Cocoa Cabana to now announcing the opening of a second Manchester venue. Opening a permanent unit on Great Ancoats Street in 2024, where the team recently celebrated one year, Maricarmen is set to open a second restaurant within the former 63 Degree site in the Northern Quarter next month. And better still, customers can still enjoy their infamous offering of tasty tapas dishes for just £3.50 per plate.
Credit: Maricarmen El Tableo at Maricarmen
Maricarmen is famed for its ‘El Tableo’, an interactive service style where freshly prepared tapas dishes are served from waiters circulating the restaurant rather than from a fixed menu. Unique to Manchester, each tapas dish from the El Tableo service is priced at £3.50 — inspired by Marian and Jose’s summers in Costa Blanca, where their family lives and where they first experienced this authentic Southern Spanish way of tapas service.
Guests simply select the dishes they want to try and at the end of the meal, the tapas plates are counted which equates to the total bill. Maricarmen’s El Tableo menu features the likes of patatas bravas, red wine meatballs, a selection of Pintxos including marinated pork with mojo picon, steak with salsa verde, variations of croquetas and everyone’s favourite, gambas al ajillo.
Credit: Supplied/Maricarmen Maricarmen takes to the Northern Quarter
The new restaurant, which will open within the first week of September in the Northern Quarter, will continue to operate Maricarmen’s unique El Tableo service on the ground floor of the restaurant. Plus, on the second, top floor, that will open before the end of the year, will be an exciting service concept to be confirmed.
The High Street location will differ from the original venue on Great Ancoats Street which was inspired by the bustling streets of Madrid’s nightlife. Instead it will take inspiration from the sunny beaches of Alicante, featuring light interiors and colours from the coast to create beach house vibes.
Credit: Maricarmen
A large al fresco dining area will also be available at the Maricarmen Northern Quarter restaurant, both outside on Edge Street and just in front of the old Fish Market walls in High Street, which will also allow customers to enjoy the delights of Maricarmen in the Manchester sunshine.
In addition to El Tableo, Maricarmen specials including Paella, tortilla Carbonara and Cachopo (delicacy from the Spanish region of Asturias consisting of veal or beef steaks filled with cheese and slices of Iberico ham) will also be available at the Northern Quarter restaurant. Guests can enjoy a selection of Spanish wines and beers, in addition to red and white Sangria, curated with a special Maricarmen recipe.
Credit: Supplied “To us, Manchester signifies the ability to reinvent and grow.”
Maricarmen was founded by Marian Diaz and Jose Nunez who previously owned Madrid based tapas restaurant, La Porcineria, which operated for four years prior to closing in Covid. Left with massive debts and both unable to find jobs, close friends, Stefano and Rosangela, offered Marian and Jose a place to live and call home in Manchester – and so Maricarmen was born alongside dear friend Andres Vielma.
Marian Diaz added: “To us, Manchester signifies the ability to reinvent and grow. The people here support you without expecting anything in return. It’s really beautiful. I have never felt this before in my life.
Credit: Maricarmen
“Opening Maricarmen on Great Ancoats Street was a dream come true. We’ve built up such a loyal customer base of locals, many who have become dear friends. And to be in a position to open a second site within two years and share our love of good food and great times with Manchester’s Northern Quarter is quite unbelievable.”
Maricarmen will open the doors to its Northern Quarter restaurant in the first week of September, keep an eye on their socials for more announcements to come.