The Parisian dining spot opened in the Northern Quarter in 2011 and has been praised by the Culinary bible
The restaurant opened in the Northern Quarter in 2011(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Earlier this week, culinary history was made as restaurant newcomer Skof was awarded a Michelin Star – less than a year after opening in Manchester city centre.
Considered the most prestigious of dining honours, the restaurant has now become the second Manchester venue to hold a Michelin Star, alongside Mana in Ancoats, which won its star in 2019 and has held it ever since.
While the city now has two Michelin-starred restaurants, the culinary guide also has a list of its favourite Manchester dining spots and recommendations, which includes the likes of Higher Ground, Maya, Erst and Adam Reid at The French.
But for one of its recommended spots the future looks uncertain. Family-run French restaurant 63 Degrees has reportedly closed down for good after 14 years in the Northern Quarter.
The Michelin-recommended restaurant is described by the culinary bible as a ‘true neighbourhood restaurant’ (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Speculation first arose during a period of uncertainty over the Christmas period. A sign on the door of the restaurant on High Street first informed customers that they would be closed from December 22 until January 11. However, this was subsequently updated to January 30.
The restaurant has not reopened since and it follows a period of inactivity on its social media accounts, with the last post on their Instagram page from August 2024. Its booking page on OpenTable also says that it is ‘temporarily offline’.
Earlier this week, the restaurant’s founder confirmed its closure to news outlet Manchester Confidential. Founder Alexandre Moreau said that his parents, Head Chef Eric and his mother, have returned to France following a period of ill health.
A classic Parisian dining spot in every sense, the restaurant was owned by the Moreau family and was established to bring a taste of Paris to Manchester. Putting haute cuisine front and centre, it focused on classic dishes and put the Northern Quarter on the map for French dining in Greater Manchester and beyond.
The Michelin-recommended restaurant is described by the culinary bible as a ‘true neighbourhood restaurant’ and boasting a menu that could convince diners they’re in Paris and not Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
The restaurant has not reopened since the festive period (Image: Manchester Evening News)
In its write up, it states: “Courtesy of a French Chef-Owner, the menu is filled with the likes of escargots, chou farçi and crème brûlée, all of which are delivered with strong classical technique. Interestingly, there’s also a burger section to the menu, where the likes of lobster and pigeon join the usual beef option.
“This is a family affair, with the Chef-Owner’s son serving out front, and has the feel of a true neighbourhood restaurant.”
63 Degrees is the latest in a string of closures across the city centre wider Greater Manchester area over the last six weeks. Other Northern Quarter closures have included Almost Famous, the hit burger spot which also had branches in Liverpool and Leeds.
Dessert parlour, Lazy Sundae, also located in the district, closed its doors too, while just down the road in Ancoats, much-loved chippy, Hip Hop Chip Shop, is preparing to say farewell to customers in a couple of weeks time after 11 years serving up some of the best fish and chips in the city.
More than 15 restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs across the region have sadly closed their doors since the start of the year, with operators continuing to battle with the aftershocks of the pandemic and staff shortages, as well as increasing energy bills and running costs. In April, many will also be confronted by tax hikes as National Insurance contributions for employers go up, along with Living and Minimum Wage.
The Manchester Evening News has approached 63 Degrees for comment on the closure.