Taking over the former site of fast food fusion restaurant Rice, East Street will give diners the option of either dining in, or buying grab’n’go.
It will be the fifth Manchester site for the group, which was founded in Albert Square 20 years ago. It has since expanded to open restaurants in the Corn Exchange; the Trafford Centre; Fitzrovia in London; and a kiosk in The Orient in Manchester.
The 56-cover restaurant will serve fast-food dishes inspired by the cuisine from South East Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Inspired by the grazing style of dining seen in the malls and markets of Bangkok, prices for East Street’s dishes will start at £4.95, and have been tailored for a faster dining experience.
"Earlier this year I visited Malaysia and Singapore, and arrived home bursting with ideas and inspiration from this ever-changing region,” says David Fox, Tampopo co-founder.
"One thing that is constant is their love of food and of eating it on the go. I am bringing a little bit of this to Piccadilly Gardens."
The restaurant has been refurbished in an industrial style with neon signage and an open kitchen. Fox has always aimed to give his restaurants a “current, cool, but fun” feel, mixing Western influences with Pan- Asian culture.