FENIX, MANCHESTER

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“Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity.

Is there anything truly original?  borrowing from something ancient, blingyfing it, and serving it back to mortals with a side of theatre.
The Fenix in Manchester is one of them.

If Hellenic mythology was reimagined by the gods of  Dubai glamour, or disneyfying  a sunset in Mykonos, you’d end up here , a Disneyfied Dubai cantina where the marble glows honey-gold, the ceilings smoulder with flickering flame features, and the air smells faintly of oud, hibiscus , sea salt, and eau du money.

It’s Manchester’s nouveau riche playground , the place where footballers’ girlfriends arrive draped in Gucci, Northern lads in spotless Stone Island, and influencers tilt champagne flutes just so for the Stories highlight. It’s fake curated glamour , like a desperate influencers Mykonos Instagram post at midnight.

It reminded me not of Greece exactly, but of warm nights in Istanbul’s Ortaköy or the louche lounges of Beirut’s Ashrifiyah, where the glitter of the new world drapes itself over the bones of the old. At Fenix, the hum is different , Manchester’s fakerati sipping cocktails under lighting that makes everyone look like they’ve just stepped off a love Island villa in Benidorm. And yes, there’s fire , in the robata, in the décor, in the way dishes arrive like offerings to the gods of Instagram.

Aubergine & Feta
£7.50
8 out of 10.

Aubergine & Feta

Chargrilled aubergine, roasted red pepper, and, feta ice cream.
Yes, ice cream. Savoury, creamy, tangy, 
This was playful and  decadent. delicious

Chicken Tabouleh
£20
7 out of 10.

Chicken Tabouleh

Robata-grilled boneless chicken leg with green herb and broccoli tabouleh, finished with tahini dressing.
This was fresh, green, and clean — a welcome palate cleanser among the richer plates, but could have done with cutting dressing, The tahini grounded the dish, but it needed another element, even if it was Olive Oil

Robata Chicken Breast
£29.50
8 out of 10.

Robata Chicken Breast (N)

Trahana arancini, celeriac mayo, and chicken gravy.
This was comfort food wearing couture.
The chicken was juicy and perfectly grilled, the arancini adding texture and intrigue, and the gravy , rich, deep, and moreish , well executed but wee bit stingy for the best part of £30, maybe thats the Glaswegian in me
The price would have made Zeus weep

Chicken Souvlaki
£15
7 out of 10

Chicken Souvlaki

Thin slices of robata-grilled chicken thighs with smoked yoghurt and potato.
The yoghurt added a welcome smokiness, but the chicken felt slightly overcooked,  pleasant, yes, but not a headliner.

In Conclusion

Fenix delivered on all the fundamentals and then some. The food was excellent, decadent, confident, and cooked with expertise and flair. The Manchester CBD  location added a touch of quiet glamour, and the space was reassuringly spotless. Service was Northern friendly, polished and  professional,  All in, Fenix is a little slice of Dubai bling Disneyfied anciant Greece for the Love Island Generation, but did it mention a wee bit pricy?

⭐ Star of the Meal

It’s a tie between Aubergine & Feta and Robata Chicken Breast — both beautifully conceived, both proving that when The Fenix gets it right, it soars.

🔹 Honourable Mention   

Fenix could hold its own against OPSO Dubai and even OMA London — high praise in the Greek/Mediterranean fine dining space.

🕌 Halal & Alcohol Info

✔️ Chicken and Lamb is halal
⚠️ Alcohol is served

💯 Impartial Guarantee

As always, Alfie Foodwala dines anonymously and pays for his meals.
No free dinners. No favours. Just food, honestly.