A new Teesside restaurant has finally opened after months of anticipation, with locals already sharing their first impressions.
Middlesbrough-founded chain Manjaros has opened its newest venue at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Centre, turning the main clubhouse on Ladgate Lane into a restaurant and cocktail bar.
Rumours first emerged in June 2025 that Manjaros would be taking over the main building at the golf centre, with golfing activities expected to move to an outbuilding.
Signs went up at the site early last month as Manjaros recruited waiting staff, bartenders, managers and receptionists.
The building Manjaros has now moved into. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Opening on September 26, the restaurant is already attracting attention online.
Sharing a video from the newly opened venue, Teesside content creator Gemma Braithwaite was full of praise for the restaurant's look and feel.
She said: "The venue is stunning, everything about it is 10/10.
"They had a fully stocked bar with a mint cocktail selection - this one was a mango and strawberry Solero.
"That garlic bread is the best thing I have ever tasted. And if you're from Teesside, it's got to be a parmo hasn't it?"
Gemma chose the Bolognese and jalapeño parmo, while partner Jamie opted for the classic.
Her verdict was simple: "Absolute perfection."
The opening marks another step in the rapid growth of the Middlesbrough-born brand, launched in the town in 2012 and now spread across Teesside, County Durham and beyond.
Known for its African-Caribbean-inspired menu and popular parmos, Manjaros now has restaurants in Middlesbrough, Darlington, Billingham, Ingleby Barwick, Sunderland and Newcastle, and is still expanding across the North East and wider UK.
The Marton restaurant has also welcomed famous faces since opening, including World’s Strongest Brothers Luke and Tom Stoltman and former Middlesbrough players Fabrizio Ravanelli, Craig Hignett and Juninho Paulista.
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The golf club venue was one of the most talked-about restaurant openings in Middlesbrough of 2026, with speculation building for months before signs finally appeared confirming the rumours.
Opting for more of a fine-dining experience on a weekend, the golf club restaurant enforces a dress code on a Friday and Saturday night, where people are asked to dress smart, sophisticated and elegant - avoiding sportswear, tracksuits, caps and other overly casual clothing.
For many diners, the combination of a well-known local restaurant brand and a revamped golf club setting appears to have created a destination that's generating plenty of early buzz.