The restaurant will serve its final dinner as Cantaloupe on the 8 August, before closing to the public and reopening as Bar Caput on the 26 August.
Cantaloupe first opened in November 2024 and is run by chefs Joshua Reed-Cooper and Mike Thomas, who previously worked at Where The Light Gets In. Reflecting on the restaurant’s journey, a post on Instagram reads: “Over the past 18 months we’ve sated hunger with countless different dishes, utilising all manner of fish, fowl, beast or vegetable; we’ve quenched thirsts with one of the most interesting wine lists in the region and many, many cocktails.”
The post also reflects on some of Cantaloupe’s standout moments, including its off-site piri piri chicken night, Frango Fandango, and its in-house Le Midi event, adding: “Seeing our small restaurant full of the best of Manchester’s industry, on an evening thick with humidity, was a proud moment.”
The Michelin Guide describes the restaurant’s cooking as ‘Mediterranean leaning’, with dishes including poached nectarine with tomato and ricotta Salata, Tuscan chicken liver crostini, Coniglio alla ligure and Agnello ragu rigatoni.
During its time in business, Cantaloupe secured a place in the Good Food Guide’s Top 100 restaurants as well as receiving a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which it says was achieved “from a kitchen 75cm by 3 metres 15, with subpar equipment”.
The restaurant ended its announcement by thanking customers, suppliers and staff for their support since opening.
‘We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received from Stockport and the wider community,’ the post said. ‘We’ve been blessed with great guests, many of whom have become regulars... Thank you of course to all the staff that have helped make Cantaloupe special.’
Further details about Bar Caput and its new concept have not yet been announced.