Last year saw a boom in vegan restaurants across Greater Manchester, and with accolades pouring in for plant-based food, 2018 looks set to be even bigger.

Last week, Stockport's vegan restaurant The Allotment was awarded 'best restaurant' at the CityLife Awards. It was a huge achievement for owner Matthew Nutter, who was also awarded best chef at the MFDF17 awards.

But more than just a personal achievement, it signals a change in the way people view vegan food; no longer a niche, it's an established part of the food scene, able to fight it's corner against even the beefiest of restaurants.

Perhaps spurred on by the success of fellow vegan establishments, a new flurry of animal-friendly cafes are launching soon.

From a vegan ice cream parlour to Ital Caribbean food - here's three new vegan restaurants either recently opened or opening soon in Manchester.

The Beach Hut, Northern Quarter

Set in the old Black Milk unit on the second floor of Afflecks, The Beach Hut promises to be a Caribbean oasis away from the streets below.

Set up by Alicia Marshall,The Beach Hut was influenced by her regular trips to Jamaica to visit grandparents, where she was inspired by Rastafarian Ital Caribbean food - the vegan movement which favours pure, unprocessed ingredients.

Dishes here will be around the £6 mark and include Caribbean curries, jerk jackfruit tacos, rice and peas, Jamaican patties, pure fruit smoothies and fresh Acai bowls.

Opening on February 10, The Beach Hut soft launches on Tuesday February 6 from 10am to 6pm - follow @ VeganBeach for more information.

Hillgate Cakery, Stockport

Now open, just off the historic Underbank, Hillgate Cakery is leading the way in Stockport for vegan cakes, shakes and hot drinks.

Set up by Simon and Sarah Besson, the cafe was launched off the back of their successful cake company New Adventures In Cake, making incredibly lifelike cake designs of everything from VW campervans to Star Wars AT-AT walkers.

Speaking about their decision to open the shop, Simon said: "When we committed to veganism at the beginning of last year we decided we wanted to celebrate and showcase vegan baking, so I gave up my job running bars and clubs in the city centre and we opened the cafe where we make great, home-baked traditional cakes and treats entirely vegan and with gluten-free options."

Hillgate Cakery is now open at 22 Lower Hillgate, visit www.facebook.com/hillgatecakery for more information.

Teatime Collective, Northern Quarter

(Image: Teatime Collective Facebook)

Teatime Collective built a huge fanbase from the success of their original vegan cafe in Hulme, which is now temporarily closed for the winter, with the exception of hosting the occasional supper club.

Fans needn't fret though, because their new city centre venue offers a huge range of vegan ice creams, cakes, and treats.

Now sharing a unit with the clothing store Rockers on Oldham Street, this new cake shop and ice cream parlour serves a big sweet hit from its tiny premises. Expect a huge range of doughnuts, lemon tarts, and croissants, while the ice cream flavours will include salted caramel, Baileys, mint choc chip, and Jaffa cakes.

Teatime Collective on Oldham Street opened on Monday, and is open Monday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm. Visit teatimecollective.co.uk or for more information.