Which Manchester restaurants made the Michelin Guide 2022?

Today has seen the announcement of the new Michelin stars for 2022, along with the publication of Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

Due to the on-going pandemic and safety considerations, this year’s launch of the Michelin Guide took place in a digital format only, via Instagram, Twitter and the Michelin Guide website.

And while there were no new stars for Manchester, there are some new Greater Manchester additions to the Guide.

Ancoats restaurant Mana, which in 2019 received the city’s first Michelin star in over 40 years, retained its star this year.

King Street’s El Gato Negro retained its Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking, and Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In retained its Michelin green star for sustainable gastronomy.

16 Greater Manchester restaurants in total have made the 2022 Guide – down from 19 last year.

New additions to this year’s Guide include the Northern Quarter’s District, Prestwich restaurant OSMA, and Habas, Simon Shaw’s Middle Eastern restaurant.

Here’s the full list.

Central Manchester

Mana 

The personality of chef-owner Simon Martin “shines brightly at this stylish, modern restaurant” in the lively Ancoats area, where “every one of the well-spaced tables has a view of the kitchen,” says Michelin about Mana, which has retained its star – the only one in the city – this year.

The same fixed price, surprise multi-course menu is now served at both lunch and dinner, and the emphasis is on seafood because, as Simon puts it, “we live on an island”.

While most of the produce is British, dishes “incorporate influences from Simon’s travels and experiences”, most notably Japanese and Nordic.

“Powerful flavours are the chef’s hallmark, and the sophisticated, modern dishes are precisely crafted, original and well-balanced.

“Each dish has a thoughtfully chosen wine to complement it, the ambience is calm and unhurried, and the bright young team are enthusiastic and refreshingly free from pomp.”

Adam Reid at the French

An “intimate hotel restaurant created in the Belle Époque age and brought up-to-date with a moody colour scheme, striking chandeliers and booths down the centre of the room,” is how Michelin described Adam Reid’s much-loved restaurant in The Midland Hotel.

“Boldly flavoured modern dishes focus on one main ingredient and the chefs present and explain the dishes themselves.

“Desserts are playful.”

El Gato Negro

Chef Simon Shaw’s “buzzy Black Cat”, as Michelin describes it, has retained its Bib Gourmand for providing “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.”

The ground floor houses a bar, the first floor “plays host to an industrial-style dining room” and the top floor is home to a private events space with a retractable roof.

“Appealing tapas dishes include meats from the Josper grill,” says Michelin.

Tast

King Street’s Tast is housed on the first two floors of a three-storey building –  ask for a seat on the lower level to watch the chefs behind the counter, suggest Michelin.

“Uncomplicated Catalan dishes are executed to a high level and are tasty and satisfying,” they say.

A set menu is served in top floor Enxaneta Tast.

Erst

A newcomer to last year’s Guide, Ancoats restaurant Erst has retained its place for 2022.

A “modern, industrial-style wine bar” run by a group of friends, laid-back Erst offers “something refreshingly different in the city,” says the Guide.

It specialises in natural, low-intervention wines – many of which you can buy to take home – accompanied by “a selection of flavoursome small plates.”

Habas

A new entry for 2022, Simon Shaw’s Middle Eastern restaurant Habas made the Michelin Guide within just six months of opening.

From the same owners as Canto and El Gato Negro, Habas occupies the old wine cellars of the magnificent former Manchester Club building.

“Small sharing plates are guided by the Middle East, with a few hints of the Mediterranean,” says the Guide.

“The eye-catching décor has a rustic, slightly retro style.”

The Bull & Bear

Chef Tom Kerridge’s restaurant at the Stock Exchange Hotel was a new addition to the 2021 Guide, and has retained its spot for 2022.

“Start with a cocktail in the bar beside the marble fireplace, then head through to the ‘bear pit’ – the elegant former trading room of the Manchester Stock Exchange – with its marble pillars and wonderful domed ceiling,” suggest Michelin.

The menu offers “an appealing mix” of British brasserie classics.

District

NQ Thai restaurant District is a new addition for 2022.

“Industrial styling, a banging playlist and projections of a Bangkok of the future” set the scene for on-view barbecue cooking, says Michelin.

Two set tasting menus offer “deconstructed and re-invented Thai dishes with a classic heart,” while the “knowledgeable service is well-paced” – and there’s a cocktail bar downstairs.

Canto 

Launched in September 2018 in Cutting Room Square,  Mediterranean tapas restaurant Canto has won over fans with its laidback atmosphere and consistently good small plates.

Grab a seat at the counter to watch the chefs hard at work preparing “a mix of vibrant Spanish and Portuguese small plates,” suggest Michelin.

“The fish dishes are the best, along with the delicious Portuguese custard tarts.

“The room has a fun, industrial feel and is decorated with traditional blue tiles.”

63 Degrees

The bustling Northern Quarter is home to this family-run restaurant.

The experienced owner-chef hails from France and his classic dishes are “cooked with pride and passion using both local and imported French produce,” says the Guide.

“The set lunch represents good value.”

OSMA

A new addition for 2022, Prestwich restaurant OSMA is a nod to the owners’ birthplaces – OSlo and MAnchester.

Breakfast, salads and open sandwiches are replaced in the evening by “tempting small plates,” says the Guide.

The “stylish room” comes with an open kitchen, a communal island table and smart curved banquettes.

Sale

Perfect Match

At this “simple, honest little bistro” you’ll find Jacinda in the kitchen creating tasty, well-crafted dishes from across Europe, while Andrea picks out “the perfect match” for each dish from the wine list, says Michelin.

“Andrea’s family make Prosecco back in Italy and some of their wines are here to try.”

Stockport

Where The Light Gets In

Last year this Stockport favourite won a Michelin green star for sustainable gastronomy, which it has retained for 2022.

The large, loft-style restaurant is located on the top floor of a Victorian coffee warehouse and its open kitchen forms part of the room.

The surprise menu is formed from whatever they have foraged that day, says Michelin, and “beasts are brought in whole and fully utilised.”

Matching wine flights focus on natural wines.

Ramsbottom

Levanter

Joe has a passion for all things Spanish – he’s even a trained flamenco guitarist – so, unsurprisingly, his sweet little tapas bar has “an authentic feel,” says the Guide about this Ramsbottom favourite.

The menu is “dictated by market produce; be sure to try some of the freshly sliced Iberico ham.”

He also owns the nearby Basque-style Baratxuri pintxo bar.

Oldham

White Hart Inn

“Never one to stand still, this 18C stone pub on the moor is constantly evolving,” says Michelin about this Lydgate pub.

It’s “a busy place but the staff have it all under control” and there are comfy bedrooms for those wishing to stay.

Dining takes place in a large rear room, and the “appealing menu has a British heart and global influences.”

Bowdon

Borage

British and Polish flavours combine at this “friendly neighbourhood restaurant located in a pleasant village,” says the Guide.

“Well-presented, colourful modern dishes reflect the seasons and are full of flavour.

“The homemade breads are a highlight, as is the chocolate mousse.”