Michelin stars 2022 – how did Manchester and the North West fare?

Today, the prestigious Michelin stars were unveiled for this year’s Michelin Great Britain & Ireland Guide.

In the Guide as a whole, eight restaurants across Great Britain and Ireland were awarded three Michelin stars, of which one is new for this year; 22 restaurants were awarded two Michelin stars, of which five are new; and 164 restaurants were awarded one Michelin star, of which 19 are new.

While there were no new stars for Manchester, Ancoats restaurant Mana, which in 2019 received the city’s first Michelin star in over 40 years, retained its star this year.

Manchester’s Michelin starred restaurant

The personality of chef-owner Simon Martin “shines brightly at this stylish, modern restaurant” in Ancoats, where “every one of the well-spaced tables has a view of the kitchen,” says Michelin about Mana.

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.”

New three Michelin star restaurant in the North West

The launch of the Guide also saw the announcement of a new three Michelin star restaurant – and it’s in the North West.

“With the Olympics in full swing – albeit of the Winter variety – one’s mind could start to wonder as to who would represent the UK if the Games were of a culinary, rather than a sporting, nature,” says the Guide about the prestigious new addition.

“It would have to be a restaurant that was absolutely at the top of its game; somewhere that could rightfully take its place among the best in the world, and one that truly represented its country’s gastronomic zeitgeist.

“Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume is such a restaurant.”

The restaurant in Cartmel, Cumbria is now in its 20th year, and was the only restaurant in Great Britain and Ireland to be awarded three stars this year – the highest accolade from Michelin – in the 2022 Guide.

It joins an impressive group of restaurants which currently boast three stars: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London; CORE by Clare Smyth, London; Fat Duck, Bray; Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London; Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London; Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library), London; and Waterside Inn, Bray.

“All the best restaurants represent the locality in which they find themselves; they are of a time and a place – and this certainly applies to L’Enclume,” says the Guide.

“It is immersed in the Lake District and follows a very strong sustainability ethos.

“It is truly a model for others to follow.”

One and two Michelin star restaurants in the North West

Over in Lancashire, Mark Birchall’s restaurant Moor Hall in Aughton has retained its two stars.

“Charming grounds” with a lake and a fountain lead up to this beautifully restored 16C country house, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by “one of the slickest teams around,” says the Guide.

“The Scandic-style restaurant is a truly striking space, with its blond wood tables, floor-to-ceiling windows and tempting cheese room – and the smoothness of the well-drilled chefs in the open kitchen is a sight to behold.

“Your meal commences with a tantalising array of snacks – the last served in the kitchen where you can chat with head chef Mark Birchall.

“His refined, highly original dishes feature some terrific English produce, including some lesser-known herbs and plants, and his versatility results in a range of cleverly blended flavours, textures and temperatures.

“The wine list will have oenophiles in raptures and contemporary bedrooms complete the package.”

Moor Hall’s more casual restaurant The Barn has also today received one star.

“This rustic, restored barn is Moor Hall’s more informal sister and shares its ethos, with much of the seasonal produce coming from the five-acre grounds in which they both sit,” says the Guide.

“Dishes are modern, imaginative and British at heart, with understated elegance and well-judged combinations of delicious flavours.”

Restaurants in the North West to retain one Michelin star this year include Cottage in the Wood in Braithwaite, Cumbria; Forest Side in Grasmere; Fraiche in Birkenhead; HRiSHi in Bowness-on-Windermere; Northcote in Langho; Old Stamp House in Ambleside; Rogan & Co in Cartmel; and White Swan, Fence.

Michelin green stars for sustainable gastronomy

Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In has retained its Michelin green star for sustainable gastronomy.

The green star was introduced in January 2021. It highlights restaurants at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their sustainable practices.

These restaurants offer dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments, and are a source of inspiration both for keen foodies and the hospitality industry as a whole.

Last year, 23 restaurants received the accolade; for 2022, that number has grown to 31.

One new restaurant in the North West to receive the accolade this year is Moor Hall in Aughton, which also holds two Michelin stars.

Hypha in Chester and L’Enclume in Cartmel join Where The Light Gets In in retaining their green star for 2022.

A Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking in Manchester

King Street’s El Gato Negro retained its Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking for the sixth year.

“Appealing tapas dishes include meats from the Josper grill,” says Michelin about Simon Shaw’s restaurant.

Named after Bibendum – the Michelin Man – the Bib Gourmand distinction highlights restaurants offering good food at competitive prices

There are 16 new Bib Gourmand restaurants in the 2022 Great Britain and Ireland selection, and in total 122 restaurants have been awarded a Bib Gourmand in 2022, but there were no new Manchester additions this year.

New Manchester additions to the Michelin Guide 2022

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.

You can read the full list of Manchester restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide, here.