Two Manchester restaurants named in National Restaurant Awards top 100

Manchester is full of world-class restaurants.

We’re a multicultural lot, hailing from all corners of the world, which creates a hot spot for some of the best scran in the UK.

From Michelin stars, legendary classics, to a swift and delicious rice and three, we’ve got it all.

Last night, in a glitzy ceremony in Clapham, two of the city’s favourite restaurants made the UK’s top 100 for the National Restaurant Awards.

I mean, let’s be honest, there should be a lot more of them in there, but I guess it’s a start.

Which Manchester Restaurants are in the National Restaurant Awards 2025?

Higher Ground – number 36

Opened in early 2023 after a successful pop-up in 2020, Higher Ground has quickly made a name for itself in Manchester. Run by Joseph Otway, Richard Cossins, and Daniel Craig Martin, the restaurant has a relaxed British bistro feel with a smart bar and a dedicated wine room.

Their previous venture, Flawd wine bar, was already a hit, and now they have turned their attention to a bigger space in the city centre. Seating 50, the restaurant has a striking burnt orange leather counter overlooking the open kitchen and charcoal oven, alongside pale wooden tables and dark leather chairs that create a welcoming yet minimalist setting.

The menu focuses on seasonal sharing plates at £60 for dinner, with a lunchtime sharing menu for £40.

Higher Ground posted to their Instagram last night: “We’re thrilled to have been voted in at number 36 at the National Restaurant Awards last night!

“A huge thank you to every member of our teams at Higher Ground, Flawd wine and Cnderwood Market Garden, without them, none of this would be possible and we are so proud to be able to work alongside you all.

“Thank you to all of our guests and to everyone who continues to support what we do, we’re excited to keep Higher Ground moving forward and can’t wait to welcome you to Bar Shrimp Manchester, our new bar that opens later this year next door to Higher Ground!”

What did the National Restaurant Awards have to say about Higher Ground?

“Impeccable sourcing, creative cooking and low intervention wines come together at this modern and thoughtful Manchester bistro.

“This neo bistro located in Manchester’s Chinatown enclave is a permanent version of a pop-up of the same name that ran for four weeks in early 2020 before Covid reared its ugly head.

“Run by Joseph Otway, Richard Cossins and Daniel Craig Martin, who met at Dan Barber’s renowned New York restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Higher Ground shares much of the same ethos as Barber’s restaurant with a focus on regenerative farming and local produce, of which around 90% is sourced from Cinderwood, the trio’s partner farm in nearby Nantwich.

“Otway, who has previously led the kitchen at Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In and cooked at Copenhagen’s Relæ, creates thoughtful and experimental dishes designed for sharing, with meat from Belted Galloway cows and pigs from its neighbour Jane’s Farm in Cheshire.

“The wine list, meanwhile, is made up of small-scale, low-intervention European wines with a strong selection of grower champagnes as well as pet nat and crémant and a large range of skin contact varieties.

“Higher Ground is modern and minimalistic without being austere with a long island that runs along one side of the room that serves as an open kitchen, pass and bar, as well as a counter where people can sit and eat and drink. A proper neo bistro then.”

You can find Higher Ground at: Faulkner House, New York St, Manchester, M1 4DY. Call 0161 236 2931 to book.

Skof – number 60

Breaking Mana’s Michelin monopoly, Skof has swiftly become Manchester’s second-ever restaurant to earn a star – achieving this milestone in less than a year.

The mastermind behind it is Tom Barnes, formerly executive chef at the three-star L’Enclume, a Roux Scholar, and a Great British Menu finalist.

Skof, Manchester’s newest recipient of a Michelin star posted the following to their social media account: “We are so proud to have placed at no.60 in the @nationalrestaurantawards top 100 restaurants 2025 last night.

“Thank you to everyone who voted. We are so grateful for the recognition. Big congrats to everyone celebrating last night.

“Congratulations to Meg for being included in the Rising Star list 2025 and to Conor for being shortlisted for the Chef to Watch award. Huge congratulations to @Aaronclarkpotter for receiving the award.

“We had an incredible lunch at Trinity Clapham, thank you, Adam Byatt and Harry Kirkpatrick, for making it so special.”

What did the National Restaurant Awards say about Skof?

Here’s what the National Restaurant Awards had to say about them: “Skof is the most talked-about restaurant opening in Manchester for years, and for good reason. Helmed by Tom Barnes, former executive chef at Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume, this 36-cover restaurant brings fine dining with energy, warmth, and a personal touch to the city’s NOMA district.

“Named as One to Watch in the 2024 awards, Skof offers two tasting menus alongside a four-course lunch menu, all rooted in hyper-seasonal British produce, much of it sourced from Rogan’s Our Farm. Dishes are elegant yet approachable, from Dexter beef tartare with coal oil to miso custard with mushrooms and roast duck with fig leaf.

“The restaurant’s open-plan design reflects the contrast between Barnes’ rural Cumbrian roots and his new urban setting. The dining room is stripped-back but characterful, with parquet floors, exposed brick and an energetic soundtrack curated by Barnes himself.

“Skof is supported by Rogan’s Umbel Restaurant Group but operated independently by Barnes. Personal touches abound, including artwork referencing his life and a boozy tiramisu dessert that pays tribute to his late father.”

You can find Skof at: 3 Federation St, Manchester M4 4BF. To book call 0161 669 1961