Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards winners: best bars and restaurants in Manchester honoured

It was a chance for venues to shine after a difficult 18 months in the hospitality industry - and winners were chosen by a public vote.

Sixteen winners have beaten off competition from more than 450 nominees to win a coveted Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2021 award.

The winners from across Greater Manchester were chosen this year entirely by a public vote online from a shortlist compiled by judges.

The awards marked the end of a record-breaking year for the festival with 80,000 visitors coming to the Festival Hub at Cathedral Gardens over 11 days in September.

Alexa Stratton-Powell, director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, said: “It’s been brilliant to bring people together again at the Festival Hub and the awards were a fitting finale - we were able to showcase and celebrate 120 amazing businesses for a celebration that was well and truly well deserved.”

Here is the full list of winners in each category:

1. Restaurant of the Year: Baratxuri, 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT

2. Newcomer of the Year:Ramona, 40 Swan St, Manchester, M4 4FH

3. Bar of the Year: Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester, M2 5QR

4. Chef of the Year:Rachel Stockley, Baraxturi

5. Pub or Craft ale bar of the Year: Edinburgh Castle, 17-19 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AW

6. Artisan Food Producer of the Year:Pollen Bakery, Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester M4 6FQ

7. Pop Up/ Project of the Year:Escape to Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ

Best Pop UpProject:_Escape To Freight Island

8. Neighbourhood Venue of the Year:Lily’s, 85 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF

9. Food Trader of the Year:Wholesome Junkies, 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH

10. Affordable Eats of the Year:Rudy’s, 9 Cotton St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BF / Petersfield House, Peter St, Manchester M2 5QJ

11. Coffee Shop of the Year:Federal, Northern Quarter, 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester M4 1EY

12. Foody Neighbourhood of the Year: Altrincham

13. Veggie/ Vegan Offering of the Year:Bundobust, 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AG

14. Independent Drinks Producer of the Year:Manchester Gin, 10-15 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP

15. Food and Drink Retailer of the Year: Ancoats General Store, 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AB

16. Outstanding Achievement Award:Mital Morar, Store Group

Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2021 winners: best bars and restaurants in Manchester honoured