The Good Food Guide has released its list of top 100 British local restaurants for 2023 and several Greater Manchester restaurants have, once again, made the cut.
Now in its thirteenth year, the Best Local Restaurant list is compiled by Good Food Guide member nominations, followed by an inspection from the guide’s experts. This year, there were 37,000 nominations to consider.
There are seven Greater Manchester restaurants on this year’s list, mainly in the city centre, but also one from Stockport, an up-and-coming foodie hotspot, and Ashton, which is not known for its culinary scene. One Manchester restaurant on the list also won best regional restaurant for the North West.
Here are all the Greater Manchester restaurants included on the prestigious list.
1. Another Hand
Located in Deansgate, the Good Food Guide inspectors said: “Totally at odds with the urban vernacular outside, their menu sparkles with interest. At dinner, it reads (and eats) with the refinement of a tasting menu: Shetland scallop with white chiffons of salted turnip in a fragrant tom yum broth; sugar-cured venison with cocoa nib, kola nut, smoked yoghurt and blackberry.”
2. The Spärrows
The Spärrows was also awarded the title the top restaurant in the North West region. The Good Food Guide said: “Italy meets Austria here with silky spätzle and gnocchi plus a choice of sauces. The star turn is the former with Swiss cheese and braised onions. Another key ingredient from both Trentino and Alto Adige is speck, a cured and smoked ham, here combined with cabbage to make a vibrant filling for a daily special of delicate pasta purses.”
3. Edinburgh Castle
Located in Ancoats, the Good Food Guide inspectors said: “The cooking fits happily into the space, offering something between workaday pub food and fine dining, with all the provenance and seasonal boxes ticked plus a balance of teasingly unusual and reliably familiar ideas.”
4. Higher Ground
The Good Food Guide inspectors said: “This is not a restaurant that panders to food wusses or nervous eaters; the kitchen confidently understands the value of simplicity. Without fancy frills or superfluous additions, this is proper grown-up food. Mancs-style.”