The 2025 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards shortlist has been announced – celebrating the best in Greater Manchester’s thriving hospitality scene.
The MFDF Awards — now in their 25th year — remain the most prestigious food and drink accolades in the North West, this year recognising 128 nominees across 16 categories. Each shortlist was compiled by a judging panel made up of the region’s leading food critics, writers and industry experts, who assessed submissions from across Greater Manchester.
The winners will be crowned at a ceremony at New Century on Monday 26 January 2026, marking one of the region’s biggest nights in food and drink.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director, said: “This year’s list of nominees is a phenomenal example of this innovation — from takeaways in Trafford to Michelin-star meals in Ancoats. Please support all your hospitality heroes and vote for them on the awards website.
“We’re delighted to announce Therme Manchester as the headline sponsor for this year’s MFDF Awards. The Awards have always reflected the ongoing excellence and innovation here in Greater Manchester.
“As we welcome Therme Manchester as a partner it’s an opportunity to celebrate the next chapter for our world-class city region and champion the talent and communities that make it extra special.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards — one of the North West’s most significant celebrations of culinary talent,” said Ben Dutson and Charlotte Harbour, of Therme Manchester, the spa and wellbeing complex set to open at Trafford Park in 2028.
“Supporting an event that champions creativity, community and excellence in food and drink perfectly reflects Therme Manchester’s commitment to wellbeing and shared experiences. We’re looking forward to celebrating the people and places that make Manchester’s dining scene truly exceptional.”
Voting is now open via the MFDF website, with polls closing at midnight on 12 January 2026. A mystery-shopping period will also take place, with judges visiting nominated venues anonymously to assess their experiences.
Public votes will then be combined with judges’ scores to determine the winners, which will be announced at the MFDF Awards Dinner.
Here’s the full list of nominees:
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year (sponsored by Therme)
Noodle Alley
Pho Cue
Cafe Sanjuan
Hong Thai
Seoul Kimchi
Double Zero
Wow Bánh Mì
Rabbie’s Thai
Takeaway of the Year
Ceresis
Ad Maiora
Home Chinese
Viet Deli
Pancho’s Burritos
Rack
Mughli Charcoal Pit
This & That
Cafe or Coffee Shop of the Year
Cafe Sanjuan
Oscillate Coffee
Federal Cafe Bar
Just Between Friends Coffee
Sipp Coffee
à bloc
The Old Fire Station Bakery
Something More Productive
Wine Offering of the Year
Ad Hoc
Higher Ground
The Beeswing
Salut Wines
Reserve Wines
Flawd Wine
Where the Light Gets In
Kerb
Food Trader of the Year
The Little Sri Lankan
House of Habesha
Baity
Rita’s Reign
Rack
Taiko Ramen
Thatziki
Little Scarfs
Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
Stockport
Urmston
Levenshulme
Chorlton
Monton
Salford
Altrincham
Sale
Independent Drink Producer of the Year
Balance Brewing & Blending
Pod Pea Vodka
Stiff Tea Brewing Company
Sureshot Brewing
Runaway Brewery
Track Brewing Co
Seven Bro7hers
Weekend Project Brewing Co
Independent Food Producer of the Year
Long Boi’s Bakehouse
Holy Grain Sourdough
Littlewoods Butchers
Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Wong Wong Bakery
Pollen Bakery
Half Dozen Other
Mayya Bakery
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop
Stretford Canteen
The Pearl
Lupo
Cantaloupe
Tawny Stores
The Perfect Match
Gladstone Barber and Bistro
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year
Victoria Tap
Runaway Brewery
City Arms
The Marble Arch Inn
The Magnet Freehouse
Café Beermoth
North Westward Ho
Track Taproom
Great Service Award
Tast Catala
Atomeca
Higher Ground
Adam Reid at The French
Maray
Federal Cafe Bar
Bar of the Year
Stray
Schofield’s Bar
Red Light
Speak in Code
Pray Tell
renae
Libero
Flawd Wine
Last year’s winner: Hawksmoor
Newcomer of the Year
Cantaloupe
Bangkok Diners Club
Stow
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar
Café Continental
Winsome
Royal Nawaab Pyramid
Kung Fu Noodle
Last year’s winner: Skof
Chef of the Year
Rosie Maguire (Higher Ground)
Shaun Moffat (Winsome)
Adam Reid (Adam Reid at The French)
Matt Bennett (The Pearl)
Mary-Ellen McTague (Pip)
Patrick Withington (Erst)
Jamie Pickles (Stow)
Jack Fields (Restaurant Orme)
Last year’s winner: Tom Barnes (Skof)
Restaurant of the Year
mana
Skof
Adam Reid At The French
Winsome
Higher Ground
Stow
Erst
Cantaloupe
Great Service Award
Tast Catala
Atomeca
Higher Ground
Adam Reid at The French
Maray
Federal Cafe Bar
You can vote now at www.foodanddrinkfestival.com/awards
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