The winners of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2026 were revealed at a ceremony at New Century on Monday 26 January, attended by more than 350 figures from the region’s hospitality and media.
With 130 venues, traders, neighbourhoods and individuals nominated, the awards recognised excellence across 18 categories, spanning restaurants, bars, cafés, producers and community projects.
The winners were decided through a combination of public voting and judging panel assessments, including mystery shopping visits for certain categories.
Among this year’s headline winners was Tom Barnes’s Michelin-starred SKOF, which picked up the Restaurant of the Year award, cementing its place at the top tier of Manchester dining.
Chef of the Year went to Matt Bennett for his work at Prestwich favourite The Pearl, where his modern British cooking has drawn city-wide attention.
Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Stow, the open-fire restaurant on Bridge Street led by Jamie Pickles, recognised for its confident, produce-driven approach.
Stockport was named Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year, reflecting the borough’s remarkable growth as a hub for independent restaurants, bars and bakeries.
Independent Food Producer of the Year went to Pollen Bakery, whose slow-fermented breads and pastries have become a cornerstone of Manchester’s cafés and restaurants.
Stretford Canteen was named Best Neighbourhood Venue for its high-calibre cooking and its role as a welcoming local restaurant.
The Marble Arch Inn took Pub or Beer Bar of the Year, continuing its long-standing run as one of Manchester’s most beloved traditional pubs and breweries. Elsewhere, favourites like Flawd, This & That and Maray received wins.
In a moving moment, Northern Quarter sandwich institution Rustica was recognised for their long-standing commitment to fresh, affordable food and unbeatable service in The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement.
The full list of winners and nominees are as follows:
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Winner: Double Zero
Nominees: Noodle Alley, Pho Cue, Cafe Sanjuan, Hong Thai, Seoul Kimchi, Wow Báhn Mì, Rabbie’s Thai
Takeaway of the Year
Winner: This & That
Nominees: Ceresis, Ad Maiora, Home Chinese, Viet Deli, Pancho’s Burritos, Rack, Mughli Charcoal Pit
Café or Coffee Shop of the Year
Winner: Something More Productive
Nominees: Cafe Sanjuan, Oscillate Coffee, Federal Cafe Bar, Just Between Friends Coffee, Sipp Coffee, à bloc, The Old Fire Station Bakery
Wine Offering of the Year
Winner: Flawd Wine
Nominees: Ad Hoc, Higher Ground, The Beeswing, Salut Wines, Reserve Wines, Where the Light Gets In, Kerb
Food Trader of the Year
Winner: Rack
Nominees: The Little Sri Lankan, House of Habesha, Baity, Rita’s Reign, Taiko Ramen, Thatziki, Little Scarfs
Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
Winner: Stockport
Nominees: Urmston, Levenshulme, Chorlton, Monton, Salford, Altrincham, Sale
Independent Drink Producer of the Year
Winner: Track Brewing Co
Nominees: Balance Brewing and Blending, Pod Pea Vodka, Stiff Tea Brewing Company, Sureshot Brewing, Runaway Brewery, Seven Bro7hers, Weekend Project Brewing Co.
Independent Food Producer of the Year
Winner: Pollen Bakery
Nominees: Long Boi’s Bakehouse, Holy Grain Sourdough, Littlewoods Butchers, Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine, Wong Wong Bakery, Half Dozen Other, Mayya Bakery
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
Winner: Stretford Canteen
Nominees: Fold Bistro and Bottle Shop, The Pearl, Lupo, Cantaloupe, Tawny Stores, The Perfect Match, Gladstone Barber and Bistro
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year
Winner: The Marble Arch Inn
Nominees: Victoria Tap, Runaway Brewery, City Arms, The Magnet Freehouse, Café Beermoth, North Westward Ho, Track Taproom
Great Service Award
Winner: Maray
Nominees: Tast Catala, Atomeca, Higher Ground, Adam Reid at The French, Federal Cafe Bar, Blacklock Manchester, Kallos Cafe and Wine Bar
Low or No Offering of the Year
Winner: Nell’s Pizza
Nominees: Cloudwater Brew Co., Dishoom, Red Light, Blinker Bar, Hinterland, Lina Stores, Speak in Code
Bar of the Year
Winner: Speak in Code
Nominees: Stray, Schofield’s Bar, Red Light, Pray Tell, Renae, Libero, Flawd Wine
Newcomer of the Year
Winner: Stow
Nominees: Cantaloupe, Bangkok Diners Club, Kallos Cafe and Wine Bar, Café Continental, Winsome, Royal Nawaab Pyramid, Kung Fu Noodle
Chef of the Year
Winner: Matt Bennett (The Pearl)
Nominees: Rosie Maguire (Higher Ground), Shaun Moffat (Winsome), Adam Reid (Adam Reid at The French), Mary-Ellen McTague (Pip), Patrick Withington (Erst), Jamie Pickles (Stow), Jack Fields (Restaurant Orme)
Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Skof
Nominees: mana, Adam Reid at The French, Winsome, Higher Ground, Stow, Erst, Cantaloupe
Community Food and Drink Project of the Year
Winner: Platt Fields Market Garden
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Rustica
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards, said: “We’re incredibly proud to announce this year’s winners, who together represent the excellence, creativity and resilience of Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector.
At a time when the industry continues to face tough head winds, it’s more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the people and venues doing exceptional work every day.”
Ben Dutson, Head of Food Operations at Therme RPC, added: “It’s been fantastic to also recognise those incredible organisations that give back to the community with our brand new award – we’re looking forward to working with the winner and creating an ongoing legacy.”
Read More:
Ai Weiwei leads Factory International’s spring 2026 programme
Government commits £45b in plan to transform rail links across the North
The hidden Hong Kong kitchen in Leigh Market serving pork stomach, oysters and great home cooking
