Eats

The best restaurants and bars have been named at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th January 2024

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have named the best restaurants, bars, individuals and more in our city, in a glittering ceremony at New Century.

The MFDF Awards took place on Monday evening, championing the best of the city’s hospitality industry across 18 categories.

From the highly sought-after Restaurant of the Year award, to Chef of the Year and the new Takeaway of the Year award, more than 350 people piled into New Century for the celebrations.

Each category was packed with brilliant food and drink businesses from across Greater Manchester, with several awards dedicated to the people who keep the industry ticking.

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards shortlist was compiled by the MFDF judging panel, made up of food and drink critics and writers (hello, including us here at The Manc…)

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Then the public had their chance to vote for their hospitality heroes, with some category scores being combined with the results of secret shopping visits from the judging panel.

Highlights include Higher Ground scooping Newcomer of the Year (on the same day they received a Bib Gourmand from Michelin), Fat Pat’s nabbing Food Trader of the Year, and Erst taking home the coveted Restaurant of the Year Award.

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Alexa Stratton-Powell, Festival Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented: “We’re delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 MFDF Awards. Times are more challenging than ever for the hospitality industry, which has made it all the more important to champion our fantastic nominees and winners tonight.

“Shining a light on the city’s incredible independent restaurants, bars, cafes and everything in between is what the awards are all about and we’ve loved bringing everyone together to celebrate.

“We’d like to thank the MFDF judges and presenters, the sponsors of the awards, everyone who voted and New Century for hosting a night to remember.”

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All the winners of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards

Plant Based Offering of the Year

Winner – Bundobust, Oxford Street

Bundobust in Manchester is offering £1 pots to celebrate Indian Independence
Bundobust took home Plant Based Offering of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Credit; The Manc Group

Shortlist – Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, Bahn Vi, The Walled Gardens, Maray, Speak in Code, Flawd, The Mekong Cat

Takeaway of the Year

Winner – Burgerism, Salford

Shortlist – Fat Pat’s, Ad Maoira, Unagi Street Food & Sushi, Ciaooo Garlic Bread, Wright’s Fish and Chips, Maida Grill House, Al Madina

Independent Drinks Producer of the Year

Winner – Track Brewing Co, Manchester

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Shortlist – Sureshot Brewing, Stockport Gin, Cloudwater Brew Co., Tarsier Spirit, Pod Pea Vodka, Manchester Union Brewery, Squawk Brewing Co

Independent Food Producer of the Year sponsored by Capital & Centric

Winner – Pollen Bakery, Ancoats and Kampus

Pollen Bakery at Kampus won Independent Food Producer at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Credit: The Manc Group
Pollen Bakery at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Pollen Bakery at Kampus won Independent Food Producer at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Credit: The Manc Group
Pollen Bakery at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group

Shortlist – Great North Pie Co, La Chouquette, Gooey, Yellowhammer, The Manchester Smoke House, The Flat Baker, Companio Bakery

Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year sponsored by Manchester’s Finest 

Winner – Stockport

Shortlist – Levenshulme, Altrincham, Urmston, Prestwich, Monton, Sale, Stretford

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Coffee Shop of the Year

Winner – Grapefruit Coffee, Sale

Shortlist – Cafe Sanjuan, Another Heart to Feed, Idle Hands Coffee, Bold Street Coffee, Smoak, Ancoats Coffee Co, Siop Shop

Food Trader of the Year

Winner – Fat Pat’s, Portland Street

Shortlist – Baratxuri, Chaat Cart, Triple B, Tawny Stores, Little Sri Lankan, Pico’s Tacos, Oh Mei Dumplings

Affordable Eats Venue of the Year

Winner – Ornella’s Kitchen, Denton

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Ornella's Kitchen was named Affordable Eats venue at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
Ornella's Kitchen was named Affordable Eats venue at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
Ornella’s Kitchen won Afford Eats Venue at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards

Shortlist – Nila’s Burmese Kitchen, Great North Pie Co, Cafe Sanjuan, Noodle Alley, Tokyo Ramen, Lily’s Deli, House of Habesha

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year

Winner – Cork of the North, Stockport

Shortlist – Ad Hoc Wines, Out of the Blue Fishmongers, Littlewoods Butcher, Wandering Palate, New Market Dairy, Petit Paris Deli, La Chouquette

Pop-up or Project of the Yer

Winner – Platt Fields Market Garden, Fallowfield

Shortlisted venues – Our Place, Tawny Stores, SAMPA, Little Sri Lankan, Suppher, Fare Share, Micky’s

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Pub or Beer Bar of the Year sponsored by Sagres 

Winner – The Marble Arch

Shortlisted – Track Brewery Taproom, The City Arms, Runaway Brewery Taproom, Fox & Pine, Reddish Ale, Station Hop, Heaton Hops

Bar of the Year

Winner – Schofield’s Bar

Shortlist – The Jane Eyre, Blinker, Red Light, Sterling Bar, Hawksmoor, 10 Tib Lane, Flawd Wine

Neighbourhood Venue of the Year

Winner – Stretford Canteen

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Shortlist – Restaurant Örme, OSMA, Ornella’s Kitchen, The Oystercatcher, Yellowhammer, Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop, The Jane Eyre

Great Service Award, sponsored by Boutinot

Winner – Hawksmoor, Deansgate

Hawksmoor won a Great Service Award at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
Hawksmoor won a Great Service Award at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
Hawksmoor won a Great Service Award at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards

Shortlist – Higher Ground, Schofield’s Bar, Where The Light Gets In, Climat, Wood Manchester, Sterling Bar, Tast Catala

Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by Bruntwood

Winner – Higher Ground, New York Street

Shortlist – Climat, Restaurant Örme, Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop, The Jane Eyre, Madre, New Century Kitchen, Stretford Canteen

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Chef of the Year, sponsored by the Manchester Evening News

Winner – Shaun Moffat, The Edinburgh Castle Pub

Shortlist – Joseph Otway (Higher Ground), Danielle Heron (OSMA), Luke Richardson (Climat), Julian Pizer (Another hand), Patrick Withington (Erst), Seri Nam (Flawd Wine), Mike Shaw (MUSU)

Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Stephenson’s

Winner – Erst, Ancoats

Shortlist – Higher Ground, Climat, Another Hand, 10 Tib Lane, OSMA, The Sparrows, Mana

The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement

Recognising people who have contributed something outstanding to the hospitality industry in Greater Manchester.

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James Campbell, owner of Sureshot Brewery, and one of Manchester’s leading craft beer specialists. 

James has over two decades of experience in the industry, beginning his journey in Manchester with pioneers of the scene Marble, where he was head brewer for eight years. Then as co-founder and head brewer, he launched the high profile Cloudwater, before constructing brewhouses for the likes of Verdant, Deya, and Bundobust. Now, post-pandemic, he is owner of the acclaimed brewery, Sureshot. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Viral Christmas Markets trader to open Manchester’s first tiramisu cafe

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Misu Tiramisu is opening its first cafe in Manchester

Manchester is set to get its first tiramisu cafe, after viral Christmas Markets trader Misu Tiramisu has secured a bricks-and-mortar location.

The local business was one of the most popular operators at this year’s festive event, thanks to its miniature tiramisu ‘drawers’.

The individually portioned and colourfully packaged desserts quickly became one of town’s top puddings, and owners Aleem and Aishah went on to launch a stand inside the Manchester Arndale too.

And now they’re branching out again with their first tiramisu cafe, over in Stretford.

You’ll find all their delicious flavours of handmade tiramisu, including classic, pistachio, Biscoff, mango, and lemon – plus a whole host of new varieties for the cafe.

Misu Tiramisu will be creating new flavours like strawberry matcha, white hazelnut, and ‘intenso’.

The desserts will be served alongside speciality Italian coffee, plus focaccia sandwiches and pastries.

The new cafe will feature an open counter where customers can see the tiramisu being made.

Misu Tiramisu owners Aleem and Aishah spent a year refining the recipe for their tiramisus after a trip to Milan, first launching with their first market stall in Sale.

Misu Tiramisu at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Misu Tiramisu at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Misu Tiramisu will open a cafe in Stretford
Misu Tiramisu will open a cafe in Stretford

Aleem, Co-founder of Misu Tiramisu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be opening our first bricks and mortar cafe in Stretford town centre. It’s a big milestone for us, and we can’t wait to create a destination where people can sit down and really enjoy the experience of our range of freshly made tiramisu..

“More than anything, we want to build somewhere that brings people together and becomes a genuine part of the local community – see you soon, Stretford!”

Chris Houghton, Retail and Leisure Director from Bruntwood added: “The Misu Tiramisu cafe will be a great addition to Stretford town centre. The team’s unique offering adds a fresh and vibrant concept to the area and we can’t wait for everyone to try it and enjoy their great hospitality.”

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “We are delighted that the Misu Tiramisu cafe has decided to open in the new-look Stretford town centre.

“The Council is committed to improving all our town centres. This will be a great addition to the shops and hospitality in the Stretford redevelopment.”

Misu Tiramiu will open its doors at Unit 6, The Mezzanine, 26 King Street, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8AE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Coffee Rules: The Greek-born cafe that’s gone on to become a beloved Greater Manchester brand

Danny Jones Danny Jones Coffee Rules Manchester locations

It’s rare that you find a place in an already saturated food and drink scene like Greater Manchester’s that genuinely comes across like a local community cornerstone, but that’s exactly what we got when we visited Coffee Rules in Salford.

We went for a brew, one of those viral iced coffee we’ve seen on socials, and maybe a nice bite to eat – but we left with much more and the impression that these lot are onto something big.

Opened in Arta back in their home country (also up in the northwest, by the way), they’ve never struggled to get queues out the door, and it’s no different here. This one is run by two siblings, 23-year-old Thomas and his big brother Marios, 30, who have been smashing it since 2023.

Since launching their growing UK brand in the likes of The Meadows neighbourhood – one of two they have in the city of Salford alone, the other being Swinton – they’ve brought the lines with them. With authentic Greek food and drink like this, it’s not hard to see why.

coffee rules salford
marios thomas coffee rules
Credit: The Manc Group

They’ve now expanded to more than eight sites total, including one still keeping their own local reputation alive over in Athens, and this looks to be just the beginning.

Having not only spread across the ten boroughs but further out into the region with their Liverpool locations as well as a Yorkshire stronghold up in Sheffield, there’s more to come from Coffee Rules, both in terms of premises and their plans to take on the rest of the brunch game and beyond.

Suburban Mancs may have already seen the regular midday and weekend crowds that pack out their Chorlton venue, the Rusholme one is often filled with fresh-faced uni students in need of their caffeine fix, and it’s an increasingly similar story for those based in Bolton.

Or maybe you’re one of the many people based in Manchester city centre, who nip to their quiet, tucked-away corner of Ancoats for a fresh bake or even to have your eye caught by some of their merch with that modern mythological-inspired logo.

Whichever one happens to be closest to you, you’ll have the same satisfying experience, from sipping on speciality coffee and the scran, to the service and all-around atmosphere.

They’re also about to start hosting board game nights over at their Salford site, where they’ll be making the most of their large terrace with plenty of seating, which also has the added bonus of a retracted pergola – perfect for sunny days or simply sheltering from the Manc rain.

One thing we also noticed was just how many locals not only popped in throughout our time there, but the sheer number that had chosen to start their day at this particular spot.

There’s a regular Greek crowd, of course, but there’s also the native Salfordian and those currently residing in and around the up-and-coming area, who were pulling up in the large car park and taking a pew, or even those just looking for quick and top-quality grab-and-go stuff.

In fact, it’s one of the quickest venues we’ve seen fill up that fast in a hot, Med minute.

Speaking of, whether it be one of their superb Spanish lattes, or the equally sweet, sultry and viral ‘Freddo Cappuccino’, or their traditional spanakopita, not to mention their many Mediterranean pastry variations, there’s a big call for pretty much everything on the menu.

iced coffees saflord
greek places salford
juice places manchester
Credit: The Manc Eats

We could go on at length in listing what impressed us about just this one Coffee Rules branch, and we’ve made many trips to their Chorlton one in the past already, but it’s probably best that we just urge you to give it a try sometime soon. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

This is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the UK, and it’s no wonder they keep pulling in plaudits and invites to bigger and better industry within the industry as time goes on events over the past few years.

Oh, and one more thing, there’s plenty of savoury stuff that you’ll likely fall in love with, but we highly reccommend ordering the red velvet. Wow…

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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