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

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Mulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc Group

Mulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc Group

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards (MFDF) has honoured the best restaurants, bars, producers and more in a glittering ceremony in Manchester tonight.

The annual food and drink awards celebrated the best of the hospitality industry across 18 categories, including Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Newcomer of.

More than 350 hospitality professionals piled into New Century to see the top spots in town crowned, with a whopping 136 worth venues, traders, places and people nominated.

Every year, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards sets out to recognise the individuals and businesses who have shaped the city’s culinary scene over the last 12 months.

The shortlist is chosen by a panel of judges made up of food and drink writers, experts and critics, before the overall winners are chosen through a combination of public votes and mystery shopping visits by judges.

This year, the MFDF Awards celebrate everything from Michelin star to back-alley street food.

Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented: “We’re thrilled to be announcing this list of incredible winners. In such tough times for the industry, we want to thank, support and celebrate every nominee and winner and their fantastic achievements.

“We hope that the food fans of Greater Manchester and beyond will be inspired to go out and support all of these exceptional venues that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.”

All the winners at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2025

Affordable Eats Venue of the Year

Nell’s Pizza at Kampus
Nell’s at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group

Winner: Nell’s Pizza

Shortlist:

Takeaway of the Year

Winner: Fat Pat’s

Shortlist:

Coffee Shop of the Year

Winner: Another Heart To Feed

Shortlist:

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year

Winner: Lily’s Deli

Shortlist

Food Trader of the Year

Winner: Honest Crust

Shortlist

Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year

The Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Doughnuts at All The Shapes in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group

Winner: Prestwich

Shortlist

Independent Drink Producer of the Year

Winner: Cloudwater Brew Co

Shortlist

Independent Food Producer of the Year

Great North Pie Co at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group

Winner: Great North Pie Co.

Shortlist

Neighbourhood Venue of the Year sponsored by SH Comms

Winner: Bar San Juan

Shortlist

Plant Based Offering of the Year

Maray in Manchester has loads of vegan and vegetarian options. Credit: The Manc Group
Vegan Sunday roast at Maray in Manchester

Winner: Maray

Shortlist

Pop up or Project of the Year sponsored by ASP Events 

Winner: Love From

Shortlist

Pub or Beer Bar of the Year sponsored by JW Lees

Mulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc Group

Winner: Mulligans

Shortlist

Great Service Award

Winner: Schofield’s Bar

Shortlist

Bar of the Year sponsored by Conductr

Winner: Hawksmoor

Shortlist

Newcomer of the Year

Winner: Skof

Shortlist

Chef of the Year sponsored by Boutinot

Winner: Tom Barnes (Skof)

Shortlist

Restaurant of the Year

Winner: Where The Light Gets In, Stockport

Shortlist

The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement

Winner: Sam Buckley

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Featured image: The Manc Group