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The UK’s best 100 local restaurants have been revealed – and Manchester’s shining

The Good Food Guide has announced Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants with over 37,000 public nominations.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 7th July 2023

The Good Food Guide has published its list of Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants – and Manchester has done very well indeed with seven restaurants featured.

In the list for the North West, a number of Manchester restaurants have been included after receiving public nominations and visits by Good Food Guide inspectors.

Coming out on top was The Sparrows as regional winners, whilst more Manchester restaurants that appear on the list include Higher Ground, 10 Tib Lane, Edinburgh Castle, Another Hand, Bombay to Mumbai and Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine.

A public nomination for Higher Ground read: “A friendly, welcoming local restaurant in the heart of the city centre, creating a much-needed link to the local food system.

“Using local produce from the restaurant’s partner farm, Cinderwood Market Garden, guests are able to connect with the seasons and the land. Many regulars and neighbours meet here and enjoy each other’s company, often bumping into other friends which creates a real sense of community”’

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the sparrows
Dill pickled cucumbers and spatlze at The Sparrows. / Image: The Manc Eats
the sparrows
Inside The Sparrows restaurant. / Image: The Manc Eats

All of the restaurants in the list have been inspected by Good Food Guide inspectors, travelling the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales, to compile the final list.

Tallow, a neighbourhood restaurant in Southborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells has been named the overall Best Local Restaurant by The Good Food Guide, topping a list of 100 local favourites across the country.

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Regional winners include Les 2 Garçons in London, The Sparrows in the North West, Homestead Kitchen in the North East, The Kinneuchar Inn in Scotland, Seasonality in the South East, Wild Artichokes in the South West, Rocket & Rye in Wales and Tropea in Central and the East of England.

Read more: Manchester pasta restaurant The Sparrows has just won a prestigious new Michelin award

The Good Food Guide’s  Editor, Elizabeth Carter said of the winner of Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2023; “Tallow stood out, head and shoulders above what is a very strong list this year. For a chef of this quality to be so happily focused on running a neighbourhood restaurant is extraordinary.

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“There’s a level of commitment here that would sit happily in many top restaurants. Everything is beautifully thought through, from food you really want to eat – delicious, simple, seasonal – to the remarkably at-ease service and the care of customers.

Tallow owner Donna Taylor said of the award; “What an unexpected and humbling acknowledgement for the whole team at Tallow, and such a privilege to be considered alongside restaurants we love and respect.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive confirmation from our guests that Tallow has become what we had hoped, an accessible, relaxed dining experience that they wish to enjoy over and over again.”

The complete list includes city centre locations, as well as suburban and rural offerings.

A ragu with buttery mash at Higher Ground. / Image: The Manc Eats
Inside Higher Ground. / Image: The Manc Eats

Typically, Best Local Restaurants have been geographically located in classic ‘neighbourhood’ locations, but The Good Food Guide’s team of inspectors found that connection to the community is far more important than the restaurant’s address. Les 2 Garçons in London and Higher Ground, a bistro in central Manchester both epitomise this. 

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Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants will provide a huge boost to the hospitality industry across the country, highlighting those who often miss the spotlight whilst providing an excellent and vital service to their community.

Read more: Bury cafe launches giant full English breakfast challenge with 34 items

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality said of the awards; “Local restaurants are so often the heartbeat of communities; providing jobs, generating economic growth and, most importantly, providing fantastic food. It’s brilliant to see such huge support from the public for their local restaurants and is deserved recognition of their hard work. This sort of support is invaluable as venues face ever-rising costs and is essential in keeping valued businesses viable.”

Thom Hetherington, Co-founder of the Northern Bar and Restaurant Show said; “The Good Food Guide was a revelation to me as a fledgling foodie 25 years ago, and its authority and independence is as crucial to today’s diners as ever – not just highlighting big names, but shining a light on the sometimes hidden restaurant gems that locals love and others need to know about.”

The full list of restaurants can be found below, together with their Best Local Restaurant region. Regional winners are highlighted in bold.

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Central & East of England

Tropea, West Midlands

Watson and Walpole, Suffolk

Chapter, West Midlands

Brix & Bones, Norfolk

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Stiffkey Red Lion, Norfolk

Fancett’s Bistro, Cambridgeshire

The Kilpeck Inn, Herefordshire

Hitchen’s Barn, Rutland

Lark, Suffolk

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The Silver Cup, Hertfordshire

London

Les 2 Garçons, London

Copper & Ink, London

Sam’s Riverside, London

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The Holland, London

Giulia, London

Akub Restaurant, London

Hawthorn, London

Church Road, London

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North East

Homestead Kitchen, North Yorkshire

The Hispanist, East Yorkshire

Hearth, East Yorkshire

Ophelia, Tyne & Wear

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Coin, West Yorkshire

Brooks, West Yorkshire 

Long Friday, Tyne & Wear

The Orange Bird, South Yorkshire

Bantam, North Yorkshire

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Hinnies, Tyne & Wear

Tonco, South Yorkshire

Hern, West Yorkshire

North West

The Spärrows, Greater Manchester 

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Four & Twenty, Cumbria 

Belzan, Merseyside

10 Tib Lane, Greater Manchester

The Yan, Cumbria 

Edinburgh Castle, Greater Manchester

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Another Hand, Greater Manchester 

Covino, Cheshire

The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, Cumbria 

Parkers Arms, Lancashire

Bombay to Mumbai, Greater Manchester

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The Nag’s Head, Cheshire

The White Horse, Cheshire 

Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine, Greater Manchester

Kysty, Cumbria

Higher Ground, Greater Manchester

Scotland

The Kinneuchar Inn, Fife

The Loveable Rogue, Strathclyde

Celentano’s, Strathclyd

Bar Brett, Strathclyde

Eighty Eight, Strathclyde 

The Palmerston, Lothians 

L’Escargot Bleu, Lothians

Ga Ga Kitchen & Bar, Strathclyde

Gloriosa,Strathclyde 

Eusebi Deli, Strathclyde

The Oystercatcher, Argyll & Bute

The Dory Bistro, Fife

The Galleon Bistro, Highlands & Islands

KORA by Tom Kitchin, Lothians

The Bothy, Moray

South East

Tallow, Kent –  (Overall winner)

Seasonality, Berkshire (South East regional winner)

The Greyhound, Buckinghamshire

The Dew Drop Inn, Berkshire

Samphire, Kent

Five Little Pigs, Oxfordshire

Quince, Kent

The Victoria Oxshott, Surrey 

The Pilgrim, Buckinghamshire

Palmito, West Sussex 

The Purefoy Arms, Hampshire

Pompette, Oxfordshire 

The Folkestone Wine Company, Kent

The Goods Shed, Kent

Fourth and Church, East Sussex 

South West

Wild Artichokes, Devon

Sonny Stores, Bristol 

Pythouse Kitchen Garden, Wiltshire 

The Greenhouse, Cornwall 

Art Sushi, Dorset 

Bank, Bristol

Little Hollows Pasta, Bristol

The Cotley Inn, Somerset

Iford Manor Cafe & Kitchen, Wiltshire

Caper and Cure, Bristol 

Brassica, Dorset

Littlefrench, Bristol 

The Rocket Store, Cornwall

Andria, Devon 

Beckford Canteen, Somerset

The Exmoor Forest Inn, Somerset

The Halfway at Kineton, Gloucestershire

Wales

Rocket & Rye, Glamorgan

Y Polyn, Carmarthenshire

The Warren, Carmarthenshire 

Heathcock, Glamorgan

Paternoster Farm, Pembrokeshire

The Black Bear Inn, Monmouthshire

Yr Hen Printworks, Ceredigion 

Featured image – The Manc Eats

Eats

Where to find the best sandwiches in Manchester city centre and beyond

Danny Jones Danny Jones best sandwiches in manchester city centre

There’s nothing better than a good filling between two fluffy slices of bread, and we’re here to tell you the best places to find them in Manchester – that’s right, it’s the sandwich list.

From hot roast sarnies and hefty subs as long as your arm, to solid breakfast butties, giant Sardinian schiacciata and saucy Napoli-inspired cuzzetiello, if you’re a sandwich lover in Manchester then you’re well catered for.

We’re not happy to settle for a simple Subway or premium meal deal, we want big, honking artisan sarnies that’ll leave Tony Soprano talking with his most expressive hand gestures. Keep reading to find some of the best places to get a butty in Manchester and beyond.

Open your belt loop a notch, folks.

10 of the very best sandwiches in Greater Manchester

1. Ad Maiora – Northern Quarter

Credit: The Manc Eats
Look at the size of it this bad boy.

If you’re a fan of things in bread (and honestly, who isn’t) then Northern Quarter Italian sandwich dealer Ad Maiora is one that you absolutely need to get down your neck. They also have a great story.

Collected from a door on a Norther Quarter back street or for delivery, we’re talking giant handmade spongy schiacciata generously stuffed with the likes of ‘nduja, spicy Tuscan sausage, smoked scamorza, mortadella, burrata and red pesto.

With a total of nine different options to choose from, expect a huge array of different cheesy and meaty delights including parma ham, gorgonzola DOP, truffled brie, Milano salami and crumbled pistachios, plus a gorgeous vegan option with Italian hummus, roasted aubergine, olives, sundried tomatoes and rocket.

2. The Bread Club – Monton

Credit: The Manc Group

Run by in-laws Louise and Jack, The Bread Club sells some of Eccles’ fattest sandwiches (as well as the chunkiest hand-cut chips we’ve had in a while).

Equipped with a huge glass counter brimming with sandwich fillings, as the name suggests there is a good selection of bread to choose from with hoagies, bloomers, rye and more on offer.

On the menu, you’ll find eight different sarnies including the signature taco chicken, a hoagie stuffed with a mix of chicken breast, peppers, and onions, all enveloped in a secret sauce, then topped with Swiss cheese and jalapenos.

Other highlights include the Cubano – a much-loved mixture of roasted ham, pulled pork, melted Swiss cheese, sliced pickles and house mustard – and the Rueben on rye.

3. Katsouris Deli – Deansgate

Definitley one of the best sandwich places in Manchester.
Big portions and good value. (Credit: The Manc Group)

First established in the historic Bury market 50 years ago, this cross-cultural deli and cafe celebrates the mixed roots of its family with produce from Cyprus, Poland and Italy, plus more from across Europe.

Specialising in sandwiches as well as boasting an impressive salad bar and carvery, its second site on Deansgate is just as well established after 30 years in town. An iconic sandwich spot, the lunchtime queues speak for themselves.

Made with bread from Chorlton’s award-winning bakery, Barbakan, the ciabatta is a favourite here but you do have other options. If you’re in a rush, or just in need of something comforting, the hot roast pork with crackling, apple sauce and stuffing hits the spot every time.

Other highlights include the veggie-friendly ‘Zorba The Greek’, and the hangover-curing breakfast sandwiches filled with your choice of bacon, sausage and fried egg.

4. Fat Pat’s – Chinatown

Credit: The Manc Eats
The sauciest little boys on the market.

This hefty hole-in-the-wall sub sandwich spot drew fans from near and far when it opened in 2022 and it hasn’t stopped since.

The allure of a hidden alley walk-up, combined with mouth-watering Philly Cheesesteaks, Hot Honey Fried Chicken and Meatball Parm baguettes has earned it a place in our hearts and bellies forever.

Located just off Portland Street in the backstreets of Chinatown, ordering is done online in advance and they tend to sell out quickly so you need to be fast if you want to secure one of these beauties.

5. Ancoats Deli – Ancoats

The Ancoats Deli meal deal. Credit: The Manc Group
The Ancoats Deli meal deal. Credit: The Manc Group
Ancoats Deli opens today serving sandwiches, wine and charcuterie boards. Credit: The Manc Group
Ancoats Deli opens today serving sandwiches, wine and charcuterie boards. Credit: The Manc Group

Ancoats Deli is a gorgeous little sage green deli just off a sunny courtyard, with shelves stuffed with wine, mini canned cocktails, antipasti, meats and cheeses, plus sunny seats outside for sipping on a wine or a spritz.

It’s also got the best meal deal we’ve seen – for a tenner you can get a HUGE sandwich stuffed crust to crust with delicious fillings, plus either a packet of crisps or olives, and either a coffee or soft drink.

You’ll often find a special or two but you can’t go wrong with the classics – jamon beurre, egg mayo and a tuna melt are all banging.

6. Pho Cue – Chinatown

Image: The Manc Group
Giggs reacted however everyone does.

This family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown opened in lockdown and has become popular for its bahn mi, which are available from midday and often sell out within the hour.

Only made ‘for the tradition’ in limited quantities for the lunch service, this fresh pickle and herb-topped Vietnamese sandwich can be ordered with either sweet soy, sriracha or spicy mayo.

Typically made by scooping out the inside of the baguette-style roll, here the chefs like to press the bread down instead to make more space for their fillings. Popular choices include chicken and king prawn, with beef, pork, tofu and avocado also available.

7. Rack – Stockport, Manchester Arndale and YES

@the.manc @Rack has opened in the Arndale Market today serving up their famous sandwiches as well as salt and pepper hash browns 🤤 #manchester #arndale #arndalemanchester #nq #sandwich #foodtiktok ♬ Instrumental – Home – pedrin cria

This tiny Stockport sandwich joint might have started out as a small but mighty little corner in the town centre, but with sandwich fans travelling across Greater Manchester to sample its wares, they’ve managed to expand their reach to three different sites now.

There’s not much room to sit down in the original shop, but there is a very cute outdoor terrace that catches the sun perfectly at lunchtime and you’ll find plenty of people queuing up to grab a quick bit of dinner from here.

At each venue you’ll find a big chalkboard menu that lists its various options, with everything from egg mayo and Italian meats to a funky vegan option with handmade onion bhaji, chutney and pickles – they even do big fish finger butties now.

Toasted sandwiches are a big speciality here, with highlights including a peppery reuben, a three-cheese classic served with red onion dipping gravy on the side, as well as their hugely popular birria toastie.

8. Egg & Co – Various

Egg & Co serves one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Manchester
Egg & Co serves one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Manchester
Egg & Co serves one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Consider your hangover cured. You’re welcome.

Egg & Co specialises in gooey scrambled egg butties, with loads of different options to try including sausage patty, turkey bacon, avocado or caramelised onions.

Do your stomach a favour, have this in the morning with a side of crunchy truffle hash browns and start your day the right way.

⁠You’ll find them at General Stores at Deansgate Square, and at Kargo Mkt in Salford.

9. Northern Soul Grilled Cheese – NQ

First established in 2015, the grilled cheese OG’s have been serving Mancs their naughty, cheesy sandwiches for nearly a decade.

Widely considered one of the best places to grab a toastie in the city, its classic house staple features a blend of three different molten cheeses – all sandwiched in between golden sourdough bread – and is entirely customisable with extra free fillings.

For the adventurous, wilder options include the ‘Bacon Frazzler’ with Frazzles crisps, streaky bacon, blue cheese, onion and sriracha, and the Mexican Junkie with chipotle mac n’ cheese, jalapenos and Chilli Heatwave Doritos.

It would also be rude of us not to shout out their annual Crimbo Dinner toastie – complete with gooey brie cheese, cranberry, stuffing and even a pig in blanket – which we still believe is one of the best sandwiches in Manchester full stop every time it returns. We loved this place since forever, basically.

10. Bada Bing – NQ

In at number 10, we’ve got arguably the goat of all Manchester sandwiches, the return of the king if you will: Bada Bing is bada back with a bada bang. The Sopranos-themed deli and sandwich shop first opened a few years ago to queues out the door but sadly disappeared much to everyone’s horror.

But fear not, the hiatus is over and the comeback was biblical.

Serving giant hoagies, heroes, subs—whatever you want to call them, they’re well worth the £10-13 price stage and you likely won’t need to eat again that day if you grab one.

From the self-titled ‘Bing’ packed with cured Italian meats, salami and yes, gabagool done just like Tony Soprano himself likes, to a stacked turkey offering, a veggie pistachio one that genuinely surprised us as a Chicago beef inspired by another US TV favourite, The Bear, we’ve happily devoured all of these.

@the.manc Opening tomorrow on Oldham Street, welcome back legends! #thesapranos #manchester #manc #mancfood #foodsinpo #foryou #fyp #badabing #sandwichtiktok ♬ Italian Food – Kley Kley

Honourable mentions

Go Falafel – City Centre

Our go-to in the city centre for fresh falafel, technically this is a wrap but we’re going to allow it. It’s not just the herby chickpea goodness that does it for us here – it’s all the salads, pickles and other saucy accoutrements that go in alongside it too.

Wraps are stuffed with your choice of pickled cabbage, potato, salad, tahini, chilli sauce and lashings of fresh hummus, with grilled aubergine and optional extra. Go Falafel also makes its own fresh juices to order, which are well worth a try.

Read more:

And that should be your fill. To be honest, if you’re still hungry and looking for more after that then we’d be seriously worried about your health and/or addiction to butties, though we do sympathise.

Bread is, after all, one of the single greatest inventions in human history.

Last but not least, we hope it goes without saying that this is by no means a totally exhaustive list of the best sandwiches in Greater Manchester and we’re sure you can find the perfect place for you elsewhere in the 10 boroughs if you don’t find it here – and please let us know where it is if you do!

Every week is National Sandwich Day if you ask, so you might as well celebrate properly.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – The Manc Group

Eats

Oslo-born Doug’s Hamburgers is opening in Manchester, serving adult ‘Happier Meals’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Oslo-born Doug's Hamburgers is opening in Manchester, serving adult 'Happier Meals'

Critically acclaimed burger joint Doug’s is heading to Manchester for the first time, serving up grown-up ‘Happier Meals’.

The burger brand started life in Norway but is led by a very northern team – they’re also behind Madre, Medlock Canteen and London’s Breddos tacos.

Doug’s is an Oklahoma-style burger restaurant with a menu of classic burgers made with hand-pressed patties from premium dry-aged beef (it’s the thinly-sliced onions inside each patty that makes it Oklahama style).

A classic cheeseburger is the brand’s signature dish, featuring a smashed patty, onions, cheese, mustard, ketchup, pickles and Doug’s special sauce.

There’ll also be fried chicken sandwiches, hot tenders and fries, plus breakfast buns served all day.

The ‘Happier Meal’ is an adult twist on a fast food favourite – you get a burger, fries, and a martini.

Doug’s spot in Manchester will be its fourth restaurant.

It’s set to open on Oxford Road above the recently-announced Amber’s nightclub, open seven days a week from 11am until midnight.

The flagship restaurant on Oxford Road is designed by R2A studio and will be opening this December in Circle Square for eat in and take-out.

To claim a free burger when Doug’s opens, you can sign up HERE.

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

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