Eats

The UK’s top 50 gastropubs have been named, and the North West has shone again

The creme de la creme of boozers.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 31st January 2025

Another year, another stunning victory for pubs around the North West, as our region holds its own yet again on the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs list.

The Estrella Damm pub guide awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate the best food-driven pubs around the country.

The 50 front-runners were announced last year but the pubs’ rankings were only revealed at a ceremony in London this week.

And for another year, Greater Manchester and the surrounding North West region has nabbed plenty of room on the Top 50 Gastropubs list.

The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats, which stormed onto the list for the first time last year, has climbed even higher into 16th place.

The pub’s kitchen is currently closed for a refurb as it readies to welcome a new head chef, following the departure of award-winning Shaun Moffatt last year.

The Edinburgh Castle said of the accolade: “We are all extremely proud of this, and although the kitchen is closed this month for a refurbishment, we have a new kitchen team all raring to go with some fantastic new menus that we can’t wait to share!

The Edinburgh Castle has been named in the Top 50 Gastropubs again in the North West
Oysters with leek and cider, and golden beetroot with goat's curd at the Edinburgh Castle pub in Ancoats
Food at the Edinburgh Castle pub in Ancoats

“Thank you to all our wonderful guests, our dedicated team past and present who have helped us get here – and of course Top 50 Gastropubs for including us.

“Congratulations to the other 49 too, we can’t believe what esteemed company we are in and you all completely deserve it. 2025 is going to be a big year!

“Now, who’s popping in for a celebratory pint?”

Also on the Top 50 Gastropubs list elsewhere in the North West was, once again, the Michelin-recommended The Pack Horse in Hayfield.

Just on the very outskirts of the region where Greater Manchester nudges the Peak District, this beautiful country pub quietly serves a fantastic pre-hike breakfast as well as a seasonal evening menu of modern British food.

The Pack Horse in Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group
The Pack Horse in Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group
Dinner at the Pack Horse in Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group
Dinner at the Pack Horse in Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group

Chef and owner Luke Payne said: “Four years in the top 50, three years in the top 20.

“It means so much to us to have the love and respect of our peers, fantastic business operators and beautiful people who continue to puts us among such esteemed company, it is an honour and a privilege, and we love you all.

“This consistency is a testament to our incredibly hard working team who continue to weather the storm of the hospitality industry with vigour and laughter every single day; our tireless, incredible suppliers, and of course our guests, who ultimately give us purpose.

“It is a personal aim of mine to visit as many of these incredible gastropubs over the coming year, your support means the world.”

The Parkers Arms up in Newton-in-Bowland in Lancashire, previously a pub that took the top spot on the list, made it in again in fourth place.

It’s particularly well-known for its pies but at this lovely countryside spot you really can’t go far wrong.

Also making it into the top 50 in Lancashire were The White Swan at Fence, and the Three Fishes in Whalley.

Now that’s an achievement worth raising a pint to.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The brilliant Persian cafe in disguise as a greasy spoon that’s just had a star turn on TV

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Majid and Alex Polizzi on The Hotel Inspector

A family-run, often-overlooked restaurant in Chorlton had a star turn on TV last night, when The Hotel Inspector paid a visit to the Chorlton Metro Cafe.

From the outside, this place looks very much like your run-of-the-mill greasy spoon, and it sort of is, with fry-ups and breakfast sandwiches up for grabs.

But beyond that, this is the spot to come for an authentic, hearty, home-cooked Persian food.

And it’s this strange dual identity that has caught the attention of Channel 5 this year, and given the business a full episode of The Hotel Inspector.

Alex Polizzi and her crew headed to Chorlton earlier this year to assist husband and wife Majid and Zahra in a rebrand to become The Persian Stop (the sign still hasn’t changed, but bear with them here).

During the episode, The Hotel Inspector tackled everything from a menu overhaul to a spruce-up of the restaurant’s frontage, and ran a cost evaluation, hoping to help Majid and Zahra to increase custom.

A full spread of the new Persian dishes
A full spread of the new Persian dishes
Majid at Chorlton Metro Cafe with his new pancake dish
Majid at Chorlton Metro Cafe with his new pancake dish
Fantastic pancakes at Chorlton Metro Cafe
Fantastic pancakes at Chorlton Metro Cafe

And there were other familiar faces involved too – Channel 5 called on social media experts The Manc (oh wait, that’s us!) to help Majid understand the power of social media.

The couple moved to the UK from Iran more than 20 years ago, and Majid ran a successful construction business – until the financial crisis of 2008.

The pair then poured their life savings into the Metro Cafe, a greasy spoon just across the road from Chorlton tram stop.

Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector
Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector
Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector

They kept the full builder’s breakfasts and mugs of tea, but added a new string of Persian stews and fragrant rice dishes to the menu.

Now, with the help of The Hotel Inspector, the menu puts these ancient dishes front and centre.

Expect slices of syrupy baklava for only £2.80, and traditional stews like khoresh bademjan (slow-cooked aubergines with split peas and lamb) and khoresh fesenjan (saffron, ground walnut and pomegranate chicken).

This is a small business, run by a fantastic local couple, and one of those hidden gems that deserves to be a little less hidden.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The Michelin Guide adds THREE new Greater Manchester restaurants

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Chef patron Shaun Moffat at Winsome. Credit: The Manc Group

Three brilliant Greater Manchester restaurants have been added to the prestigious Michelin Guide this week.

All three new additions to the guide have been open for less than a year, and join an impressive roster of 15 other local restaurants.

Manchester also now boasts two Michelin stars after going decades with none, thanks to the opening of Skof last year.

While stars remain the most prestigious accolade in the hospitality industry, Michelin also dishes out Bib Gourmands, and Michelin Guide entries to recognise excellent restaurants at lower price points.

Greater Manchester now has 15 entries to its name, with a new trio added yesterday.

Up first is Winsome, a restaurant from former Chef of the Year award-winner Shaun Moffat.

Winsome has also made it into the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Winsome has also made it into the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside WInsome on Princess Street. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside WInsome on Princess Street. Credit: The Manc Group
Winsome has also made it into the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group

The modern British bistro, which stands on a corner of the Whitworth Locke hotel building, features playful and classic dishes like asparagus with dippy eggs, gigantic pies with gravy served in cow-shaped jugs, and soft bread rolls with lashings of butter.

The Michelin Guide said: “Manchester’s industrial history feels like it’s had an overt influence on this buzzing brasserie with a large kitchen counter and a stripped-back look.

“The cooking has an admirably gutsy, straightforward quality to it, with hints of nostalgia. Think cold cuts, whole fish, hearty homemade pies and a mixed grill. It’s all executed with skill and the ingredients are of obvious quality, resulting in no shortage of flavour.

“The young and enthusiastic service team are a perfect fit for such a fun place.”

Winsome said: “Today is a good day! We’re absolutely chuffed to tell you that we’ve made it into the Michelin Guide!”

Across town, the next Manchester entry into the Michelin Guide is Pip, a new spot from acclaimed local chef Mary-Ellen McTague.

Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague has been added to the Michelin Guide
Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague has been added to the Michelin Guide
Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague has been added to the Michelin Guide

Pip, at the foot of the Treehouse Hotel, opened earlier this year and has already received glowing national reviews thanks to its seasonal, proudly local dishes.

There are pies, oysters, British charcuterie, sardines on toast, cheese and onion tarts, chops, hot pots, and plenty more, with suppliers including Littlewoods Butchers, Organic North, Courtyard Dairy and Kindling Farm.

Speaking on the recognition, Mary-Ellen McTague, chef partner at Pip, said: “We’re over the moon to be included in the Michelin Guide so soon after opening!

“It’s an incredible honour, made possible by the dedication of our amazing team and the support of our wonderful suppliers. Working with them to showcase the very best of the North West is a daily joy.”

And completing this month’s entries to the Michelin Guide is Cantaloupe, an achingly stylish new local restaurant for Stockport.

Inside, it’s all white brick walls, wooden furniture, and bold art, with a frequently-changing menu built around the best produce they can get their hands on.

The Michelin Guide wrote of Cantaloupe: “There’s a fresh, clean feel to both the décor and the cooking at this welcoming little wine bar and restaurant. The concise but appealing wine list will appeal to traditional oenophiles, with quality established growers to the fore.

“The menu has a Mediterranean leaning, so whilst it changes daily, it will likely include a pasta dish and possibly some whole fish. This is cooking that relies on simplicity and skill, with immense care poured into dishes like peri peri octopus and duck fat crisps, so that the natural flavours shine.”

Congratulations to all the new entries!

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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