Eats

The best Sunday roasts in Greater Manchester according to the Good Food Guide 2024

Yorkshire pudding heaven.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd November 2024

The Good Food Guide has named the best Sunday roasts in the UK and there’ve been a few nods for Greater Manchester (naturally).

After 18,000 public nominations, the guide and its team of inspectors have pulled together a list of the very best roasts around the country.

While the overall top spot went to The Abbey Inn in North Yorkshire, there were plenty of shouts for roasts in the North West.

Shrub in Chester took home Best Vegan, with judges saying ‘You miss nothing and gain everything’ with its brilliant trimmings.

And although it’s one of the London branches that was technically listed, Blacklock nabbed the title of having the best Sunday roast for group dining.

ADVERTISEMENT

Blacklock recently opened its first restaurant here in Manchester, serving traditional chop house food with a modern twist.

The Good Food Guide said: “Unrivalled if you’re with a group of friends, this Canary Wharf chophouse (part of a small London group, with a Manchester outpost), is considered a ‘Sunday wonderland’ by its many fans.

ADVERTISEMENT
Blacklock has been listed in the Good Food Guide's Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied
Blacklock has been listed in the Good Food Guide’s Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied

“With ‘super-accommodating staff’ and roasts that are ‘almost as good as mum’s’ (their words), it’s a star turn. Order the ‘all in’ sharing feast, which comprises a trio of ‘succulent’ dry-aged beef rump, lamb and pork loin with gigantic yorkies, duck-fat roast potatoes and limitless gravy.”

Another cosy spot in Marple Bridge in Stockport also made the Good Food Guide’s Sunday roast list, hailed for its fire-roasting.

The guide said: “‘Sophisticated yet comforting’ is the verdict on the elevated Sunday deal at this bottle shop and bistro in one of Stockport’s more comely corners.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Fire-roasting is Fold’s USP, and the flames lick around everything from aged beef bavettes with ‘Yorkie bits’ and smoked salt to porchetta with Manchester ale, fennel and Pink Lady apple. Each plate comes with a wagyu-fat potato slice, but it’s worth ordering some extras (perhaps roast sandy carrots in lamb fat). Great for kids.”

Outside the Pack Horse in Hayfield
Outside the Pack Horse in Hayfield
Inside The Pack Horse Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside The Pack Horse Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group

The Pack Horse in Hayfield – which recently caught our eye with its brilliant breakfasts – has rightly been praised for its post-hike atmosphere and its ‘stylishly rustic and warmly welcoming interior’.

The guide said: “All the Sunday roast trimmings come as standard, whether you’re ordering the melting beef sirloin, the braised lamb shoulder, the venison loin or even the veggie option (carrot, tenderstem broccoli and Tunworth tart, say).

“Everything is thoughtfully prepared, full of flavour and of the highest quality, and the kitchen runs proudly with the seasons.”

Hawksmoor has been listed in the Good Food Guide's Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied
Hawksmoor has been listed in the Good Food Guide's Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied
Hawksmoor has been listed in the Good Food Guide’s Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied

And finally, to absolutely no one’s surprise, Hawksmoor also placed comfortably on the top 50 Sunday roasts list.

ADVERTISEMENT

‘The quality of the meat is unrivalled,’ observed one fan, and there were also rave reviews for the crispy beef-dripping roasties and ‘bottomless’ bone-marrow gravy.

Where’s your favourite roast in Greater Manchester?

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

‘I’m proud of the joy we spread’ – Much-loved Manchester cake shop announces closure

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 'I'm proud of the joy we spread' - Much-loved Manchester cake shop Loaf announces closure

A gorgeous little cake shop in Manchester city centre has announced its sad closure, five years after launching as a lockdown project to raise money for the NHS.

Loaf, the hot pink cafe on Oxford Road and just across the river in New Bailey in Salford, will shut its doors for good later this month.

Its founder Aiden Ryan has poured his heart out with a heartbreaking statement, describing Loaf’s closure as ‘incredibly tough’.

In his message to followers, which you can read in full below, Aiden detailed everything from rising costs, cashflow issues, and a personal mental breakdown.

“I’m not sharing this for sympathy,” he wrote. “I just think honesty matters.”

In the five years Loaf has operated in Manchester, there have been plenty of highlights, from those days fundraising for the NHS, to opening its doors on Christmas day to those who struggle with loneliness.

And there’ve been commercial successes too, with these pretty miniature loaf cakes making their way onto the shelves in Selfridges.

But now Aiden has said that Loaf will shut for good on 30 April, urging people to pop in for ‘one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug’.

Loaf’s farewell statement in full

I’ve made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR.

Loaf began in 2020 as a small lockdown idea to raise money for the NHS—and somehow grew into a bold, pink cake business that lived in a shipping container, then cafés on Oxford St and New Bailey St, and even Selfridges! It was more than I ever dreamed of.

But behind the scenes, it’s been a really hard year. We lost essential funding, faced delayed payments and invoices, battled rising costs, and unexpected hits – including a supplier taking thousands from our account without permission. It led to cashflow issues we couldn’t recover from.

There were delays in paying important bills—things I never imagined would happen (even tips and pension contributions for staff). It was a living nightmare and it weighed heavily on me. At the same time, I was facing big personal challenges, which led to a mental breakdown the middle of last year. I couldn’t function. And when your business needs you 24/7, everything starts falling fast.

A Twister-inspired special at Loaf
A Twister-inspired special at Loaf
The Willy Wonka loaf cakes at Loaf
The Willy Wonka loaf cakes at Loaf

I’m not sharing this for sympathy, I just think honesty matters. Running a business isn’t always big wins and instagram moments—it’s often stress, silence, and sacrifice.

Still, I’m proud. Of the joy we spread. Of the community we built. And of myself—for knowing when to stop and look after mine and my team’s health.

To my loafly team: you were the heart of this. Thank you for everything. To our suppliers, landlords, partners, and customers—thank you for believing in Loaf.

Our final day is April 30th. If you want one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug, we’d loaf to see you.

As for what’s next… who knows? For now, we rest. Thank you for being part of our story. I’ll carry it with me, always.

Lots of loaf,
Aiden & Team Loaf

More food and drink news

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Beloved local bakery shares ‘depressing’ cost of ingredients in brutally transparent statement

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme

A popular local bakery has justified a small price hike on its bakes by sharing the staggering jump in the price of basic ingredients.

In a refreshingly honest and transparent statement, Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme informed customers that there have been price increases of up to 255% on essentials like flour, butter and chocolate.

They pleaded for understanding from their customers and said that running a business is ‘hella crazy’ right now.

The bakery, which was recently named one of the best in the UK by the Good Food Guide, has been inundated with similar comments from other bakeries which make you wonder how any independent is surviving at the moment.

Long Boi’s chose to address the small rise in their prices directly to their customers, with a ‘quite frankly depressing AF read’.

They shared real examples of price increases, including a 122% price jump on butter (from £39 to £86.95); a 232% increase on the price of dark chocolate (from £56.24 to £186.67); and a mind-blowing hike of 255% on cheddar cheese (£17.08 to £60.48).

Even the price of flour – obviously, an essential ingredient for any bakery – has gone up from £10.20 to £25.60, a 151% increase.

Those prices all show how rapidly costs have risen in the five years since the Covid pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil.

Long Boi’s Bakehouse said they ‘can’t believe chocolate was ever that cheap’ in hindsight, and stressed that there are also financial issues around energy prices, and ensuring that their nine staff members are paid above Living Wage.

Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme
Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme
Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme. Credit: The Manc Group

Long Boi’s Bakehouse said: “A few of the eagle eyed amongst you might’ve noticed that we upped all of our prices in the bakery as of Tuesday, and just wanted to do a little post to a) publicly acknowledge that (don’t want you all to think we’re being sneaky) & b) explain why.

“Tbh I don’t think it’ll be news to any of you that the cost of everything has gone WILD, but I thought I’d write up some actual examples of the changes in ingredient prices since we opened – swipe for quite frankly a depressing AF read.

“I actually can’t believe chocolate was ever that cheap, what a time to be alive!!! BASICALLY, combine this with soaring energy prices, wanting to use only the best stuff in our bakes, and making sure NINE 💖 lovely staff are paid above Living Wage as standard (maybe the most important bit!!) – means that raising our prices slightly was the only way to keep on top of this balancing act.

“Really hope you can all understand! Running a business is hella crazy right now, big love to all our fellow independents going THROUGH it.”

One customer replied: “Happy to pay the extra but shocked for you at the increases your side – very useful post to see how things are changing and how this affects small businesses.”

Another wrote: “Thanks for putting this together for customers to see! It’s a bit mad init!!!”

There are similar stories from struggling independents right across the country who have lent their voices to Long Boi’s statement.

Albie’s, a popular coffee shop over in Sheffield, said: “We actually thought we were going mad when I said butter used to be under £40 – I had to check old price lists to make sure I in fact wasn’t going bonkers!!

“Hard to imagine how we’ve even come through these last 5 years. Lots of flat whites. Love the transparency. The info in black and white really hits home even for those of us that are paying it too!”

And Big Bear Bakery up in Glasgow wrote: “Never seen trading conditions like this been baking for 18 years and in hospitality for 30. The latest NI contributions are the final nail!”

Coosh in Nottignham commented: “The increase in chocolate prices was eye watering.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Did you have any idea just how expensive ingredients have become? If only the bigger brands would be as transparent as Long Boi’s Bakehouse.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Eats

Bundobust is giving away free beer on Monday. Credit: The Manc Group

Eats

Bundobust is giving away free beer after ’embarrassing mess-up’ – on one condition

Manchester's Cotton Cafe coming to Farnworth Green in Bolton

Bolton

One of Manchester’s best-loved independent cafes is coming to Bolton

best burritos in manchester

Eats

15 of the best burrito spots in Greater Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches