Manchester bistro 'honoured' after being named one of the UK’s best places to eat

A leading bistro and bar in Manchester has once again been named one of the best places to eat in the UK.

The annual National Restaurant Awards celebrate the best restaurants across the country by naming the top 100 venues as voted by an esteemed panel of chefs, restaurateurs and food writers. A number of UK restaurants have now started to be notified of their inclusion in the 2024 list, ahead the official reveal of the full list in June.

In last year’s list, two restaurants in Greater Manchester made it into the top 100. Higher Ground, on New York Street in the city centre, came in 51st place on the 2023 list, whilst Michelin Star restaurant Mana, in Ancoats, placed 71st.

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Hailed for being a "modern and thoughtful Manchester bistro", Higher Ground was praised by judges for impressing in Manchester’s bustling food and drink scene since opening in February last year.

Also awarded a prestigious Bib Gourmand by Michelin at the start of the year, the venue, near Chinatown, has revealed that it has made it into the top 100 at this year’s National Restaurant Awards. Whilst the restaurant won’t find out its placing until June, staff couldn’t wait to share their excitement at being included in the list once again.

Alongside a photo of a poster announcing they’ve made it into the top 100, Higher Ground posted on social media: “Honoured and delighted to be included in and amongst the UK’s best restaurants once again. It’s been an amazing start to 2024 and we can’t wait for more! Thank you to all of those who have voted and to everyone who has come to dine with us over the last year!”

The post was met with messages of congratulations from people in the industry and regular diners, who said the placement was ‘thoroughly well deserved' and 'never in doubt'.

Run by Daniel Craig-Martin, Richard Cossins and Joe Otway, Higher Ground celebrates ‘regenerative farming and local produce’, with around 90% of the ingredients included in its menu sourced from the trio’s Cinderwood farm in Nantwich.

As its seasonal menu focuses on 'British produce at its peak', Higher Ground’s menu frequently changes but sample dishes have in the past included hand-rolled wholewheat pasta with braised venison and red wine ragu, BBQ leeks with smoked cod roe and thyme, and Shetland mussels, with cured pork, celeriac and apple.

The trio, who also run the Flawd bar in Keepers Quay, first met while working at the Michelin starred Blue Hill at Stone Barns restaurant in New York. Higher Ground also features an extensive wine list celebrating small-scale, low intervention makers from around Europe.

The list of restaurants included in the National Restaurant Awards 2024 list, which is sponsored by Estrella Damm, are set to be announced on June 10.

Higher Ground is at Faulkner House on New York Street, Manchester, M1 4DY.