Skof

Skof is the debut restaurant from chef Tom Barnes who, as head chef at Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume, helped it win its third Michelin star. He brought that pedigree to Manchester’s NOMA district, securing Skof’s own Michelin star in February 2025 – a status it has officially retained for 2026.

And unlike many Michelin star restaurants, Skof doesn’t have to be a four hour commitment; the lunch menu is a reasonable £55 (up from £50 last year, but still considered a great value ‘high-end’ ticket in the city.) Tom’s menu remains a celebration of modern British produce, much of it pulled from the Rogan Farm in Cumbria.

The trophy cabinet is still filling up, too. In January they scooped ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2026 Manchester Food and Drink Festival awards, a win that surprised absolutely nobody who’s actually eaten there.

Beyond the food, the experience is grounded by a first-rate wine list, with a medium-sized selection of well-chosen bottles and vintages but thankfully not many ‘funky’ wines from The Emperor’s New Clothes’ department.

Service is super-friendly and delivered by a bunch that Tom has prized away from the main group up in Cumbria, all of them on the ball. It is a polished, super-friendly operation that feels more like a buzzy neighbourhood spot than a stiff temple of gastronomy.

It’s difficult to get a table but well worth the effort. Reservations for June 2026 should be set to open at the end of March. People will be discussing Tom Barnes and Skof alongside Rogan and L’Enclume in the same context in the not-so-distant future.