11 National Restaurant Award winners within day-trip distance of Manchester and Liverpool
Published: 22 June 2023
The National Restaurant Awards were announced last week – and the North West was well represented throughout.
Taking the number two spot, and the ‘Best Restaurant in England Award’, was Michelin-starred Moor Hall in Ormskirk. The Parker’s Arms in Clitheroe came in just outside the top ten at number 12, and was awarded ‘Gastropub of the Year’. Manchester’s highest rated restaurant was Higher Ground at 51, while Liverpool’s was Manifest, sneaking in at number 100.
The awards were launched in 2007 to celebrate the best of the UK’s restaurant scene. Votes are cast by fellow hospitality folk, including chefs, restaurateurs and food critics. So if you’re looking for award-winning food as recommended by the chefs themselves, here’s the list of National Restaurant Award winners you can visit from Manchester and Liverpool.
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Book Now CartmelL’Enclume
More detailsL’Enclume is Simon Rogan’s three Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Lake District village of Cartmel, which is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading dining destinations. The restaurant is situated in a former 13th-century blacksmith’s workshop.
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AughtonMoor Hall
More detailsMark Birchall, ex-head chef at L’Enclume, is chef-patron of Moor Hall, an outstanding, three Michelin star, five AA Rosette restaurant with rooms.
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ClitheroeParkers Arms
More detailsThe Parker’s Arms is a homely pub, serving and baking extraordinary, modern European food.
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SkiptonThe Angel at Hetton
More detailsOne of the stars of TV’s The Trip with Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan – and awarded a Michelin star in 2021 – The Angel at Hetton is the original gastro pub with rooms.
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Chinatown (Manchester)Higher Ground
More detailsHigher Ground, the permanent restaurant from the team behind Flawd, opened its doors in February 2023. Taking up residence in Bruntwood’s Faulkner House on Faulkner Street, it offers a chilled bistro experience with a focus on championing the finest North West produce.
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GrasmereThe Forest Side
More detailsMichelin-starred restaurant and hotel The Forest Side, owned by Lakes hotelier Andrew Wildsmith, is built on the foundations of the cooking of former L’Enclume forager, Kevin Tickle.
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LanghoNorthcote
More detailsGreat British Menu winner Lisa Goodwin-Allen was at the helm at Northcote for a long time, until she announced her departure in March 2025. Simon Ulph has now taken over as head chef. He worked alongside Lisa and has extensive experience in several Michelin star establishments so a smooth transition is predicted.
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AncoatsMana
More detailsMichelin-starred restaurant Mana is the brainchild of chef patron Simon Martin who mastered his trade at the renowned Noma in Copenhagen. At Mana, Martin has succeeded in carving his own path – one which confuses and delights people in equal measure.
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South YorkshireJöro
More detailsOffering Nordic-inspired fine dining inside a shipping container, Jöro has secured accolades galore, including a clutch of AA Rosettes and Michelin Bib Gourmand.
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Baltic TriangleManifest
More detailsThe manifesto at industrial-chic restaurant and “dine-at-wine-bar” Manifest is “seasonal plates and famous Liverpool hospitality”, with the Modern British menus regularly changing to reflect both local produce availability and the wines that will be matched to the food.
