The country’s top 100 restaurants were revealed last night in London at the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards. The two Michelin star Moor Hall, near Ormskirk, was sadly knocked off its top spot into second place by Ynyshir in Wales, but the north still represented admirably.
Simon Rogan, of the three-star L’Enclume (10th on the list), also scooped the Chef of the Year award, while Sam Buckley’s Where The Light Gets In in Stockport, won the annual award for sustainability.
Here’s a round-up of the northern top 100 entries…
Le Cochon Aveugle, York (ranked 94)
Chef and owner Josh Overington presides over this spot in York, which has no menu and only serves ‘blind tastings’ (give you a clue, cochon aveugle means ‘blind pig’).
The Old Stamp House, Ambleside (87)
Run by brothers Ryan and Craig Blackburn, this tiny (just 28-cover) spot in Cumbria has become a hotspot for proper local produce cooked well.
Cottage in the Woods (81)
Found in Keswick, in a 17th century coaching inn, chef Ben Wilkinson won a star for the Cottage in 2019, elevating the menu with foraged ingredients and locally sourced meat.
Mana (78)
Little introduction needed for the restaurant to win Manchester its first Michelin in more than two decades.
Joro (77)
Chef-patron Luke French and his wife Stacey have put everything into this neighbourhood restaurant in Sheffield, with its small plate tasting menu received widespread acclaim.
Man Behind The Curtain (61)
While it might not be to everyone’s taste, chef Michael O’Hare’s provocative take on fine dining has certainly turned heads towards his Leeds flagship.
Erst (54)
Richly deserved, Ancoats’ Erst is still one of the very best places to eat in Manchester, though it’s somehow dropped a few spots from last year’s 47th place ranking.
The Angel at Hetton (12)
Number two last year, Michael Wignall’s The Angel is still a draw. A famed gastro-pub since the term was coined, it’s got rooms and is in an idyllic location too.
L’Enclume (10)
Though Simon Rogan won Chef of The Year, and scored a third Michelin star for his Cartmel institution, L’Enclume has dropped to number 10 in the rankings this year.
Moor Hall (2)
Knocked off the top spot this year, Moor Hall remains one of the best restaurants in the north of England, thanks to tireless chef Mark Birchall.
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