You know it and we know it that Manchester is a powerhouse when it comes to both industry and its food and drink. And now one of the country’s popular restaurant guides couldn’t agree more. Harden’s announced this year’s top 100 list in the UK and the release of its 2024 guide today, with Greater Manchester absolutely smashing it as two restaurants represented the region and were named some of the best places to dine in the country.
The North West is one of the best performing regions outside of London with an impressive 37 ‘Top Scoring’ restaurants, eight of which have made it into Harden’s Top 100 list. Strikingly, the number of Top 100 restaurants based in London has fallen to an all-time low. Usually expected to make up between 45-50% of the final rankings, this year only 36 of the UK’s best restaurants are listed there.
Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria was crowned the UK’s best restaurant in the latest Harden’s Top 100 list, representing the North West. Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, commented on L’Enclume’s success, saying that “L’Enclume has always been consistent in its top quality offering” and that the appointment of Paul Burgalières as Executive Chef has been key to L’Enclume’s evolution over the past six years.
Despite a meal coming in at £300+, Harden said: “It’s certainly one of the higher priced restaurants in our listings, but we see none of the resistance from diners with regards to paying those prices that we’ve seen at other top establishments. Those who’ve made the pilgrimage think it’s money very well spent.”
However, more restaurants in the North West region also made the cut including two in Greater Manchester. The city of Manchester was awarded a place in the coveted Top 100 list with Michelin-starred Mana in Sawmill Court, Ancoats which continues to maintain the “outstanding all round” form to secure its place in the Top 100 for yet another consecutive year. However, the popular restaurant appears to have fallen from its previous Top 10 spot down to number 73 last year and down to 97 this year.
The 2024 list also saw Sam Buckley’s restaurant in Stockport, Where The Light Gets In, storm into the Top 50 (ranked 48) thanks to its “major emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing” with “delicious wine pairings” all served by “lovely staff”. Last year saw Adam Reid at The French claim seventh place, however the restaurant did not feature on the list this year.
In Lancashire, Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall in Aughton rockets up from last year’s 77 position with a Top 10 listing at number 6. Diners say, “There is nothing not to love about the experience – from the tour of the kitchen on the way to your table through the ballet of service to the final bites of deliciousness, all done with great charm and humour”.
Meanwhile another Lancashire manor house, Northcote (70) in Langho, is described as “going from strength to strength under the stewardship of Lisa Goodwin-Allen” whose “exceptional and innovative” cuisine maintains its reputation in fine style. And proper local pub, White Swan (74) at Fence is proclaimed as “restaurant of the year” for many of the survey’s reporters with service that’s both “fun and professional, not at all stuffy” and “stunningly good food” from Northcote-trained chef Tom Parker.
The 33rd edition of the Harden’s guide, published this week, is a UK restaurant guide sold in bookshops based on feedback from normal diners rather than a group of professional inspectors. A total of 30,000 reports are submitted from a survey of 2,500 diners. Restaurants at all price levels are listed: from street food vendors to the country’s most ambitious dining rooms, with 2,800 restaurants listed in total including 57 listings in Greater Manchester, of which 48 were in the city of Manchester.