Manchester dining spot, Higher Ground, has been recognised in a global list of the most exciting dining destinations. Known as ‘50 Best Discovery’, the list comes from the team behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, which highlighted the Manchester bistro from chef Joe Otway and partners Richard Cossins and Daniel Craig Martin.
What is 50 Best Discovery?
50 Best Discovery, is described as a database representing the very best of hospitality and operates as an extension of the annual 50 Best rankings of restaurants, bars and hotels. The venues featured on 50 Best Discovery have all received votes from the experts who create the rankings of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Hotels, as well as Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, North America’s 50 Best Bars and MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants.
From Michelin Bib Gourmand to 50 Best Discovery: Higher Ground is collecting accolades left, right and centre
Alongside cocktail bar Schofield’s, the two Manchester hospitality venues were the only ones in the city to feature on the global list. Since opening in February 2023, Higher Ground has quickly established itself as one of Manchester’s most talked-about restaurants, holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a listing in the National Restaurant Awards for four years running.
Joe Otway, Chef/owner of Higher Ground, said of the news: “We feel grateful to be acknowledged in any of these listings and awards, it’s a testament to the work our incredible teams put into practice every single day. And of course it’s all due to the constant support of the amazing community of guests that keep our wheels moving each week.”
The story behind Higher Ground and what to expect when dining there
Higher Ground began life at the beginning of 2020 as a pop-up in Manchester. The team built their farm Cinderwood and launched their wine bar Flawd in Ancoats in 2021, before finally opening the permanent Higher Ground restaurant in 2023. The trio, who met while working together at Dan Barber’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, have since expanded their Manchester footprint further with the recent opening of Bar Shrimp, a seafood-led cocktail bar next door to Higher Ground.
Higher Ground’s style of food is defined by its close relationship with UK produce, much of which comes from their own farm, Cinderwood, in Cheshire. Menus change daily according to what’s at its seasonal peak and guests can expect whole-animal butchery from organically reared animals, hand-rolled pasta made with British grain, and sustainably caught seafood cooked over coal – alongside a wine list built upon small-scale European producers.
How to book a table at Higher Ground
Higher Ground is open Wednesday for dinner and from Thursday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, with a seasonal menu (£40pp lunch / £65pp dinner) available alongside an à la carte menu. Sundays regularly feature ‘Cooking with Friends’ – with the next one set for Sunday 2nd August with acclaimed American chef, Gregory Gourdet.
Reservations for Higher Ground can be made here.
📍Higher Ground, Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester, M1 4DY.
