We do pubs pretty well in Manchester, and with our growing gastronomic prowess it’s perhaps no surprise that one of our own has officially made it into the Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK for 2024. The wonderfully atmospheric Ancoats gastropub The Edinburgh Castle was honoured with an award for making it into the Top 50 Gastropubs late last year, and it has now been announced that it came in 24th place.
In response to the news, the Edinburgh Castle team posted on social media: “Not only were we delighted to be included in the @top50gastropubs but to have come away as number 24 in the UK is a huge accomplishment.
“Thank you to all our wonderful guests, our dedicated team and of course @top50gastropubs for including us. We can’t wait for the year ahead! Now, we celebrate…”
The Edinburgh Castle was completely renovated in 2019 by the team behind Cottonopolis – who restored the 1811 pub to a beautiful, cosy space where you can kick back with a glass of vino, or enjoy a bit of fine dining. Every dish is absolutely exquisite and makes for a really special experience for any couple looking to reignite the romance.
Equally, The Edinburgh Castle is perfect for getting together with friends over a pint or special occasion with the whole family, whether you’re after good grub or quality beverages – as the Top 50 Gastropubs nomination would suggest. The atmosphere is purely indulgent, decorated with lavish dark wood interiors, plants and low lighting, paying homage to the original public house whilst ensuring comfort and style for the modern customer.
The awards highlighted the best of the Edinburgh Castle menu: “Dishes include specialities such as Colchester oysters & Rhubarb mignonette, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese doughnuts and Red House farm cull ewe – saddle chop. Sunday lunch offers a set menu with two or three courses.”
They also quote critic Jay Rayner, who praised its “touches of pronounced Northern-ness”, and with the Edinburgh Castle being the only Manchester gastropub in the top 50, we’re chuffed with how it represents the north.
The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Awards are voted for by the hospitality industry. It is a list of the best places to eat chosen by peers, meaning these highly acclaimed venues are being recognised as being the best in the business by the most influential people.
Other gastropubs included on the list in and around the region were The White Swan at Fence (Fence, Pendle), The Pack Horse (Hayfield, High Peak), Freemasons at Wiswell (Wiswell, Clitheroe), and Parkers Arms (Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire).
The long list of Top 100 Gastropubs had earlier been announced across last week, featuring the likes of Gary Usher’s White Horse at Churton in Cheshire and The Cartford Inn in Little Eccleston, Lancashire, so plenty of impressive gastropubs to try, wherever you are.
If you fancy a visit to the Edinburgh Castle, you can book a table here. You can find the Edinburgh Castle at Henry St & Blossom St, Manchester, M4 5AW.