In Discussion: A Love Letter to the North
It's not all grim! The best of Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield.
As a team largely made up of northern and southern contingents, regional nuances are often the topic of hot debate in our office. Bap, roll, barm or cob? Terminology varies. Yorkshire puddings with a Sunday roast? A non-negotiable. But one thing we all agree on, is that the F&B scenes in and around the cities of Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield, deserve consistent celebration.
The northern food scene is a place that has long flourished on its own terms, where cherished institutions sit alongside exciting new openings, each driven by a shared sense of heritage, creativity and good old northern hospitality.
Here are just some of our favourite spots up north that we urge you to visit. Just make sure to bring your appetite (and an umbrella).
Love, GB&C
MANCHESTER
The Ancoats and New Islington areas of Manchester have undergone quite the transformation in the last few years, becoming home to some of the city’s best bakeries, restaurants, and wine bars. Take a stroll along the marina and you’ll find Flawd, a neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop from the team behind Higher Ground. Known for championing low-intervention winemakers and locally sourced ingredients, it’s the perfect place for carefully curated wines, seasonal small plates, and outstanding sourdough from neighbouring bakery Pollen.
This & That is somewhat of a Manchester institution, home to the famous ‘rice and three’. Tucked away in the Norther Quarter, this family-run curry house has been fuelling the city with its canteen-style dining since 1984. A cherished spot, it’s known for its no-frills approach, generous portions, and affordable prices.
Tom Barnes’ debut solo restaurant was always going to be a hit. Having worked in exclusively Michelin-starred restaurants since he was 18, Tom honed his craft at L’Enclume, where he led the kitchen as Exec Head Chef before moving to Manchester to open Skof. One of the most highly anticipated openings in the city last year, the restaurant has just been awarded a Michelin Star for its refined seasonal dishes that showcase local ingredients.
Erst - a haven of great food and great wine in Ancoats. Worth going for the Beef fat and urfa chilli flatbreads alone.
Medlock Canteen - American diner and Parisian bistro-inspired classics from the team behind Liverpool’s Belzan. Go for the rotisserie chicken and chips, stay for the deep-fried pies.
Rad’s - an excellent hole-in-the-wall Caribbean spot, open during the week only.
Yellowhammer - a gem of a bakery, deli and pottery studio from the team behind Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In.
MØ6B - daytime cafe and vinyl shop, transforming into an intimate bar on Friday and Saturday evenings.
LEEDS
Bavette is the kind of warm neighbourhood bistro that everyone wishes was their local. Led by partners Sandy and Clément, the restaurant is a love letter to their shared passions for great food, hospitality and wine. Expect nods to French bistro classics like Comté cheese croquettes, Steak tartare with beef fat crisps, and to finish, Crème brûlée with Yorkshire rhubarb and shortbread.
Tucked away on a row of shops in suburban Chapel Allerton, Hern is easy to miss. Yet the small but mighty restaurant has garnered a reputation for its “ingredients first, menu later” approach, working closely with its dedicated local suppliers to inform what goes on the menu. Expect simple dishes that sing with excellent produce.
LIVERPOOL
Sometimes, the best restaurants are the ones you have to seek out. From the outside, eJoy is an unassuming Chinese supermarket, popular among the city’s students. But inside, you’ll find a line up of food stalls dishing out some of the freshest Xiaolongbao, noodle soups and braised meats around. A true hidden gem.
Since opening in 2017, Liverpool bistro Belzan has become a firm favourite from locals and visitors alike. The menu at Belzan shifts with the seasons, but a staple of theirs is the Guinness rarebit potato - which might just be one of the best dishes in the city.
San’s Cafe - Canto-British comfort food at its finest.
Bunch - a cosy European-inspired wine bar and bottle shop with a great selection of seasonal small plates and natural wines by the glass.
Mother Espresso - a neighbourhood hangout serving great coffee and great breakfast.
Maggie May’s - a proper old school caff specialising in hearty breakfasts, piping hot plates of stew, and the famous Liverpudlian Scouse.
SHEFFIELD
Bench is a beloved neighbourhood restaurant and hangout that excels in simple, seasonal cooking. At its heart is the eponymous bench, where communal bistro-style dining is encouraged. Early last year, the team expanded with Bench La Cave — an all-day bottle shop that operates as a bakery by day and wine bar by night, catering to all your needs.
After outgrowing its original location, JÖRO 2.0 opened in December last year, cementing its status as one of Sheffield’s top restaurants. Known for its immersive dining experience, JÖRO offers a dynamic tasting menu that blends Nordic and Japanese influences with the best of British produce.
OTHER HONOURABLE NORTHERN MENTIONS
The Star Inn, Harome - Michelin-starred 14th century inn with rooms situated in a quaint and quiet North Yorkshire village where the landlord knows the names of everyone.
Riley’s Fish Shack and Fish Shop, Tynemouth - for local, seasonal fish and seafood, served right on King Edward's Bay.
The Pack Horse, Hayfield - seasonal, contemporary pub food at the foot of Kinder Scout, Peak District.