Food and Drink in the North

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Oh look, winter’s around the corner, the heating’s on full blast and restaurant menus are getting rich, dark and hearty.

We have a superb selection this month, headed up by a spectacular meal (and cooking class) at one of the North’s finest dining establishments, plus pop-up meals in Kampus, and some of the very best eating options that the fun-packed town of Blackpool has to offer.

Diary at the ready, here are the best places to eat and drink in the North. Start prepping that winter coat and plan your next four weeks around this month’s food and drink guide.

Our top picks

Northcote

Northcote, Northcote Rd, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8BE - Visit now

This playful tasting menu could be Northcote’s best yet. It’s packed with bold ideas, using rich, carefully considered flavour combinations that lead to some truly inspired mouthfuls. Then again, we wouldn’t expect anything else from this groundbreaking restaurant. If you haven’t been yet, this is a marvellous way to start.

Winter Island

Winter Island at Freight Island, Manchester, Until 31 December 2024, free entry - Visit now

Christmas is officially coming as Freight Island once again transform into Winter Island, packed full of the best festive-themed food, drink and live events. Simultaneously, just outside, Mayfield Park becomes The Twilight Trail – an enchanting winter light show, happening now and running right up until Sunday 31 December.

JJ.

Michael Wan’s Wok Inn

Michael Wan’s Wok Inn, 118 Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1RA - Visit now

Michael Wan’s Wok Inn is Blackpool at its best. The colour scheme is neon, the staff are both fun and impressively efficient, but more than anything, it’s about the food. These dishes cover everything from boundary-pushing to failsafe, but they all create gastronomical memories that’ll stick in the mind for years.

Image from WOK INN

The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel

The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH - Visit now

A meal at The River Restaurant rarely disappoints, and this is another impressive array of French-inspired dishes, executed with the requisite level of pomp and circumstance.

Ian Jones

Tartuffe at Kampus

Tartuffe at Kampus, Aytoun St, Manchester, M1 3DA - Visit now

The word ‘tartuffe’ might translate as ‘imposter’ but there’s nothing phony about this meal. It’s a superbly executed journey through the best of Northern Europe – all about dramatic dishes and authentic flavours.

Kampus

Northcote Cookery School

Northcote Cookery School, Northcote Rd, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8BE - Visit now

This cookery class doesn’t feel like double food tech at school; it feels like hanging out with mates, having a laugh while simultaneously learning how to produce a series of astoundingly good dishes.

KAJI Restaurant and Bar Manchester

KAJI Restaurant and Bar Manchester, 64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN - Visit now

This isn’t simply having a meal, a visit to Kaji means first-rate event dining at a venue primed to be one of the very best food destinations in Manchester.

Gail’s Bakery King Street

Gail’s Bakery King Street, 16, 18 King St, Manchester , M2 6AG - Visit now

Gail’s might be an unconventional venue for a concert, but it works. The intimate atmosphere, the super-smiley Gail’s team and the 10/10 artists come together seamlessly – not forgetting those delicious baked goods.

Gail's Bakery King Street
Sarah Catherine Jones

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Clear the next few Sundays from your calendar and get booking. Manchester has some of the finest roast dinners in the North, and we’re here to help you discover the one that’s most up your street.

More food and drink events

Manchester Christmas Markets 2021
Until
FamiliesCity Centre
Manchester Christmas Markets

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2024, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.

free entry
Until
FestivalsManchester
Winter Island

Freight Island has transformed into Winter Island for the Christmas season, focusing on all things fun and festive.

free entry
Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Food and Drink in the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Jimmy's Liverpool
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Jimmy’s Liverpool

Sister venue to Jimmy’s in Manchester, Jimmy’s Liverpool is a bar, restaurant and live venue, hosting late night music, gigs and DJ sets.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Peste

Peste is a bohemian bar and bookshop with vintage reads and records.

Liverpool
Restaurant
The Reader Bar & Restaurant

The Reader Bar & Restaurant offers diners a bistro-style menu, inspired by continental European flavours and created using locally sourced seasonal produce. 

A table with a view of Liverpool at the fine dining restaurant Panoramic 34
Liverpool
Restaurant
Panoramic 34

Panoramic 34 boasts ceiling to floor windows with a breathtaking 360 degree aspect, but there’s plenty more to get giddy about than just the views.

Yard Bar at District
Baltic Triangle
Event venue
District Liverpool

District Liverpool is a multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Quarter, hosting gigs, club nights, films, cabaret, festivals and much more.

Culture Guides

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.