All the Greater Manchester restaurants, pubs and bars nominated in top food and drink awards

The annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards (MFDF) nominations have been announced, with some of the city’s best restaurants, pubs and bars all in the running for gongs.

There are 17 categories this year with 136 nominees representing the most exciting venues, chefs, talent and ideas within Greater Manchester’s hospitality industry. Food and drink fans are now being encouraged to vote for their favourites via the MFDF Awards website.

The MFDF Awards are the most prestigious and longest standing awards in the northwest and celebrate the region’s exceptional hospitality industry. winners will be revealed at the MFDF Awards Dinner at New Century on Monday, 27 January.

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Up for the coveted restaurant of the year are Skof, helmed by Tom chef Tom Barnes, Higher Ground, Another Hand, Where the Lights Gets In, The Pearl, Restaurant Orme, Mana and Adam Reid at The French. Last year's award went to popular dining haunt, Erst in Ancoats.

Meanwhile, the nominations for chef of the year include Iain Thomas who heads up the kitchen at The Pearl in Prestwich, alongside Joe Otway (Higher Ground), Tom Barnes (Skof), Sam Grainger (Medlock Canteen), Patrick Withington (Erst), Danielle Heron (OSMA), Sam Buckley (Where the Light Gets In) , and Julian Pizer (Another Hand).

Across the 17 categories, Manchester's diverse food and drink scene is celebrated, with awards spanning Affordable Eats and Takeaway of the Year, to Foodie Neighbourhood, Plant-based Offer, and Great Service. Voting is now open for many of the categories, so you can go and vote for your favourite spots in the city at the awards website here.

The shortlisted