Higher Ground in Manchester named on World's 50 Best Discovery list

Higher Ground has had a remarkable few years, and in July 2026 it reached a new audience when it was added to the World's 50 Best Discovery list, a guide to restaurants around the globe worth seeking out.

The bistro is run by chef Joe Otway, Richard Cossins and Daniel Craig Martin. Their story began in 2020 with a pop-up, before they went on to build their own farm, Cinderwood Market Garden, and open the acclaimed Ancoats wine bar Flawd in 2021.

Higher Ground itself started life as a residency in a bungalow on stilts at the Kampus development, before the team moved to a permanent home. It opened on a corner of Faulkner House on New York Street in February 2023.

The connection to the land is what makes the restaurant special. Much of the produce comes from Cinderwood, the regenerative market garden near Nantwich in Cheshire, and the restaurant champions organic farm produce and expert butchery. Growing their own vegetables gives the chefs a direct line from field to plate.

The menu is built around sharing plates that change daily. Dishes have included acorn-fed pork, coal-roasted seasonal vegetables and handmade pastas, and diners have praised plates such as pea and spring garlic fritters. The room is bright, with counter seating facing the kitchen and tables spread out behind.

Since opening, Higher Ground has picked up a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which highlights good cooking at moderate prices, and it has featured in the National Restaurant Awards for four consecutive years. In 2026 it was placed 39th in the awards' Top 100.

The team has kept growing too, opening Bar Shrimp, a seafood cocktail bar next door to Flawd in Ancoats. Together the venues show how a small group of friends with a shared love of produce has become one of the most influential forces in Manchester dining.

Higher Ground is at Faulkner House on New York Street, a short walk from Piccadilly Gardens. Bookings can be made online, and lunchtime is a lovely time to enjoy the daily-changing menu.