Higher Ground is one of 20 restaurants in the UK and Ireland to be handed the prestigious Bib Gourmand by Michelin.
The New York Street restaurant, which opened last year, is the only restaurant in Greater Manchester to nab a Bib this year.
Described by Michelin as ‘one of the new jewels in the city’s culinary crown’, the nod comes just a week before Manchester is set to host this year’s Michelin Guide ceremony at The Midland Hotel on 5 February.
Created in 1997 and named after Bibendum (the Michelin Man character himself), the Bib Gourmand ranks just below a Michelin star. The distinguished accolade recognises ‘friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices’.
Starting out as a pop-up at the Bungalow at Kampus, Higher Ground was forced to close just days into its residency in 2020 due to the pandemic, but since opening in its own permanent space in February last year has enjoyed a string of glowing reviews and national award nominations.
In September, it was added to the Michelin Guide alongside Örme in Urmston, and more recently has been nominated for a Good Food Guide award, with the winners announced tomorrow (Tuesday 30 January).
The city centre eatery was founded by chef Joe Otway, wine expert Daniel Craig-Martin and front-of-house Richard Cossins, who had all previously worked together at the Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a two Michelin-star restaurants in upstate New York. They’re also the team behind Flawd on New Islington Marina.
Higher Ground’s menu revolves around daily-changing dishes using locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal produce. The restaurant sources much of its fresh produce from its very own farm – Cinderwood Market Garden in Cheshire.
