Two Greater Manchester bakeries named amongst best in Britain for 2025
The Good Food Guide’s Best Bakeries 2025 guide is out and features two local culinary gems
The best bakeries in Britain have been revealed and two Greater Manchester establishments have made the cut.
Britain's Best Bakeries 2025 has been published by The Good Food Guide and spans spots from across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. From an 'industrial unit in Devon to a radically remote destination in the Scottish Highlands and a must-visit spot in Mid Wales', it's a major celebration of the UK's 'modern baking boom'.
The top 50 spots are being highlighted for championing the seasons and for rivalling the pastry work of many of Britain's top restaurants. From sensational Danish pastries and fresh, flaky croissants and full-flavoured loaves, these spots are the cream of the crop.
Here in Greater Manchester, two beloved bakeries have made it into the guide. The first is Long Boi's Bakehouse which is credited with breathing 'new life' into Levenshulme.
The neighbourhood bakery took over a disused site back in late 2020, and is the creation of Pollen bakery alumnus Jenny Oakenfull.
Run by a team of solely women, the team here are dedicated to making food that is 'delicious, fun, interesting and exciting'. Ingredients are sourced from Organic North and R Noone & Son, while their flour comes from Wildfarmed who believe in the power of regenerative farming.
The guide writes: "A small team of all-female bakers turns out a satisfyingly creative selection of sweet and savoury bakes – perhaps a pandan lamington (a take on the coconut-drenched Aussie classic) or an ‘everything bagel’ croissant stuffed with dill, spring onion and cream cheese – while classic cakes and pastries are presented with equal doses of flavour and flourish.
"With a tiny production kitchen, bread comes from the also-excellent Holy Grain Sourdough in Manchester city centre. Like any self-respecting neighbourhood bakery, they sell out quickly – so get there early."
Second up for Greater Manchester is Pollen in Manchester City Centre, which the guide says has acquired a 'cult-like' status in the city for its quality viennoiserie and sourdough loaves.
Pollen started its life underneath Manchester’s Piccadilly's railway arch, before going on to open its bakery overlooking New Islington Marina next to Ancoats.
In the last few years, the business expanded to a second site as Kampus in the city centre, featuring a glass-fronted patisserie kitchen, allowing customers to watch the bakers in action as they prepare everything from sourdough and sandwiches to cruffins and croissants.
The bakery's sourdough bread - proved for over 24-hours - and pastries, notably their ‘cruffins’, a cross between a croissant and a muffin - have attracted big queues over the years - and still do.