Registration has officially opened for Northern Restaurant and Bar 2026, the major trade show returning to Manchester Central on 10 and 11 March. The event will once again gather leading hospitality operators, buyers and suppliers for two days of insight, innovation and networking at its long-established home in the heart of Manchester.
The show will run alongside lunch! North for a second year, offering a dedicated platform for cafés, coffee shops and food-to-go operators. Exhibitors already confirmed for lunch! North include Illy, Welbilt, Carrs Pasties, Vita Coco, Lindt, Pip Organic, Hip Pop, One Plus Two, Re:Water, Tiffin Sandwiches and Blendsmiths. The sector’s strong growth was reflected in last year’s combined attendance, which exceeded 12,000 visitors and marked a 13.4 per cent increase on 2024. More than 400 exhibitors showcased new products, technology and equipment, helping cement the event as a key date in the hospitality calendar.
The 2026 edition promises another full programme of talks, panel discussions and live demonstrations created to offer practical guidance for operators navigating an increasingly challenging landscape. Exhibitors already lined up for NRB include Uber Eats, Budweiser, Lightspeed HQ, Nisbets, Steelite International, La Tua Pasta, Frobishers Juices, Monin, Martins Craft Bakery, Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners, Worldpay, Cambrook Foods Ltd, Catering Equipment and Stephensons.
Chris Brazier, group event director for NRB and lunch! North, said: “NRB has always been about championing Northern hospitality and the people behind it. With the challenges the industry continues to face, NRB feels more vital than ever to bring the sector together. It’s our chance to share ideas, create new opportunities and celebrate the innovation and resilience that define hospitality in the North.”
Northern Restaurant and Bar remains the North’s leading hospitality trade event, drawing more than 12,100 visitors and over 400 exhibitors. The 2026 edition invites the industry to come together again on 10 and 11 March at Manchester Central.
Free trade tickets for hospitality operators are now available HERE.