Rochdale Town Hall’s Martlet Kitchen has picked up the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026, placing it among the top-rated restaurants in the world on the popular review site.
The award honours businesses which consistently receive great reviews, with their scores placing them in the top 10 per cent of all establishments registered on the popular review site.
With millions of businesses from around the globe listed on the site, the award is a huge accolade for the Martlet Kitchen, which recently celebrated its second birthday.
It’s not the first time the restaurant, which specialises in traditional, high-quality British food, has been lauded.
In his food column for The Guardian, legendary food critic Jay Rayner, described the Martlet Kitchen as a ‘victory of professionalism, good sense and, most of all, great taste and skill’ when he visited shortly after its opening in 2024.
The Martlet Kitchen is helmed by multi award winning chef, Darren Parkinson, who trained at Hopwood Hall College before working at acclaimed establishments including Shibden Mill Inn in Halifax and the Fleece Inn in Ripponden, both of which boast 2 AA rosettes.
Rooted in the community, its food and drink is sourced from the local area, including Milnrow’s Jacksons Farm, Defiance Distillery at Spotland Mill and Grandpa Greene’s in Oldham.
Commenting on the win, Darren said:
“This award is great news and we’re aiming for more accolades in the future. It’s about good old fashioned British grub, cooked to perfection, using top quality local ingredients, coupled with excellent service.”
Restaurant Manager, Sarah Crabtree, said:
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved. I think one of the keys to the Martlet’s success is that we change the menu regularly to keep it fresh and seasonal, but we also keep the old favourites that people particularly enjoy, like fish and chips. Everyone who works here takes huge pride in their job, so the experience for the customers is really consistent. You know you will get excellent service and food every time you come in.”
As well as breakfast and lunch, the Martlet Kitchen offers a fine dining experience on Saturday nights and a Friday grill club.
The venue’s unique setting in the Grade I-listed Rochdale Town Hall has also enabled it to offer unique experiences, with a recently launched private dining offer giving guests the chance to dine in the Mayor’s reception room.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and culture, said:
“When we spearheaded the restoration of the town hall, with the support for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we wanted every part of its operation to live up to this building’s grandeur and The Martlet Kitchen has delivered this in spades. To have our visitors place it among the top restaurants in operation is incredibly special and long may people enjoy this wonderful place.”