Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), sponsored by Uber Eats, has unveiled an extensive keynote and live demonstration lineup for its 2026 edition. Taking place on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March at Manchester Central, the event serves as the North’s leading hospitality trade show, bringing together over 400 exhibitors and more than 12,000 visitors. The 2026 programme is designed to provide hospitality professionals with actionable insights, featuring exclusive interviews and live sessions from some of the industry’s most influential figures.
Day one begins with The State of the North keynote, where NIQ’s Karl Chessell will explore how the region is driving hospitality growth nationwide. This is followed by an interview with Allen Simpson, CEO of UKHospitality, regarding government lobbying for a fairer system for operators. Will Beckett, CEO of Hawksmoor, will also share his experience on the brand’s expansion across the UK, US, and Ireland.
The first day continues with the Heading North Panel, featuring Caravan CEO Laura Harper-Hinton, and an interview with two-Michelin-starred chef Kenny Atkinson about his career journey and new London venture, Solaya. Chef Live sessions will include demonstrations from northern talent such as Ahmed Abdalla (The Grand, York) and Minal Patel (Prashad). In the Pub & Bar Theatre, the BII’s Steve Alton and Club Soda’s Laura Willoughby MBE will lead discussions on industry challenges and the rise of alcohol-free opportunities. The day concludes with the Kuits NRB Top 50, which celebrates the most influential operators in the region.
Day two opens with a high-profile session titled Feeding the Mounjaro Generation. Presented by KAM founder Katy Moses, the keynote examines how the 1.5 million Brits now using weight-loss drugs are reshaping social habits and forcing a rethink of restaurant menus, portions, and pricing.
Additional sessions on day two include the Restaurant Marketing Leaders Panel with representatives from Dishoom, Mission Mars, and Blacklock, as well as the Restaurant Operations Leaders panel featuring Bundobust, Big Mamma Group, and Brunning & Price. The day also includes a Hospitality Leaders Panel focusing on sustainability and inclusivity, and a New Openings Panel exploring the strategies behind successful hospitality launches. Chef Live demonstrations continue with Paul Durand (Manifest) and Mary Ellen McTague (Pip), while the Pub & Bar Theatre explores the role of music in driving hospitality and the changing definition of a pub.
The 2026 show is co-located with lunch! NORTH, a dedicated event for the café and food-to-go sector. Free tickets are available for hospitality trade professionals via the official event website.
