The present invention relates to a device (1) and method for manufacturing a food roll, such as a sushi roll. The device comprises a substantially rectangular mat (21) for the purpose of rolling up a quantity of rice, optionally with ingredients placed therein, in a roll-up direction. Further present is a lifting member (10) for lifting a part of the mat locally over the width of the mat. Two guide members which can be arranged on either side of the mat guide the lifting member during the forward movement, wherein the two guide members (2, 3) are adapted to guide the lifting member via a determined path (4, 5). The path comprises an enclosing section running from a starting point to a lower-lying end point so that, as the lifting member moves through the enclosing section, the filling material is enclosed by the mat. From the end point of the enclosing section a rolling section runs to an end point lying further away relative to the main end of the mat so that, as the lifting member moves through the rolling section, the filling material and the optionally present casing material are rolled up by the mat, so creating the food roll.