Deliveroo has just announced the finalists for this year’s Restaurant Awards – and an impressive 24 Manchester restaurants made the shortlist.
Manchester eatery Salt n Pepper has only just landed on the platform, but it’s already up for a best newcomer award this year.
Three Manchester restaurants were nominated for the best vegan award (Oowee Vegan, What the Pitta and Frost Burgers) and two for Restaurant of the Year (Proove pizza and Fat Hippo) whilst an absolute slew have been shortlisted for categories including Best Asian, Best Chinese, Best Sushi and Best Eco Friendly restaurant.
Zumu sushi is up for this year’s Best Sushi award / Image: Zumu sushi
Voted for by the Manchester public, the 24 restaurants listed below have beaten thousands of others across the UK after their popularity was put to a customer vote.
The first round of public voting saw over 50,000 people cast their vote, resulting in more than 600 hopefuls being reduced to 132 finalists Now, it’s up to Manchester locals to ensure their favourite wins – with just under two weeks to go until voting for awards closes on 18 October.
For 2021, Deliveroo has increased the number of award categories to help celebrate even more of its traders and ensure more restaurants can take home accolades after a rollercoaster year. In total, there are 22 trophies up for grabs – including the much-coveted Restaurant of the Year Award, which is voted for by a celebrity panel of judges still to be revealed.
New awards being introduced for 2021 include categories Best Essentials, Best Meals Under £10, Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Sushi, Best Kebab, Best Fine-dining Restaurant, Best Salads and Bowls.
Manchester’s What The PItta is up for the Best Vegan award / Image: What The Pitta
Repeat categories, meanwhile, include Best Burger, Best Pizza, Best Vegan Restaurant, Best Indian Restaurant and Best Eco-friendly Restaurant.
Speaking on this year’s awards, Deliveroo CEO Will Shu said: “Celebrating our incredible restaurant and grocery partners has never been more important.
“We are launching our third annual Deliveroo Restaurant Awards to shine a light on the very best food the UK and Ireland has to offer, from high-street favourites to local gems.
Image: Eatmcr
“With new categories, and over 45,000 restaurants and grocers in the running, this year’s awards will be bigger and better than ever. We’re calling on the public to celebrate their favourite local restaurants and grocers by casting your vote and supporting these great businesses.”
Winners will be announced at Deliveroo’s virtual awards ceremony on November 15th.
The full list of Manchester restaurants to make the shortlist is as follows:
Proove Pizza – Restaurant of the Year
Fat Hippo – Restaurant of the Year
Burgerism – Best Burger
Little Yang Sing – Best Chinese
Chinese Red Chilli 红辣椒 – 曼大店 – Oxford Rd – Best Chinese
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.
As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.
Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM
But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.
The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.
Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028.
GM is growing fast.
We will expand @BeeNetwork over the next decade to meet the needs of our bigger economy.
BUT
There’s a limit to what we can do on a congested surface.
It’s why I am asking TfGM to start planning for an underground for GM around a remodelled Piccadilly. pic.twitter.com/k2ozNWw6Wj
The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.
He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.
“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.
“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”
Georgina Pellant -
4th October 2021 
