We all know Greater Manchester has a glowing – and ever-growing – food and drink scene, right?
Well, nothing proves that to be true more than the fact that a handful of the region’s best eateries, known and loved by residents all across Greater Manchester, have impressively been shortlisted in major categories at this year’s Deliveroo Restaurant Awards.
The leading food delivery service’s annual Restaurant Awards are a celebration of the best and most-loved restaurants up and down the country.
The highly-anticipated awards recognise Deliveroo’s most-popular local partners, from independent burger joints, to neighbourhood sushi restaurants, and all the dishes and flavours in between – and this year, a whopping NINE dining spots in Manchester and Salford have made the coveted shortlist for several accolades.
The popular restaurants feature in a wide range of categories, including ‘Best Chinese’, ‘Best Pizza’, and the all-important ‘Independent Restaurant of the Year’ award.
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Here’s all the nominees you need to know.
Deliveroo has announced its shortlist for its annual Restaurant Awards / Credit: The Manc Group
Regional Cuisine Awards
Best Chinese – Red Chilli, in Manchester
Best Pizza – Proove, in Manchester AND Double Zero Pizza, in Chorlton
Best Dessert – Frurt, in Manchester
Best Indian – Mughli, in Manchester
Best Burger – Burgerism, in Salford
Best Breakfast & Coffee – Ezra & Gil, in Manchester AND Federal Cafe and Bar, in Manchester
Best Japanese – Unagi Streetfood & Sushi, in Manchester
Independent Restaurant of the Year
25 restaurants from all across the UK are up for this year’s coveted ‘Independent Restaurant of the Year Award’, and Greater Manchester has two representatives.
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Burgerism, in Salford
Unagi Streetfood & Sushi, in Manchester
Nine of Greater Manchester’s best restaurants have made the cut / Credit: The Manc Group
Customer votes will determine five ‘Regional Restaurant of the Year’ winner, and then each of these eateries will be automatically entered into the final shortlist for the national ‘Independent Restaurant of the Year’ – which will be later judged by an esteemed panel.
Will Shu, who is both the founder and CEO at Deliveroo, says this year’s awards are “bigger and better” than ever before.
He continued: “The Restaurant Awards are designed to give our customers the chance to champion and celebrate the wealth of great food right on their doorstep, so get voting to see your favourite spots snap up the titles.”
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Voting for the awards is now open via the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards website, and participating customers are automatically entered into a prize draw to win £500 of app credit.
You’ve got until midnight on Sunday 21 January to get your votes in, and all the winners will be announced on Deliveroo’s social channels on Thursday 15 February, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled to see who claims to title.
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.