Three Merseyside restaurants are in the running to be named the best in the North West in Uber Eats' annual Restaurant of the Year Awards. The shortlist includes some of the region's most popular cult favourites.
Now in its fifth year, the awards recognise the contributions of small and independently run restaurants to their local communities and the food industry. This year, two special anniversary categories are included as Uber Eats celebrates its 10th birthday in the UK.
The gamechanger and titan trailblazer awards
The gamechanger award recognises a best-in-class, medium-sized restaurant that has had a huge impact on the food industry over the past five years. The titan trailblazer award recognises a restaurant or individual that has made a meaningful impact on their community over the past five years.
The Merseyside contenders
Bubba's Trap Kitchen, with sites on Liverpool's Smithdown Road and Birkenhead's Oxton Road, is one of the contenders. Abs Maher, Moe Ahmed and Lloyd King started the brand during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. It has since surged in popularity, gaining more than 40,000 followers on Instagram. Menu highlights include the BBQ chicken box and salt n pepper box.
ZEZU, a Liverpool 8 takeaway offering Asian fusion food, is also shortlisted. Ali Khan (aka Mr ZEZU) started ZEZU Liverpool with his brother-in-law Fad Hassan in 2023, and it quickly became a much-loved staple of Lodge Lane in Toxteth. They aimed to offer customers a new flavour and taste beyond the normal burger and wraps.
The final Merseyside contender is Nashville Cluck, a highly celebrated chicken shop. It opened in October 2022 on Myrtle Street, near the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, before expanding to the Baltic Market and Townfield Lane, Wirral. The business aimed to create the 'perfect' chicken burger, and its small team went from selling 500 burgers a week to outselling US fast food giant McDonald's in Liverpool.
Prize and voting
The winner will receive a £100,000 prize for the business, with £25,000 and £10,000 cash prizes for second and third place respectively for the first time. Public voting is now open.
