The winner of Uber Eats’ UK and Ireland Restaurant of the Year award for 2023 has now been announced – and it’s good news for Bristolians.
Bristol eatery Sandwich Sandwich beat thousands of independent businesses to take home the coveted £100,000 prize. And, looking at the menu, we can see why.
The eatery specialises in, you guessed it, sandwiches, but these monster buns are incomparable to the sad cheese sarnie you packed for lunch today.
Among the favourites, customers can enjoy a sweet potato hash sandwich filled with sweet potato pakora, hummus and pickled red onion, a chicken kiev option with breaded chicken, pilled bacon, garlic, parmesan and herby soft cheese, or overnight roasted sirloin of rare roast beef.
Hot meat sandwich stacks are available too, from hog roast to BBQ beef brisket to crispy battered cod, while flatbreads and salad boxes can also be ordered in-store or via Uber Eats.
Bake Off icon Prue Leith, one of the competition’s judges, described the menu as ‘fresh, full of flavour, healthy and extremely varied’.
The shortlist was decided through several rounds of public voting, after which national finalists took part in an intensive judging day, with Prue making the final decision alongside celeb chef Monica Galetti.
Josh Kleiner, owner at Sandwich Sandwich said: ‘It is difficult to put into words how much being announced as the winner of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards means to us. The process has been so exciting from start to finish and it has been incredible to take part alongside the other finalists.
‘Big shout out to our restaurant team back home in Bristol, our family and of course Uber Eats for the support in getting us to this moment. This investment will make our ambitions to grow as a family business a reality.’
Meanwhile, Dame Prue Leith, cook, restaurateur, TV presenter and author, commented: ‘I was hugely impressed by all of the finalists, and by the food they served on the judging day. That from Sandwich Sandwich was particularly imaginative, inventive and delicious.
‘I’m delighted to hear of their ambition to open additional restaurants. Their menu is fresh, full of flavour, healthy and extremely varied. There’s something for everyone on there.’
Alongside the grand prize, applications were opened for the 2024 Uber Eats Black Business Fund – which will see £250,000 of grants distributed to 25 Black-owned restaurants across the UK – and the awards recognised some of the country’s best restaurants dedicated to changing the face of the food industry.
The winners of the Uber Eats Pioneer and Innovator award categories were:
- Female Chef/Restaurateur of the Year: Natalie Francis from Doreen’s Kitchen, West Midlands
- Community Impact Award Restaurant of the Year: Taste from India, West Midlands
- Health-Focused Restaurant of the Year: EAT LEBO, Ruislip
- Sustainable Restaurant of the Year: ANSH, Cardiff
Judge Monica Galetti said: ‘Through these awards, we’re not only able to spotlight the dedication and passion elevating the culinary world but also inspire others to push the boundaries of the industry.’
Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year 2023 regional winners
London
Winner: Brorritos, Eltham
Runners up: What the Pitta, Eat Lebö, Skewd Kitchen, It’s All Greek To Me, Roti King, Tofu Vegan Gunpowder, Halo Burger
North East
Winner: Brack Burger, Newcastle
Runners up: Sibu Street Food, Chef Dokidoki, Farsley Fire & Smoke BBQ, Scream for Pizza, Acropolis, Brack Burger King, Baby Bagels, Sims Kitchen
South West
Winner: Sandwich Sandwich, Bristol
Runners up: Chilli Daddy, The Arjee Bhajee, Sandwich Sandwich, Streatwok Low and Slow Barbecue, Daily Noodles (from the founders of Woky Ko), Koocha Taylors, Bagels & Coffee, Cathay Rendezvous 满庭欢
North West
Winner: PICNIC, Liverpool
Runners up: Big Lola’s Caribou Poutine, Aros Kitchen, Nashville Cluck Burger & Co, Mughli Charcoal Pit, Salt & Pepper, Three Brothers
Wales
Winner: Haystack Cafe, Swansea
Runners up: Eat the bird (Cardiff), ANSH CYMRU, Poutine Box, Baba’s, Top Deck, The Pizza Boyz, Smokin Griddle (Swansea), Bashed UK
South East
Winner: Natty’s Jerk Kitchen, Portsmouth
Runners up: Baffi Mango, Thai Tapas, Need Street Food, Drgnfly, LostBoysLand, Carlito Burrito Social Board, Half Man! Half Burger!
Midlands and East Anglia
Winner: LYFBAR, Telford.
Runners up: Seoul Bowl, Doorstep Desserts, Grosvenor Fish Bar, Chainak, Taste From India, Doreen’s Kitchen, Asha’s TZATZIKI
Scotland
Winner: Big Manny’s, Aberdeen
Runners up: Razzo Pizza Napoletana, Jimmy’s Express 有口福, Mother India , Yippon Damasqino, Charcoals Bucks Bar, Salt & Chilli Oriental
Ireland
Winner: Locke Burger, Limerick
Runners up: Griolladh, The SpitJack (Bedford Row), Sambros, Chaat&Co., Kale+Coco, Dublin Pizza Co, Handsome Burger, SabaToGo
Northern Ireland
Winner: Seed, Belfast
Runners up: Eatao Asian Fusion, Pizza Guyz, Taste of India, Oggies Street, Dogs Street Kitchen, Sunnys Nu Delhi, Yosi Healthy Street Food
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