29 Dec '20

#FtLionAwards 2020 Restaurant of the Year shortlist

After the #FtLionAwards 2020 Best Newcomer of the Year (proudly sponsored by the UK’s original Karak Chai brand and award-winning restaurant Chaiiwala®), we come to our last category and the Best Restaurant of the Year.

Of course, not only do you have the chance of voting for your favourite on our Instagram and Facebook pages, but you’ll also be entered into a prize draw, with three people chosen at random on 1st January 2021 to win x4 BREAKFAST VOUCHERS (sent via post) redeemable at any Chaiiwala® branch across the UK (T&C’s apply).

So we want you to either: 1) vote for the following nominees, or 2) let us know of your favourite restaurant this year, all on our Facebook and/or Instagram pages.

BALANS

VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram

Balans in London Westfield have done really well with two drinks, a main, a pair of desserts, a grill dish, and a burger up for awards this year. It’s therefore unsurprising that we’ve rated them a very high 4.5/5.

BRONEK'S INTERNATIONAL FISH CUISINE

VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram

Of all the restaurants we’ve reviewed this year, Bronek’s International Fish Cuisine in Northfields, west London, is probably the one that surprised us the most. Being a seafood place, it has a main dish up for contention; but truth be told, this eatery was, with so many of its dishes, albeit fish based, consistently good. So good in fact that we rated it a 4.5/5.

FLESH & BUNS

VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram

Flesh & Buns in London’s Oxford Circus was another brand who, given its unique Nikkei cuisine, has a variety dishes that have been shortlisted. These include a beverage, a starter, a veggie dish, a main, a seafood plate, and a dessert, which is quite something. Truth be told, if it wasn’t for a few items, they would have scored a perfect 5/5. However, they too scored an impressive 4.5.

MAISON BAB

VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram

With eight out of ten items all designated “recommended”, with a duo of drinks and mains, and a starter in the mix, Maison Bab in London’s Covent Garden only became the fourth restaurant we’ve reviewed to score that perfect 5/5. No matter what happens this year, their inclusivity in offering Halal lamb and chicken, that’s all stored, prepped and cooked, with rigorous procedures and practices in place, to ensure zero cross-contamination, is a credit to them.

RAMO RAMEN

VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram

Ramo Ramen in London Camden is a very unique place. It only happens to be the first ramen restaurant to offer a fully Halal food menu. And what a memorable menu it was too with not one but two of its ramens being nominated for best main and seafood award. In addition, they put up a cracking starter followed by a dessert. 4.5/5!

TURPAN

VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram

Turpan has the distinction of being Central London’s first genuine Uyghur eatery restaurant. Having again been rated 4.5/5, they are currently up for the Best Newcomer of the Year award; and are now gunning for best restaurant too with a mains dish having been nominated.