#FtLionAwards 2024 Newcomer of the Year shortlist
After the #FtLionAwards 2024 Best Steak of the Year (sponsored by 51* Cola, an exciting new drinks brand that is aiming to revitalise the UK’s declining cola market), we continue with a shortlist of the Best Newcomer of the Year.
15% OFF + FREE SAMPLES: While retailers and hospitality partners can contact NFC to experience the future of cola with free samples (email [email protected]), FtLion readers can enjoy an exclusive 15% off all orders through 51*‘s website using the code ‘FTL2024’ at checkout (valid 31 Jan 2025).CHIPSY
Perhaps the surprise package of all the restaurants reviewed this year was smokehouse Chipsy in London’s Hatch End for its astounding food and attention to detail.
While four dishes shortlisted in this year’s award, this fully Halal grill place has it all, with years of experience channelled into their first permanent restaurant. The smoked meats were some of the best we’ve ever had.
As such, not only is Chipsy the standard by which all other Halal smokehouses in London should be measured by, but it was also our first restaurant this year to score a perfect 5/5 rating!
GOLPO
Located in the historical city of Cambridge and on a mission to champion Bangladeshi cuisine, Golpo has a dessert up for contention.
Within less than a year, this place has acquired 650 five-out-of-five reviews on Tripadvisor, and was ranked third out of 367 restaurants in the city.
ONDE ONDE
With Malaysian restaurant Onde Onde in Kingston upon Thames have a starter and a main dish in for the running.
Although authentic Malay food has become more readily available across London, there aren’t too many good choices towards the west of London. Onde Onde is attempting to change that.
PARO
Paro is an Indian restaurant in Covent Garden just off the Strand on Wellington Street that’s run by the young 24-year-old Muslim Chef Niaz Caan.
With a starter having been nominated, Paro is a large and spacious eatery that’s defined by an elaborate sequence of colourfully-designed wall murals revolving around the Bengal tiger. This place is worth the visit for its competitive prices and an ambitious menu with plenty of scope for variety.
RIBEYE
Manchester’s Ribeye was #FtLionAwards 2022’s Best Restaurant of the year in 2022 with their 5/5 rated menu.
This time it’s Ribeye‘s new branch in Birmingham that is in with a shout. Having been rated 4.5/5, they have a good chance too with seven items shortlisted: two mocktails, a starter, a duo of mains, a seafood dish, and a steak.
URUMCHI
Having opened earlier this year in Central London’s Cosmo Place, Urumchi trumps all the Uyghur restaurants we’ve reviewed over the years.
With a drink, and that too an incredible tea, two mains, and a grill up for the running, not only could we not fault anything they served, but this was also our first Uyghur eatery to be rated a perfect 5/5.
