Uber Eats is turning up the heat on the UK & Ireland food scene with the return of its hotly anticipated Restaurant of the Year Awards. Back for its fourth year, the 2025 edition introduces a game-changing new category spotlighting rising hospitality stars under 27—and keeps the stakes high with a £100,000 prize for the Restaurant of the Year.
Joining the judging panel are some of the most recognisable names in food culture today: Levi Roots, famed entrepreneur and musician; Clodagh McKenna, Irish celebrity chef and TV host; and last year’s standout winner Natty Crutchfield, whose restaurant went from cult hit to national fame.
Now in its fourth year, the awards recognise the incredible contributions of small and independently run restaurants to their local communities and the food industry. In 2025, one standout restaurant will be crowned Restaurant of the Year, winning £100,000 to invest in their growth. All finalists will also receive a £5,000 prize and a tailored support package from Uber Eats to help boost their business.
This year, Uber Eats is proud to launch the Next Gen Trailblazer Award, a brand-new honour designed to spotlight hospitality entrepreneurs under the age of 27 who are innovating, inspiring, and disrupting the food scene. The winner will receive a £10,000 business development grant and support package. The new award will be judged by Seema Pankhania, Content Creator and celebrated author of the best-selling cookbook Craveable.
Matthew Price, General Manager of Uber Eats UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, said, “The Restaurant of the Year Awards are not just celebrating restaurants, we’re investing in the future of food. The new Next Gen Trailblazer Award is a bold step in backing the young innovators who are rewriting the rules of hospitality”.
Uber Eats is once again inviting the public to nominate their favourite local restaurants via ubereatsawards.com. With over 130 restaurants vying for the top spot, this year’s competition promises fierce culinary showdowns, community-driven passion, and the chance for underdog eateries to rise to national prominence.
In addition to the grand prize, Uber Eats will be recognising restaurants and individuals across five Trailblazer categories:
- Women in Food Award
- Climate Impact Award
- Healthy Eats Award
- Social Impact Award
- Next Gen Award
Over 60% of restaurants on the Uber Eats platform are small or medium-sized businesses, and last year’s winner, Natty’s Jerk in Portsmouth, has launched new locations and gained national recognition since being crowned Restaurant of the Year last October.
“Winning Restaurant of the Year was life-changing,” said Natty Crutchfield, 2024 winner.
“We’ve grown faster than we ever imagined, and we’re proud to be part of a community that supports independent businesses.”
The awards ceremony will take place in Here @ Outernet in London in 2025, where all regional winners and trailblazers will gather to celebrate their achievements, alongside media, industry leaders and special guests.
For more information or to nominate a restaurant, visit ubereatsawards.com
