Oldham residents vote for Michelin-star worthy restaurants

Residents have yet to see a Michelin-star restaurant set up shop on Oldham soil. 

The only one that's come close is The White Hart Inn at Lydgate which recently received a nod from Michelin judges - and has appeared in its recommended guide for two years.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

However, that's not to say Oldham is starved of fine dining and exquisite culinary experiences - and readers of The Oldham Times have been casting their votes for the places they consider a dining spot that is Michelin-star-worthy in their eyes.

Some restaurants received several votes meaning there are some clear stand-out favourites.

Here are the top five.

Stocco has been voted the best of the best (Image: Google Maps)

1. Stocco 

This authentic Italian restaurant on Yorkshire Street has been crowned the winner by readers, coming in with the most votes for a Michelin star.

Emma Bryer said it has "absolutely delicious food" and both Glenda Berg and Ann Smith said they "love it".

Grand Millon also received a lot of support from readers (Image: Google Maps)

2. Grand Millon

When it comes to a good quality Indian, Oldhamers can't get enough of the Grand Millon on Featherstall Road South.

More than 40 readers crowned it the best place in the borough for a curry in 2021 and now plenty consider it worthy of a Michelin recognition.

The Edge Steakhouse came in third place (Image: The Edge)

3. The Edge Lees

The steakhouse on High Street in Lees, which only opened in October last year, has also proved popular with many readers considering it their favourite dining spot.

Janet Smalley said: "The Edge has beautiful food and friendly staff."

The Old School BBQ Bus and The Old Original came in joint place (Image: Newsquest/Google Maps)

4. The Old School BBQ Bus and The Old Orignal

In joint fourth place with five recommendations each are Chadderton's taste of Texas, the Old School BBQ Bus on Alford Street, and Scouthead's The Old Original Inn on Thurston Clough Road, which not only passed its 300th birthday but is believed to be haunted, too.

The Old School BBQ Bus has not only caught the eye of Oldhamers but has built up a hefty trophy cabinet of awards and once appeared on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me: The Professionals where the team only narrowly missed out on bagging the top prize.

Mazzo in Royton is another popular Italian (Image: Mazzo)

5. Mazzo

Another Italian restaurant is deemed Michelin-star worthy by Oldhamers over on Radcliffe Street in Royton.

Mazzo, which opened a little over a year ago in December 2022, received four votes.

Honourable mentions

Honourable mentions which received three votes include Uppermill's Italian restaurant, Sorella, and three Indian eateries - Blue Tiffin and Khau Galli, both in Royton, and Lees Spice Lounge in Lees.

Blue Tiffin received an honourable mention (Image: Google Maps)

The Old Bell Inn, Delph, Valentino's in Oldham town centre and Istanblue Royton also received two votes each.

A further 14 said "none" when asked which restaurant is Michelin-star worthy in the borough.

Meanwhile, others took the chance to vote for their favourite takeaways with Florida Fried Chicken and KFC receiving the most votes (three each) and a kebab house, Oldham Star, was mentioned by another two.

Lees Spice Lounge and Khau Galli were also strong contenders (Image: Google Maps)

Elaine Mounsey said The Salt Cellar on Church Lane was her favourite place before it closed down in January 2022, writing: "We all miss The Salt Cellar. I used to love it."

Recent planning documents for the former Salt Cellar restaurant and the Grade II listed building it sat in show it will soon be converted into 15 flats.

Alex Wood simply said The Black Ladd pub in Shaw was Michelin-star worthy and our reporter recently visited the venue to take on its 'belly buster' breakfast challenge.

Our reporter Joe Yates took on the challenge (Image: Joe Yates, Newsquest)

There were too many restaurants which received just one vote from our readers to count.

However, Darren Ratcliffe had high praise for The Puckersley Inn, Royton, writing: "The head chef, Michael Joyce, prepares the most wonderful dishes and the service is just as good.

"Overall it is what I like to call, six star."

Samantha Jane cast her vote for Smoke Yard in Oldham town centre where its former head chef, Phil, has gone on to cook smash burgers for Cotton Mill Grill.

However, the future of the takeaway remains uncertain as the burger joint on Market Street in Shaw announced its closure earlier this week.

Zaraks Grill Lounge also received a vote after having won a blue ribbon in the Good Food Awards 2023.

It is one of Oldham's top dining spots according to TripAdvisor, too.

Clearly haunted places serve up the best (Image: Google Maps)

Chris Hudson said The Farrars Arms pub in Grasscroft deserved a star - which is also allegedly haunted.

George Thorneycroft also said the Halfway House in Royton is "brilliant" and gave it a "five star rating from me".

Meanwhile, Paul Murphy said Arumba, also in Royton, is "amazing".

Mr Murphy wrote: "Great bar and always a warm welcome." 

Got a restaurant you’d like us to review, a business shout-out or another story idea? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge