Oldhamers have had their say on which pubs, cafes, takeaways and restaurants are the best in the borough and deserve a Good Food Award.
The Good Food Awards celebrates the best of British cuisine and has earned its reputation as a respected authority in the food industry.
Since 2022, awards have been given out to eateries across the country in categories from specific products and hotels to cafes, fish and chips, takeaways and gastro pubs.
The Good Food Awards 2024/25 list is finally out to champion this year's round of winners, though has some disappointing results for Oldham.
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While Oldham's adored "taste of Texas" restaurant, The Old School BBQ Bus, rightfully secured an award in the takeaways category, and a "Blue Ribbon" for its high customer ratings and delicious dishes, it is the only restaurant in the borough to feature on the Good Food Awards' hefty list.
We asked readers of The Oldham Times to cast their votes for the restaurants, takeaways, pubs and cafes that they think deserve a Good Food Award, too.
Here are the results...
Best Oldham takeaway
Ree Ming takeaway, which serves up Chinese, fish and chips and other popular English dishes, received the most votes from readers.
The family-run business has been running for more than 50 years on Oldham Road in Royton - and residents think it's about time the takeaway is recognised with a Good Food Award.
Eva Lowe said Ree Ming has "amazing food" and "fantastic service" and is "always welcoming" with "always a good word" to say.
Runners up that residents gave a well-deserved shout-out to include Green Chilli, on Woodstock Green, and The British Kitchen on Market Street, Shaw.
Ian Watson cast his vote to Asia Thai Corner on Cromford Street, writing: "Best food in Oldham by a mile."
Other notable takeaways that readers mentioned were Partington Street Food, Digglre Chippy, Jade Gardens Chinese Takeaway, Ocean Palace, Yum Yums Caribbean Cuisine and Kebabish Peri Peri.
Best Oldham cafe
In first place as the best cafe in the borough with a whopping number of votes from readers is Clean Plate Kitchen on Silver Street, which only recently hit headlines for its "kindness" project that invites customers to support a stranger with a meal.
Yasmin Coates said the cafe deserves a Good Food Award "one hundred per cent", adding: "The girls do so much for their community and deserve every bit of recognition, not to mention their food is the best about".
Second place goes to Owl's Cafe on Dunkerley Street as Patrycja Szymczak said it is a "beautiful place for breakfast or lunch" and had "never been disappointed" while Lynda Jackson agreed that the cafe is "brilliant".
Walt's Brews & Bites on Market Street, Shaw, is also a popular choice as readers commented on the "great food", "fantastic service" and the "lovely couple" who run it.
Meanwhile, Ashley Thornton said Crofters Cafe on Knott Lanes is a "hidden gem" and Sharon Walton said Naughty but Nice on Market Street has "excellent food" at "very reasonable prices".
Stuart Ireland cast his vote for Rhode Island in Spindles, describing the cafe as "lovely" with "good food and a pleasant atmosphere".
Honourable mentions also go to Bru'd Awakenin's, Cafe Grill Royton, Whitebank Cafe, Cafe at Woodend Mill, Billingtons, Olive Tree Cafe, Refuel Cafe, Limekiln Cafe and The Gallery Grill.
Best Oldham restaurant
The Grand Millon on Featherstall Road was voted by many readers as their favourite restaurant in Oldham.
The Indian restaurant has been crowned the best place in the borough for a curry by our readers - and again as one of the top restaurants worthy of a Michelin star.
The restaurant received the most votes by a mile, however, readers also said Paprika Delight Indian Restaurant in Chadderton is another close favourite as Tracy Ann Heap nominated the Peel Street premises as "the best Indian around".
Sharon Wood agreed, writing: "100 per cent. Nice little place in Chadderton.
"Food is fantastic and every customer is treated as a person, not just a number like the larger surrounding places do.
"Also had home deliveries and the food tastes just as good, hot and fresh.
"Prices are great too."
Stocco Restaurant, an authentic Italian restaurant on Yorkshire Street, also received a healthy number of votes - which is another premises readers say should have a Michelin star to its name.
Though technically in Rochdale, La Scala on Oldham Road, received a lot of praise from diners as this Italian restaurant was described by Pauline Leviosa Harrison and Angela Collier as "fantastic" with great food, staff and a welcoming attitude to boot.
Ms Harrison added the owners, Fatos Mane and Erisa Mane, "deserve every accolade".
The Edge Steakhouse on High Street in Lees as well as Curio Food Co on Oldham Road, Royton, also received a handful of votes each.
Honourable mentions go to Blue Tiffin, Fresca Italian Restaurant, The Old Original Inn, Grains Bar Hotel, The Palm Restaurant, K's Lounge Bar, Grill and Indian Restaurant and Saffron Indian Restaurant.
Best Oldham pub serving food
The battle for the best gastropub in Oldham is yet to be decided as votes were split between The Puckersley Inn, on Narrowgate Brow, Royton, and The Halfway House, also in Royton on Rochdale Road.
Darren Ratcliffe said he cast his vote to The Pucksley Inn "because the chef, Michael Joyce is just the bestest chef in all the land".
The pub has also been our "Pub of the Week" and recently featured in CAMRA's "Good Beer Guide 2025".
Other pubs that received a good handful of votes all happened to sit in Denshaw, including The Printers Arms, which Lorrain Wolstencroft rated as five stars, The Kings Arms and The Ram's Head Inn.
The Roebuck Inn on Strinesdale was also voted a top spot for drinking and dining.
Other worthwhile mentions went to Britannia Tavern, Wagon Inn, The Three Crowns, The Spinners Arms, The Junction, The Bell Inn, Dysarts Arms and The White Lion.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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