By Robert Dalling
Uber Eats is turning up the heat on the Welsh food scene with the return of its hotly anticipated restaurant of the year awards. Ten restaurants are vying for the crown this year, and will be judged by a panel of some of the most recognisable names in food. These include Levi Roots, famed entrepreneur and musician; Clodagh McKenna, Irish celebrity chef and TV host; and last year鈥檚 standout winner, Natty Crutchfield, whose restaurant went from cult hit to national fame. Now in their fourth year, the awards aim to recognise the contributions of small and independently run restaurants to their local communities and the food industry. In 2025, one standout restaurant will be crowned overall restaurant of the year, winning 拢100,000 to invest in its growth. All finalists will also receive a 拢5,000 prize and a tailored support package from Uber Eats to help boost their businesses. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . In Wales, there are eight Cardiff restaurants in the running, one in Cwmbran, and one in Swansea. The nominees are as follows. This year, Uber Eats has launched 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 拢10,000 business development grant and support package. The new award will be judged by Seema Pankhania, content creator and author of best-selling cookbook, Craveable. General manager of Uber Eats UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, Matthew Price, said: 鈥淭he Restaurant of the Year Awards are not just celebrating restaurants, we鈥檙e 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.” The awards ceremony will take place in Here @ Outernet in London in 2025, where all regional winners will gather to celebrate their achievements, alongside media, industry leaders and special guests. Last year’s winner, Natty Crutchfield, said: 鈥淲inning restaurant of the year was life-changing. We鈥檝e grown faster than we ever imagined, and we鈥檙e proud to be part of a community that supports independent businesses.鈥 The public can nominate their favourite local restaurants by visiting the Uber Eats website by clicking here . Get Cardiff news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.