Making their way through the mythical woods of Trollskogen, they look in wonder.
The only things that stop them begging to return immediately to the top of the run are a log cabin serving hot chocolate near an open fire — and an open-air theatre with a dance show featuring the resort’s mascot, Snowman Valle.
Aside from it being wonderfully child-friendly, one of the best things about Salen is how quickly you can get there.
The resort, in west-central Sweden, near the Norwegian border, is just a two-hour flight from the UK then a ten-minute transfer.
Within an hour of landing at the airport, we had dumped our bags, got completely kitted out — including with ski pass, part of our deal from operator Sunweb — and were gliding down the pistes.
All of this was made even easier by our 4H “ski in and ski out” SkiStar Lodge apartment hotel, which has everything you could wish for within a short walk, from ski school, ski rental and sledging hill, to luxury spa, restaurants, playroom, creche and supermarket.
Salen is generally suited more to beginner and intermediate skiiers. But with 101 runs, including some nice off-piste, back-country routes, and a 45-degree black run called The Wall, there is enough to keep even the most advanced occupied.
If you are looking for an alternative to downhill skiing or boarding, the area also offers dog-sled rides, Ski-Doo snowmobile trails, and superb cross-country skiing.
After a tiring day on the mountain you can simply slide back to the hotel — which has a vast storage room for all your gear — and head to the bar for authentic Swedish apres ski.
Yes, that means Abba songs, as well as lots of sing-along tunes for the kids — while they energise on their slush puppies with marshmallows, and the adults relax with a beer and bowls of hot, salty chips.
Another great way to unwind after all that exertion on the mountain is the on-site Frost Spa, where you can look at the ski slopes from a steaming outdoor pool, relax in two tingling-hot Jacuzzis, melt away in the sauna and steam rooms, and get a Swedish massage — before a drink at the bar.
Salen also comprises the busier Lindvallen ski area — 20 minutes away on the free bus — where you can grab a burger and chips in the world’s one and only ski-thru McDonald’s.
SkiStar Lodge apartment hotel has everything you could wish foCredit: SuppliedThe SkiStar Experium fun pool has a surf simulatorCredit: SuppliedHave fun skiing in the perfect snowCredit: Supplied
Lindvallen also has a ten-pin bowling alley, arcade and the SkiStar Experium fun pool with surf simulator and two exciting waterslides for the kids to go wild in.
At day’s end, back at the hotel, the children can also enjoy free table tennis, pool and shuffleboard until they are ready to drop.
And when they are finally tucked up in bed, adults can settle down in front of the apartments’ giant TVs and watch Frozen or listen to Abba songs.
Just Gimme, gimme, gimme another Swedish ski holiday.
GO: SALEN
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Eight-day ski packages to the 4H SkiStar Lodge Lindvallen start from £918pp including flight from the UK and based on two sharing.
Price includes skipass and is based on 2025/26 season.
AS I look down into the valley below, I spot the unmistakable outline of the Golden Arches gleaming in the snow.
Peeling off my gloves, I unlock my phone screen and hit the McDonald’s app, ordering two Happy Meals, a Big Mac and a McChicken sandwich.
Alex West at the world’s only McSki in Sweden’s LindvallenCredit: Supplied
I’ve never seen my children ski as quickly as they did to the hatch to collect our order.
The world’s only McSki in Sweden’s Lindvallen, is decked out like an Alpine chalet with stone and wood features and can seat up to 170 people.
It offers all the same menu items that can be found in other McDonald’s around the world and the prices are comparable to back home in England – with main meals costing around £7.
GEN Z are killing off terms like ‘grub,’ ‘sarnie,’ and ‘pop’ – in favour of ‘scran,’ ‘sub,’ and ‘soda.’
A poll of 2,000 adults has revealed how younger adults are driving a generational shift in food language – from breakfast to dinner.
5
Terms like ‘sandwich’ and ‘tea’ are on the decline as Gen Z come up with new ways to name their favourite foods and drinks
5
Bread rolls were found to have many varied-terms to describe it
Using ‘tea’ to refer to the evening meal, ‘nosh’ to talk about food generally, and ‘cuppa’ for a hot drink are also out of favour among under-29s, along with ‘squash.’
While the term ‘sandwich’ is also in decline, with younger adults adopting American-inspired terms such as ‘hoagie’ and ‘hero’ Instead.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s UK&I, which commissioned the research to mark the launch of its new RSPCA assured pork patty Sausage Sandwich on the Saver Menu, said: “Language is constantly evolving, and food slang is no exception.”
The study also found the biggest influence on Gen Z’s food language is their family, which holds greater sway than the local area they grew up in and social media, which came second and third respectively.
Interestingly, more than any other age group, 49% of Gen Z also believe they use a greater number of regional food words than other generations do.
With nearly half (49%) claiming to use them ‘very often’ or ‘often.’
Across all ages, the main barriers to using regional slang include not hearing it enough in conversation (28%) or believing others won’t understand (17%).
However, 40% are curious to know what unfamiliar regional food terms mean, with 18% looking them up online.
Overall, the research, carried out through OnePoll, found 70% believe regional food terms – whether they relate to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or specific foods or drinks – should be preserved as part of cultural heritage, even if they are declining in popularity.
One of the biggest regional variations was what people call a bread roll.
5
Some of the new food terms used by Gen Z are influenced by America words
While the term was number one for all regions, ‘cob’ is popular among those living in the West and East Midlands (21% and 42%).
And ‘Barm’ is commonplace in the North West (26%), with Fam‘teacake’ frequently used in Yorkshire and Humber (18%).
The spokesperson for McDonald’s added: “Our Sausage Sandwich is already sparking its own naming debates – burger or sandwich.”
Although the research suggests a strong preference – when shown an image of this menu item, 76% of those polled described it as a ‘burger,’ with just 24% opting for ‘sandwich.’
FOOD TERM TRENDS TO KNOW ABOUT
10 FOOD TERMS IN DECLINE:
Tea – to refer to the evening meal Cuppa – to refer to a cup of tea Squash – to refer to a drink made with water and cordial Pop – to refer to a carbonated drink Sandwich – to refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between Sarnie – to also refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between Roll – to refer to the small, oblong individual loaf of bread Bap – to also refer to the small, oblong individual loaf of bread Grub – to refer to food generally Nosh – to also refer to food generally
10 FOOD TERMS ON THE RISE:
Hoagie – to refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between Supper – to refer to the evening meal Juice – to refer to a drink made with water and cordial Sub – to refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between Doorstep – to refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between Scran – to refer to food generally Snap – to refer to food, usually lunch Piece – to refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between Soda – to refer to a carbonated drink Hero – to refer to the food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between
5
Food terms for Gen Z were found to be primarily influence by family members
5
A survey of 2000 adults found that Gen Z are adopting major changes in the way they term foods and drinks
The morning meal comes with a pork patty and melted cheese, and can be topped with either ketchup or brown sauce.
It will cost £1.99, although you can get a selected drink with the sandwich as a bundle deal for £2.99.
The new item will be on the Saver Menu alongside six other breakfast choices including hash browns (£1.59), porridge pots (£1.69) and apple slices (79p).
Other items on the list include a cheesy bacon flatbread for £1.99 and apple or orange Tropicana juice for £1.89.
Remember, if you want to try the new sandwich you’ll need to head to your local McDonald’s before 11am as that’s when breakfast is served until.
The fast food chain has made plenty of changes to its breakfast menu in the past.
Last year, it brought back the popular Breakfast Wrap after it was axed in January 2022.
Luckily for fast food fans, it’s still on the menu for now.
More menu changes
Maccas changes its menu every few weeks to keep things fresh for customers.
Its latest menu drop was on September 10, when it brought back favourites including the Philly Cheese Stack and Mozzarella Dippers.
Plus, the Chicken Big Mac was added to the menu.
But other items were axed, including the Chilli Cheese Bites, Steakhouse Stack, Big Tasty and Spicy Chicken McNuggets.
DINERS who were rushed to hospital after an “excruciating” meal suspect one ingredient was the cause of their torment.
After tucking into a family meal at the Dosa Kingss eaterie in Sale, Manchester, on September 6, 11 diners had to be treated by medics.
1
Cops were called to Dosa Kingss following reports diners had been taken illCredit: Handout
A massive emergency response was sparked by the incident with fire crews, police and paramedics called to the chaotic scene.
Customers inside the restaurant became violently unwell after eating some of the food on offer and have now blamed one ingredient for the disastrous dinner.
The incident sparked a Greater Manchester Police investigation.
Two of the 11 diners suffered severe reactions to the food and had to be hospitalised while several others were treated inside the restaurant.
Police said a number of people were treated for “minor reactions” to the dodgy food.
One of the lines of inquiry being probed blames yams for the diners illness.
Some types of the root vegetable can contain toxins that can be harmful if undercooked.
It is believed to have been part of one of the dishes served from the restaurant’s set menu.
The exact cause of the violent reaction to the food has yet to be confirmed.
One diner, Amrita Kapadia, who was dining with her young son and her family at the restaurant, was among the customers served the food.
Emergency at Dosa Kingss: eight diners fall ill at Manchester restaurant
She said the Aviyal, which is a thick stew of mixed vegetable, contained yams.
Amrita was one of the two diners to be hospitalised after the meal made her feel like she was “chewing glass.”
She claims the food left her suffering a severe reaction with her mouth and throat burning.
She was unable to speak following the “frightening” ordeal and said it felt as though she had been “stung by bees.”
Amrita told Manchester Evening News: “The table next to us started complaining that something was stinging or spicy in their mouths.
“The restaurant folks brought them water and, while that was going on, two of us at our table of five had the same dish at the same time, which was a mixed vegetable dish called Aviyal.
“As soon as we ate it, we had this stinging sensation in our mouths. It was like chewing glass, it was excruciating. It felt like I had been stung by bees it was just so painful.
“We couldn’t taste anything and our tongues went bizarre. The sensation travelled to our gums, cheek and throats.”
Before her own situation deteriorated further, Amrita instructed her son, who thankfully avoided any serious reaction to the food, to stop eating immediately.
Diners began to call 999 and ask for paramedics to be sent as they began to lose the ability to speak and felt paralysed.
The harrowing ordeal left diners with increased heart rates, dizziness, pain and swelling.
Amrita was hospitalised for four hours after she was given two shots of adrenaline that did nothing to combat her extreme symptoms by paramedics.
She received a form from Trafford Council to complete detailing what each member of the party had consumed.
Police remained at the scene for hours after the incident as their investigation got underway.
The scale of the emergency response sparked fears of a serious gas leak which was quickly ruled out by the probe.
Dosa Kingss posted a brief statement on social media following the chaos.
It reads: “Dear valued customers, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are temporarily closed.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and truly appreciate your understanding and support. We look forward to serving you again.”
A spokesperson for GMP previously stated: “At around 12.40pm today (6 September), we received a report of people becoming unwell at a restaurant on Northenden Road, Sale.
“Emergency services quickly attended and several people were treated at the scene for minor reactions. Enquiries into the incident are currently ongoing.”
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES?
APPROXIMATELY 44 per cent of people in Britain have an allergy or allergic disorder of some kind, says the charity Allergy UK.
Rates are higher in under-35s and lowest in pensioners.
The most common food allergies, according to the NHS, are:
Cow milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts
Soy beans, chickpeas and peas
Shellfish
Wheat
You may be allergic to a food if it makes you feel dizzy, lightheaded, sick or itchy, brings you out in hives or swollen lips or eyes, or causes diarrhoea, vomiting, a runny nose, cough, breathlessness or wheezing.
It is set to open its doors late in 2026, as the first of several restaurants planned to come to London.
Expected to be a site with bold signage and high visibility in the centre of Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, the new branch will fit right into its vibrant West End location.
Opening at 21-22 Coventry St, it will be right amidst the nightlife, entertainment, theatre and shopping district.
Raising Cane’s loyal fanbase in the States have loved its “Craveable Chicken Finger Meals” and five core menu products.
These include its iconic Crispy Chicken Fingers, that are said to be have been marinated for more than 24 hours, and hand-breaded.
There is also Buttery Cane’s toast, which is an American classic of thick-sliced white bread that is spread with butter and then grilled until golden or crispy “to perfection”.
Another staple is the Crunchy Coleslaw which is described to be hand-mixed and made fresh.
Raising Cane’s Closes 849 Locations on Easter for Family Time!
And finally, their Crispy crinkle-cut fries that are served hot and salted.
There is also Cane’s Sauce that is iconic to the restaurant, and has been awarded the number one “most craveable sauce” in the restaurant industry, along with its chicken.
The addition of Raising Cane’s to London’s Piccadilly Circus will mean it joins some other globally iconic locations that the restaurant chain can be found, including Times Square and the Las Vegas Strip.
As is tradition with the fast food restaurant, it will also feature curated memorabilia and decor to pay homage to the location’s community, history and icons in London.
10
Raising Cane’s plans to open several branches in London in the futureCredit: Raising Canes
10
Raising Cane’s sauce and chicken has been named #1 most craveableCredit: Raising Canes
10
Cynthia Erivo can be seen enjoying the crinkle cut friesCredit: Raising Canes
Raising Cane’s co-CEO and COO AJ Kumaran said: “Bringing Raising Cane’s to the UK has been a dream of ours for many years and we’re excited to officially open the doors to our UK flagship late next year.
“We love the vibrant and eclectic atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus and are looking forward to marking this milestone with a flagship in the heart of London.
“With more than 950 restaurants across the US and Middle East, Europe presents an excellent expansion opportunity as we embark on this next phase of growth, and we’re excited to begin that growth with the UK.”
Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 in Louisiana by Todd Graves, who wanted to present a Chicken Finger-focused concept.
“The Mothership” first restaurant opened in Baton Rouge in Louisiana, which Graves built by hand and it still stands today.
He said: “When I started Raising Cane’s 29 years ago, I never imagined we’d grow to where we are today as we announce our expansion into the UK with the opening of our UK flagship in iconic Piccadilly Circus.
“The demand from our customers and fans in the UK has been incredible and I can’t wait to show London what we’re all about.”
10
Restaurants are known to honour the location they are in with memorabilia and decorCredit: Raising Canes
10
A number of branches are located in iconic places around the States and soon the UKCredit: Raising Canes
10
Chance the Rapper stopped by a Raising Cane’s in WrigleyvilleCredit: Getty
WHETHER it’s fish and chips, a fry-up or afternoon tea and cake, British diets are pretty calorific.
And all that fat, sugar and salt is having a serious impact on our waistlines, with almost one in three of us considered obese.
6
Use another country’s way of eating to help you lose weightCredit: PA
That might seem pretty high, but it’s actually considerably lower than the 43 per cent obesity rate in the United States.
Even Australia trumps the UK at 32 per cent, and these figures don’t even account for the people who are simply overweight.
Around the world, each country has its own way of eating; some contain lots of processed foods, while others enjoy more vegetables or have a focus on fish and meat.
Often, these diets have a huge influence on the population’s body mass index (BMI) – a way of measuring if you’re a healthy weight.
A score between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy, 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30-plus is obese.
Many of us think of obesity as just being fat, but it’s actually increasingly being recognised as a chronic, complex disease.
“Fat is what gives a sense of fullness in a meal,” says Lucia Stansbie, registered nutritional therapist.
“When we eat fat, hormones telling the brain to stop eating are released, making a full fat yogurt more satisfying that a zero per cent one, so you end up needing to eat less.
“Many low fat foods have added sugars and emulsifiers to recreate the same texture of full fat foods, making them ultra processed foods (UPFS).”
Research published in the journal Current Nutrition Reports identified UPFs as being a key driver of obesity.
6
The French, who have an 11 percent obesity rate love cheese – but they go for full-fatCredit: Getty
In France, all-day grazing is a no-no – so much so, that snack products often contain a warning on the packet which says, “for your health, avoid snacking between meals”.
“Snacks can be the downfall of all diets as they can be very calorie-dense,” says Lucia.
“And if they’re sugar-rich, they can lead to a sugar high followed by a crash so more snacks are needed to pick yourself up.
“Eating a proper meal that fills you up until your next one is the best strategy.”
Instead of having a plain, low-carb, low-calorie vegetable salad for lunch to manage your weight, enjoy a meal with a source of protein, some carbs and healthy fats to keep you full until dinner time.
“This is better than being really hungry a few hours after lunch and craving a high calorie snack,” says Jess Hillard, nutritionist at Warrior.
Try some spicy chicken with sweet potato mash, avocado and a vinaigrette.
If you like wine… eat like the Italians
Obesity rate: 22 per cent
ALTHOUGH alcohol can pack in some serious calories, you don’t have to go teetotal to lose weight.
Instead, go for quality booze, in moderation, alongside food.
“In Italy, people don’t drink on an empty stomach,” says Lucia.
“Doing so leads to sugar spikes and then sugar crashes, so we eat quick-release carbs such as crisps or sweets to get our energy back.”
One way to flatten this spike is eating a decent meal.
The size of serving plates in Italy are also smaller than the standard UK plates so smaller portions are eaten
Lucia StansbieNutritional therapist
Lucia adds: “In Italy, there is a big focus on quality and taste.
“People don’t drink a cheap bottle of wine to get drunk. Instead, they match a nice glass of wine with the meal they are having.
“Culturally, getting drunk and excessive drinking are frowned upon.
“This makes a massive difference in the amount of alcohol that is consumed.”
Italian mealtimes are also leisurely. Rather than wolfing down lunch at a desk while frantically working on a deadline, Italians eat mindfully.
“Mindful eating leads to eating slower and feeling fuller sooner, while eating while distracted – such as while working or watching TV – will lead to less satisfaction and mindlessly eating bigger amounts of foods or looking for snacks,” says Lucia.
6
Olive oil is the main fat used in Italy, where only 22 per cent of the population is obeseCredit: Getty
Don’t forget to add olive oil – the main fat used in Italy – to your meals too.
A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that fat loss was approximately 80 per cent higher for participants who included 25ml of extra virgin olive oil in their diet compared to those who didn’t.
Lucia adds: “The size of serving plates in Italy are also smaller than the standard UK serving plates, so smaller portions are eaten.”
Why not try swapping your dinner plates for side plates or pasta bowls? You’ll be forced to reduce your portion!
If you love carbs… eat like the Japanese
Obesity rate: 5 per cent
DESPITE popular belief, carbohydrates are certainly not the devil when it comes to weight loss.
Not only could they actually help you slim down, they could even help you live longer.
Japan is home to Okinawa – a ‘blue zone’, where many people live to 100 and beyond.
Their diet? An estimated 10:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, according to a study in the journal Age and Ageing – yes, that’s 10 times as much carbs as protein!
While you definitely shouldn’t turn your back on protein, you shouldn’t fear carbs.
Longevity tips from the Blue Zones
The Blue Zones are five regions across the world where people regularly live to the ripe old age of 100, largely thanks to their diets and daily habits.
The term was coined by author and National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, who made a name for himself studying the world’s longest living people.
The Blue Zones include Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy and Loma Linda in California.
According to Dan, inhabitants of these swear by nine lifestyle tips.
Dubbed the ‘Power 9’, the longevity guru argued that they can provide “instructions and clues for how we can set up our lives to live longer”.
They include:
Moving naturally rather than going to the gym
Having a purpose in iife
Keeping stress to minimum with naps and happy hours
Stopping eating before you’re full
Eating mostly plants
Drink no more than two glasses of wine a day and never bingeing
Belonging to a community, faith-based or not
Putting your loved ones first
Keeping a social circle that supports healthy behaviours
But Lucia says the type of carbs you choose will make a huge difference.
“Wholegrains have a higher fibre content, which means that the sugar spike won’t be so high, while white carbs are devoid of all fibre,” she adds.
“The body can manage a maximum of 4g of sugar in the blood at a time; the excess will be stored either in the liver as glycogen or as abdominal fat.
“Eat slow release carbs – such as wholegrains – and pair them with fibre (such as vegetables), proteins (such as meat, fish and eggs) and fats (such as avocado, olive oil and nuts) to ensure a slow release of sugar in the blood system for sustained energy and weight management.”
6
Tuck into seafood and cut back on red meat.
“Fish and seafood are excellent sources of protein,” says Lucia.
“Just 100g of fish has, on average, the same amount of protein as 100g of meat but fewer calories.
“Oysters are the richest source of zinc. People with diabetes, which is often linked to obesity, tend to have lower zinc levels.
“Plus, fish and shellfish are sources of iodine, a mineral essential for thyroid function, and suboptimal function can lead to increased weight and fatigue.”
If you love chocolate… eat like the Swiss
Obesity rate: 14 per cent
LINDT, Toblerone, Nestlé – some of the best chocolate in the world comes from Switzerland.
So how can such a chocolate-filled nation remain so slim?
Along with an active lifestyle, Jess says that listening to your body is key.
“Ignoring cravings makes you want them even more and binge on them eventually,” she says.
“Have a balanced meal before the chocolate you’re craving.
“If you still want some chocolate, break off a few squares and put the rest of the bar away.”
6
Eat like the Swiss, who have a 14 per cent obesity rate, and enjoy chocolateCredit: Getty
Depriving yourself will only make you want it more and make you more likely to scoff the whole bar!
The Swiss also love their oily fish.
“Oily fish contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA,” Jess says.
“These are excellent for brain health and they’ve been found to reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Aim for two portions of fish per week. One of these should be oily, such as salmon, mackerel or sardines.”
Aim for two fists of vegetables, one palm full of carbohydrates and one palm of protein. Any fats should be thumb-size
Jess HillardNutritionist
Omega-3s have been found to potentially help with fat loss.
In a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, adults given 4g of fish oil per day lost 0.5kg of body fat and built more muscle than those who were not given fish oil.
Plus, research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that incorporating fish into one meal a day as part of a weight loss regime was more effective than the regime on its own.
“Fish’s high oil content keeps you fuller for longer as well as helping to decrease inflammation in the body,” says Jess.
Inflammation can lead to health problems, including chronic inflammation, which can even cause the body to hold onto fat, especially visceral fat which sits around your organs.
If you struggle to eat your five-a-day… eat like the Vietnamese
Obesity rate: 2 per cent
NOODLE soups, grilled meats, broths and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are the order of the day in Vietnam, which boasts an incredibly low obesity rate.
Most dishes are delicious, yet nutritious – so you don’t even notice how much veg you’ve eaten.
“Vegetables are filled with fibre which will keep you fuller for longer,” says Jess.
“They also contain few calories as well as high levels of vitamins and minerals, particularly non-starchy vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, peas and leafy greens.
“Having a nutrient rich diet won’t just ‘stop cravings’ for high fat and/sugary foods.
“You will feel fuller after meals, meaning you won’t feel the need for these foods as much.”
6
Pho, a healthy Vietnamese staple, might be how the country has a two per cent obesity rateCredit: Getty
She recommends filling half your plate with veg at every meal, and to make sure your veggies retain their nutrients, choose steaming over boiling or frying.
Research published in the journal Nutrition & Food Science found that when steamed, vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and lettuce lose nine to 15 per cent of their vitamin C content.
The Vietnamese way of eating is an easier way to get these veggies into meals – you can buy noodle soup kits in supermarkets to try at home.
Compared to many western countries, Vietnam’s portions are also fairly moderate.
Practising portion control is simple and can be done using just your hands.
“Aim for two fists of vegetables, one palm full of carbohydrates and one palm of protein,” says Jess.
“Any fats, such as oils, butter and cheese, should be thumb-size.”
Sanjugo is a Japanese sushi restaurant with three locations across LondonCredit: Instagram
4
Taqis Grill in Birmingham is known for its tasty burgers and doner kebabsCredit: Instagram
4
Low and Slow in Bristol cooks its meats for up to 20 hours to get the perfect textureCredit: Instagram
4
Burg N Ice serves up smash burgers, crispy chicken tenders and plenty of sweet treatsCredit: Instagram
Takeaway fans have been voting for their favourite restaurant to claim the top prize, which will be announced later this year.
A total of 130 restaurants originally made the nominations list.
Now one takeaway from each region has been selected to have a shot of becoming the overall winner.
These are the finalists:
London – Sanjugo
Yorkshire – Silver’s Deli
Scotland: YAYAS
North West: Burg N Ice
North East: Sushi Me Rollin’
West Midlands: Taqi’s Grill
Wales: Sharkbite Burgers
South West: Low & Slow
South East: Umami Street Food
East Midlands & Anglia: Wok & Grill
Northern Ireland: Seed
Ireland: Urban Health
London gem Sanjugo has an impressive 4.8 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews.
The Japanese sushi restaurant currently has locations in Angel, Shoreditch and Victoria.
Another Japanese restaurant to make the cut is Sushi Me Rollin’ in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
It’s known for its hand-crafted sushi with wacky names, including The Attenborough and The Karate Squid.
Two burger restaurants are also on the list.
Takeaway fans spend £51k over lifetime treating themselves
There’s Burg N Ice, which offers smashed burgers and crispy chicken tenders alongside sweet treats like ice cream and waffles.
Meanwhile Sharkbite Burgers in Cwmbran, Wales, serves up giant burgers like the Daddy Shark and the Megalodon.
It was set up by competitive bodybuilder Mark, also known as Sharkey, and his partner Tash.
Barbecue and grill restaurants also feature among the finalists.
Taqi’s Grill in Birmingham is known for its Cajun Chargrilled Doner Kebab, Signature Burger and Beef Smash Burger.
Meanwhile Low & Slow in Bristol smokes its delicious meat dishes for up to 20 hours to get the perfect texture and taste.
Leicester’s Wok & Grill offers a fusion of authentic Indo-Chinese and flame-grilled dishes.
You can get everything from noodle and rice boxes to peri peri chicken and gourmet burgers.
The winner of the sought-after title will be crowned in London.
They will receive a huge £100,000 prize to invest into their business.
All the finalists will receive a £5,000 prize and a tailored support package from Uber Eats to help boost their business.
The winners will be judged by experts such as Levi Roots, Eating with Todd, Clodagh McKenna, and 2024 Restaurant of the Year winner Natty Crutchfield.
More than 60% of restaurants onUberEats are small or medium-sized businesses.
Matthew Price, general manager of Uber Eats UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, said: “Independent restaurants are the beating heart of the UK and Ireland’s food scene.
“Whether it’s your local burger joint, a climate-conscious vegan cafe, or a TikTok-famous pop-up, Uber Eats is proud to support the businesses that bring flavour, jobs, and culture to our communities.”
How to save money on your takeaway
TAKEAWAYS taste great but they can hit you hard on your wallet. Here are some tips on how to save on your delivery:
Cashback websites– TopCashback and Quidco will pay you to order your takeaway through them. They’re paid by retailers for every click that comes to their website from the cashback site, which eventually trickles down to you. So you’ll get cashback on orders placed through them.
Discount codes – Check sites like VoucherCodes for any discount codes you can use to get money off your order.
Buy it from the shops – Okay, it might not taste exactly the same but you’ll save the most money by picking up your favourite dish from your local supermarket.
Student discounts – If you’re in full-time education or a member of the National Students Union then you may be able to get a discount of up to 15 per cent off the bill. It’s always worth asking before you place your order.
BRITAIN’S top restaurant chains have seen profits soar by almost a fifth after replacing staff with self-service tills and apps.
They hit £365million at the top 100 groups this year, up from £308million in 2024.
Accountancy group UHY Hacker Young also found that turnover was up 19 per cent to £12.9billion, from £10.8billion.
It said growth had been particularly strong for the fast food and casual dining sector, with burger and steakhouse chains enjoying some of the largest turnover increases.
UHY Hacker Young partner Martin Jones said chains had been investing in technology such as touchscreen tills in fast-food outlets.
Many had also upgraded menu offerings to increase prices, as a way of boosting earnings.
He said: “While many chains are still suffering from depressed margins and weak demand, there’s enough innovation and expansion to deliver better results.”
Hospitality has been particularly hard-hit by the increase in employers’ National Insurance.
Half of all job losses since the Budget have been in that sector, according to analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics by UKHospitality.
It means one in every 25 jobs in pubs, hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars has been axed.
1
Britain’s top restaurant chains have seen profits soar by almost a fifth after replacing staff with self-service tills and appsCredit: Getty
T&C’s ARE KAFKA-ESQUE
BANKS and insurance firms need to stop writing terms and conditions that are “longer than some classic novels”, campaigners urge.
Policies on travel insurance and investment products are the worst, clocking in at 26,000 words — around the same length as Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, analysis by Fairer Finance claims.
It comes despite the financial regulator in 2023 introducing rules forcing firms to prove that customers understand such documents.
Fairer Finance said the longer the documents were, the less likely customers were to know what they mean — or to engage with them at all.
Managing director James Daley added: “The grace period is now over, and we expect the regulator to start holding companies to account.”
ENERGY CRISIS
HOUSEHOLDS cannot afford more energy price hikes, the regulator has been warned.
More than 12 million people are struggling to pay already — but Ofgem is expected to announce tomorrow a rise in the energy price cap to £1,737 from October.
Commenting on the research from York University, Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The time for tinkering with the price cap is over.”
RENT CONS UP
RENTERS have been warned to watch out for fake landlord scams after crooks made £20million from them last year.
The average victim lost £4,711, Action Fraud said. The total haul was up by 45 per cent on the previous year.
Richard Daniels, of TSB, said: “Scammers prey on a competitive rental market with too-good-to-be-true listings that trick house- hunters into making advanced payments.”
THIS is the shocking moment a Deliveroo rider pretends to drop off a takeaway — only to swipe it back seconds later after being caught on camera.
The sham delivery was filmed in Bristol, where stunned homeowner Daniel Ali, 19, watched the bizarre scam unfold on his doorbell camera on August 18.
5
The TikTok clip racked up thousands of views within hours onlineCredit: SWNS
5
Calls mounted for Deliveroo to act fast after rider’s sham deliveryCredit: SWNS
5
Driver lays out foodCredit: SWNS
The footage shows the courier placing the meal on the doormat and snapping a photo for “proof”, before stuffing it back in his bag and cycling away.
Ali said: “It was a crazy experience,” after sharing the footage on TikTok, where it quickly racked up thousands of views.
The stunned customer later revealed the rider got in touch after the footage blew up online, apologising and begging for the viral video to be taken down.
Viewers were left fuming with one saying: “Absolutely disgusting, he should be banned.”
Another raged: “This is theft, plain and simple.”
Furious social media users warned the stunt could leave vulnerable people hungry, with some relying on deliveries for their only hot meal of the day.
The firm has since refunded the cost of the food, and Ali has agreed to remove the video.
A Deliveroo spokesperson told Bristol World said: “Deliveroo is committed to ensuring the highest standards of behaviour and we take customer experience extremely seriously.
“We offboarded the rider and issued a refund to the customer after they alerted us to this incident.”
5
Deliveroo refunded the meal as Ali agreed to take down the clipCredit: SWNS
5
Deliveroo rider seen riding away after fake delivery stuntCredit: SWNS
IT’S 3am at The Red Lion pub in Gatwick Airport and British Gas field engineer Sam Singleton is in a French maid’s outfit, waving a feather duster and clutching a pint of Guinness.
His 17-strong stag group is having the typical pre-flight drinks that have become a rite of passage for Brits jetting off abroad.
14
The bustling pub is full of punters enjoying a spot of refreshment before they board their flightsCredit: Paul Edwards
14
Sam’s frilly costume signals the start of his stag celebration at 03:00Credit: Paul Edwards
And it’s not just plentiful food offerings and the sociable atmosphere that are bringing in travellers in droves — terminal pubs remain one of the only places where it is socially acceptable to have a pint at 5am.
Sam, 34, from Crawley, West Sussex, says: “I’m dressed like this because I’m getting married in four weeks to my beautiful fiancee, Erin.
“We’ve had a few drinks and a really good laugh. I couldn’t imagine starting a stag in any other way, to be honest.”
The Sun on Sunday spent 24 hours at JD Wetherspoon’s The Red Lion in Gatwick’s North Terminal to see why Britain’s airside bars are hitting new heights.
This is what we found . . .
14
Spoons staff prepare The Red Lion for the day’s rushCredit: Paul Edwards
04:00
14
Birthday girl Nicole Briggs, centre, with pals at the pub before their flightCredit: Paul Edwards
Nicole Briggs, 29, from Essex, is heading to the Greek island of Mykonos to celebrate her birthday, wearing a pink cowboy hat and matching sash.
Her pal Danielle Grimes, 30, also from Essex, tells us: “Having drinks at this time is just the law of the airport. It’s the only way to do it.”
On the other side of the pub, siblings Alicia, Adan, 17, and Heart Evanelio, 20, from Medway, Kent, are tucking into an early-morning breakfast before they fly to Basel, Switzerland, with 20 family members.
Alicia, 27, says: “We come here because the food is always good. It’s affordable, comfortable, welcoming and the staff are fantastic.”
Wetherspoons Pubs at Gatwick Airport: A Traveler’s Haven
05:00
14
Three stag party revellers at the pub start as they mean to go onCredit: Paul Edwards
Another stag party has arrived. Robert, James, Jay, Jimmy and John are in their 30s and from different parts of the UK, but they are all flying to Benidorm.
Robert says: “There will be 28 altogether and we’ve had a fantastic day and night already.”
Jay adds: “We came to Wetherspoons because it’s better value and you know exactly what you are getting.”
06:00
14
David Green, left, and Sam Peters toast a newly forged friendshipCredit: Paul Edwards
Actor David Green, 58, from Brighton, and Sam Peters, 52, from Croydon, South London, clink pint glasses, having only just met.
Sam says: “The Red Lion is very different to the average pub where people are scared to strike up a conversation with strangers. No-one bats an eyelid here.”
07:00
Factory worker Jay Law, 34, and Sasha Cross, 35, from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, are going to Malta for the weekend.
They eat eggs Benedict and drink coffee with Guinness and a bourbon. Jay says: “It is the rule at airports — have a proper drink with your brew.”
08:00
Broker Lorna Stevens, 42, and special educational needs worker Amanda Sargent, 38, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, met in their local pub 20 years ago.
They are drinking pink gin and tonic before flying to Marrakech, and Amanda says: “We always take a photo of ourselves at The Red Lion — the start of the holiday, the obligatory picture.”
09:00
14
Team leader Megan Gardner loves the job she’s done at the pub for the past seven yearsCredit: Paul Edwards
Team leader and mum- of-two Megan Gardner, 23, from Crawley, West Sussex, does four seven-hour shifts a week at The Red Lion.
She says: “I haven’t a bad word to say about working here — that’s why I’ve been here seven years.”
10:00
Tasha Clements, 28, from Horsham, West Sussex, has been a bar worker at The Red Lion for two years.
She says: “Every day someone makes the same joke — ‘It’s five o’clock somewhere!’. And it is.”
11:00
Jhonny Da Corte has been the pub’s kitchen chief leader for five years. He is overseeing 13 people today.
Venezuelan Jhonny, 30, from West London, says: “We go through around 20,000 eggs per week.
“Our most popular dish in the morning will be our traditional breakfast and, at lunch, burgers take over as the top sellers.”
12:00
14
Steve Norman of Spandau Ballet, right, enjoys a pre-flight pint with his pal JayCredit: Paul Edwards
Over a pint of Doom Bar, he opens up about his ambition to reunite the band.
Steve, 65, says: “It would be great, before one of us pops our clogs, to be in a room together at the very least — and maybe, who knows, do a last farewell tour.”
13:00
Dad Zesh Sadique, 46, and his wife Sadia are en route to Bodrum, Turkey, for four days with their children, Zidane, eight, and Arya, three.
Tucking into fish and chips, Sadia, 37, from London, says: “We came here because there is a great range of food. We’ll be back.”
14:00
Electrician John Penny, 38, and his wife Lucy, who live near Crowborough, East Sussex, are celebrating their first child-free holiday in 12 years.
They’re off to sunny Palma, Majorca, and John is celebrating with a pint, while community helper Lucy, 35, is content with a Pepsi.
She says: “We always come here with the kids, too. You order on an app, so it’s easy.”
15:00
Beccie Simms, 47, and her nine-year-old neurodivergent twins Poppy and Ethan are having pizza and chips before flying to Crete.
Maternity ward worker Beccie, from Surrey, says: “This suits the twins. It is relaxed and has a great choice of food. The twins are very picky!”
16:00
14
Alice Richardson, Millie Parker, Poppy Davinport and Hannah Wilson drink to their Majorca holCredit: Paul Edwards
Portsmouth students Poppy Davinport, Hannah Wilson and Alice Richardson, all 21, together with Millie Parker, 20, are heading to Majorca.
They are drinking Proseccos, gin and tonics and apple juices. Millie says: “The plan is to get tanned, drink and eat lots of paella.”
17:00
Londoners Olivia Moris-Brown, 19, who works for M&S, and her partner Jason Pham, a 20-year-old insurance broker, are off to Pisa in Italy to celebrate their sixth anniversary.
Tucking into chips and curry sauce, a spicy Korean chicken bowl and fish and chips, Jason says: “We love Spoons, we are fans. The food is always banging.”
18:00
14
Tthe Ojukwus visit the pub before jetting to Majorca for their anniversaryCredit: Paul Edwards
Guinness-drinking Leon Ojukwu, 43, from East London, and his wife Abbie, 40, are primary school teachers.
They’re celebrating their tenth anniversary in Majorca with kids Esme, eight, and Zac, five. Abbie, who has had a Prosecco, says: “We always come here before a flight.
“Everyone has a smile on their face, the drinks come quickly and you don’t need to dress up.”
19:00
Ian Gordon, 62, is waiting for the Inverness flight, heading home to Lhanbryde, Moray, after a work trip.
Tucking into a ham and mushroom pizza, the salmon fisherman says: “The Guinness is good at Wetherspoons.
“I just came back from Iceland — you’re paying at least double for a pint there.”
20:00
14
Nicola, in hat, is off to Portugal with nine mates for her 40thCredit: Paul Edwards
Wearing a sparkly hat, facilities manager Nicola Sandhu is heading to Vilamoura, Portugal, with nine friends for her 40th.
Nicola, from Bexleyheath, Kent, says: “We’ve got wines, Prosecco and lemon spritzes, nachos, fish and chips and an ultimate burger to set our trip off on the right note.”
21:00
Five pint-sipping friends from Selsey, West Sussex, are en route to party capital Prague in the Czech Republic.
Yet NHS service manager Mike Brooks, chef Ryan O’Hara, builder Riley Evans, all 25, carpenter Jenson Holden, 20, and carer Will Jenkinson, 26, insist they are “going to see the local sights”.
Riley says: “We will be in bed by 10pm, reading our Kindles.”
22:00
14
Bella Caesar, left, and Millie Horner enjoy a pre-flight drinkCredit: Paul Edwards
Teaching assistant Millie Horner and HR worker Bella Caesar, both 21, from Hedge End, Hampshire, are eating chicken strips and are on their third round of vodka lemonade and rum and Coke.
They got here early for their Ibiza flight and Millie says: “It’s a debrief before the main event begins.”
23:00
14
It’s all been too much for one travellerCredit: Paul Edwards
The passengers have all gone, and now The Red Lion worker Holly Taplin, 19, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, is mopping up after a long shift.
She says: “I am a bar associate, which means I host, clean, serve, make drinks — the whole lot.”
00:00
14
Bar worker Holly Taplin gets the place tidy againCredit: Paul Edwards
Ollie Wilcox, 29, from Crawley, West Sussex, is a shift manager at the pub.
He says: “We stay open until the last flight goes, then we get ready for the morning shift.
“Passengers start coming through at 2am, and by 4am, the pub’s chock-a-block — there is a queue all the way down to WHSmith.”
SHOPPERS are going wild for huge bags of Popeyes chips which are currently on sale at a major chain.
The tasty treats are retailing for less than £2 for a huge 1kg pack.
3
Popeyes is known for its delicious cajun seasoningCredit: Getty
3
Now, the brand’s fries are on sale at Heron FoodsCredit: Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK
Heron Foods is known for supplying high-quality food for low prices and operates 343 locations across the UK.
Now, the company has gone viral for selling delicious Popeyes chips for staggeringly low prices.
Popeyes’ Cajun Coated Oven Fries are on sale at Heron Foods in massive 1kg packs.
Each pack costs just £1.79 and contains fries slathered in the company’s famous seasoning.
Popeyes’ cajun coating includes paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to give each chip a smoky flavour.
Shoppers have gone wild for the treat, after an eagle-eyed shopper spotted the snack yesterday.
One excited fan wrote “these are delicious”, with another adding “they are so good”.
Others praised Heron Foods for stocking the coated fries, describing the budget-friendly retailer as “underrated”.
One customer wrote: “Heron is so underrated!!
Inside Popeye’s first UK restaurant as we try the menu – and the fried chicken is better than KFC
“You can find some amazing things!
“Heron is so underrated!! You can find some amazing things!”
The news comes after Popeyes announced plans to open 45 new restaurants across the UK this year.
The American fast food chain has secured £43 million from Barclays Corporate Banking as it adds to its existing 80 locations in Britain.
The chain’s UK chief finance officer Drew Taylor said: “Barclays are a highly supportive banking partner of Popeyes in the UK.
“The new finance facilities will enable us to build on our successful growth in the UK to date and execute our expansion strategy over the coming years, with more than 45 openings targeted in 2025 alone.”
Popeyes’ first UK store was opened in the Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, London, but now it is eyeing more locations across the country.
Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol can all expect new Popeyes locations, with Liverpool, Manchester and London all receiving additional branches.
Popeyes’ Savin’ Menu
Popeyes is one of the biggest fast food chains in America.
Now, the company is a hit in the UK as well with many of its products now available at stores such as Heron Foods.
However, the chain’s 83 UK branches have also introduced a brand new menu which makes its food even more affordable.
MCDONALD’S fans are demanding the return of a much-loved breakfast deal that fans called “a lifesaver”.
The fast food chain has withdrawn its £2.99 breakfast consisting of a Sausage and Egg McMuffin with a hot drink, leaving customers angrily vowing to breakfast elsewhere.
1
The sausage and egg McMuffin deal with a drink was popular among customersCredit: Handout
One said on Reddit.com: “The only thing I would get from McDonald’s recently would be the £2.99 sausage and egg McMuffin and a drink deal.
“Now that’s disappeared from my local, I can’t justify the prices on anything else!”
Another said on X.com, formerly known as Twitter: “McMuffin and Hot Drinks deal needs to be brought back.
“It was a lifesaver for people who are tight on money.
“I went to Lichfield this morning and was shocked to see it’s no longer there. Went to @GreggsOfficial instead.”
A third added: “What’s happened to your breakfast McMuffin and hot drink deal? Really disappointed it disappeared from the menu.
“It just sends me and others to @GreggsOfficial who do an amazing breakfast deal.”
Meanwhile, a fourth fan fumed: “Shame on you for taking £2.99 sausage egg McMuffin & hot drink deal off!!
“Do you know how many struggling UK citizens relied on this for a substantial breakfast? Now at £5, it’s out of their range.”
Another said: “Rip McMuffin and coffee breakfast deal, you will be missed.”
It’s understood the deal was a limited offer in participating stores, meaning it wasn’t a permanent menu fixture.
Last year, the same items were available for £2.79, but the 20p price rise didn’t put fans off.
Buying the same items would now cost around £4.80, with a sausage and egg McMuffin priced at £3.39 and a regular white coffee is £1.39.
McDonald’s is currently offering its Breakfast Saver Menu, which in some branches includes a separate £2.99 deal for a Saver Bacon Roll and a drink.
A McDonald’s spokesperson told The Sun: “We know how much our customers enjoy our iconic breakfast offerings and it was great to [see] the popularity of that Breakfast Deal.
“We’re always evolving our menu to keep things fresh and exciting for our customers, and we regularly review our Saver Menu to ensure it offers choice for all.”
In comparison, Greggs offers a breakfast roll meal deal for £2.85.
This includes a breakfast roll with one filling as well as a regular hot drink or a 250ml bottle of orange juice.
PIZZA Hut is rolling out new digital ordering screens across all 136 of its dine-in restaurants, a move that could make over 100 staff members redundant.
The pizza chain, which employs 3,000 staff, is set to cut 120 front-end roles as part of the shake-up.
1
Other chains such as Wetherspoons and Nando’s have already installed similar screens or offer QR code ordering from the tableCredit: Getty
The new terminals at the front of restaurants will make it quicker for customers to order.
A letter to staff at risk of redundancy said: “Over the coming months we are introducing new customer-facing technologies across our restaurants, including digital ordering through QR codes and the installation of in-store kiosks.
“These changes are designed to enhance the customer experience and allow guests to be more self-sufficient when dining with us.”
Other chains such as Wetherspoons and Nando’s have already installed similar screens or offer QR code ordering from the table.
Emily Curtis from DC London Pie, which owns Pizza Hut UK’s dine-in restaurants, explained that the decision to cut jobs is due to more than 60% of in-store orders now being placed digitally.
She said the company has invested heavily in new technologies to keep up with changing customer preferences.
“As part of this journey, we are adapting our staffing model, particularly in our front-of-house teams,” she added.
“While these decisions are never easy, they are necessary to ensure we continue meeting customer expectations and stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
“We are committed to supporting affected team members and will work closely with those impacted to help them find new opportunities within the wider Pizza Hut network.”
The dine-in arm of the restaurant was rescued by private equity firm Directional Capital, which created DC London Pie Ltd to take over the franchise.
Major UK pub chain announces sweeping closures & job losses
It saved 3,000 jobs and saw the closure of one restaurant.
It is separate to the delivery side of the chain, which is owned by Yum! Brands, the US firm that owns KFC.
Pizza Hut first arrived in the UK in 1973 and quickly became a favourite with diners.
At its height, the chain operated over 260 restaurants nationwide, employing 10,000 staff and welcoming three million customers each month.
Some of its most notable creations include the introduction of the pan pizza in 1980, the stuffed crust in 1995, and the re-launch of the pan pizza as the grand pan in 1998.
Pan pizzas are baked in a deep, oil-coated dish, giving the crust a deliciously crispy, golden edge and a lightly fried texture on the bottom.
To manage its financial difficulties, the company entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) – a deal with lenders to cut costs and stay afloat.
At the time, Pizza Hut had over 240 locations across the UK but was forced to close 29 branches as part of the restructuring plan.
What are my rights if I’m made redundant?
YOU are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have worked for your employer for two years or more.
The statutory rate is based on your age, weekly pay and number of years in the job.
You will get:
Half a week’s pay for each full year you worked aged under 22
One week’s pay for each full year you worked aged 22 or older, but under 41
One and half week’s pay for each full year you worked while aged 41 or older.
You cannot be paid less than the statutory amount.
If you were made redundant on or after April 6 2025, your weekly pay is capped at £719 and the maximum statutory redundancy pay you can get is £21,570.
You may get more than this statutory amount if your employer has a redundancy scheme.
HOSPITALITY WOES
The hospitality sector has struggled to bounce back after the pandemic, facing challenges including soaring energy bills, inflation and staff shortages.
The enormousness of “California,” as a territory and an ideology, is hard for any mind to contain. It’s beautiful. It’s complicated and divided and challenged. Among one of a thousand ways to define the Golden State: culinary juggernaut.
Our spectrum of influence — from chefs, farmers, impresarios and dreamers who reimagined restaurant cooking into something synced with the seasons and personal identity, to the capitalists who gave birth to fast food — has shaped and kept reshaping how Americans eat over the last century.
Los Angeles alone is boggling enough in its magnitudes for a critic to eat and think through. I’ve wandered a lot in my career, though. As the world emerged from the grip of COVID-19, a professional curiosity surfaced: What was happening in the rest of the state? What had remained and what was changing?
About This Guide
Our journalists independently visited every spot recommended in this guide. We do not accept free meals or experiences. What should we check out next? Send ideas to [email protected].
Inquisitiveness evolved into a fevered question: What restaurants altogether tell the richest, broadest story of dining in California right now?
The riddle can never be perfectly solved, and yet: This is a guide full of delicious answers.
A year of driving up and down the California coast — steering inland and back, watching winter mountains bloom green and then fade to brown again by late spring — unfolded in a blur of taquerias, tasting menus, strip malls, remote highways, tostadas, dumplings, nigiri, falafel, pho, kebabs … .
Moments crystallized. The triangles of buttery, corn-filled pasta that trumpeted high summer in a rustic dining room on a hilly corner of San Francisco’s Financial District. The new owner who revived a 91-year-old diner in downtown Sacramento with a burger she calls “Southern Daddy” and her calling-card sweet potato pie. The glamour-soaked San Diego dining room, all golds and greens and chiaroscuro lighting, that set a cinematic mood for an evening of modern Vietnamese cuisine.
Attempting a statewide survey stemmed organically from the 101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles project that The Times has published annually since 2013. I’ve written or co-written six of them now. “Best” is a word for headline catnip that I live with but don’t love. “Essential” has always been more of a guiding precept for me. I want readers — you — to know about places for their incredible food, but I trust these very human endeavors also speak to something larger about dining and life in Los Angeles.
Seven years in, L.A. feels like my home home. The San Francisco Chronicle employed me nearly 20 years ago; the Bay Area is a mainstay in my adult life. I’ve never been keen on the “L.A. versus S.F.” tribalism. Isn’t it kind of staggering that this wild state, slightly smaller than Morocco and currently the fourth-largest economy on the planet, has two uniquely different and world-class urban hubs?
And there’s so much more of California to see and taste.
Too much, in fact, to fit into the usual framework. Yes, this is a list of 101 restaurants that serve many kinds of foods at every price tier. (I did leave off the three most famous tentpoles in California fine dining:Chez Panisse,Spago and the French Laundry. You know them. Go if they call to you.) Many of the entries put forth “extra helpings” — corresponding pillars of excellence that also deserve recognition. It’s the whole blessed state. There’s a lot to recommend.
These travels have likewise spurred fresh, deeper guides to popular destinations such asSan Francisco,San Diego and Palm Springs. More are coming.
No single person could filter through the infinite possibilities; gratitude goes to the many food-writing peers and some well-fed friends who gave me guidance at every major intersection.
I did not rank these restaurants. This isn’t about numerals or symbol ratings. It’s one glimpse into our cultures and diversities — into cuisines that uphold traditions, or disrupt with originality, or inhabit some fruitful middle ground. Any endeavor like this is an invitation to savor and to debate. I crisscrossed plenty of California. It still feels like a beginning.
A COASTAL town was treated to free chips with a twist – the chippy was powered by an electric car.
In the aptly named Kent town of Deal, National Fish and Chip Day was celebrated with 300 portions of chips given away, as well as a limited run of battered fish.
1
The chippy was fronted by two electric cars and fronted by TikTok’s ‘Chip Shop Diva
But it wasn’t your ordinary chip shop, with the chippy being powered by two electric cars and fronted by TikTok’s ‘Chip Shop Diva’, Destiny Harold.
The Dacia Spring, which its makers say is the cheapest electric vehicle currently on the market, was the power behind the frying, in partnership with local chippy, The Blue Mermaid Fish Bar.
It comes after a poll of 2,000 adults found fish and chips is the most popular treat on a British holiday, as well as cream tea and hot doughnuts.
Others to feature in the top 20 list include Mr Whippy ice cream, Cornish pasties and mussels.
Quintessentially British foods, such as fish finger sandwiches, strawberries and cream and a pie and mash also featured in the ranking.
A spokesperson for car brand Dacia said: “It was fun treating passers-by today and showing the power of our electric car, Spring, using its vehicle to load technology, which allows you to power external devices off the car’s battery.
“It’s no surprise we have a national day dedicated to the iconic meal that is fish and chips and the study shows just how much we love it and associate it with holidays by the seaside.
“Playing on the phrase ‘cheap as chips’ in line with our affordable car and being in the appropriately named Deal, was a great way to celebrate National Fish and Chip Day.”
The research also found 41% of adults describe such foods as nostalgic, while 45% feel satisfied after eating them.
When ordering a classic fish and chips, cod (48%) and haddock (19%) were the most popular choices, but 69% simply order a portion of chips.
It also emerged 44% believe fish and chips is the ‘food of the people’ and 39% said class doesn’t impact how people eat it.
While 46% feel there is something nostalgic about eating the British staple with a wooden fork, which 33% typically do, although 38% opt to eat it by hand.
Food psychologist, James Cornish, said: “There are few things that unite the British public quite like fish and chips.
“Golden, salty, comforting, and steeped in history, this timeless dish is more than a meal – it’s a national treasure.
“Loved across generations, social classes, and regions, it’s one of those rare things that truly brings us together.
“There’s a certain kind of magic in fish and chips – a simple meal that somehow carries the weight of memory, comfort, and delight.
“Maybe it’s because we don’t expect too much from humble food, but our delight is excelled through the delivering of more than we expected.”
BRITS TOP 20 UK HOLIDAY TREATS
1. Fish and chips 2. Mr. Whippy ice cream 3. Cream tea 4. Ice lolly 5. Hot doughnuts 6. Cornish pasty 7. Strawberries and cream 8. Chip butty 9. Fudge 10. Battered sausage 11. Candy floss 12. Pie and mash 13. Stick of rock 14. Crab sandwich 15. Fish finger sandwich 16. Mussels 17. Cockles 18. Lobster roll 19. Pickled egg 20. Crab sticks
A WOMAN has threatened to “uninvite” two family members from her wedding after they complained about the menu choices.
Stef explained that her sister had contacted their relatives to ask why they hadn’t received an RSVP back from them for the nuptials.
3
Stef was left stunned when she discovered the reason two of her relatives hadn’t RSVP-ed to her weddingCredit: Tiktok/@stefjbaker
3
They’d complained about the fact there was no fish option on the menuCredit: Getty
And when she did so, she found out the bizarre reason they’d delayed their response to the invite – despite the fact they insisted they were coming.
“I know they’ll be there, but I need to know their food options,” she said in a TikTok video.
“And the reason they gave for not RSVPing was there’s no fish on the menu!”
She said that she and her husband-to-be had given their guests a meat choice or a vegetarian choice for both the starter and the main course.
Read more Wedding stories
“If you don’t like the meat, then you can have a really lovely Parmigiana aubergine gnocchi,” she added.
“It’s amazing!”
Not only that, but the two family members actually eat meat.
“So my sister was like, ‘Right, okay, so you’re not gonna come to the wedding because there’s no fish on the menu?'” Stef continued.
“And they were like, ‘No, no, no, of course we’re gonna come, we just don’t really know what to say’.”
And when her sister asked the relatives whether or not they could eat either the vegetarian or meat option, they said they could, but “just really wanted fish”.
Watch the moment wedding guest couple get slammed as ‘tacky’ as he gets down to propose right in front of the bride who has no idea is was going to happen
“Are you f**king joking?” Stef raged.
“I’m sorry, but my wedding is not a restaurant.
“You don’t get a full menu, you don’t get to choose from 10 different options.”
In addition, it would cost Stef an extra £10 per person to provide a meat, vegetarian AND fish option, as she noted: “It’s a 160 person wedding.
“I don’t f**king think so.
“My wedding is a two day event. You’re getting two lots of breakfast from me.
Average cost of a wedding in 2025
Recent research byHodgereveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reachingmore than£20,000.
Food – £6,000
Honeymoon – £4,329
Wedding outfits – £3,500
Entertainment – £2,000
Engagement ring – £1,948
Flowers – £1,110
Wedding ring – £1,000
Wedding transport – £700
Total = £20,587
“You’re getting a rehearsal dinner. You’re getting your wedding breakfast.
“You’re getting a pizza from the night of the wedding. I think you’re doing all right.
“It’s a free bar. Sit back and enjoy yourself.”
When the pair admitted the reason they hadn’t wanted to RSVP was because of the menu, Stef’s sister told them: “If you don’t like the food choices, then go f**k yourself”.
“Couldn’t agree more,” she added.
Sharing the tale on TikTok, Stef wrote: “Please tell me I’m not the only other person experiencing this level of crazy around their wedding?!”
People quickly obliged by sharing their own shocking stories in the comments section.
“Literally lost family members who threatened to not attend so I told them not to,” one said.
“Then a ‘friend’ said she’s not coming to my hen now because she had a disagreement over money with my maid of honour!”
“What is up with people and fish?!” another exclaimed.
“I was told I HAD to give a fish option. Excuse me. I hate fish so I give a fish option that means I the bride don’t have a choice on the day?”
“People are unhinged!” a third sighed
“We got married in Feb and some of the comments we got! The worst were from immediate family!!
“One moaned about the FREE wine choices on the table… don’t drink it!!”
3
Stef’s sister had an epic response when she learned of the reason they’d delayed their responseCredit: Tiktok/@stefjbaker
A woman and property expert recently shared her experience after visiting a McDonald’s eatery in Monaco – and was surprised by how different it is compared to the UK
17:41, 27 May 2025Updated 17:41, 27 May 2025
McDonald’s in Monaco left a Brit floored recently (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
A woman from Yorkshire has given us a glimpse into what it is like to visit McDonald’s in one of the world’s poshest countries – and how the menu differs. When we jet off abroad, most of us are keen to sample the local grub and steer clear of eateries we can easily find back home, but it is always intriguing to see how our favourite big brands adapt their menus to cater to local tastes and traditions. Monaco is synonymous with luxury – think swanky restaurants, the Grand Prix, yachts and being the priciest city globally for property. Despite the lack of fast food giants in the country, there are two McDonald’s outlets – one in Monte-Carlo and the other in Monaco-Ville.
Property guru and entrepreneur, Abi Hookway, enjoys giving her Instagram followers a peek into how the other half live and sharing money-saving tips on her page @abi_hookway, where she has an impressive following of 475,000. Recently, she took us inside the McDonald’s in Monaco-Ville.
As she walked in, she remarked: “This looks like we could be in the UK,” but she quickly spotted some notable differences on the menu.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Abi was taken aback as she explored the fast food joint and noticed a bakery cabinet at the front of the counter, brimming with mouth-watering baked treats like donuts, cheesecake, muffins, cookies and macarons.
“My McDonald’s in Yorkshire doesn’t have this does it, wow,” Abi exclaimed. She was chuffed with the meal deal offering three burgers, chips and a drink for just six euros, but felt the rest of the menu didn’t live up to her high expectations.
“I was expecting like millionaire, gold…it’s letting me down a bit,” she reflected. Nonetheless, she was over the moon with being able to order macarons in a branded box, an iced coffee with a dollop of cream which arrived in a recyclable plastic cup and cherished being able to sit outdoors courtesy of the substantial seating area.
Upon sampling the potato wedges, Abi declared: “We need to have these in the UK.”
Intrigued by Abi’s video, one viewer pointed out: “Also the same food in Portugal with the dessert cabinets.”
Echoing the sentiment, someone else posted: “They have these desert cabinets all over Germany McCafé.”
Another person commented, expressing their affinity for the crockery: “I love the cups and bowls. Would be great to reuse at home. I wish the UK had the same.”
There exists a smattering of unique McDonald’s locations around the globe, with the “most beautiful” one sitting pretty in Rome, Italy.
Just minutes away from the iconic Spanish Steps, this particular McDonald’s greets visitors with what appears to be a sculpture of Venus herself.
Furthermore, New Zealand’s got a McDonald’s that serves up its food from a retired airliner, while, in Germany, you can even grab a McDonald’s meal from a floating restaurant.
WETHERSPOONS is bringing back a legendary item at all 809 locations next month – but you will have to be quick.
The bargain boozer has revealed that The Brunch Burger is going to be back on menus.
1
Wetherspoons is bringing back its Brunch Burger for Father’s Day weekend
The American-style burger is making a return on Father’s Day weekend, which takes place from Friday June 13 to Sunday June 15.
The burger returned two years ago after a ten-year hiatus and it was a fan favourite at the time with punters calling it “legendary”.
This is the third year in a row that Spoons is bringing the much loved meal back.
It’s made up of a three ounce beef patty, American-style cheese, maple-cured bacon, free-range fried egg and is topped with a hash brown.
The meal is £9.99, including a soft drink and chips or £11.52 if you want to add an alcoholic beverage.
Last year, the meal cost £7.73 with a soft drink and £9.26, if you added booze.
It is likely that prices will vary from pub to pub, so check in with your local to see how much you will be charged.
It is also worth noting that airport, train station, service station and NEC Birminghampubs are excluded from the Father’s Day offer.
To find your nearest Wetherspoons head over to the website and use its handy locator tool.
It comes as the chain has shaken up its menu in recent weeks, with a number of popular menu items axed.
The Sun tries Wetherspoons’ new menu
Two weeks ago, the budget pub chain stopped serving steaks, mixed grills and gammon.
The dishes have long been Wetherspoon staples, but have reportedly become too expensive to keep serving.
In an email sent to staff, Wetherspoons chief John Huston confirmed that the meats were being ditched “after much debate”, as part of a planned menu change.
But it’s not all bad news as the chain has welcomed a number of new menu items including three new beef burgers.
Free refills – Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day.
Check a map – Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other.
So if you’re planning a pint at a Spoons, it’s worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you’re settling in at the cheapest.
Choose your day – Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights.
For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual.
Pick-up vouchers – Students can often pick up voucher books in
their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled.
Get appy – The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table – but you don’t need to be in the pub to use it.
Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play.
Check the date – Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry.
It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14.
As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.
A POPULAR burger branch has finally reopened its doors after nearly two years – and locals couldn’t be happier to see it back.
Wimpy has returned to Tufton Street in Ashford, Kent, after shutting in late 2023 when the previous franchisee stepped down following 30 years in charge.
3
The branch is back in business, with customers already queuing up for their fix of Wimpy classicsCredit: Alamy
3
Several residents said the restaurant had been a regular haunt in their youth, and they were eager to return with their own childrenCredit: Getty
The iconic burger spot was originally expected to reopen at the start of 2024, but a series of delays, including unforeseen issues before Christmas, left customers fearing the restaurant might never return.
Now, to the delight of fans, the branch is back in business, with customers already queuing up for their fix of Wimpy classics.
The company, famous for menu staples like the Bender in a Bun and thick shakes, confirmed: “Wimpy Ashford is now open under new ownership with a fresh team and great vibe.
“We will still be serving your favourite Wimpy burgers, chips and thick shakes.”
News of the reopening has spread quickly among locals, with many taking to social media to share their excitement and memories of the eatery.
Several residents said the restaurant had been a regular haunt in their youth, and they were eager to return with their own children.
One customer wrote: “So glad Wimpy is back! Nothing beats a proper burger and chips with that classic taste. We’ve really missed it.”
Another added: “Ashford just hasn’t been the same without it. It’s not just the food, it’s the memories that come with it.”
Wimpy, once a major player on the UK’s fast-food scene, has been undergoing a gradual revival in recent years, with several branches refurbished or reopened under new management.
The Ashford branch’s relaunch is seen as a positive step for the town centre, which has faced a number of retail closures in recent years.
The new owners say they’re committed to maintaining the traditional feel of the restaurant while bringing in modern touches to enhance the customer experience.
Early visitors have already praised the updated décor and friendly atmosphere, saying it retains the charm of the old Wimpy while feeling fresh and inviting.
Staff say they’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome and steady flow of diners since opening, and hope to build on that momentum in the months ahead.
3
The Ashford branch’s relaunch is seen as a positive step for the town centre, which has faced a number of retail closures in recent years
This includes the all-new Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries, alongside returning favourites like the Bacon Caesar Gourmet Kings and the fiery Spicy Mayo range.
Topping the menu shake-up is the Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries — a sweet and smoky twist on the fan-favourite snack.
The new Kansas BBQ King Box, which includes a BBQ Chicken Stacker, four Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries, regular fries and a drink, will be hitting menus for £5.99.
Burger King is also bringing back its Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar range — packed with posh ingredients and full-on flavour.
The Spicy Mayo Double Whopper and Spicy Mayo Chicken Royale are also making a saucy return.
Burger King fans can get BOGOF deals via the BK app too — with the Bacon Caesar burgers going two-for-one between May 20-22, and the Spicy Mayo range following suit from May 27-29.
Prices of new and returning items
Here’s what’s new and back on the menu:
Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries (6pc) – from £5.49
Kansas BBQ King Box – from £5.99
Sharer Box (now includes Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries) – from £7.29
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Angus – from £8.19
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Crispy Chicken – from £8.19
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Loaded King Fries – from £4.79
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Loaded Nuggets (delivery exclusive) – from £7.49
Spicy Mayo Double Whopper – from £8.89
Spicy Mayo Chicken Royale – from £7.69
And fans might remember Burger King gave its most iconic burger a major upgrade.
But it wasn’t just the freebie that had burger lovers buzzing.
The chain confirmed that the Whopper had changed for the first time in years, with juicier beef, a fluffier glazed bun, and fresh-cut tomatoes and onions.
Katie Evans, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King UK, said at the time: “We know our fans love the Whopper, so we’ve been listening… and making it taste better than ever.”
With new snacks, returning legends and even better burgers, fans will want to act fast — before these tasty deals and limited-edition bites are gone.
