Bristol might have the most famous kebab van in Britain in Jason Donervan, but the city is lagging way behind the rest of the country when it comes to quality kebab takeaways and restaurants, according to the list of semi-finalists in the latest British Kebab Awards.
More than 100 kebab restaurants, takeaways and vans have been named as semi-finalists in the various categories in the competition, which reaches its finale in February, but only four are in Bristol.
For context, that’s fewer than in Wiltshire, and five times fewer than in the London borough of Barnet. There’s three more in Bath and another in Weston-super-Mare, but if kebab fans in Bristol want award-winning kebabs there are not many to choose from.
Cappadocia in Baldwin Street in Bristol has been named as a semi-finalist in the best newcomer restaurant category, while its sister Turkish restaurant Cappadocia Turkish in Newmarket Row in Bath is also nominated, despite opening in 2019.
Sam’s Master Grill in Cheltenham Road, St Andrew’s, is a semi-finalist in the best regional takeaway, alongside Kings Kebab in Frome, but there are no local semi-finalists in the best Greek restaurant or takeaway category, the best regional kebab restaurant, best kosher shawarma restaurant or takeaway nor the best Lebanese restaurant.
Botanik BBQ in the High Street in Weston-super-Mare has been named as a semi-finalist in the best delivery category nationwide, and Baba’s Mezze, in Barton Street in Bath has been named as a semi-finalist in the best value restaurant category.
Despite the presence of Jason Donervan - which was famously visited by Jason Donovan on live TV in 2022, there are no Bristol or West Country semi-finalists in the best takeaway van category. What Bristol does do well is vegan kebabs - and there are two semi-finalists from Bristol in the best vegan kebab category, Fi Real, on West Street in Old Market, and Oowee Vegan on Baldwin Street. Pomegranate Meze Bar in Walcot Street in Bath has been named as a semi-finalist in the customer satisfaction category.
The semi-finalists are now canvassing for votes from their customers, which will whittle it down to a small number of finalists in each category, to be decided at a salad-added awards ceremony in February.
“Kebabs are a staple of our national diet, and it’s time to decide on Britain’s favourite kebab restaurants of the year,” said Ibrahim Dogus, the founder of the British Kebab Awards. “The nominees represent everything from traditional family-run establishments to innovative new ventures that are pushing the boundaries with vegan options and fine dining experiences.
“There’s incredible representation from across the UK in the semi-finalists, with nominees from Belfast to Brighton, and Arbroath to London. Hidden gems in small towns are competing against prestigious city restaurants, proving that amazing kebabs can be found everywhere.
“This year's nominees represent everything that makes the British kebab industry special - diversity, quality, tradition, and innovation, and we’re proud to be highlighting the leaders in this great industry,” he added.
