Double award honours for Mid Cheshire's number one restaurant

Just two weeks after Bombay Lounge was named Mid Cheshire’s Best for Curry 2023, the popular Winsford venue has scooped a second award and been named Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant.

The awards have come in pairs again this year after the restaurant took home the same honours in 2022 and Afzal, known locally as Hassan, is rightly celebrating another well-deserved win.

Each week, we will be searching for the best Mid Cheshire has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 23 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Oliver Gibney Hairdressing

Best for Pies – Ka Pie

Best for Nails – Samantha Dean Nails and Makeup

Best for Roast Dinner – The Red Lion in Little Budworth

Best for Cocktails – Grape and Bean

Best for Breakfast – Kanya Bistro and Bar

Best for Fitness – Simon Daniels

Best for Fish and Chips – The Corner Fish and Chip Shop

Best for Tattoos – Ink FX Tattoo

Best for Pizza – Oakwood Smoke and Dough

Best for Pets – Willowsway Cat Rescue

Best Independent Shop or Business – The Style Hut

Best for Dessert – Layers Treats

Best for Beauty – The Beauty Spot

Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time

Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre

Best Beer Garden – The Carriers Inn

Best for Afternoon Tea – Goostrey Home and Leisure

Best for Burgers – Smokehouse and Cellar

Best Café or Coffee Shop – Board Beans Café

Best for Curry – Bombay Lounge

Best Pub or Bar – The Cheshire Cheese

Next on the menu was the search for Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant and Bombay Lounge took the final Best of 2023 title making it a double award win for the second year in a row!

Bombay Lounge owner Afzal Hassan (Image: supplied)

Four years ago Hassan took over as the new owner of Bombay Lounge, formerly Bombay Tea Lounge, with big plans to relaunch the business and make it thrive.

He grew up in London but has lived in Cheshire and Staffordshire for the previous 20 years before opening Bombay Lounge in 2019.

The Wharton Road venue offers dine in, takeaway and delivery services.

Customers have been enjoying trying the dishes on the menu since 2019 (Image: supplied)

Hassan, who is 37, said: “I always wanted to open my own restaurant as I have always worked in the catering and hospitality industry.

“Bombay Lounge is different to other restaurants due to the food we serve.

“It’s Indian food with a modern twist, especially the dining in only menu.

“Many other restaurants serve Indian curries you can get anywhere but times have changed.

“It’s all about trends and modernisation with a twist on traditional Indian food.”

Specialities on the menu include Bombay firecracker, mezbani lamb and rajastanti chicken as well as murgh malabar and, of course, the nation’s favourite chicken tikka masala.

Inside the double award-winning Winsford restaurant (Image: supplied)

“Our masalas are on a different level.”

Hassan’s dedication and hard work has paid off and he’s secured several awards over the past few years, making his culinary dream a reality.

But what do customers think about Bombay Lounge? Why did they think the venue should win our final Best of 2023 award?

One nomination said: “The best in the area for food and friendly staff by far.

“They won last year and deserve to win again.”

Another regular said: “Amazing food every time with excellent service.”

Hassan said: “I am truly humbled by these honours.

“Winning Best Restaurant and Best for Curry back to back, two years in a row, is a dream come true.

“We’ve gone from strength to strength and I owe everything to our incredible staff and loyal customers.

“Your trust and support have made Bombay Lounge a huge success.

“Thank you for voting for us and for being part of our journey.

“Huge congratulations to all the restaurants who made the shortlists this year.”

For more details go to facebook.com/bombayloungewinsford

Business partners Afzal Hassan and Ash Rasool (Image: supplied)