Bombay Lounge is Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant for third time

The popular Winsford restaurant has won two Mid Cheshire’s Best of 2024 awards – Best for Curry and Best Restaurant - for the third year in a row!

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 22 awards.

• Best for Hair - Fox Hairdressing
• Best for Pies - JD's Café
• Best for Nails - Blue Beauty Cheshire
• Best for Roast Dinner - The Bowling Green
• Best for Cocktails - The Grape and Bean
• Best for Breakfast - Zaza Café
• Best for Fish and Chips - The Corner Fish and Chip Shop
• Best Beer Garden - The Carriers Inn
• Best for Fitness – Lucas Debek
• Best for Tattoos – Face Base
• Best Independent Shop or Business – Pulse of Perfumery
• Best for Dessert – Layers Treats
• Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time Northwich
• Best for Pets – Happy Paws
• Best for Beauty – The Beauty Spot
• Best for Pizza – The Outback Pizza Company
• Best for Afternoon Tea – The Cosy Tea Room
• Best for Burgers – Burg ‘N’ Ice
• Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre
• Best for Curry – Bombay Lounge
• Best Café or Coffee Shop – Neki Café
• Best Pub or Bar – The Gate Inn

Ten of Mid Cheshire’s most popular restaurants made the shortlist in our final Best of 2024 category and Bombay Lounge came out on top.

Afzal Hassan, known as Hassan, clearly knows how to run a successful business.

When he took over at Bombay Lounge – formerly Bombay Tea Lounge – on Wharton Road in Winsford five years ago he had big plans to make the restaurant the place to go, whether it’s for a family celebration, to meet up with friends or for treat night.

He wanted to share his passion for different cuisines and make the business thrive.

Bombay Lounge owner Afzal Hassan (Image: supplied)

Now, in 2024, Hassan has collected several industry awards and just topped our final Best of 2024 category – Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant 2024 – hot on the heels on winning the area’s Best for Curry, making it a hat-trick of titles for the third time.

In 2019, Hassan wanted to relaunch the business and make it thrive and his dedication and hard work has definitely paid off, making his culinary dream a reality.

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

The Winsford venue offers dine in, takeaway and delivery services and there are plans to expand the business in the future.

Hassan said: “We are a modern Indian restaurant with a fusion twist alongside the traditional way of Indian kitchens.

“We provide the best dining in experience and takeaway service.

“I’ve always wanted my own restaurant with my own special touch with having a passion for different cuisines.

“I wanted to be unique and create something different to other restaurants in the business.”

Hassan has always been in the catering industry but decided to jump onto the real estate market alongside cryptocurrency, which has given him a financial boost.

Bombay Lounge won Mid Cheshire's Best for Curry award last month

Hassan said: “I believe that it’s always good to have a back-up plan, especially with living in such hard times with inflation and the current economic climate.”

What do customers think about Bombay Lounge? Why did they want the venue to win our final Best of 2024 award?

One recommendation said: “Without doubt if this award is based on excellence for flavour the best ingredients, service and absolute consistency it’s got to be Bombay Lounge.

“This restaurant is a jewel in the hospitality landscape.”

Hassan said: “My restaurant sets me apart from all others because I have certain style of cooking certain dishes and items on my menu, which I have created in my own way.

“These aren’t available at any other restaurant.

“My customers love coming back here because I see them as my family rather than just a customer.

“We make them feel like it’s a home from home as soon as they walk through the door.

“Even on a bustling Friday or Saturday night, I will still be going around speaking to everyone – multitasking at its best!”

Hassan took over Bombay Lounge in 2019

Hassan has been shortlisted for the editor’s Outstanding Chef of the Year at the English Curry Awards 2024 and Best Restaurant in Cheshire with Prestige Curry Awards.

When Hassan found out that he’d made the shortlist for Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant again this year he was pleased and hopeful of taking the crown for the third successive time and doing the 2024 double.

Hassan said: “Winning the Best Restaurant award so soon after winning Best for Curry is fantastic.

“We’re thrilled to be recognised as the premier place in Mid Cheshire once again.

“Every credit has to go to my hard working team here at Bombay Lounge who always go the extra mile for me and our customers.

“I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without them.

“I would like to thank my fantastic customers and followers on all social media platforms for casting their votes and nominations for Bombay Lounge to win this award and for all their continued support.

“I wouldn’t have been able to win this without you!”