Online Reporter
NOMINEES for the second edition of the Bulawayo Eats Awards have been announced, setting the stage for yet another celebration of the city’s culinary experts and service providers.
This year’s awards, which have been pencilled in for 6 December, will see 50 nominees, drawn from 10 different categories, compete for gongs in a ceremony that is meant to honour the cream of the crop in the country’s culinary scene.
The 2026 nominations recognise restaurants, takeaways, retailers, bakeries, chefs, front-of-house professionals and venues serving traditional, international and braai cuisine in Bulawayo. The awards are run by Bulawayo Eats, a food delivery platform.
Below is a list of nominees for this year’s awards.
Restaurant of the Year
1. Kori Studio Café
2. The Bowery
3. Xai Xai
4. Smoke House
5. Kings Kraal
Takeaway of the Year
1. Dragon Eats
2. Mozambik
3. Karate Kitchen
4. Slice Pizzeria
5. Oriental Pies
Butchery of the Year
1. Heads & Hooves
2. Wholesale Beef
3. Budget Butchery
4. Dee & Noe Butchery
5. Outspan Butchery
Supermarket of the Year
1. Greenvale Supermarket
2. Spar Bonsa
3. Fresh & Green City
4. Willsgrove Food Market
5. Greens Supermarket
Bakery of the Year
1. Nicolette’s Eatery & Bakery
2. Cake Fairy
3. Alfresco The Bakery
Bulawayo Eats Awards 2026
4. Cynthia Jones
5. Something Sweet
Chef of the Year
1. Chef Zulu (Epic Restaurant)
2. Chef Nkanyiso (The Bowery)
3. Chef Clide (Kori Studio)
4. Chef Thulani (Xai Xai)
5. Chef Yeukai (The Nest)
Waiter / Waitress of the Year
1. Nomsa – Zara Lounge
2. Robyn – Smoke & Vine
3. Khosi – Mozambik
4. Taps – Buffulo Hills Spur
5. Juliana – Brooks Café
Best Traditional Cuisine
1. Sis Bee’s
2. Kings Kraal
3. Fresh Traditional
4. Zarah Lounge
5. Kwesintu Restaurant
Best International Cuisine
1. Garden Bistro
2. Xai Xai
3. Mozambik
4. Rendezvous Restaurant
5. Raj Mahal
Braai Spot of the Year
1. Hartsfield Tshisanyama
2. Mazinyane
3. Chicken Corner
4. East 68 Braai Place
5. Chigumira Shopping Center
