Bulawayo Eats Awards 2026: All Nominees Announced Ahead of December Ceremony

The nominees for the second edition of the Bulawayo Eats Awards have been announced, setting the stage for another celebration of Bulawayo’s vibrant food industry. Scheduled for 6 December 2026, the awards will recognise businesses and individuals who contribute to the city’s growing culinary scene. This year’s nominations feature 50 nominees across 10 categories, highlighting the restaurants, takeaways, supermarkets, butcheries, bakeries and food service professionals who serve the city’s diverse tastes. The awards also celebrate chefs, waiters and waitresses, traditional cuisine, international dishes and popular braai spots. Organised by Bulawayo Eats, a food delivery platform, the event aims to recognise excellence across the food and hospitality sector while giving local businesses and professionals an opportunity to receive wider recognition for their work.

The Bulawayo Eats Awards have become an opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses that help shape the city’s food culture. From restaurants serving carefully prepared meals to takeaways providing convenient dining options, the nominees represent different parts of Bulawayo’s food economy. The inclusion of supermarkets, butcheries and bakeries also recognises the important role that food retailers and producers play in meeting everyday consumer needs. Meanwhile, categories dedicated to chefs and front-of-house staff acknowledge that a positive dining experience depends on more than the food itself. Customer service, consistency and the efforts of kitchen teams all contribute to the reputation of a food business. By bringing these different parts of the industry together, the 2026 awards will highlight the range of talent and services available to residents and visitors in Bulawayo.

The Restaurant of the Year category features Kori Studio Café, The Bowery, Xai Xai, Smoke House and Kings Kraal. These five nominees will compete for recognition in a category that celebrates restaurants serving customers across the city’s dining scene. Restaurant awards can help draw attention to establishments that have built a following through their menus, dining environments and customer experiences. The nominations also give food lovers an opportunity to reflect on the restaurants they enjoy and the businesses they believe deserve recognition. With different establishments represented, the category offers a glimpse into the variety of dining options available in Bulawayo. The announcement has placed these five restaurants among the businesses attracting attention ahead of the December ceremony.

The Takeaway of the Year category includes Dragon Eats, Mozambik, Karate Kitchen, Slice Pizzeria and Oriental Pies. Takeaway businesses have an important place in the modern food industry because they give customers convenient access to prepared meals without requiring a traditional sit-down dining experience. Their appeal often depends on food quality, menu variety, order accuracy and the ability to provide a reliable service. The nominees represent businesses competing for recognition in a category that reflects the popularity of convenient dining options. As food delivery services continue to connect customers with restaurants and takeaways, businesses in this sector have opportunities to reach wider audiences. The category will recognise one of the nominees for its contribution to Bulawayo’s takeaway market.

The Butchery of the Year nominees are Heads & Hooves, Wholesale Beef, Budget Butchery, Dee & Noe Butchery and Outspan Butchery. Butcheries serve an important role in the food supply chain by providing meat products to households, restaurants and other food businesses. Customers often consider product quality, freshness, variety, pricing and service when choosing where to buy meat. For restaurants and braai establishments, reliable suppliers can also play a role in maintaining consistent menus and meeting customer expectations. The nominations highlight five businesses competing for recognition in Bulawayo’s butchery sector. Their inclusion demonstrates that the awards extend beyond prepared meals to acknowledge businesses that contribute to the wider food industry.

In the Supermarket of the Year category, the nominees are Greenvale Supermarket, Spar Bonsa, Fresh & Green City, Willsgrove Food Market and Greens Supermarket. Supermarkets remain important to everyday life by providing access to groceries, fresh produce, packaged foods and other household essentials. Their role in the local food sector goes beyond retail because they connect consumers with products used for daily meals, family gatherings and special occasions. Shoppers often value product availability, pricing, convenience and the quality of customer service when deciding where to shop. Recognition through the Bulawayo Eats Awards offers the nominated supermarkets an opportunity to receive attention for their contribution to the city’s food retail market. The category also reflects the broad range of businesses involved in making food accessible to Bulawayo residents.

The Bakery of the Year category features Nicolette’s Eatery & Bakery, Cake Fairy, Alfresco The Bakery, Cynthia Jones and Something Sweet. Bakeries serve customers looking for bread, cakes, pastries and other baked products for everyday consumption and special occasions. Their work can involve both traditional baking and customised creations for birthdays, weddings, celebrations and corporate events. Consistency, presentation, flavour and the ability to meet customer needs are important parts of a bakery’s reputation. The five nominees will compete for recognition in a category that celebrates this part of Bulawayo’s food industry. Their inclusion highlights the role bakeries play in the city’s culinary culture, from familiar everyday favourites to products prepared for memorable occasions.

The Chef of the Year category recognises the professionals working behind the scenes to prepare the meals customers enjoy. The nominees are Chef Zulu of Epic Restaurant, Chef Nkanyiso of The Bowery, Chef Clide of Kori Studio, Chef Thulani of Xai Xai and Chef Yeukai of The Nest. Chefs contribute to a restaurant’s identity through menu development, food preparation, presentation and the standards they maintain in the kitchen. Their work also requires coordination, creativity and attention to detail, especially during busy service periods. Recognition in this category provides an opportunity to celebrate individual culinary professionals and the skills they bring to their workplaces. The nominations also draw attention to the people behind Bulawayo’s dining experiences, highlighting the importance of talent and teamwork in the hospitality industry.

Customer service receives its own spotlight in the Waiter or Waitress of the Year category. The nominees are Nomsa from Zara Lounge, Robyn from Smoke & Vine, Khosi from Mozambik, Taps from Buffulo Hills Spur and Juliana from Brooks Café. Front-of-house staff help create the overall dining experience by welcoming customers, explaining menu options, taking orders and responding to requests. Their ability to communicate clearly and work efficiently can influence how customers remember a restaurant visit. Good service also requires patience, organisation and cooperation with kitchen teams to ensure that meals reach customers smoothly. By recognising individual staff members, the Bulawayo Eats Awards acknowledge that hospitality depends on the people who interact directly with customers. The category gives these professionals an opportunity to receive recognition for their contributions to the city’s food and service industry.

Traditional food takes centre stage in the Best Traditional Cuisine category, with Sis Bee’s, Kings Kraal, Fresh Traditional, Zarah Lounge and Kwesintu Restaurant among the nominees. Traditional cuisine plays an important role in Zimbabwean food culture because it connects meals with family traditions, community gatherings and local ingredients. Dishes prepared using ingredients such as maize meal, leafy vegetables, beans and meat feature in many Zimbabwean homes, although recipes and preferences vary across communities. Restaurants that serve traditional food can help maintain interest in familiar flavours while introducing these dishes to new customers. This category recognises businesses competing for attention in a segment that celebrates local culinary identity. It also highlights the importance of preserving and enjoying traditional food alongside the many international dining options available in Bulawayo.

The Best International Cuisine category features Garden Bistro, Xai Xai, Mozambik, Rendezvous Restaurant and Raj Mahal. The nominations reflect the variety of dining experiences available to customers who enjoy dishes influenced by culinary traditions from different parts of the world. International cuisine allows diners to explore different flavours, cooking methods and ingredients without leaving their city. Restaurants in this category may appeal to customers seeking new dining experiences as well as those looking for familiar dishes associated with particular culinary traditions. The nominees will compete for recognition in a category that celebrates variety and the influence of global food culture on Bulawayo’s restaurant industry. Together with the traditional cuisine category, it demonstrates how the city’s food scene can embrace local identity while offering a wide range of dining choices.

Braai culture also receives recognition through the Braai Spot of the Year category. The nominees are Hartsfield Tshisanyama, Mazinyane, Chicken Corner, East 68 Braai Place and Chigumira Shopping Center. Braai establishments are popular gathering places where food, social interaction and shared experiences often come together. Grilled meat and other braai favourites are closely associated with social occasions across Zimbabwe, from casual meals with friends to family celebrations. Customers may choose a braai spot based on the food, atmosphere, convenience and the experience of sharing a meal in a relaxed setting. The nominees represent businesses competing for recognition in this distinctive part of Bulawayo’s food culture. Their inclusion ensures that the awards celebrate not only restaurants and formal dining but also the places where people gather to enjoy braai cuisine.

The announcement of the 2026 nominees creates an opportunity for Bulawayo’s food businesses and hospitality professionals to receive recognition for their work. For customers, the awards provide a snapshot of the establishments and individuals attracting attention across different areas of the culinary industry. For the nominated businesses, the event can help raise their profiles and introduce them to potential new customers. Recognition can also encourage healthy competition, motivating businesses to maintain food quality, improve customer service and continue developing their offerings. The awards bring attention to the many roles that contribute to the food industry, from sourcing ingredients and preparing meals to serving customers and managing retail operations. Their broad range of categories reflects the different ways businesses and individuals contribute to the city’s food culture.

With the Bulawayo Eats Awards ceremony scheduled for 6 December 2026, anticipation is building around the second edition of the event. The 50 nominees across 10 categories represent a broad cross-section of Bulawayo’s culinary and hospitality sectors, from established dining venues to specialist food retailers and individual service professionals. The nominations celebrate restaurants, takeaways, butcheries, supermarkets, bakeries, chefs, front-of-house staff, traditional cuisine, international cuisine and braai spots. Organised by Bulawayo Eats, the awards offer a platform to recognise the people and businesses that help keep the city’s food scene active and diverse. As the ceremony approaches, attention will turn to the eventual winners and the recognition they receive for their contributions. The 2026 Bulawayo Eats Awards promise to be an important occasion for celebrating local food talent, supporting culinary businesses and showcasing the variety of dining experiences that make Bulawayo’s food industry distinctive.