The Great Taste Awards is back again this year with plenty of Greater Manchester restaurants and suppliers taking home a star or three - yet the list is short for those bringing one home to Oldham.

Oldham is home to some thriving restaurants and a brimming food and drink scene that has been clawing back since the pandemic to rival bigger and more established venues in Manchester city centre.

However, while some in Oldham earned a Great Taste Award in 2022, just one won a star this year.

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Tea Punks, otherwise known as "anarchy in a cup" is an Oldham-based loose-leaf tea company that has been brought to life by chef and expert brewer, Stuart Cunniffe. 

Viva Cuba tea, based on Stuart's favourite cocktail, Old Havana, received a star by the Great Taste Awards 2023 and joins two other of Stuart's 'revolutionary' teas, Rhubarb and Blood Orange and Punk'ed Panda, in receiving the prestigious accolade.

While Tea Punks is proud to represent Oldham, here are some more top places in the borough that we believe could have received at least one Great Taste Award star this year.

1. Wonderlust Bistro and Bakery (Library Lane)

This relatively new bakery, run by a local family of three, home bakes a wide variety of cakes, pastries and delightful desserts, such as Pistachio Paris brests, Nutella stuffed cookies, eclairs, Kinder Milk cakes, S'mores and - its speciality - loaded French toast.

Wonderlust also has an impressive breakfast and brunch menu, mocktails, luxury hot chocolates and milkshakes to boot.

 

@theoldhamtimes There’s a brand new bakery in town! Read our full review on The Oldham Times to find out more about what we thought.. #Oldham #cake #foodie #foodtiktok #bakery #cookie #foodreview ♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again

While we rated its 'Instagram factor' and were blown away by the artistic design of the place, its home-baked goodies definitely deserve a star or two from the Great Taste Awards.

2. Clean Plate Kitchen (Silver Street)

While we haven't had the chance to visit this enormously popular cafe in Oldham town centre, its reputation for homemade pies and cakes is notorious across the borough.

The cafe has struggled in recent times - from the pandemic to roof issues, bad weather and temporary closures - but customers keep flocking for a slice of its cheese and onion pie which was voted by its loyal fan base as the best Clean Plate dish of all.

The cafe even stocks some infamous Oldham pies, made by Joan Cartwright from the Old Mill House which was also voted Oldham's best pie by The Oldham Times readers.

Could Oldham rival some of Greater Manchester's highly regarded pie places? Those who pop to the Kitchen seem to think so - and therefore the cafe definitely deserves some recognition from the Great Taste Awards.

3. Grandpa Greene's Luxury Ice Cream (Ward Lane, Diggle)

Grandpa Greene's won a Great Taste Award in 2017, for its pistachio ice cream, but a lot has changed over the years.

The cafe, which has humble beginnings as 'Grandpa Greene' handmade his own ice cream using a churn in the back yard of his corner shop in Salford before the business took off, recently expanded with an additional venue - crucially with an alcohol licence - to a spot in Uppermill. 

And beyond crafting authentic ice cream which is still "handmade the old-fashioned way", bosses are continually updating the menu.

The Oldham Times: Grandpa Greene's still makes its luxury ice cream the old-fashioned wayGrandpa Greene's still makes its luxury ice cream the old-fashioned way (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

We have visited a handful of times to try out some of its popular items, including its ice cream, Easter Egg hot chocolate and savoury sandwiches.

While the food did not disappoint our sweet-toothed reporters, customers have also said the ice cream is "amazing" while residents in Diggle adore the cafe by the canal.

 

@theoldhamtimes Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream Parlour in Diggle did not disappoint 😍🤤 #icecream #easter #cafe #foodtiktok #foodies #chocolate #toastie #grilledcheese #oldham #hotchocolate #vegan ♬ Storytelling - Adriel

Grandpa Greene's signature green ice cream can be spotted at many events in Saddleworth and Oldham but even beyond serving the community, its luxury manufactured ice cream is supplied to premium wholesale outlets across the north west.

There are more than 30 award-winning flavours of plant based, sorbets or luxury dairy ice cream to choose from - and surely some of these deserve a few stars from the Great Taste Awards.

4. The Old School BBQ Bus (Alford Street, Chadderton)

Sweet treats aside, if you're looking to stick your teeth into something more meaty, Mark Fairley and his team at The Old School BBQ Bus have got your back.

The Texas-themed restaurant even shot to fame on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me: The Professionals for its signature 'low and slow' barbecue pork.

The team only narrowly missed out on the top prize on the show, but contestants were wowed by Mark's tender barbecued dish which he said he tends to at 4am every morning.

Also read: 'We're still here fighting, what a ride': Popular Oldham restaurant hits milestone 

The joint, equipped with its very own imported Arizonan yellow school bus, has gone to host a wedding, a music festival, comedy club and has won a plethora of Restaurant Guru Awards in its five-year journey.

 

@theoldhamtimes The Oldham Times team had an amazing Christmas night out at @TheOldSchoolBBQBus with live music and comedy, plus some unique festive specials #Oldham #Christmas #foodtiktok #manchester #bbqtiktok #christmasfood #restaurant ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

We last paid the Bus a visit over Christmas, where the menu was adapted with a special festive twist such as 'holiday ham sandwich' and 'big pig dog'.

But from the bus' signature steaks and footlong hotdogs to burgers, ribs, tacos, brisket, jerk chicken and pulled pork, the BBQ Bus deserves some stars for its deliciously tender meats that Mark slaves over from the crack of dawn.

5. Smashville Burger Co (Shell Service Station, Broadway, Royton)

Last but not least has to be Smashville Burger Co which went viral when it first opened.

The fast food restaurant, which cooks up authentic American classics, sits inside the Shell petrol station in Royton and rocketed to fame for its "epic" and freshly made dishes.

While it's still on our list for a visit, its high reviews and viral TikTok videos speak for itself as many refer to it as the "coolest burger spot in Oldham" which makes burgers "to die for".

From halloumi fries to burger patties stacked high - we can see why Smashville is so popular and well deserving of a Great Taste Award, too.

Where else in Oldham do you think deserves a Great Taste Award? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.