With all non-essential shops, bars, and restaurants forced to close their doors due to lockdown 3.0, you can still enjoy restaurant-quality food and drink from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Enterprising hospitality businesses up and down the country are boxing up their offerings and shipping them directly to your door, offering a lifeline through takeaways and home deliveries. Â
As part of their Christmas Hampers Index report, the consumer spending experts at money.co.uk have compiled a list of independent businesses across the nation who have had to think outside (and inside) the box.Â
From cook-at-home hamper kits to take away drink delivery services, these are the independent businesses across the UK that you can still support whilst under the highest restrictions.Â
England
London
Patty and Bun
Winner of Time Outâs âBest DIY Kitâ in their lockdown awards, Patty and Bun have introduced different kits, including âlockdown DIY kitsâ, vegan alternatives and date-night bundles that are accompanied with cocktails. Each kit provides all the ingredients youâll need to make the brandâs signature burgers, and each kit is accompanied by easy-to-follow recipe cards. Fresh garnishes such as tomatoes and lettuce are best bought on the day.Â
Find out more: https://shop.pattyandbun.co.uk/
Honest BurgersÂ
Independently minded Honest Burgers have rustled up a storm when it comes to their burgers and their new DIY kits have proven popular. Itâs considered one of the best burger joints in town, their beef is even made in their own butchery. Their burgers are served in a bun with homemade chips.
Although London based, they’ve now upscaled so that there are burgers available for all. Each kit contains everything you need to have a properly tasty feast from the comfort of your own home, which is great if you donât live near one of the restaurants. If you go for the classic Tribute Burger youâll receive patties, cheese slices, burger sauce, pickles, smoky bacon rashers and soft Honest Burger baps. All you need to do is get the grill fired up and add some fresh lettuce and onion.Â
Find out more at https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/
Homeslice
If youâre fed up with ordering takeaway pizza and it arrives a little bit cold, then Homeslice has you covered. Using their signature dough and unique ingredients, Homeslice presents their ‘Take & Bake’ cook at home pizza range.Â
The team will deliver pizzas ready to your door, which have been expertly made and are ready to bake by you, meaning hot, fresh pizza in minutes. Their favourite kit is the joint offering from Homeslice and Jameson whisky which supplies you with pizza plus cocktail ingredients for the perfect night in.
Find out more at: https://www.homeslicepizza.co.uk/
Manchester
Sicilian NQÂ
Sicilian NQ is one of Manchesterâs best spots if youâre after some Sicilian goodness – including authentic street food, arancini and desserts. Whilst you can still order their food for delivery or collection if youâre local, they now also have an online store where you can purchase hampers, signature cocktails, antipasti and lots more!Â
Find out more: https://www.siciliannq.com/
V Rev Vegan Diner
One of Manchesterâs best vegan spots, V Rev Diner sells vegan alternatives for all of your favourite comfort dishes including; burritos, mac and cheese, loaded fries and chicken wings. Theyâve unfortunately had to close seated dining for the time being, but if youâre in the area you can use the click and collect feature on their website.Â
Find out more: https://vrevvegandiner.mobi2go.com/
Northern Soul MCR
Northern Soul, who specialise in grilled cheese, is one of Manchesterâs best known independent restaurants, with two store fronts in the city centre. Unfortunately, their Church Street store is shut, whilst the Tib Street is open for takeaway and delivery. If you take a trip to their website however, Northern Soul are offering gift cards and âgrill it yourselfâ delivery packs in some of their most famous flavours.Â
Find out more: https://www.northernsoulmcr.com/order-now/
Black Milk Cereal
Black Milk is situated on Oldham Street, and perfect if you have a sweet tooth. The store is still open for takeaway and drive through service, and theyâre selling a variety of products including their signature spreads, hampers and truffles on their website for nationwide delivery.Â
Find out more: https://www.blackmilkcereal.com/collections/gifts
Nottingham
Cods Scallops:Â
Discover award winning fish and chips in Nottingham, Cods Scallops prides itself on serving quality and sustainable produce. Cods Scallops are providing a takeaway service, so you can still feast on their award winning fish and chips.Â
Find out more: https://www.codsscallops.com/Â
Prickly Pear Cafe
The vegan based cafe in Nottingham has introduced a delivery service in order to stay open during these times. Prickly Pear Cafe has a 100% plant based menu including some wacky burgers. This cafe on the edge of Nottingham is not one to be missed if youâre local.
Find out more: https://www.pricklypearcafe.co.uk/
Newcastle
My Delhi Street Food
If you want to test your fiery taste buds then My Delhi Street Food isnât one to be missed. They have introduced some DIY recipe kits to enable you to cook authentic Indian curries at home. The kits come with the spice mix which is hand picked, roasted and freshly grounded by their chef. They also supply a recipe card and an instructional video.
A popular dish on their dinner menu is an authentic Madras recipe which they have introduced as a home cooked version so you can cook your favourites in your own home. Originating from South Indian, itâs full of flavour with a nice zing.Â
Find out more: https://www.mydelhistreetfood.com/cook-at-home-kits
21 at Home
The chefs at 21 at Home have introduced a collection service to bring 21 Hospitality to your home. They have some of their best loved dishes in kit-form and detailed cooking instructions, allowing you to re-create your own 21 experience with ease and bring a little joy around your table.Â
Each week the chefs will design a new menu for you â featuring homemade bread and olives, sharing starters, with a choice of a signature main course and dessert to give you the best at home dining experience possible. Thereâs something for every stay-at-home occasion, whether itâs for a virtual wine social or a family supper. Â
Read more: https://www.21athome.co.uk/
Six Baltic
Six Baltic have introduced âSix at Homeâ, a selection of their most popular dishes for you to enjoy at home. Their weekly menus feature classic dishes and are available for weekend collections, so you can treat yourself to a delicious dinner or indulgent afternoon tea.
Six Baltic has âthree course meal kitsâ available which are boxes of chef-prepared ingredients that lets you recreate a classic dinner in your own home. Some dishes are ready to eat, others require a bit of cooking. Step by step instructions are included.
Find out more at: https://www.sixbaltic.com/sixathome
Birmingham
Stripclub Street Food
National burger award finalists Stripclub are here for you and all your burger craving needs – showcasing their famous smash burgers. Stripclub Street Food has quirky, funky burgers such as Bacon Biscoff Burger, supplying you with your local dose of street food. Donât worry about carbs when it comes to Stripclub burgers.
Head to Instagram to find out more: https://www.instagram.com/stripclub_streetfood/?hl=en
Digbeth Dining Club
Digbeth Dining Club have had to think outside the box this year, originally based in Digbeth, this year has seen them scour the country to provide the nation with the delicious food they have to offer, from Warwick Castle to supporting The Great British Drive In cinema at Sandon Hall.Â
Digbeth Dining Club supports local traders and offers a click and collect service across the week – but be quick, as slots go fast.
Find out more on: https://www.digbethdiningclub.com/
Plant and Pulse
Plant and Pulse have had to change their business hours and offer only a click and collect service. Their menu is ever changing, with the falafel box and the gut health box always being offered for customers. They have introduced a street food box which changes fortnightly. So far, they have had different things on the menu such as squash katsu curry, noodle salad with tempura mushrooms and a Christmas box.Â
Plant and Pulse have had to adapt during the pandemic, but one way they adapted to the changing times was by increasing their menu size in order to broaden their food range to different niches. The chefs George and Bob make everything themselves, with predominantly British produce. They have introduced an alternative menu specifically for Friday nights, the one that you donât mind feeling a little bit guilty about⌠there are currently four delicious burgers on the menu and a choice of sides.Â
Check George and Bob out: https://www.plantandpulse.co.uk/Â
Scotland
Glasgow
Five March
Five March has had to think of alternative ways to offer their menu to their guests. The Malaysian restaurant introduced a dine at home menu, starting at ÂŁ50 for two.Â
Find out more: https://fivemarch.co.uk/restaurant
Red Onion
Award winning Red Onion is situated in the heart of Glasgow city centre, Red Onion is a contemporary casual dining experience, with a menu that offers something for everyone. John and his team are now offering delicious ready made nutritious meals to warm at home. All meals are cooked fresh, ready for your fridge or for reheating and all dishes are suitable for home freezing – perfect for when you donât want to prep and cook dinner.
Read more here: http://red-onion.co.uk/
Edinburgh
The Gate
If you miss your weekend tipple, then look no further than The Gateâs âcreate my cocktailâ to make a drink based on the flavours you love. You can choose from their house specials, classic cocktails or a cocktail party package for the perfect night in.
Find out more: https://www.glasgowcocktails.co.uk/
111 at Home
Immerse yourself in the luxury of 111 by Modou in your own home with the new alternative home cooking kits available to you, the kits are available to order online now and include a five course dining experience, priced at ÂŁ60 for two.
Find out more: https://111athomebymodou.bigcartel.com/
Eusebideli
Eusebideli works alongside local suppliers and friends in Italy to bring you the best produce straight to your table. All the meals are prepared by their chefs, using the same quality ingredients from independent local producers. All recipes are made from scratch, the dishes can be popped straight in the oven or straight in the freezer to enjoy at a later date. All you have to do is simply heat, eat and enjoy.
Find out more: https://shop.eusebideli.com/prepared-meals
Cask Smugglers
Cask Smugglers provide you with all your cocktail needs. Enjoy your favourite classic cocktails at home including an Old Fashioned, Negroni, Espresso Martini, Cosmopolitan, and a Pornstar Martini – what else do you need to get you through January.Â
All cocktails are available now on their online store, you can purchase now or pre-order, also available for nationwide and local deliveryÂ
Check out Cask Smugglers here: https://www.instagram.com/cask_smugglers/?utm_source=ig_embed
Wales
Cardiff
Matsudai
Founded in Cardiff in 2019, the Matsudai Ramen pop-up is Walesâ only dedicated ramen âslurp spotâ; serving up steaming bowls of hand-made noodles, long-simmered broths and deeply flavoured toppings.
At the very beginning of lockdown, Matsudai Ramen started an online shop selling frozen, handmade ramen kits for home delivery. Each kit will cost ÂŁ7.50 and contain broth, tare (complex seasoning), aroma oil and a bundle of specially paired noodles.
Get your noodle fix here: https://matsudai.co.uk/collections/products
Franks
Franks offers luxury hot dogs alongside sauces (even their homemade cheese sauce!) delivered to your door, thereâs three options to choose from on their website from the simple Franks and buns box with sauces and toppings, or you can get the mystery box – a package full of surprise treats from the Franks team.
Find out more: https://frankshotdogs.square.site/
All credit to money.co.uk: https://www.money.co.uk/guides/christmas-hamper-indexÂ
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