A quick poll of the Stylist offices reveals that everyone has a different go-to takeaway dish. Some favour a “dirty burger”, some “Indian every time”, while others state firmly that “it’s simply not a takeaway without noodles”. Another colleague feels that her favourite cuisine loses something during its journey from restaurant to living room: “I love Thai food, but when you get a pad Thai all mushed up in a box it is SO SAD.”
But while we all have our own individual food preferences, certain trends start to emerge when you look at a city or town as a whole. Takeaway delivery service Deliveroo recently revealed which dishes are most popular in which cities and towns in the UK – and the results might surprise you.
Chinese and Indian food, once the staple diet of the British takeaway connoisseur, have been ousted by trendier dishes from other parts of the world. Mexican burritos and tortillas are most popular in Bath, Belfast, Leeds and Manchester, while Japanese food is the order of the day in Birmingham, Reading and Edinburgh.
But by far the most popular Deliveroo meal is a variation on the aforementioned dirty burger. Time was that you could only get the classic American meal from McDonalds or Burger King – but now, happy eaters everywhere from Plymouth to Newcastle to Cardiff are chowing down on “premium” and “gourmet” burgers from the likes of MEATLiquor, Twisted Burger and 7Bone.
One possible explanation for the absence of classic takeaway dishes like pizza, curry and Chinese dishes on Deliveroo’s rankings is that these restaurants often already have their own private delivery services, making them less likely to use Deliveroo drivers.
But these findings also reveal where in the UK foodies are willing to pay most for the luxury of not having to cook. Birmingham’s most popular takeaway dish – chilli squid – is the most affordable, at just £4.99 a portion. Meanwhile, punters in Windsor are shelling out the most for their meal: their pad Thai will set you back almost £12.
Read on to see what food your town favours – and prepare to feel peckish…
Images: iStock
Plymouth
Hub Burger from Hubbox.
“A 6oz beef patty with Swiss cheese, crispy smoked bacon, Hub sauce with red onion, lettuce & tomato.” £7.95
Image: Instagram/cupcake_georgie_
Bath
Chicken Tinga Burrito from Mission Burrito
“Chicken marinated and roasted in chipotle sauce, served shredded in tinga style in a 12” flour or wholewheat tortilla filled with rice, your choice of beans, fillings, salsas and extras.” £5.95
Image: Instagram/tashakang95
Bristol
6oz Prime Beef Burger from The Burger Joint
“Prime beef in a lightly toasted Ciabatta, glazed brioche or gluten free bun with lettuce, red onions, sliced tomato and gherkins.” £8.50
Image: Deliveroo
Southampton
Prince Charles is Overrated burger from 7Bone
“Aged beef patty, bacon, cheese, shredded iceberg, pickles, dirty spread.” £7
Image: Instagram/7boneburgerco
Brighton and London
The Dead Hippie burger from MEATLiquor
“2x French’s Mustard-fried beef patties, Dead Hippie sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, minced white onions.” £9.75
Image: Instagram/meatgram
Reading
Chicken Japan Katsu Curry from Coconut Bar and Kitchen
“Served with a rich and delicious Japanese curry sauce. With jasmine rice and mixed salad on the side.” £10.50
Image: Instagram/coconutbarkitchen
Windsor
Pad Thai from Thai Square
“A popular Thai noodle dish of Chanburi rice noodles, stir fried with prawns, peanuts, bean curd, bean sprouts and egg.” £11.95
Image: Instagram/lanahsince1976
Cheltenham
Cambridge
Byron Burger from Byron Burger
“Dry cure bacon, mature Cheddar, shredded iceberg, tomato, red onion and Byron sauce.” £10.50
Image: Instagram/zeleonard
Birmingham
Chilli Squid from Yakinori
“Crispy fried squid made with light tempura and shichimi chilli. Served with fresh chilli coriander sauce.” £4.99
Image: Instagram/rosiesarered7
Liverpool
Awesome Frickin Chicken from Almost Famous
“Crispy buttermilk fried chicken, iceberg lettuce, mayo, trailer trash onions, peppercorn sauce.” £8.50
Image: Instagram/just.kels_
Sheffield
Pig Daddy Kane burger from Twisted Burger
“Double beef patty, pulled pork, American cheese, Dead Twisted BBQ sauce, chorizo and apple jam.” £8.25
Image: Instagram/jobee29
Leeds and Manchester
Chargrilled Chicken Tortilla Burrito from Barburrito
“Tortilla filled with chargrilled chicken, rice, beans, onions and peppers, salsa and cheese or sour cream.” £6.50
Image: Instagram/barburritouk
Newcastle
Fat Hippo burger from The Fat Hippo
“Double 4oz patty, topped with streaky bacon, chorizo, cheese, onion rings and Fat Hippo sauce.” £10.90
Image: Instagram/scarletsmum
Glasgow
Cheese + Bacon Burger from BRGR
“Cos lettuce, cider onion, BRGR sauce, pickle, cheese, hot sauce and jalapenos.” £10.45
Image: Instagram/kicksthesedayz
Edinburgh
Steamed Chicken Gyoza from Wagamama
“Five tasty steamed chicken dumplings, served grilled and with a dipping sauce.” £5.95
Image: Instagram/wagamama_uk
Cardiff
John Wayne burger from The Grazing Shed
“Cheddar, smoky bacon, BBQ sauce, cajun mayo, red onion confit, ketchup, lettuce.” £8.95
Image: Instagram/yes__chef__
Belfast
Burrito Bowl from Boojum
“Take all the ingredients that go into a burrito/fajita and mix them up in a bowl without the tortilla.” £5.10
Image: Instagram/laurentelford96
undefined
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.