WHAT better way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary than a meal out with family and friends?

A delicious three course meal cooked by a talented team of chefs that you can enjoy in beautiful surroundings.

We’re spoilt for choice in St Helens when it comes to fabulous restaurants but which is the town’s premier eatery?

Which is your favourite restaurant? Which restaurant in the town can you enjoy the best meal?

Since we launched our Best of 2022 competition in April, we’ve found the best places that St Helens has to offer in 19 different categories.

We’ve celebrated St Helens’ best hair, nails and beauty providers as well as the best pub and beer garden, fitness instructor, gym, café, independent shop and place for children with awards for pies, fish and chips, breakfast, afternoon tea, pizza, roast dinner, burger, curry and dessert also being handed out.

Next up we wanted to find St Helens’ best restaurant.

After reading all your nominations, we’ve shortlisted the top eight, who will battle it out to be named Best Restaurant 2022.

Now we need your help to choose an overall winner from our shortlist.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of this week’s St Helens Star as the coupons inside count for five votes!

There are three ways to vote:

1. Search for the Best Of post on our St Helens Star Facebook or Instagram pages and comment under the post with the name of your winner = 1 vote

2. Name your favourite in the comments section on this article via our website = 2 votes

3. Purchase a copy of this week’s St Helens Star (September 8 edition) and fill in the entry form = 5 votes

(*NB For newspaper entries, email a screenshot of the completed entry form to heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk – please note that only original copies will be accepted. More than one entry can be submitted per person but you will be asked to provide your own unique reference code for each entry to avoid duplication eg if your name is Smith you may wish to write Smith123 or HS21! as your code. You will need to provide a different code for each entry submitted. For full terms and conditions go to Newsquest.co.uk/terms)

Voting officially opens today, Thursday, and closes at midnight on Monday, September 12, and we will be announcing the winner next week.

OUR EIGHT BEST RESTAURANTS SHORTLIST:

La Casa Vieja, Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens

The “fantastic food, service and atmosphere” all get the thumbs up at this restaurant making it a popular place in the nominations.

One review on their Facebook page said this traditional tapas restaurant has “stunning food and generous portions”.

For more details go to facebook.com/lacasaviejasthelens

La Casa Vieja

La Casa Vieja

Ba’Bursi Contemporary Indian Restaurant, George Street, St Helens

This venue is no stranger to our Best of 2022 competition having made the shortlist for Best Curry.

It offers excellent food with excellent service.

Customers “love everything about this place” with food served hot, fresh and delicious.

For more details go to facebook.com/BaBursi-Contemporary-Indian-Restaurant-416858131836623

BaBursi

Ba'Bursi

Anatolia Grill, Duke Street, St Helens

This Turkish restaurant “always serves delicious food, huge portions and has excellent service”.

One review on their Facebook page said: “Nothing is too much trouble and the staff make sure you have everything you need.

“The food is brilliant.”

For more details go to facebook.com/anatoliagril.Sthelens

Anatolia Grill

Anatolia Grill

The Griffin Inn, Church Lane, St Helens

This is the third nomination for The Griffin with the popular place having made the shortlist for Best Pub and Best Pizza.

The “gorgeous food” and “amazing service” get the thumbs here – what’s not to like?

For more details go to facebook.com/thegriffininnsthelens

The Griffin Inn

The Griffin Inn

Limassol, Baldwin Street, St Helens

This Cypriot and Greek Mediterranean restaurant prides itself on being “a place for all seasons and all reasons”.

One nomination said: “Limassol is our absolute favourite restaurant.

“The food is amazing and you couldn’t meet nicer staff.”

For more details go to facebook.com/LimassolRestaurantStHelens

Limassol

Limassol

Millon, Duke Street, St Helens

One happy customer said “you can’t beat it” and another said “it’s the best in St Helens” so it had to make our shortlist.

The good service and attentive staff ensure customers have an enjoyable visit every time and want to return for another meal.

For more details go to facebook.com/millonsthelens

Millon

Millon

Thai Jaa, Hall Street, St Helens

A happy customer said this venue should win this Best of category “by a long way”.

One review on their review page said: “This has got to be my favourite Thai restaurant in the north west.

“The food is fabulous and the service is great – I just love the place.”

For more details go to facebook.com/ThaiJaaStHelens

Thai Jaa

Thai Jaa

Vigour Kitchen, Bridge Street, St Helens

This venue made the shortlist in our Best Burger competition but it serves a whole host of other dishes on the menu.

Reviewers on their Facebook page say it offers “the best food in St Helens” with “attentive service” and a “great welcome”.

For more details go to facebook.com/Vigourkitchen

Vigour

Vigour