FIVE Brighton restaurants have been shortlisted in national awards voted for by customers.

Deliveroo has announced the finalists in its second annual Restaurant Awards, which has a range of categories – from the best pizzas and burgers to the most eco-friendly and the best cheap eats in the nation.

More than 100,000 people across the UK voted over three weeks to help whittle the long list of restaurants down to just six finalists for each of the 18 categories.

Five restaurants in Brighton have made it into the shortlist of just over 100 finalists.

Food lovers in the city voted for vegan sushi restaurant Happy Maki in Pool Valley, which is the only restaurant outside London to be shortlisted in the Best Eco-Friendly category.

MyWok in Queen’s Road has made it into the Best Chinese shortlist, while Smashburger in North Street is up for Best Burger.

Oowee Vegan and Greek street food takeaway The Athenian are both competing to win in the Best Editions Restaurant category, which is for delivery-only restaurants.

The Athenian, which also has branches in London, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham, is also up for Restaurant of the Year.

Vegan kebab restaurant What the Pitta, which has a branch in Brighton’s East Street, is also up for an award in the Best Vegan Offering category for its London restaurants.

The awards aim to celebrate and recognise restaurants in the UK and Ireland who have faced an especially difficult year due to the impact of Covid-19.

Will Shu, chief executive at Deliveroo, said: “This year has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging years the restaurant sector has ever faced.

“Yet in the face of huge uncertainty, we have been inspired by the way restaurants across the UK and Ireland have stepped up and gone the extra mile to support their local communities, while working tirelessly to keep their own businesses going.

“From providing free meals to hospital staff working on the frontline, to delivering meals to vulnerable people, and going above and beyond to protect their staff, we want to recognise and say thank you to our amazing small and independent restaurant partners.”

The public now has until Wednesday, November 4, to cast their vote, and winners will be announced at Deliveroo’s virtual awards ceremony on Monday, December 7.

To vote, go to www.deliveroorestaurantawards.com.