Annual Award Ceremony to Honour the UK’s Top Asian Restaurants “Oscars of the Curry Industry” – BBC & Sky
The top ten shortlisted Asian restaurants and takeaways across UK regions have been unveiled for the annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), the most prestigious celebration of pan Asian cuisine in the UK, taking place this year on Monday 6th October 2025 at the London Hilton Park Lane.
Hosted by BBC journalist and broadcaster, Samantha Simmonds, and magician, Paul Martin, the coveted awards recognise the very best of Asian cuisine across a range of national and regional categories. ARTA 2025 continues to reward excellence, craft, creativity and great taste by bringing together the UK’s most celebrated Asian restaurants, chefs and culinary professionals under one roof.
This year, over 1,295 restaurants and takeaways from across the UK were nominated by diners and food lovers, with a significant number of nominations coming through ChefOnline, ARTA’s strategic partner and one of the UK’s leading platforms connecting diners to Asian restaurants and takeaways. Leveraging its national customer base of over a million, ChefOnline helped drive strong nationwide participation in the awards. Nominations were also bolstered by strong social media engagement and data insights such as Food Hygiene Ratings.
Speaking about the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards 2025, Mohammed Munim, Founder Member and CEO of ARTA, said “Asian restaurants and takeaways have long played a vital role in the UK’s economy and culture. Their contribution through job creation, community impact, and culinary excellence, deserves to be recognised. Especially in today’s challenging climate, ARTA is proud to champion their achievements and support their continued success. Every nominee is a testament to the industry’s resilience and we look forward to celebrating them on 6th October.”
From the prestigious National Champion of Champions, Regional Restaurant of the Year, and Chef of the Year to Takeaway of the Year and National Newcomer of the Year, ARTA 2025 will shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent, innovation and dedication that powers the UK’s thriving Asian restaurant sector.
ChefOnline is the ARTA 2025 Strategic Partner; Guavapay, Super Pollo, Work Permit Cloud and Cobra Beer are Associate Sponsors; Madhu’s is Catering Partner. ARTA 2025 is also proudly supported by Cambridge Regional College, Squire Mile Insurance and Lexpert Solicitors.
Following are the ARTA 2025 shortlisted Top 10 Restaurants and Takeaways in the regional category awards.
ARTA 2025 Shortlisted Top Ten Restaurants and Takeaways:
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Northern Ireland:
Bites Of India, Botanic, Belfast
Himalayan, Botanic, Belfast
Indian Ocean Restaurant, Holywood, Belfast
Kohinoor Indian Cuisine, Lisburn, Belfast
Little India Restaurant, Carrickfergus, Belfast
Mayur Indian Restaurant, Larne, Belfast
Monsoon, Dundonald, Belfast
Nu Delhi Restaurant Lounge, Belfast
Shimla Indian Cuisine, Cregagh, Belfast
Yaks, Bangor, Belfast
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Scotland:
Solas-Kitchen, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy
Firangi, Cambuslang, Glasgow
Gurkha Kitchen, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen
Masala Twist, Glasgow
Opium, Glasgow
Prince of India, Pitlochry
Rustom Restaurant, Haymarket, Edinburgh
Sidhu’s, Perth
Yakitori House, East Kilbride, Glasgow
Yorokobi by CJ, Aberdeen
Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Wales:
1988 Indian Restaurant, Penarth, Cardiff
Elaichi, Carmarthen, Swansea
Hatti Indian Restaurant, Newport
Mango Tree, Cardiff
Raj Kitchen, Swansea
Rasoi Waterfront, Swansea
Red Fort, Caerleon, Newport
Salkaara, Cardiff
Spice Delight, Penarth, Cardiff
Vanilla Spice, Newport
Regional Restaurant of the Year – North Wales:
Anise, Wrexham, Llandudno
Black Peppers, Wrexham, Llandudno
Ijazz Indian Cuisine, Wrexham, Llandudno
Junction Tandoori Restaurant, Llandudno
Maahis, Wrexham, Llandudno
Spice of Llanberis, Caernarfon, Llandudno
Tava Restaurant, Wrexham, Llandudno
Thai Dine, Wrexham, Llandudno
Valley Spice, Corwen, Llandudno
Thisha Curry House, Rhyl, Llandudno
Regional Restaurant of the Year – North West:
Achari, Bolton
Freya’s Grill, Darwen, Blackburn
Junoon, Helsby, Warrington
Krapow Thai Restaurant, Warrington
Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham
Maki & Ramen, Manchester
Mr Chaat, Bolton
Thamin, Littleborough, Oldham
Venus Lounge Restaurant, Heywood, Oldham
Wild Ginger, Rochdale, Oldham
Regional Restaurant of the Year – North East:
Chutney, Gleadless Townend, Sheffield
Jolsha, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland
My Delhi, Newcastle upon Tyne
Punjabi Heaven Restaurant, Roundhay, Leeds
Sachi’s Burley, Burley in Wharfedale, Leeds
Sherkhan Of Alnwick, Alnwick, Newcastle upon Tyne
SIBU, Batley, Wakefield
Soami’s Trio By Parvin Kumar, Consett, Durham
Soho Tavern, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne
Urban Choola, Sheffield
Regional Restaurant of the Year – West Midlands:
Alessi Indian Restaurant, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent
Bao To The Broth, Hereford
Golden Keg, Draycott in the Moors, Stoke-on-Trent
Gurkha Imperial Dining, Bromsgrove
Indian Edge, Kenilworth
Maneki Ramen, Worcester
Millennium, Kings Heath, Birmingham
Monsoon Majestic Indian Dining, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent
Tamarind, Balsall Common, Coventry
Pickles Indian and Grill Cuisine, Spon End, Coventry
Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Midlands:
House Boat Restaurant, Derby
Kushboo, Kettering, Northampton
Laziza Indian Bar & Restaurant, Burton Waters, Lincoln
Nazreen, Burton Latimer, Kettering
Shapla Spice, Ripley, Derby
Silchar Indian Dining, Hinckley
Spice Lounge, Brackley
Aramintas, Northampton Wakaze, Leicester
Wakaze, Leicester
Zaap Thai Street Food, Nottingham
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Hertfordshire:
Abbots Tandoori, Abbots Langley, Watford
Dalchini Spice, Shefford, Stevenage
Dragon Garden, Borehamwood, Watford
Ginger Bar & Restaurant, Hertford, Stevenage
MITR Restaurant, Royston, Stevenage
Oishii Japanese Restaurant, Hertford, Stevenage
Old Siam, Hertford, Stevenage
Raj Of India, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans
Tamarind, Potters Bar, Enfield
The Cochin Indian Restaurant, Hemel Hempstead
Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Anglia:
Sushi And Salad, Ely, Cambridge
Rose and Mango, Saint Neots, Peterborough
New Saffron Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Thetford, Ipswich
Tamarind Fine Indian Dining, Blofield, Norwich
Takayama Restaurant, Ipswich
The Kimchi, Norwich
Bananaleaf, Chesterton, Cambridge
Lowestoft Tandoori, Lowestoft, Norwich
Taste of India, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich
Shilpa Indian Restaurant, Papworth Everard, Cambridge
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Essex:
Taz Restaurant, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford
Temple, Woodford, Ilford
Neyzen Restaurant and Pods, Romford
The Britannia & Gurkha Restaurant & Bar, Berechurch, Colchester
Rim Jhim Spice Indian Restaurant, Stanway, Colchester
Moonlight Tandoori, Harlow, CM18 7NW
Maharani Indian Restaurant, Colchester
Kelvedon Spice, Kelvedon, Colchester
Golden Mayfair, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea
Wadud’s Fusion of Thai & Indian Restaurant, Braintree, Chelmsford
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Kent:
Durbar Spice, Downe, Bromley
The Bombay, Swanley, Bromley
The Bombay Restaurant, Swanley, Bromley
Spice Village, New Ash Green, Longfield
Prince of India, Faversham, Rochester
Mowglis, Beachampton, Milton Keynes
Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway, Orpington, Bromley
Ginger & Spices, Chislehurst, Bromley
Spice Lounge, Faversham, Rochester
Shozna, Rochester
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Surrey:
Bay Leaves, Ewell, Kingston upon Thames
Trishala, Redhill
3 Rooms Indian Restaurant, Ottershaw, Kingston upon Thames
Yaadein Authentic Indian Restaurant, Stoneleigh, Kingston upon Thames
The Cricket Lounge, Worcester Park, Sutton
Spicy Tadka Staines, Staines-upon-Thames, Twickenham
Rishi’s in Slate & Grain Brasserie and Bar, Hackbridge, Sutton
Red Rose of Chessington, Hook, Kingston upon Thames
Coulsdon Spice, Coulsdon, Croydon
Colombo Kitchen – Hopper & Kottu Bar, Worcester Park, Kingston upon Thames
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Sussex:
Akash Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Horsham, Redhill
Alishaan Indian Restaurant, Sompting, Brighton
Andaaz Indian Restaurant, Worthing, Brighton
Calcutta 16, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton
ETCI Kitchen, Brighton and Hove, Brighton
Moonstone Sri Lankan Restaurant, Brighton and Hove, Brighton
Tamasha, Lindfield, Redhill
The New Curry Centre, Horsham, Redhill
The Parsons Table, Arundel, Brighton
The Royal Indian Restaurant, Hailsham, Brighton
Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Central:
Chennai Express, Fleet, Guildford
Chilis Indian & Indo Chinese Restaurant, King’s Walk, Reading
Haweli Restaurant, Southall
Jalpari of Woodley, Woodley, Reading
Mint Lounge, Southampton
Padharo Indian Restaurant, Southampton
Spice Lounge, Burford, Oxford
Spicy Tadka, Basingstoke, Reading
The Paradise Balti House, Petersfield, Guildford
Suan Thai Restaurant, Romsey, Southampton
Regional Restaurant of the Year – South West:
Chilli’s, Weymouth, Dorchester
Ebisu, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol
Indian Queen, Saint Columb, Truro
Paprika, Whitchurch, Bristol
Royal Jaipur, Landford, Salisbury
Salkaara, Henleaze, Bristol
Spice Lounge Indian Cuisine, Ilfracombe, Exeter
Spice Route, Andover, Salisbury
Sultanz Indian Restaurant, Camborne, Truro
Vegan India, Bishopston, Bristol
Regional Restaurant of the Year – North London:
Pinos Warung, Chalk Farm, London
Mala Brasserie, Whetstone, London
Hanwoo Village Angel, Islington, London
Taste of Goa, Finsbury Park, London
Ruhit’s Indian Cuisine, Brent, London
Taherah, Belsize Park, London
Day of the Raj, Mill Hill, London
Taste of Nawab, Muswell Hill, London
Malay Fellas, Camden, London
Yaki Ya!, Colindale, London
Regional Restaurant of the Year – City & East London:
Forest Tandoori, Walthamstow, London
Mumbai Square Restaurant, Aldgate, London
The India, Islington, London
Meraz, Tower Hamlets, London
Bengal Tiger, Shoreditch, London
Muhib Indian Cuisine, London
Bengal Village, London
The Famous Curry Bazaar, London
Eastern Eye Balti House, London
The Empress, London
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Central & West London:
BKC – Biryani Kebab Chai, Marble Arch, London
Chettinad Restaurant, Camden, London
Dhaba@49, Westminster, London
Durbar Tandoori, Notting Hill, London
Indian Express, West Kensington, London
Maharaja of India, Leicester Square, London
The Mughal’s Indian Restaurant, Kings Cross, London
Tajmahal Indian Cuisine, Kings Cross, London
Tokri Restaurant, Gunnersbury Ave, London
Tamarind Kitchen, Westminster, London
Regional Restaurant of the Year – South London:
Pure Indian Cooking, Fulham, London
Colombo Kitchen, Putney, London
Indian Room, Balham, London
Pravaas, South Kensington, London
Troia, Southbank, London
Mumbai Delight, Vauxhall, London
Chaska Maska, Brockley, London
The Mantl, Knightsbridge, London
Saka Maka Hither Green Indian Restaurant, Hither Green, London
Toba, Westminster, London
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Northern Ireland:
Mao Asian Cuisine, Ballymoney
Lucky Star, Antrim, Belfast
Khyber Tandoori, Carryduff, Belfast
Curry Leaf, Hillsborough, Belfast
Chutney Joe, Saintfield, Belfast
Asha Tandoori, Bangor, Belfast
Dungannon Spice, Dungannon, Belfast
Night of Bengal, Belfast
Ruchi, Belfast
Bengal Cottage, Belfast
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Scotland:
Diamond Inn, Scotstoun, Glasgow
Slumdog Delivered, Corstorphine, Edinburgh
Zain’s Curry House, Dalry, Kilmarnock
The Red Tiffin Takeaway, Glasgow
The Aladdin’s Indian Takeaway, Perth
Azaad Takeaway, Invergowrie, Dundee
Spicy Bite Takeaway, Edinburgh
The Balti Cottage, Alness, Inverness
A Touch of Spice Takeaway, Coatbridge, Motherwell
Real Spice, Cumbernauld, Glasgow
Regional Takeaway of the Year – North Wales:
The Masala Indian Takeaway, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno
AMK Indian Takeaway, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno
Rhyl Tandoori, Rhyl, Llandudno
Ruthin Tandoori, Ruthin, Llandudno
Bombay Kitchen, Newport
Chilli Express Indian Takeaway, Newport
Mirchi Indian Takeaway, Newport
Masala Bite, Newport
RED CHILLI, Wrexham, Llandudno
The Curry Kitchen, Wrexham, Llandudno
Regional Takeaway of the Year – South Wales:
Nabil Indian Takeaway, Pontardawe, Swansea
Saffron Kitchen, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran
Farhin, Carmarthen, Swansea
The Indian Takeaway, Aberdare, Cardiff
Paprika Indian Takeaway, Pen-clawdd, Swansea
Hot Dumplings, Aberystwyth
Nehar Indian Takeaway, Lampeter, Swansea
Ling Di Long, Lampeter, Swansea
Bombay Spice, Port Talbot, Swansea
Madras, Sketty, Swansea
Regional Takeaway of the Year – North West:
The Maharaja, Stretford, Manchester
Moss Bank Express, Saint Helens, Warrington
Arong, Fazakerley, Liverpool
Karai Lounge Indian Takeaway, Chester
Waterhead Tandoori, Oldham
Masala Bay, Oldham
The Over Hulton Tandoori, Over Hulton, Bolton
Indialicious, Rochdale, Oldham
Billinge Spice, Billinge, Wigan
River Beal Indian Takeaway, Rochdale, Oldham
Regional Takeaway of the Year – North East:
Saleems Takeaway, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne
Rizq Flavours of India, New Herrington, Durham
Delaval Tandoori, Seaton Delaval, Newcastle upon Tyne
Red Naga, Cramlington, Newcastle upon Tyne
Taj Tandoori and Balti Takeaway, Ashington, Newcastle upon Tyne
Morpeth Tandoori, Morpeth, Newcastle upon Tyne
Jaipur Exclusive Indian Takeaway, Denton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne
Indian Fusion, Beeston, Leeds
Little India, Darlington
Little India Takeaway, Barugh Green, Barnsley
Regional Takeaway of the Year – West Midlands:
Spice Box, Kings Norton, Birmingham
Chilli Massala, Oldbury, Birmingham
Balti Pickles Indian Takeaway, Solihull, Birmingham
Lime Pickle, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham
The Indian Eatery, Hall Green, Birmingham
Anarkali Indian Takeaway, Bromsgrove, Birmingham
Little Bengal, Bromsgrove, Birmingham
Chutney Express, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham
Spice Nation, Hollywood, Birmingham
Village Spice, Telford
Regional Takeaway of the Year – East Midlands:
The Taste of Kashmir, Netherfield, Nottingham
Spice Takeaway, Mapperley, Nottingham
Miah’s Takeaway, Heanor, Derby
Shama, Beeston, Nottingham
SunSushi, Far Cotton, Northampton
Lajawab Grill & Fresh Karahi, Forest Fields, Nottingham
Masala Takeaway, Sherwood, Nottingham
Kingsthorpe Spice, Kingsthorpe, Northampton
Panshi, East Abington, Northampton
Shipon Tandoori, Chesterfield, Sheffield
Regional Takeaway of the Year – East Anglia:
Ahmed Spice, Wymondham, Norwich
Taj Mahal, Upper Hellesdon, Norwich
Quality Authentic Indian Bangladeshi Fusion, Norwich
Eastern Spice, Ipswich
Urbanchai, Cambridge
Naga Indian & Bangladeshi Takeaway, Horsford, Norwich
Masterchef, Luton
Lime Takeaway, Saint Edmunds, Ipswich
Indian Flavours, Norwich
Bhujon Indian & Bangladeshi Takeaway, Tring, Hemel Hempstead
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Essex:
The Raj Tandoori, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea
The Tandoori Hut, Southend-on-Sea
The Royal Rasoi, Southend-on-Sea
Spice Zone, Halstead, Colchester
Kaani Kaana, Chelmsford
Blue Bengal Indian Cuisine, Hornchurch, Romford
Tina’s Kitchen, Ilford
Crown of India, Loughton, Ilford
Balti Night, Braintree, Chelmsford
IMI’S Spice Kitchen, Southend-on-Sea
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Hertfordshire:
Aroma, Radlett, Watford
Balti Village, Harpenden, St Albans
Kimpton Spice, Hitchin, Stevenage
Kasturi, Watford, Watford
Chef Express, St Albans
City Spice, St Albans
Shapla White, Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage
Saffron, Borehamwood, Watford
ChilliGo, Cheshunt, Enfield
Surma Takeaway, Stevenage
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Kent:
Spice Fusion, Tunbridge Wells
Nawab Indian Takeaway, Gillingham, Rochester
A Taste of India, Chatham, Rochester
Al-Amin Tandoori, Maidstone, Rochesterm
Bearsted Spice Indian Takeaway, Maidstone, Rochester
Jhal Chilli, Maidstone, Rochester
Cinnamon Indian Takeaway, Canterbury
Sher E Bangla, Longfield, Dartford
Kafila Indian, Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Mum’s Thai, Chatham, Rochester
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Surrey:
Rice and Spice, Epsom, Kingston upon Thames
Saffron Indian Takeaway, Merstham, Redhill
Khasturi Indian Takeaway, Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames
Runa Takeaway, West Byfleet, Kingston upon Thames
Surrey Tandoori, Camberley, Guildford
Bokays, Addlestone, Kingston upon Thames
Purbani, Guildford
Curry Master, Epsom, Kingston upon Thames
Surrey Spice, Leatherhead, Kingston upon Thames
Jalsha Indian Takeaway, Ashford, Twickenham
Regional Takeaway of the Year – Sussex:
The Original Curryland, Worthing, Brighton
Curry Zone, Worthing, Brighton
Eshna’s Nutrition, Worthing, Brighton
Telesmati Takeaway, East Grinstead, Redhill
Akash Tandoori, Worthing, Brighton
Agra Tandoori, Brighton and Hove, Brighton
Lotus House Chinese Takeaway, Sompting, Brighton
Curry Master, Eastbourne, Brighton
Wild Mango, Burgess Hill, Redhill
Horsham Tandoori, Horsham, Redhill
Regional Takeaway of the Year – South West:
Show Spice, Wellington, Taunton
Shahnaz Tandoori, Newton Abbot, Torquay
Mela Indian Takeaway, Montpelier, Bristol
New Taj, Horfield, Bristol
Dolas Indian Kitchen, Devon, Plymouth
Shapla Balti, Plympton, Plymouth
Zayan Authentic Indian Cuisine, Redruth, Truro
Blue Mango, Taunton
Black Peppers, Whitchurch, Bristol
Myra’s Korean and Japanese Restaurant, Dorchester
Regional Takeaway of the Year – South Central:
Chutney’s Indian Takeaway, Weymouth, Dorchester
Nice N Spicy, Weymouth, Dorchester
Allspice Tandoori Indian Takeaway, Arno’s Vale, Bristol
Indian Summer, Park Gate, Southampton
Nawabi Takeaway, Headington, Oxford
Paanchi Indian Street Kitchen, Fratton, Portsmouth
Qumin Takeaway, Caversham, Reading
Paprika Indian Takeaway, Reading
Red Onion Tandoori, Reading
Bengal Spice Indian Takeaway, Thatcham, Reading
Regional Takeaway of the Year – East London:
Wing Wah, Stratford, London
Indian Greedy Cow, Bethnal Green, London
Chutney’s, East Ham, London
Spice Tandoori Takeaway, Newham, London
Dhaba Kitchen, Tower Hamlets, London
Kung Pao Panda, Bethnal Green, London
Woodies Spice, Walthamstow, London
Tandoori Cottage, Chingford, London
The Wanstead Kitchen, Forest Gate, London
Black Cardamom, London
Regional Takeaway of the Year – West London:
The Balti House, Acton, London
Rajah Rowing Indian Kitchen, Mitre Way, London
Tadka, Holland Park, London
Little Lahore, Shepherds Bush Green, London
Shahi Nan Kebab, Shepherds Bush Green, London
Salwa Restaurant, Marylebone, London
West Kebab, Ealing, London
Holy Cow, Hammersmith, London
Fresh and Delicious, London
Palace Tandoori, Hammersmith, London
Regional Takeaway of the Year – North London:
Holy Cow, Archway, London
Salim Spice, Harringay Ladder, London
Royal India, Enfield, London
Chilli Tuk Tuk, Barnet, London
New Surma Tandoori, Islington, London
Meera Express, Church End, London
Mint Leaf Curry House, Tottenham, London
Monsoon Indian Takeaway, Canonbury, London
Indigo Indian Takeaway, Finsbury Park, London
The Tiffin Tin, Barnet, London
Regional Takeaway of the Year – South London:
The Curry Garden, Eltham, London
Babur To Go, Forest Hill, London
Nazran’s Indian & Punjabi Cuisine, Catford, London
Passage to India Takeaway, Norwood, London
Bombay Kitchen, Brixton Hill, London
Samrat, Tooting, London
Eastern Cuisine Indian Takeaway, Gipsy Hill, London
Dabangg Kitchen, Bermondsey, London
Indian Fusion Kitchen, Norwood, London
Malabar Feast, Peckham, London
Although the UK’s curry industry has been thriving post the pandemic and the BREXIT impact of increasing costs of ingredients, currently contributing £4.5 billion to the economy in 2025, up from £4.2 billion in 2024, recent changes to immigration rules introduced on 22nd July 2025 pose a significant threat to the industry’s future. Under the Home Office’s latest immigration reforms (Statement of Changes HC 997, 22 July 2025), chefs have been entirely removed from all three official hiring lists: the Shortage Occupation List, Temporary Shortage List and General Work Visa List. This move effectively restricts the recruitment of skilled chefs from the Indian Subcontinent, regardless of the salary offered, a big challenge to an industry where approximately 90% of kitchen staff are skilled workers from the Indian Subcontinent.
The curry sector was already facing acute labour shortages, with just 9,300 Skilled Worker Visas granted to the entire hospitality sector in 2023 and a staff turnover rate of 52% across hospitality. A 2024 survey by an industry trade publication, Spice Business, found that 88% of Asian restaurant owners were struggling to hire skilled chefs due to rising costs and visa hurdles. With the new immigration rules now in place, the situation has dramatically worsened with an estimated 30–35% of curry restaurants forced to reduce opening hours or close temporarily in the coming months due to staff shortages.
