"Being a finalist is a remarkable achievement"
The finalists for the 2026 Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Curry Industry’, have been announced.
The awards celebrate Asian restaurants and takeaways across the UK, with the grand finale set to take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Monday, October 12, 2026.
More than 1,250 restaurants and takeaways were nominated by customers and food fans for this year’s awards.
Mohammed Munim, founder and CEO of ARTA, said:
“Congratulations to every restaurant and takeaway named as a finalist of ARTA 2026.
“Being a finalist is a remarkable achievement and reflects the passion, resilience and dedication of the businesses shaping Asian hospitality across the UK.
“At a time when rising employment costs, inflation and increasing overheads continue to challenge independent hospitality, Asian restaurants and takeaways remain vital to communities and the wider UK hospitality industry.
“We look forward to celebrating the winners’ and their achievements in the hospitality industry on Monday 12 October 2026 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.”
The categories include Pan Asian Restaurant of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Takeaway of the Year, Turkish Restaurant of the Year, Street Food Restaurant of the Year and National Newcomer of the Year.
Several restaurants across the UK have been shortlisted in regional and specialist categories.
In the North East, Lal Qila in Cramlington, My Delhi Newcastle, The Vine Indian Cuisine in Mosborough, Sheffield, and Zeera Indian Cuisine in South Shields are finalists for Regional Restaurant of the Year.
Babaji in Sunderland has also been shortlisted for Street Food Restaurant of the Year.
In the North West, Junoon in Helsby, Frodsham is among the finalists.
Alessi Indian Restaurant & Bar in Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, is in the running for West Midlands Regional Restaurant of the Year.
Meanwhile, Eastern Spice in Ipswich is a finalist for East Anglia Regional Takeaway of the Year.
Nominated restaurants were scored based on two phases.
In the first phase, the restaurants were judged collectively on their Customer Nomination Score. This includes Quality of Food, Quality of Service and Value for Money.
They were also scored on their ARTA Score, which includes TripAdvisor Reviews, Google Reviews and Food Hygiene Ratings.
In the second phase, each shortlisted business is judged on its Regional Cook-Off Score, which includes the Product’s Flavour, Appearance, Texture, Aroma and Hygiene, and how these qualities come together as a whole.
The 2026 awards ceremony will be hosted by BBC journalist Samantha Simmonds.
The event will bring together restaurateurs, MPs and celebrities to celebrate businesses across the UK’s Asian hospitality industry.
