My Delhi Newcastle has been named Champion of Champions at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2026, leading a winners’ list that stretches from Belfast and Glasgow to London, Liverpool and Bristol.
The awards were presented at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 12 October. According to the organisers, more than 1,250 businesses across the UK were nominated, bringing restaurants, takeaways and hospitality teams from across the country into contention.
For diners, the results offer a snapshot of the breadth of Britain’s Asian food scene: established neighbourhood restaurants sit alongside street-food specialists, vegetarian venues and newer arrivals.
The national winners
Alongside its Champion of Champions title, My Delhi Newcastle also received the North East Restaurant of the Year award. Kusturi Indian Restaurant in Colchester was named National Chef of the Year, while Kaani Kaana in Upminster took National Takeaway of the Year.
- Champion of Champions: My Delhi Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
- National Chef of the Year: Kusturi Indian Restaurant, Colchester
- National Takeaway of the Year: Kaani Kaana, Upminster
- Streetfood Restaurant of the Year: Babaji, Sunderland
- Newcomer of the Year: White Tiger, Kings Docks, Liverpool
- Turkish Restaurant of the Year: The Banc, Enfield
- Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Golpo Bengal Cafe & Restaurant, Cambridge
- Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year: Meat Free Planet, Wolverhampton
Recognition across the UK
Nu Delhi Restaurant Lounge in Belfast won Northern Ireland Restaurant of the Year, while Mekong in East Kilbride received the Scotland title. Other regional restaurant winners included Bombil in Bristol, The Grand Sultan in Margam, Port Talbot, Ijazz Indian Cuisine in Wrexham and Akshaya – The Picture Drome in Liverpool.
In the capital, Taste of Nawab took North London Restaurant of the Year, Tajmahal Indian Cuisine received the Central & West London title, Grand Rasoi Restaurant won City & East London, and Shad Indian Restaurant was recognised in South London.
The results also highlighted chefs and takeaway teams. Gurkha Kitchen in Ellon received Scotland Chef of the Year, while the Scotland takeaway award went to Gurkha Kitchen in Fraserburgh. Cam Spice in Bar Hill, Cambridge, and Tandoori Flames Indian Takeaway in Littleborough were among the regional takeaway winners.
A celebration shaped by hospitality’s pressures
ARTA founder and CEO Mohammed Munim congratulated the winners and finalists, describing Asian hospitality as a contributor to employment, community life and multicultural Britain. He also pointed to pressures from employment costs, food prices, energy bills and other operating expenses.
His message placed the evening’s celebrations in a wider context: recognition for the teams continuing to invest in food, service and their businesses while managing those challenges.
How the awards are decided
According to ARTA, its process begins with public nominations based on food quality, service and value. Nominees are then assessed using factors including Google and Tripadvisor reviews and Food Hygiene Ratings before a final judging stage.
The ceremony was hosted by television news anchor Samantha Simmonds and comedian Paul Sinha. ChefOnline was the event’s strategic partner.
Reporting by Taste Asia Staff, based on the ARTA 2026 winners’ announcement. Photograph supplied with the story.
