London restaurants were among the winners at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2026, as the capital hosted a nationwide celebration of Asian dining at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 12 October.
Taste of Nawab, Tajmahal Indian Cuisine, Grand Rasoi Restaurant and Shad Indian Restaurant received London regional restaurant titles, while The Banc in Enfield took Turkish Restaurant of the Year. Kaani Kaana in Upminster was named National Takeaway of the Year.
More than 1,250 businesses across the UK were nominated, according to the organisers. For London diners, the results put a collection of local names in the spotlight alongside winners from across Britain.
London’s regional restaurant winners
- North London Restaurant of the Year: Taste of Nawab, London
- Central & West London Restaurant of the Year: Tajmahal Indian Cuisine, London
- City & East London Restaurant of the Year: Grand Rasoi Restaurant, London
- South London Restaurant of the Year: Shad Indian Restaurant, London
Ruhit’s Indian Cuisine also received North London Chef of the Year. The award announcement names the restaurant as the recipient, rather than identifying an individual chef.
Enfield and Upminster receive national recognition
The Banc in Enfield won the Turkish restaurant category, while Kaani Kaana in Upminster collected both National Takeaway of the Year and Essex Takeaway of the Year, the latter reflecting the regional category used by the organisers.
Nearby winners included The New Khyber in Kingswood, Tadworth, which received Surrey Restaurant of the Year, and Nouvellè Lounge in St Albans, named Hertfordshire Restaurant of the Year.
The wider winners’ list
The evening’s Champion of Champions title went to My Delhi Newcastle, which also won North East Restaurant of the Year. Kusturi Indian Restaurant in Colchester received National Chef of the Year.
Other headline awards recognised Babaji in Sunderland for street food, White Tiger at Kings Docks in Liverpool as Newcomer of the Year, Golpo Bengal Cafe & Restaurant in Cambridge for casual dining, and Meat Free Planet in Wolverhampton as Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year.
A celebration with a serious message
ARTA founder and CEO Mohammed Munim congratulated the winners and finalists while highlighting the operating pressures facing hospitality businesses. He cited employment costs, food prices and energy bills, and praised independent operators for continuing to invest in their teams, quality and customer experience.
Munim also described Asian hospitality’s contribution to community life, employment and multicultural Britain, placing the awards within a broader story about the people behind the restaurants.
How ARTA selects its winners
According to the organisers, public nominations consider food quality, service and value for money. 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 strategic partner.
By Editorial Desk. Based on the ARTA 2026 winners’ announcement issued on 13 October 2026. Photograph supplied with the story.
