It has won a top award
21:14, 12 Aug 2025Updated 21:20, 12 Aug 2025
(Image: Submitted)
An Indian restaurant and sports bar in Salford has been named the best in the region at a top awards ceremony. Spice & Spirits, in Little Hulton, has scooped the ‘Best of Manchester’ award at the prestigious annual English Curry Awards.
Owned by Bhavesh Patel, the eatery on Manchester Road opened five and a half years ago.
As well a large variety of classic and traditional dishes and street-style plates, the venue also has a bar with screens showing all the major sporting fixtures, as well as screens within the restaurant itself.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News following their award win, General Manager Reshan Nagarkoti said they attracted customers from all the country, but were proud of their location and roots.
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“We are quite far from the centre of Manchester you might say, but people are still coming from Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, London.
“Places where there are so many restaurants. So it feels really, really nice when people come from far. We enjoy that.
(left to right) Jeevan Thanpa, manager of the bar of Spice and Spirits second branch in Bolton, Reshan Nagarkoti General manager of Spice and Spirits, owner Bhavesh Patel, Director, and Ronit, Head Chef, picking up their award(Image: Submitted)
“But we also have a lot of local customers who are very, very nice. They are always supportive. Any charities, they let us know, and we provide a lot of free food. to them.”
They also now have a second branch in Bolton which opened in December last year and also doubles as a cocktail bar.
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Reshan put down their success to their kitchen, run by head chef Ronit, always meeting their customers’ needs.
“I think the fact we will customise food plays a big part” he said. “We will always tailor things to exactly what the customers want.
The eatery offers a wide range of classic dishes and street-style plates(Image: Submitted)
“We provide lots of different options, for people of all tastes and all ages. No one ever comes here and says they can’t find what they want.”
The winners were announced at an elegant ceremony at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Monday (August 11).
In the Best of Manchester category, Sanskruti, in Ladybarn, south Manchester, and which offers vegan and vegetarian dishes was recognised for Oustanding Achievement.
It has also a sports bar(Image: Submitted)
Whilst the legendary This & That on Soap Street in the city centre, widely thought to be the birthplace of ‘Rice n Three’, was recognised for excellence.
Despite a number of nominations in other categories, including Best Restaurant in the North West, none made the final three.
Irfan Younis, Spokesperson for The 14th English Curry Awards 2025 said: “It was another memorable event that honoured the dedication and hard work of the nominees and celebrated the rich tapestry of flavours that the curry industry brings to the English culinary landscape.
“The Awards provide a platform to applaud the exceptional efforts of those who have made significant contributions to the curry sector and continue to elevate the nation’s love for curry.
“We would like to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.”