The shortlist for The Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards has been revealed
A selection of dishes at Indian vegetarian restaurant Lily’s in Ashton(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The nominees for this year’s ‘Curry Oscars’ have been revealed – and a number of North West eateries have received the call up.
The Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards, which are also known as the ARTAs, recognise the very best of Asian cuisine across a range of national and regional categories encompassing the very best restaurants and takeaways in the UK right now.
In total, seven restaurants across Greater Manchester have been shortlisted for ‘Regional Restaurant of the Year – North West’ at this year’s ARTA’s, with seven takeaways up for ‘Regional Takeaway of the Year – North West.
The 2025 awards saw over 1,295 restaurants and takeaways from across the UK nominated. The awards shine a light on the ‘excellence, craft, creativity and great taste’ of the industry by bringing together the UK’s most celebrated Asian restaurants, chefs and culinary professionals.
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The winners will be announced at the ARTA Grand Finale & Gala Evening on the 6 October 2025 at the London Hilton, Park Lane.
Here in the North West, the seven restaurants shortlisted include Achari and Mr Chaat in Bolton; Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine in Ashton-under-Lyne; and Maki & Ramen in Manchester city centre.
Achari Restaurant in Bolton(Image: Google Streetview)
Three Rochdale venues were also nominated in this category – Thamin and Wild Ginger in Littleborough, and Venus Lounge in Heywood.
Meanwhile, in the North West takeaway category, The Maharaja in Stretford received the nod, as did the The Over Hulton Tandoori in Bolton, and Billinge Spice in Wigan.
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Oldham and Rochdale faired well in this category too, with Waterhead Tandoori and Masala Bay both mentioned, while Rochdale’s Indialicious and River Beal Indian Takeaway also got the call up.
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.
Lily’s Vegetarian Indian restaurant in Ashton-under-Lyne(Image: ABNM Photography)
“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 6 October.”
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, Tameside
- Maki & Ramen, Manchester
- Mr Chaat, Bolton
- Thamin, Littleborough, Rochdale
- Venus Lounge Restaurant, Heywood, Rochdale
- Wild Ginger, Rochdale
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
- Billinge Spice, Billinge, Wigan
- River Beal Indian Takeaway, Rochdale