Asian restaurants across Scotland were shortlisted earlier in the year through a series of public votes, and then narrowed down to just 24 winners.

The winners included Shimla Dining who won Curry Champion of the Year, and Muhammad Sultan who was awarded special recognition for his charity work with the homeless in Glasgow, and his international aid work year-round.

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The awards, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, were attended by over 400 guests and hosted by Dr Zubir Ahmed, Labour MP for Glasgow South West, and UK Minister for Health and Social Care. It was organised by the Asian Catering Foundation.

The awards were presented by BBC News Presenter Samantha Simmonds and the 2025 runner up in the BBC’s hit series, The Apprentice, Anisa Khan.

On announcing the winners, Asian Catering Federation chairman Yawar Khan called out “the damaging new immigration rules in the UK,” describing the impact he believes these could have on Asian cuisine.

“The Asian Restaurant Awards in Glasgow are a key event for our industry. Not only do they recognise the excellence of Asian and Oriental restaurants in Scotland, but they also celebrate the significant contribution our industry makes to the economy thanks to the hard work of all the businesses involved,” Khan said.

(Image: Straight PR)

“The Asian food industry continues to thrive in 2025, despite the many challenges it currently has to face, in particular the fees charged by online delivery platforms, rising food costs, high energy bills, and the damaging new immigration rules in the UK.

“Should the new immigration rules go ahead, I believe the high standard of authentic Asian cuisine produced in the UK, will be hit hard, as these rules will make hiring chefs from overseas almost impossible. ”

Full list of winners:

  • Curry Champion of the Year:

    • Shimla Dining, Coaltown of Wemyss – Winner
  • Asian Restaurant of the Year:

    • Spice Tandoori, Elgin – Winner, North of Scotland
    • Bayleaf, Livingston – Winner, West Lothian
    • Masala Twist, Glasgow – Winner, Glasgow
    • Obsession of India, Glasgow – Winner, West Central
    • Ignite, Edinburgh – Winner, Regional
    • Shezan Indian Restaurant, Edinburgh – Winner, Edinburgh
    • The Bengal Spice, Keith – Highly Commended, Moray
    • Light of Bengal, Aberdeen – Winner, Aberdeenshire
  • Nepalese Restaurant of the Year:

    • Shimla Dining Inn, Grampian Hotel, Perth – Winner
  • Newcomer of the Year:

    • Zaika Taal, Glasgow – Winner, West Central
  • Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year:

    • Rickshaw & Co, Glasgow – Winner
    • Raja Rani, Glasgow – Highly Commended, West Central
  • Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year:

    • Kinara, Glasgow – Winner
  • South Asian Restaurant of the Year:

    • Madras Café, Glasgow – Winner, West Central
  • Japanese Restaurant of the Year:

    • Katsu, Glasgow – Winner, West Central
  • Malaysian Restaurant of the Year:

    • Nanyang, Edinburgh – Winner
  • Heritage Cuisine of the Year:

    • Macau Kitchen, Edinburgh – Winner (Macanese Cuisine & Luso-Asian Cuisine)
  • Indian and Nepalese Restaurant of the Year:

    • Mount View Restaurant, Lauriston – Winner, North Scotland
    • New Shimla, Leslie – Winner, Glenrothes
  • Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year:

    • Bayleaf, Bathgate – Winner, West Lothian
  • Asian Buffet Restaurant of the Year:

    • Namaste Shimla Palace, Cowdenbeath – Winner, Fife
  • Asian Takeaway of the Year:

    • Bayleaf Express, Edinburgh – Winner, Edinburgh
    • Eastern Spice, Edinburgh – Highly Commended, South East Scotland
  • Community Champion Award:

    • Muhammad Sultan (Charcoal’s Restaurant), Glasgow – Winner