Merseyside restaurants competing to be named UK’s best

A few of this year’s nominees have made the shortlist previouslyChicken rogan josh from the Indian Kitchen Liverpool(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Oceanic Awards have announced the finalists of the 4th Nation’s Curry Awards 2026. The prestigious event recognises and celebrates the talents and hard work of individuals and businesses within the UK’s curry industry.

The awards celebrate the country’s rich and diverse curry culture and encourage the continued growth and evolution of the industry. These finalists are said to have “distinguished themselves with their exceptional quality, innovation, and consistency in offering a truly memorable dining experience”.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on January 12, 2026. Irfan Younis, spokesperson for the 4th Nation’s Curry Awards 2026, said: “We look forward to once again celebrating the finest in the UK’s curry scene, recognising the creativity, innovation, and exceptional service that have become synonymous with this beloved cuisine.

“The UK’s curry industry is a vital part of our culture, and these awards recognised the exceptional talents of the individuals and businesses that make it so special. We’d like to congratulate all of our finalists and wish them the best of luck.”

The ECHO has narrowed the shortlist to Merseyside and its surrounding areas.

Takeaway of the Year – England

• Bhaji Fresh (Warrington)
• Punjabi Kitchen (Stoke-on-Trent)
• The Indian Kitchen (Liverpool)
• Dilshad Stakeford Tandoori (Choppington)
• Chutney Express (Birmingham)
• Amma Kitchen (Nottingham)
• Grand Tandoori Kitchen (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Outstanding Restaurant of the Year

• IndianHouse (Huddersfield)
• Mount Gurkha Bistro (Wolverhampton)
• Mehek (Leek)
• Planet Bollywood (Stoke-on-Trent)
• Bayleaf Lounge Bar & Restaurant (Bollington)
• Kerala Kitchen Restaurant (Wirral)
• Jilabi Indian Restaurant (Birmingham)
• The Indian, Indian Restaurant (Northwich)
• Lalbagh Indian Restaurant (Cambridge)

Afghani Restaurant of the Year

• Afghan Cuisine (Oxford)
• Kabul Dera (Aylesbury)
• Kabul Karahi & Grill (Manchester)
• Afghan Chopan Restaurant (Milton Keynes)
• Kabuli (Birmingham)
• Choupan Restaurant (Bradford)
• Kabul Restaurant (Manchester)
• Afghan Shinwari (Luton)
• Afghan Cuisine’n’Grill (Bolton)
• Watani (Liverpool)

Nepalese Restaurant of the Year

• The Great Kathmandu Restaurant (Manchester)
• Himalayan Monal (Preston)
• Jomsom Nepalese Restaurant (Liverpool)
• Great Himalayas Nepalese Restaurant & Bar (Southport)
• Gurkha Imperial Dining (Bromsgrove)
• Mount Gurkha Bistro (Wolverhampton)
• Everest Gurkha Nepalese Restaurant (York)
• Da Mount Gurkha (Liverpool)
• Kathmandu Gurkha (Chesterfield)

Geeta Bhandari received the Special Recognition award in the 1st Nation’s Curry Awards 2023 for her work at Waterloo restaurant Da Mount Gurkha(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year

• Bengal Lounge Wetherby (Wetherby)
• Little Bangla Bangladeshi (Oldbury)
• Bangla Pride (Telford)
• Monpura (Warrington)
• Mishtidesh (Birmingham)
• Jaflong Bangladeshi (Ripon)
• Cafe Bangla (Rushden)
• Bangla Restaurant (Batley)
• The Sylhet Spice Cuisine (Birmingham)
• Bangla Lounge (Birstall)

Street Food Restaurant of the Year

• Rikshaw Indian Street Food (Derby)
• Indian Street Food Corner (Coventry)
• Ajab Gajab Indian Street Food Restaurant & Bar (Liverpool)
• Bardez (Manchester)
• Desi Street Food (Leicester)
• Singhs Indian Street Food (Leeds)
• Ahaar Indian Street Food (Manchester)
• Mr Chaat – Indian Street Food (Bolton)
• Delhi Wala Food (Leeds)

Best Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year

• Westbourne Spice (Otley)
• Golden Keg (Stroke on tent)
• Rajpoot (Huntingdon )
• Royal Bengal (Cambridge)
• Spice Lounge (Mytchett,Camberley)
• Bombay 8 Indian Restaurant (Warrington)
• Namaste Indian Restaurant (South Shields)
• Zeera Indian Cuisine (South Shields)