Restaurants in Cardiff, Caerleon and Swansea all made the list
This year will be the 10th Asian Food & Restaurant Awards(Image: Ed Gilbert)
The top Asian restaurants in the UK have been named, with three Welsh Indian restaurants featuring in the top 50.
The Asian Food & Restaurant Awards (AFRA), celebrate achievements of restaurants, takeaways, and chefs which have made an “indelible mark” on the eating habits of the British public and will celebrate what organisers say is “excellence, innovation, and talent” in the Asian food and hospitality industry. Restaurants in Cardiff, Caerleon and Swansea have all been shortlisted as finalists ahead of the ceremony on December 2 in London.
The chair of the judging committee for 2025 is George Shaw, editor of The Good Curry Guide. He will lead a team to whittle down the top 50 restaurants to 10 winners.
Mr Shaw said: “Those working in the Asian hospitality sector are a shining beacon of light showing the enrichment afforded by multiculturalism and the social cohesion enjoyed by most people in our towns and cities around the country.”
Purple Poppadom,Cardiff
Purple Poppadom in Canton(Image: Ed Gilbert)
Situated on Cowbridge Road East, Purple Poppadom is described as a “fine dining restaurant blending Indian flavours with Welsh influences”. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here.
The Canton-based restaurant has taken home several accolades over the years, and has been recognised as one of the best eating establishments in Wales.
Last year, it was named in the top 100 Indian restaurants in the UK, and at the 2023 Asian Restaurant Awards it scooped best restaurant in Wales. In 2021, Purple Poppadom was named the Best Restaurant in Wales at the British Curry Awards
Widely regarded as being Cardiff’s most acclaimed Indian restaurant, chef-owner Anand George serves a range of coconut and curry leaf fragranced cooking from his home region of southern India, alongside high-end versions of dishes from across the country.
Raj Kitchen, Swansea
Chef Raj Chowdhury has scooped several awards since opening Raj Kitchen (Image: Raj Kitchen)
Fairly new to the Welsh Asian restaurant scene, Raj Kitchen opened on Castle Street, Swansea, in 2023. The stylish restaurant serves a wide range of traditional Indian and Nepalese street-food dishes and small plates as well barbecue grill meals, speciality Indian meals, classic curries, and biriyani with many different rice, naan bread, and various side dish options to choose from.
Chef Raj previously spent three years serving his dishes at Swansea Dockers Club but opted to go solo and launch his own restaurant due to the sheer popularity of his tasty dishes.
Earlier this autumn, Raj Kitchen also took home the prestigious Wales Chef of the Year award at the Welsh Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards for the second year running. The accolades have firmly cemented Raj’s reputation as one of Wales’ leading culinary talents.
Raj Kitchen is ranked as the third best restaurant in Swansea on Tripadvisor. Holding an impressive 4.9 star rating, visitors praise the authentic flavours, amazing food, brilliant atmosphere and friendly members of staff.
Red Fort, Caerleon
Red Fort has been a huge success since opening in Caerleon(Image: Josh Knapman)
Serving up traditional Indian dishes and usual favourites, Red Fort, in the historic town of Caerleon, was rated the number one eatery in Newport just months after opening in 2019. It has continued to be a popular destination with almost 700 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor.
Red Fort boasts on its website that it aims to “combine elements of different culinary traditions, passed down through generations”.
In 2020, the Caerleon restaurant was named the best Asian restaurant in south Wales at the Asian and Restaurant Awards, and it was awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award in 2021.